11 Days of 11:11 by Enyjé Sandoz
11 Days of 11:11 — Presented by Enyjé Sandoz, Writer & Creator of Written By Enyjé
Welcome to 11 Days of 11:11 — 11 days dedicated to commemorating the anniversary of Chris Brown's 11th album, 11:11, from the analytical perspective of a communicator, also known as me! I'll be exploring and dissection videos, song lyrics, and overall album to enrich the listening experience.
Angel Numbers / Ten Toes (Music Video Analysis) - (Day 1)
Angel Numbers / Ten Toes is the opening song of the 11:11 album (Standard Edition). Its music video was released three months later, on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024. Fans noted references from Chris Brown’s “Don’t Judge Me” (2012) music video from his album, Fortune. The “Angel Numbers / Ten Toes” music video guest stars Sierra Capri, “Monse,” from the Netflix series On My Block. The video also features three special guests: Chris’ children, Royalty, Aeko, and Lovely. It was directed by Jamar Harding of Riveting Entertainment.
Angel Numbers / Ten Toes music video plants viewers in a dystopian world of dirt roads and an abyss void of human life. Chris Brown is in the driver seat of a vintage car, assumingly driving with no destination in mind, implied by the lyrics: I lost my way, somewhere in another galaxy. The video pans to him, dressed in another outfit, with a starry night sky as his backdrop.
In the backseat of the vintage 2-door car, there is a large cargo bag. Chris turns to look at the bag as he sings: “And all these mistakes of mine, I can't replace it.” The bag symbolizes baggage (emotional or mental) that stores the accumulation of his mistakes that he is still carrying around with him.
As he faces forward with a shake of his head, just as the song states: “I gotta move on somehow,” he notices that the car is on E and out of gas. The car being out of gas is representative of the fatigue of journeying through life with continual reminders of wrongdoings or suffering. The desire to move on and let go of the past is prevalent; however, it is tiresome. His stating, “I gotta move on somehow,” further indicates that he wants a reprieve but may not know how to access it. With the heavy bag on his shoulder in tow, he begins walking. The walk is not easy and is noted in his staggered stride, which ties into the fatigue or metaphorical “running on E” with having to carry this around.
Though the music video is very desert-like, as he sings: “healing energy on me,” it shows a scorpion. Scorpions are indigenous to desert areas. At a deeper glance, scorpions are an emblem of transformation. It is also associated with the astrological sign Scorpio (Chris is a Taurus), whose modern ruling planet, Pluto, encompasses themes of death (metaphorically speaking), rebirth, sexuality, and the depths beyond what cannot be seen on the surface. The scorpion is representative of Chris embracing the healing process, thus the transformation it brings.
Chris continues to trudge forward, it seemingly getting harder and harder for him to persist forward with the heavy load he’s carrying on his shoulder. Bags (especially those with handles) are typically placed on one’s shoulder, though this personifies the idiom: carrying the weight of the world on one’s shoulders, which speaks to someone having a great deal of responsibility or burdens.
As his posture begins to falter, it switches back to the starry night background. Chris begins to engage in an interpretative dance, as seen throughout the rest of the video. This differs from many of Chris’ other videos in a few ways. For one, he is typically accompanied by his dancers. Two, his dancing is choreographed. However, in this music video, he is solo, and his dance moves are evocative, matching the tone of the song. This adds to the mood and induces an emotional response from viewers as it encapsulates how personal and what this song means to Chris. It’s raw. It does not have the polished, pristine, smooth 8-counts we are accustomed to seeing him perform. Instead, it seems to be driven from deep within his heart. It is like his dance moves are a form of catharsis.
The bag becomes too much for Chris to bear as it drops to his feet. As he tugs at the bag in an attempt to continue with his journey toward the rising sun, a blast erupts from the bag, knocking Chris on his back and into a sleep-like state. As Chris lies flat on his back, his body is illuminated in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and purple, anterior of his spine to indicate the alignment of his seven main chakras: root (red), sacral (orange), solar plexus (yellow), heart (green), throat (blue), third-eye (indigo), and crown (purple). This small section is powerful within itself. Throughout history, the sun has been a symbol of enlightenment. Additionally, the sun is associated with the animal lion. The lion has biblical references to being a symbol of Jesus (also referred to as Jesus Christ) — symbolizing strength and courage, and in esoteric, occult references, the major arcana tarot card, Strength, is depicted with a lion. This weaves the tapestry of the concept of Christ Consciousness — knowing one’s higher self and true nature, which is further exemplified by the depiction of Chris’ chakras being aligned. Meaning, he’s operating from his highest and truest self, or at least that’s the goal.
As the melody of Angel Numbers transitions into Ten Toes, Chris sinks into the ground, reaching up and out, trying to climb his way out. He is covered with dirt as he goes deeper and deeper. It then shows Chris, dressed in a deep forest green, lying asleep in a forest. This can be interpreted in two ways: being buried and lying in a forest could symbolize Chris drifting into his subconscious, or it could represent being unawakened, represented by his slumber-like state. Personally, the subconscious route seems to resonate as Chris wakes up and begins walking through the forest, as the song plays: Anxiety / Don’t let the pressure get to your head. Our subconscious stores our latent functions - whether it be desires, emotions, fears, thoughts, and so on, as theorized by Sigmund Freud. Anxiety is a disorder characterized by fears and anxiousness that manifest in a multitude of ways.
The forest is deep green, complementary to Chris’s outfit - which is noticeable in each scene (his outfits and scenery match one another). There are enormous trees, full of foliage with thick vines rooted into the ground and no foreseeable way out. As he travels through the forest, Chris seems to be assessing his environment. Unnoticed by him, lurking in the trees are glowing eyes. Amid frustration, Chris stomps on the ground, causing the glowing eyes to dissipate. The glowing eyes could illustrate various things that may have been repressed and suppressed.
The forest begins to glow red. Fans made mention of it being similar to the TV show Stranger Things. In the now red forest, a woman (Sierra Capri) with luminous eyes rises from the water, just above her mouth. Now, out of the water, she seductively saunters in Chris’ direction, clad in a jewel ensemble. Chris is stunned and stopped dead in his tracks, though he begins to panic.
The red (associated with love, passion, danger, warning, anger, seduction, and sexuality) forest, coupled with the seductress, is indicative of lust and its seemingly magnetic pull. As the temptress closes in on Chris, he is backed into a tree, where its vines envelop him. Trapped by the tree, she begins to seduce him, but a bright light catches Chris’ attention, and he makes a run for it. As he’s running, she summons a vine to capture Chris to pull him back. As the vines engulf Chris up to his face, life is brought back to him, symbolized through the seed of life symbol, which occurred at the timestamp 4:44, as mentioned by director Jamar Harding.
Chris is back where he started. In the distance, in the direction of the sunset, there are three people. Chris looks at the cargo bag (an indicator he is done with it and it cannot come with him to where he’s headed, as he did not pick it up again), then forward, as the camera focuses on the three people, it’s his children.
The video ends with Chris walking toward his babies. As a viewer, this was a powerful statement of his children being his life force, or as he stated in an Instagram caption: THE ONLY ONES that make my life worth living ❤️. BIG LOVE, CHICKEN NUGGET, and AEKO the GECKO.
Nightmares (feat. Byron Messia) — Rhetorical Analysis (Day 2)
Nightmares is a story of despair lived by many but told by few. Told from a third-person point of view, it illuminates the unfortunate woes one faces due to circumstantial factors (environmental, social, socioeconomic) that result in a life raptured by danger, paranoia, coping, and loss of innocence due to involvement with street activities. Its lyrics and music video are rich in rhetoric.
The song is an advisory to those who stigmatize people troubled with the burden of living to survive, metaphorically and physically speaking. It addresses their schemas and propensity to overlook, judge, and label people “in the streets.” They neglect to investigate and grasp the sociological impacts (such as race, poverty, oppression, environment, etc.) that lead someone to resort to a life of crime or engage in dangerous activities.
Though the choice to shift the trajectory of one’s life is perceptible, it is often inaccessible as many are not equipped with the opportunity and support to do differently. Thus, they become a product of their environment. The everyday battle deprives them of their sense of wonder and ability to exist, as accentuated in the lyrics: Nightmares, no more dreams/ He just don't believe, he just don't believe/ Nightmares, no more dreams/ He just don't believe, he just don't believe. Instead, it is replaced with paranoia, stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional calamities.
With succumbing to their environment (all the while still crawling their way out), they subdue their pains and struggles through various means. As Nightmares calls attention to through the lyrics: Him say, "Me depressed so Henny my medicine”, one way is self-medicating with alcohol.
Though it is unknown when the song was recorded, the music video was filmed during Chris Brown’s Jamaica extension of his Under the Influence Tour (2023) in Tivoli Gardens, a neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica. According to research, the Tivoli Gardens neighborhood is riddled with poverty, social unrest, and other activities.
Despite its immense challenges, the video captures the essence of the overall culture and reflects the adversity, but most of all, it spotlights the beauty of the local people. It also includes clips of Chris Brown and Byron Messia (the featured artist on the track) performing at the sold-out, jam-packed stadium of the Chris Brown and Friends: Live in Jamaica concert. The combination of the two settings encrypts viewers and listeners with the message of humanity, love, unity, humility, and restoration of hope, to dream and do the unthinkable.
Enyjé's Apple Music Replay Stats (Nov - Dec 2023) - (Day 3)
What can I say? I know quality music when I hear it, so I want to hear more of it… 3,806 times, but who's counting? I did attend quite a few streaming parties on the Stationhead app, but admittedly, I listened to this album whenever I wasn't in class! At this point, I'm quite sure my neighbors know the lyrics because it was blasted (and still is) 24/7!
Apple Music Stats (November 2023 — December 2023)
Top Song of 2023
- Bouncing / G5 —139 Plays
Top Album of 2023
- 11:11 (Standard Edition) — 3,806 Plays
Top 5 Songs (November 2023)
- Bouncing / G5 — 116 Plays
- Feel Something — 73 Plays
- Stutter — 70 Plays
- Feelings Don't Lie — 70 Plays
- No One Else (feat. Fridayy) — 63 Plays
Top 5 Songs (December 2023)
- Bouncing / G5 — 23 Plays
- Shooter — 19 Plays
- Feel Something — 19 Plays
- Stutter — 18 Plays
- Make Up Your Mind — 18 Plays
Stages of Relational Interaction: Understanding Through Song Examples (Day 4)
10 Stages of Relational Interaction — Coming Together & Coming Apart
Coming Together:
- Initiating
- Experimenting
- Intensifying
- Integrating
- Bonding
Coming Apart:
- Differentiating
- Circumscribing
- Stagnating
- Avoiding
- Terminating
Song 1: Stutter — Intensifying Stage
The artist is indicating that he is open or wanting more intimacy by stating the connection's impact on him. There’s also a desired closeness on a physical level. The artist's suggestion of the two of them dancing (“cut a rug up”) is a way of him waiting for a signal of her acceptance of his intimacy.
Song 2: Very Special — Bonding Stage
The artist envisions his connection elevating to the point of the bonding stage, as he wants her to “share his name," which is another way of saying that he is considering marriage. Thus, the two of them have the same last name. He is publically asserting his desire for a formal commitment.
Song 3: That's On You (feat. Future) — Circumscribing Stage
The artist is directly addressing the lack of communication or hesitancy to communicate in the connection, “Stop actin' shy, girl, let's handle it straight.” It can be implied that this tap dancing concerning this conversation has been for some time as he states, “Been entertainin' this situation...” The other party has verbally disengaged from the connection and closed off the opportunity to discuss the matter.
The artist’s connection has reached a point where both parties involved are dissatisfied with its current state (or the connection as a whole). Both are aware of the inevitable (the end of the relationship). However, the artist is seeking honesty and decisiveness from the other party by telling her to “Make Up Your Mind.” There seem to be unresolved issues, and the artist is using this opportunity to express his doubts, frustrations, and stance.
Song 5: No One Else (feat. Fridayy) — Integrating Stage
The artist asserts, “Ain’t no me without you, lil mama.” Meaning when you see one, you’ll see the other. The artist’s connection has arrived at the integrating stage, where there’s an interdependence on some level and a merging of identities, prompting people to identify them as a unit (or a whole) as opposed to separate individuals.
Social Comparison Theory: Understanding Through Song Examples (Day 5)
The Social Comparison Theory is defined as, "We describe and evaluate ourselves in terms of how we compare to other people," according to Interpersonal Communication via Glendale Community College (GCC). This theory is broken into two dimensions:
- Superiority / Inferiority
- Similarity / Difference
The artist is asserting his superiority. He is affirming that his love (and loving) is incomparable to another. It is so unforgettable that it will be difficult for her to be with another guy. Thus, he is conveying that he is the better option.
Song: Messed Up — Similarity / Difference
The artist is identifying key differences in the lifestyles of himself and the other party. He described her lifestyle as righteous, which is an acknowledgment that his lifestyle is not with the lyric, “but I’m still me.” It can be inferred that the other party evolved (once similar) while he remained the same as when they last knew him.
Stream the Album! (Election Day, 11/5) - 11 Days of 11:11 (Day 6)
Happy Day 6 of 11 Days of 11:11! — A Brief Intermission: Today’s primary focus was the 2024 General Election, so we’re going to keep it simple today and stream the 11:11 album! I hope everyone exercised their civic privilege and voted as it is so important! Tomorrow, we re-commence with more analyses and our usual 11 Day of 11:11 festivities!
Emotion Sharing: Understanding Through Song Examples (Day 7)
Emotion Sharing is described as "involves communicating the circumstances, thoughts, and feelings surrounding an emotional event. Emotion sharing usually starts immediately following an emotional episode," per Interpersonal Communication, GCC (72)
Today, we are honing in on the song's lyrics, Red Flags. In the song, the artist states, "SAY I DON'T CARE, GIRL, BUT I CAN'T FEEL MY STOMACH / YOU WERE MINE, BUT YOU ACT LIKE YOU WASN'T."
The artist confesses that his nonchalant attitude towards the girl's transgression (more than likely cheating) was a façade. Instead, he had a visceral, emotional response to the revelation. The sensation of not being able to feel one's stomach could be associated with heartbreak, sadness, or anxiousness. It can be perceived that the artist experienced all three emotions on a spectrum, waning between each, as he initially projected indifference and 'unbothered" to mask his inner turmoil.
Conflict Management Styles: Understanding Through Song Examples (Day 8)
Conflicts are a natural occurrence in the human experience. They are not exclusive to certain situations (whether a major or minor infraction) or relationship dynamics (romantic, platonic, familial, etc.). We all deal with conflicts, but how we approach and manage them may differ. According to communicators, there are five conflict management styles: competing, avoiding, accommodating, compromising, and collaborating. Our conflict management styles are formulated through various factors such as upbringing, culture, social norms, etc.
Shooter by Chris Brown highlights the avoiding conflict management style. The artist sings, "Careful with you (you), be careful with me (me, me) / Don't tell me to decide when we fightin' War (War) / Careful with you, watch what you're speakin' / I'll see your true side."
The conflict is denoted by the artist, referring to it as war. This metaphor exemplifies the severity of the conflict, as war is seen as catastrophic. This over-dramatization (seemingly powered by the emotional and mental implications of the conflict) gives context to why the artist cautions both parties because it can result in a volatile exchange due to the passions of emotions. These lyrics signify an avoidant conflict management style because the artist is cognizant of the conflict. However, it is not directly addressed. Instead, he is aware of the proverbial lines in the sand drawn by both parties and wants to maintain harmony despite the elephant in the room. Also, it can be implied he seeks to avoid conflict because of the revelations it may bring, hinted by the lyric, "I'll see your true side." Perhaps he has a fixated image of this individual, and if she were to deviate from that image by saying certain things, he would have to face the cracks of the illusion he created. Another vantage point could be that this individual projects an inauthentic persona, and she would "break character" if she were to exchange dialogue. All in all, this conflict management attempts to assuage the conflict but does not resolve it.
Looking-Glass Self: Understanding Through Song Examples (Day 9)
The Looking-Glass Self proposes that we formulate our self-concept based on what others think of us. Closer by Chris Brown hones in on this idea. The artist declares, "You hate it when I pop my shit, you say I'm not myself (No) / You know I value your opinion, not nobody else (Ooh)."
The artist acknowledges that his romantic partner's perception holds weight regarding who he is as he asserts their opinion is the only opinion he values. This means that the artist listens to his partner, and their words can alter his sense of being one way or another. Essentially, his romantic partner is not just significant because of their connection, but they greatly impact the way the artist presents himself or would like to be seen.
Mudder Knows Best! My Mom's Favorites! (Happy Birthday Mom) - (Day 10)
My mom has impeccable taste when it comes to everything, and it extends to music. With today being her birthday, it was only right to include her in the 11 Days of 11:11 celebration by highlighting her favorite tracks from the album!
Her Favorites:
Question of the Day: What are your favorite tracks from the 11:11 album?
11 Days of 11:11 - Final Day
The 11 Days of 11:11 idea was a spark of inspiration that expanded my horizons. It was by far the most substantial project I have completed on my blog thus far. It required a daily commitment to cultivating ideas, posting, and pushing myself to keep things fresh and exciting, not just for readers, but also for myself!
My deep passion for music is a constant motivator in my life and one of my greatest sources of inspiration. The 11:11 album was a breath of fresh air that I needed. Good music with a sense of novelty — does it truly get better than that?
11 Days of 11:11 was an opportunity for me to highlight my love for music and the album while remaining authentic to my blog content by combining music with my interest and background in Communications. I can’t think of a better combination!
11:11 is one of my favorite albums for many reasons, though spending these past 11 days dissecting and analyzing its contents, I think I love it just a bit more! I for sure won’t be listening to it in the same fashion as before! My Communicator cap is fixed atop my head and there to remain. While listening to music brings me joy, diving into its depths tickles my fancy and enriches the music-listening experience!
I hope that everyone enjoyed 11 Days of 11:11 and was able to take at least one thing from it - whether it be learning something new, being just as fascinated by the many communication theories as I am, or simply enjoying the album being discussed for the past week and a half.
Today may be the last day of 11 Days of 11:11, but that does not mean the journey has come to an end, just. a slight pause.
See y’all in April!
Always,
Enyjé <3
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