Representations of migrant workers in music videos by Russian independent artists: three strategies of identity construction

Authors

• Mark E. Simon

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33345/idantutkimus.144321

Keywords:

Russian Federation, Migrant workers, Central Asia, South Caucasus, Music video, Shortparis, Manizha, Fardi

Abstract

In this article, Mark Simon focuses on representation of migrant workers in three music videos: "Strasho!" ('Scared) by Shortparis, "Nedoslavjanka" ('Not Slavic enough') by Manizha and "SNG" ('CIS') by Fardi. Based on Railton and Watson's (2011) typology of music videos, the author analyses in detail the events and artistic expression of the videos. The videos reveal discrimination, xenophobia and underestimation toward migrant workers from Central Asia and South Caucasus. The author concludes that the main difference between the three music videos lies in the way the artists construct their identity by positioning themselves in relation to migrant workers.