3. Locations
In magazines like VIBE that focus predominantly on R&B music, we
often see images of artists or groups in outdoor locations that signify
the urban genre of music they are featured in; this can be places like
beaches, clubs, estates and many more. If not in an outside location it is
likely to see an artist or group in an artificial setting such as in a studio
with a plain backdrop so that the location doesn’t take attention away
from the subject matter. When an artist or group is photographed in an
outdoor location this is effective as it suggests that they are being
“caught in the moment” and it shows their dominance as the focus
doesn’t navigate away from them to the background of the image.
Also, the locations these type of artists are set in are usually bright and
convey the urban genre of R&B, for example, artists are commonly
featured in front of a wall covered with heavy graffiti, in a swimming
pool or beach to show their success and wealth and in front of a
mansion with big cars present.
4.
5. Locations
The images within the R&B genre make the readership admire the
artists and strive to be like them and achieve similar goals and the
locations within the background highlight this as it is a representation
of the artists achievements. Typical holiday settings are used as
location backgrounds, this is mainly because majority of R&B artists
come from islands in the Caribbean and America. The locations usually
show the quirky, fun and vibrant side of the artists through colours.
Unless the image is in black and white the colours are vibrant, eye-
catchy and fun.
Within all the images of the R&B genre we see common iconography
associated with this urban nature such as tattoos, expensive
cars, mansions, provocative
females, snapbacks, trainers, alcohol, drugs and money. Street
locations are also common as they create a “gangster” and “hood” feel
to the image.
