This document analyzes how a rap magazine targets its audience through the use of language, images, and design elements. It discusses three key ways the magazine appeals to its target demographic: 1) The cover uses slang language related to rap music to connect with its young, urban audience. Phrases like "Smoke Sumthin'" signal that the magazine's content will relate to its readers. 2) The cover model is a famous rap artist that will attract fans and intrigue others to learn more. The model's pose signifies attitudes associated with rap and possible gang affiliations. 3) Rap-related props on the cover, like a gold chain, associate the artist with wealth and signify themes commonly found

1. Target Audience Analysis
From looking at this magazine, I can see straight away that
is to do with the music genre of rap due to the language
that has been use on their cover lines. `Smoke Sumthin’
would be a clear indicator to this magazines audience and
over people who may look at this front cover that it is to
do with Rap music as the quote contains attitude as the
word smoke has been used, in somewhat, a positive
matter. As well as the word `Sumthin’ is an abbreviation
of something, indicating that this rap also is quite street
and is aimed at quite a young audience, teenagers and
early 20’s due to them using this sort of language when
they speak. This would automatically make the magazine
more appealing as the audience they are targeting can
relate to it as it is not proper English that has been used,
which is something they do not do, and also meaning that
they can also understand it a lot easier, complicate words
and sentences would make the target audience shy away
from the magazine, but proper audience would not tie in
with this sort of magazine as its genre is Rap music, which
is renowned for its abbreviated words and street
words/slang.
Another convention used in this magazine that would make it appealing to an audience, their
specific audience, is the model. The model that has been used is a famous rap artist that many
people who like rap music will know. This is something that would interest and attract many people
into buying the magazine and reading it, as well as catching their eye as they be a fan of this
particular rap artist or are even intrigued to find out more about him as XXL are doing an article on
him. The model is also showing body language which would only relate and be specific to this rap
genre, as it involves him having a lot of attitude and also making his hands and fingers into almost a
shape of a gun, which could signify that this rapper is a form of gangster. This is typical for a rap
magazine as they are following exactly what this type of music is about.
One last convention that would appeal to the magazines audience is the use of props on the model
to make the image easier to understand, that it is obviously connected to rap music. A prop that has
been used on this model for the front cover is the Gold chain, which is a typical thing that is seen on
all rap magazines front covers. This is because the rap industry is seen as rich one, that all the artists
have money and will want to show it off in different and various ways, whether that be through cars
or even through this Gold chain that this rapper has. It is also linked in with the majority of rap
songs, which this artist may have, as Gold chains are a frequent thing that pops up. It is as if a Gold
chain is a signifier of this Rap artist’s success.
James Karaiskos 12R

2. Target Audience Analysis
This particular contents page would be appealing to a
specific audience for many reasons, but on these many
reasons that makes it stand out is the use of a famous rock
band, Arctic Monkeys, as one of the main images on the
contents. This would attract and appeal to many of their
audience as so many people are fans about them and will
want to read the magazine to find out what the
information is that `NME’ have given over about them.
Another convention of this magazines contents page is the
use of text on the right hand side which is the actual
contents page. They have displayed clearly what will be
included in this issue of their magazine and have also
included articles that would be attractive to ALL of their
audience and not just a specific amount who like this type
of music. It has also displayed what type of genre this
music magazine covers through their text. This is because
of the language they have used sections of text like
`Reviews’ which analyses various and different rock albums
and also the various news that goes on in the rock industry.
This would also appeal to the audience as they have a lot
to read about and it would be completely relevant to their
favoured music
One last thing that this magazine has included to appeal to their audience is the type of font on the
text. This font has a connection with rock music as it is big and bold which makes it stands out on the
page, which is exactly what rock is. They have made all the font be in capital letters as if someone is
shouting the words at them or even to give off this loud image which is what all rock is mostly
renowned for.
James Karaiskos 12R

3. Target Audience Analysis
Looking at this magazines double page
spread, I can see various things that would
appeal to massive audience, especially their
own, but one thing that I can pick out and talk
about is the fact that they, like every other
popular magazine, have used a very famous
music artist as their main image. The fact that
they have used someone like Usher as their
main image and written such a detailed article
on him, makes this magazine instantly more
appealing and attractive due to him having so
many fans and being so popular among the
female gender, who seem to be the gender
that buys most magazines.
Another thing that this magazine have
included on their double page spread is the
use of a quote. This is obviously something
that Usher, the music artist that this double page spread is about, has said. This will intrigue the
readers as it has come straight from him so it almost more personal and we get an insight into what
he is like. The quote also states that he wants to be the greatest entertainer living as Michael
Jackson was the greatest entertainer ever. This gives us, as readers, a look into what his ambitions
are right now and in the future. It is also shows that this particular music artist is very professional
and just wants to do his job to the best of his ability as it is clearly what he loves.
One last thing that the magazine has done to in their double page spread to appeal to their audience
is by making their model smoke. This will give off a bad boy image to the readers who are fans of
him and past that, especially as they will look for their target audience to be females in this case. It is
also displaying a side of his personality, as the model himself is renowned for his image. It also
makes him more attractive to the female gender. He is also smoking a cigar, something that is
commonly associated with the wealthy due to it being so expensive, so it could show that he has
made a lot of money from his profession.
James Karaiskos 12R