Abstract. Music appears as one of the products ofpopular culture. In America, the rise ofpopular culture cannot be separated from thegrowth of music industry. Many genres of musichave been growth from year to year along thedevelopment of the country. One of the genresdefining the American taste is hip-hop. One ofthe popular singers and rappers in thismillennium era is Nicki Minaj who has given anew color to the popularity of American hip-hopmusic. Anaconda, one of her songs portrays acomplex story of pride, desire, and lust.

Keywords: American Popular Culture, Music, Hip-hop,Nicki Minaj.

I. Introduction

Popular culture grows along the existence of human

needs of contentment. The term “popular culture” firstly

arose in the late 20th to the early 21st century. The

definition of popular culture based on Brummett’s

definition in Rhetorical Dimensions of Popular Culture says:

“Pop culture involves the aspects of sociallife most actively involved in by the public. Asthe ‘culture of the people’, popular culture isdetermined by the interactions between people intheir everyday activities: styles of dress, the use

Cultural Criticism

The Analysis of Nicki Minaj’sAnaconda

of slang, greeting rituals and the foods thatpeople eat are all examples of popular culture.”

Popular culture widely spreads due to the work of mass

media which has influenced the life of society in many

ways. From the point of view above, it may be said that

popular culture mostly contributes to some aspects of our

life mainly in lifestyle aspect, it is accepted and

existed widely in the society, and its influences approve

as mainstream products.

When talking about popular culture, it is cannot be

separated from the term commercial culture. The

difference mainly is placed on the result of the

popularity of the product in the social acceptance. The

definition of commercial culture is explained briefly on

Matthew P. McAllister’s essay “Is Commercial Culture

Popular Culture?:A Question for PopularCommunication

Scholars”, it is said:

“Commercial culture, then, refers specifically toadvertising forms of mediated culture: culturedesigned to sell a product. By this definition,advertisements are commercial culture. Commercialculture also results when obvious advertising andpromotional influences intrude on non-advertisingforms.”

Afterwards, it can be said that when the product is

accepted and become popular, then it is simply

categorized as popular culture. Meanwhile, when the

product is just accepted and consumed as a product of

commercial production without giving a significant impact

towards its popularity, then it is properly said as

commercial culture.

In America, popular culture goes along with the idea

of American Dream. What Americans have dreamed for is

clearly reflected and produced by the products of their

culture. When culture meets industry, unfortunately it

creates products. Then, the products will be promoted and

marketed through the help of mass media. Mass media

highly influences to the popularity of culture in

America.The products of popular culture in America give a

picture of how American Dream is pictured openly in

several ways.

One of the popular culture products in America is in

music industry.The rise of popular music culture in

America can’t be separated from the invention of the

great and most influenced Edison’s phonograph which at

the first appearance it had been designed with no

electric parts at all. The phonograph would affect to the

diffusion of values and the reinforcement of social roles

in American popular culture. The development from year to

year appeared by the spirit of the era though. Then, mass

media has been used to spread and promote the popularity

of American popular music until today.

Music industry in America includes many genres of

music. One of the very popular genres is hip-hop music.

The background of this genre was born in the influences

of Black Americans culture. Hip Hop is viewed by Black

youth as a way of life.Theyalso use Hip Hop as an

expression towards the issues of race, class based

inequality, family, and community.This genre is actually

based on a compilation of African American and Afro-

Caribbean culture. The first appearance was in the 1970s

where it was known as an underground urban movement which

was developed in New York. It has divided into four

phases since its first appearance in the 1970s: Old

School (1970s-mid 1980s), First Golden Era (1983-1990),

Second Golden Era (late 1980s-mid 1990s), and Bling-Bling

Era (1999-present). Today, the growth has been presenting

in the modern era. Bling-bling era defines hip hop music

as a genre presenting freedom of expression in many

aspects of life without leaving the main base of American

Dream representation.

Bling-bling era has born various kinds of hip-hop

music artists and singers with their new colors and

styles in expressing hip-hop music.One of the singers is

Nicki Minaj. She is a rapper, singer, and also songwriter

based in America. Her popularity in singing hip-hop music

is worth to be counted since she has been a phenomenal

singer. In 2014, she popularizes a song named “Anaconda”

which has brought her to be such an iconic artist. Thus,

this song is worth to be analyzed.

II. Nicki Minaj and “Anaconda”

Nicki Minaj is a female rapper, singer, and

songwriter who was born on December 8, 1982 in Saint

James, Trinidad and Tobago.Her first appearance in

the American music industry began in 2010 when she

signed a recording contract with Young Money

Entertainment in 2009.Electrical hip-hop is the genre

she mainly practices. She is known as an iconic

eccentric girl with her costumes, wigs, and make up.

Her one-of-a-kind style in rapping and singing makes

her as the most influential female rapper of all

time. She has released 3 albums since her first

appearance on her first album Pink Friday (2010), Pink

Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), and Pinkprint(2014).

One of her iconic songs released on August 4, 2014

from her third album Pinkprint. It is named as

Anaconda. Anaconda is included into hip-hop music.

This song has returned her to her based hip-hop music

after she has released songs in pop taste. The

popularity of the songs position it on the top chart

of the US Billboard Hot 100. The video clip features her

fellow rapper, Drake. The video made in Los Angeles,

California and released on August 19, 2014.

III. Theories and Methods

A. Textual Theories

1. Narrative Theory

The narrative theory applied to analyze this song

is presented by Roland Barthes theory. He

describes a text as:

“a galaxy of signifiers, not a structure ofsignifieds; it has no beginning; it isreversible; we gain access to it by severalentrances, none of which can be authoritavelydeclared to be the main one; the codes itmobilizes extend as far as the eye can read,they are indeterminable…the systems ofmeaning can take over this absolutely plural

text, but their number is never closed, basedas it is on the infinity of language…”

This means that the text can be analyzed in such

wide meanings by starting one viewpoint, one set

of previous experience, and continuing to find

different meanings. He gives five points in

analyzing a text with his narrative theory, such

as:

- The Hermeneutic Code (HER) is the way of making

clues to create mystery. Thus, the fact or the

truth is avoided.

- The Proairetic Code (ACT) is the way the

tension raises and the audience don’t pay

attention more about what is going to happen.

- The Semantic Code (SEM) looks at about the

meaning of connotation meaning in the text and

what it symbolizes.

- The Symbolic Code (SYM) is almost the same with

SEM, yet it analyzes the meaning deeply and it

leads to the conflict ideas.

- The Cultural Code (REF) looks at cultural

knowledge, morality, and ideology.

2. Cinematic Theory

In analyzing Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda, the writer

uses formalistic approach. This approach says

that film is an art not a reality. It emphasizes

the ability to create story and emotion through

manipulation.For instance, this approach has been

applied to classical Hollywood cinema and film

noir. This approach focuses primarily on

internal evidence. The analysis specifically

concentrates on formal techniques of the film:

the use of mise-en-scene;camera shot, angle,

movement and position; editing; sound; and

special effects.

B. Contextual Theories

Psychological Theory

This paper uses psychological approaches to

analyze the existence of psychological aspects in

the song Anaconda. It adapts the theory which is

presented by Sigmund Freud to determine the scopes

including: the Id, the Ego, and the Superego.

Briefly, the id is the primitive and instinctive

component of personality promoting pleasure

principles, the Ego develops in order to mediate

between the unrealistic id and the external real

world which works on reality principal, and the

superego incorporates the values and morals of

society which are learned from one's parents and

others.

IV. Analysis

A. Textual Analysis

1. Narrative Analysis

Referring to the theory presented by Barthes,

here the writer analyzes the lyrics of Nicki

Minaj’s Anaconda based on the five points given.

Here is the analysis of the lyrics:

My Anaconda don't... My Anaconda don't want none unless you got buns hun

The lyric is sung by the male rapper. It appears

as the opening of the whole song. The audiences

at first interpretation cannot specifically guess

what Anaconda is. It is clear that Anaconda

belongs to the male rapper as a direct

representation of a male figure and

masculinity.The lyric creates a sense of it is a

true kind of snake or it is just a connotation.

But if comparing to the video clip which at its

first scene has shown about sexiness of a woman’s

butt then it can be guessed that Anaconda means

male’s genital aka penis. Anaconda is the first

example of SEM code. Buns which literally means

buttocks cannot be identified what something that

is about to talk. Then the next lyrics sung by

Minaj talks about a little story which is said:

Boy toy named Troy used to live in DetroitBig dope dealer money, he was getting some coinsWas in shootouts with the law, but he live in a palaceBought me Alexander McQueen, he was keeping me stylish

The lyrics tell about a rich guy named Troy who

has given Minaj’s life needs, including precious

stuff. Still, there’s no such clear meaning of

the lyrics. It is just a story of her life. It is

an example of HER code. It’s rather confusing

where the story is going to be brought. Her

desire is clearly told by the lyrics.

Now that's real, real, real,Gun in my purse, bitch I came dressed to killWho wanna go first? I had them pushing daffodilsI'm high as hell, I only took a half of pillI'm on some dumb shit

The whole lyrics then picture a sexual activity.

It is pictured by the other examples of SEM code,

there are gun which can be termed as penis and

purse is termed as vagina. The word ‘them” may

refer to fingers which are masturbating to her

vagina which is pictured as daffodils. Daffodil

literally means a kind of flower.Flower is

another representative of woman’s genital.

Besides, the word “dumb shit” reflects the sexual

activity done.Women’s lust is pictured here. The

lyrics continue.

By the way, what he say?He can tell I ain't missing no mealsCome through and fuck 'em in my automobileLet him eat it with his grills,He keep telling me to chillHe keep telling me it's real, that he love my sex appealBecause he don't like 'em boney, he want something he cangrabSo I pulled up in the Jag, and i hit 'em with the jab like...Dun-d-d-dun-dun-d-d-dun-dun

The lyrics above give examples of SYM code.

Begins with the second line which portrays about

a part of the sexual activity or what so-called

as oral sex practiced by the man to the women.

The third line tells about the women’s lust about

having sex in the car whereas the word “’em”

refers to her genital. Another SEM code example

is the word “grill” reflecting penis. Grill

literally can be defined as roast. The last two

lines give a picture of the woman who keeps doing

blowjob which is sounded that way.

Oh my gosh, look at her buttLook at her butt (look at her butt)

The lyric above is repeated to give a picture of

a woman who is in a big lust. It represents that

the woman is flirting the man by repeating those

words as if the woman wants the man to reach her

butt. The lyric above is another example of SYM

code. The story then continues by these following

lyrics.

This dude named Michael used to ride motorcyclesDick bigger than a tower, I ain't talking about Eiffel'sReal country ass nigga, let me play with his riflePussy put his ass to sleep, now he calling me NyQuilNow that bang bangbang,I let him hit it 'cause he slang CocaineHe toss my salad like his name RomaineAnd when we done, I make him buy me BalmainI'm on some dumb shit

However, the woman starts a new story with a new

man named Michael who rides motorcycles and he

has a big penis. The first until the fourth line

have clearly told about the meaning. That is the

example of ACT code where the story clearly is

built up then the audiences seem knowing what is

going to happen because it’s already guessed. The

fifth line tells how the woman’s lust is on high

tension by saying those words.Then, in the sixth

to the seventh line there are the words “it” and

“salad” which both give a picture of her

vagina.These two words are the example of SEM

code. The eighth line tellsabout the woman doing

sex is in purpose to fulfill her desire and

pride.The last line implies the same meaning as

the previous mentioned lyric.

Little in the middle but she got much backOh my God (look at her butt)

The lyric above is sung by the male rapper. It

tells about the position of having sex that they

are just doing. There’s no such specific meaning

implies.

Yeah, he love this fat assYeah! This one is for my bitches with a fat ass in thefucking clubI said, "Where my fat ass big bitches in the club?"Fuck those skinny bitches,Fuck those skinny bitches in the club

I wanna see all the big fat ass bitches in the motherfuckingclub, fuck you if you skinny bitches. What? Yeah!Yeah. I got a big fat ass. Come on!

The whole lyrics generally tell about the woman’s

pride of having big butt and refusing to the slim

women. The lyrics say an insult directly to the

slim women. This context is the example of REF

code where the reason is it’s inappropriate to

insult each other.

2. Cinematic Analysis

In analyzing the cinematic aspect there are

several thingswhich are included in the use of

formalistic approaches. It includes the concept,

sound, camera shot, editing, and mise-en-scene.

The concept of Anaconda is clearly seen that the

main character is Nicki Minaj who plays the role

model of the whole scene. The scene stars by

appearing a picture of the characters who are

half naked which indicates that there will be a

lot of nudity within the video. The background

takes place in the jungle which relates to the

song title Anaconda. However there is no

relevance are the half-naked women in the video.

It is just the way to attract the viewers by

showing sexually images. It is shown by the image

a.

The sound starts with the surrounding of the

jungle to give a picture of wild. Then the male

rapper does the beat and the tension of music

gets down. Nicki starts to sing her lyrics. Then

the music gets louder as the lyrics starting to

get faster.

Within this music video there are a

large number of shots, most of the shots are

taken a medium close up and extreme close up.

Most of the shots are of the main character

(Nicki Minaj). There are a lot of extreme close

up of Nicki Minaj and the other characters

dancing half naked. There are a lot of sexual

images within this video. Also within the video

there are a reverse shot as the video changes to

one image to another, as at one moment they are

in the jungle then it jumps to then dancing in a

white room.

a. Mediumshot picturing the beginning of the video

clip.

b. Medium Fullshot at the gym corner.

c. Close-up shoot.

d.

d. Medium close-up at the spinning table.

The editing within this video is unquiet and

quite strange, at they have placed the item on

the turn table spinning around then Nicky playing

with the banana and whipped cream. The editing

has been done to make the music video seem faster

constantly jumping from one shot to the other

shot. As a whole, the video does not flow that

well with the song, but as there are so many

sexual references within the video this is what

attracts the viewers not the quality of the

video.

The mise-en-scene within this music video

arepictured with the main character (Nicki

Minaj). As we see the other women crowed beside

her also gives the audience the impression that

she is the main character.

B. Contextual Analysis

Psychoanalysis

The song Anaconda which mainly tells about

lust, desire, and pride is identified by these

three concepts of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic

theory. He derivates the theory into three parts:

Id, Ego, and Superego.

The Id which operates on the pleasure principle

is clearly seen from the lyrics contained. On the

lyrics it is pictured that the woman character

has fulfill her desire in having precise stuff

such as keeping her stylish by having those

branded products (Alexander McQueen and Balmain).

And also her fulfillment of sexual needs is

absolutely seen by the expression of the lyrics

sung. On the other hand, the video shows how

happy the character which is played by Minaj

about her physical appearance, her big butt.

Thus, she mocks those skinny girlson the lyric as

the expression of her satisfaction.

The Ego which works on reality principal also

can be defined in some aspects. Although the

lyrics and the video contain sexual things, yet

the singer still limits her performance along

with the social and morality value in America.

She can perform without a piece of wear, yet the

social values and morality have got her

considered about it. In the video, however, she

acts as a flirty girl but it is still considered

to be a normal thing in America.

The Superego is rather unidentified in the

song. The song really reflects more about the Id.

This concept can be explained almost the same

with the Ego where the character doesn’t fully

show up the sexual things in the song. It is

indirectly shown through the lyrics and video.

She considers about the values of the global

world of her aim to be part of popular culture.

To reach it, she may have a look about the

limitation of the other cultures around the

world. Thus, she can be accepted widely in the

global popular culture.

V. Summary

American popular culture is derived in many ways.

Music industry significantly has created colors to

the development of American popular culture. It

spreads mainly by the help of mass media. One of the

genres signified the existence of popular culture in

America is hip-hop music which has born many artists

involving in its development.This genre gives a

picture of typical Black American music at its first

appearance, afterwards it has grown as a genre

singing and listening by anyone. Nicki Minaj with her

Anaconda releasing in 2014 has created an impact

towards the color of hip-hop music in the scope

American popular. The lyrics and video clip portrays

a picture of a woman in lust, desire, and pride.In

2014, the song “Anaconda” has brought her to many

performances this year. It is considered to be one of

the iconic songs of the year.

VI. Evaluation

Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda creates a special sense

of its musical instruments. The beats slowly get

louder and it is something fresh. She has built up

non-common words to express her taste of music.Her

own way of performing may lead her to become a new

thing towards the existence of American popular

culture.

VII. Bibliography

Cintotta, Howard. 1994. An Outline of American History.United States:United States Department of State.

Delaney, Tim. Pop Culture: An Overview n.d. December 242014.<https://philosophynow.org/issues/64/Pop_Culture_An_Overview>.

Martin W. Laforse, James A. Drake. 1981. PopularCulture and American Life. United States: Nelson-HallInc..

McAllister, Matthew P.. 2003. Is Commercial Culture PopularCulture?:A Question for Popular Communication Scholars.United States: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Mueller, Kate. 'Anaconda': Why You Should Watch Nicki's VideoAgain. United States: Florida State University.n.d. December 22 2014.<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/uloop/nicki-minaj-anaconda-video-meaning_b_5766450.html>.

Stevenson, Douglas K.. 1996. American Life and Institutions.Germany: Ernst KlettSchulbuchverlageGmnH uCo.KG., Stuttgart.

Storey, John. 2001. Cultural Theory and Popular Culture. UK:Pearson/Prentice Hall.

VIII. Appendix

Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda Lyric

(cited on azlyrics.com/lyrics/nickiminaj/anaconda.html)

My Anaconda don't...My Anaconda don't...

My Anaconda don't want none unless you gotbuns hun

Boy toy named Troy used to live in DetroitBig dope dealer money, he was getting some

coinsWas in shootouts with the law, but he live

in a palaceBought me Alexander McQueen, he was keeping

me stylishNow that's real, real, real,

Gun in my purse, bitch I came dressed tokill

Who wanna go first? I had them pushingdaffodils

I'm high as hell, I only took a half of pillI'm on some dumb shit

By the way, what he say?He can tell I ain't missing no meals

Come through and fuck 'em in my automobileLet him eat it with his grills,

He keep telling me to chillHe keep telling me it's real, that he love

my sex appealBecause he don't like 'em boney, he want

something he can grabSo I pulled up in the Jag, and i hit 'em

with the jab like...Dun-d-d-dun-dun-d-d-dun-dun

My Anaconda don't...

My Anaconda don't...My Anaconda don't want none unless you got

buns hunOh my gosh, look at her buttOh my gosh, look at her buttOh my gosh, look at her butt

Look at her butt (look at her butt)This dude named Michael used to ride

motorcyclesDick bigger than a tower, I ain't talking

about Eiffel'sReal country ass nigga, let me play with his

riflePussy put his ass to sleep, now he calling

me NyQuilNow that bang bangbang,

I let him hit it 'cause he slang CocaineHe toss my salad like his name Romaine

And when we done, I make him buy me BalmainI'm on some dumb shit

By the way, what he say?He can tell I ain't missing no meals

Come through and fuck 'em in my automobileLet him eat it with his grills,

He keep telling me to chillHe keep telling me it's real, that he love

my sex appealBecause he don't like 'em boney, he want

something he can grabSo I pulled up in the Jag, Mayweather with

the jab like...Dun-d-d-dun-dun-d-d-dun-dun

My Anaconda don't...My Anaconda don't...

My Anaconda don't want none unless you gotbuns hun

Oh my gosh, look at her buttOh my gosh, look at her buttOh my gosh, look at her butt

Look at her butt (look at her butt)Little in the middle but she got much backLittle in the middle but she got much backLittle in the middle but she got much back

Oh my God (look at her butt)My Anaconda don't...My Anaconda don't...

My Anaconda don't want none unless you gotbuns hun

(Don't don't don't) My Anaconda don't...(Don't don't don't) Don't want none unless

you got buns hunOh my gosh, look at her buttOh my gosh, look at her buttOh my gosh, look at her buttYeah, he love this fat ass

Yeah! This one is for my bitches with a fatass in the fucking club

I said, "Where my fat ass big bitches in theclub?"

Fuck those skinny bitches,Fuck those skinny bitches in the club

I wanna see all the big fat ass bitches inthe motherfucking club, fuck you if you

skinny bitches. What? Yeah!Yeah. I got a big fat ass. Come on!