The Purpose Of Music Videos

What is the purpose of a music video?

Eminem & Rihanna - Love The Way You Lie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelHwf8o7_U

This video is both a narrative and performance video. It begins with the artist Rihanna miming the lyrics to the camera (extreme closeup) with a burning house behind her. The video is lyrically driven so when the words 'sit there and watch me burn' are sung and image of the house burning appears on screen. The 'male and female gaze' is a technique used throughout. The actor Megan Fox who has previously been voted the worlds sexiest woman stars in the video, this will attract male attention as they will find her attractive, also females will feel encouraged to watch the video as they idolise her, in addition the artist Rihanna will add to this. Famous Actors aren't often included in music videos, so the idea that Megan Fox stars in it suggests that it will act as a talking point for people who have watched the video. For example someone will say "Have you seen the video for Rihanna and Eminems new song, it has Megan Fox in?" this will encourage whoever they're talking to to watch it.
I also noted the similarities in the first ever rap videos and this one. In Funkadoobiests video the rapper shows the same aggressive attitude as Eminem, the artists will dominate the camera and there will be many closeups, i have found this to be a generic feature.

Lady Gaga Ft Beyonce - Telephone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBsypHzF3U
This is my second video, i feel it completely differs to the first. I think that this video was primary to the song as it was used to promote the artists profile. I think that the explicit images used in the video are used to shock the viewer and so acting as a talking point and raising awareness of the video's release so that more people view it. It also works using the male gaze, young attractive females dancing in their underwear will attract their attention.I think that the video acts as more of a short movie due to the fact that the lyrics do not play until 3 minutes in and there is dialogue. This video is a cross between a performance and concept video. Although the artists mime the lyrics the actions they make in the video rarely relate to them.