Analysis of famous music magazines for media.

1. MASTHEAD - Use of the ‘Billboard’logo,seenon
everyeditionof the magazine soisahouse style and
isrecognisable.The fontisveryinformal which
meansthe target audience isyoungerandless
sophisticated. The coloursredandyellowinside the
fontare genderneutral,whichtargetsbothsexes,
expandingthe audience. Aswell asthisthe colours
isa denotationof Billboardasa magazine asit
coversa range of entertainment,e.g.music,film
and currentaffairs.
COVERLINES – The coverlines
are arrangedwithtitleswhich
have beenhighlightedand
informationfollowingitis
placedunderneath.The
highlightedtitlesof the cover
linesmatchRihanna’stopand
create a house style fromthe
image andtext.The spacing
betweeneachanduse of
highlightedtitlesadds
perspective tothe magazine
as the readercan analyse
whatthe mainstoryis about
and whattheyshouldexpect.
SKYLINE– the use of the Skyline istopromote the other
featureswithinthe Billboardmagazine.ReferringtoBillboard
as a ‘FilmandTV Music conference’linkstowhat
conferencesare typicallyassociatedwith(important
meetings,where familiarcompaniesdiscussprivate
information).The denotationof thiswouldbe,Billboard
beingone companyandsharinginformationwithitsreaders,
and like familiarcompanies,sharingfamiliarinterests,there
isa relationshipof familiaritybetweenthe twoallowingin-
depthconversation.
MAIN COVERLINE – The
coverline connotatesthe
mainimage of Rihanna
whichrevealshernewly
transformationasshe
now has big,brighteye-
catchingred hair.This
intereststhe audience as
theywantto know
what’snew andthe
reasonfor change.The
image itself woulddraw
attentionbutto reinforce
the change withRihanna,
presentsRihannaas
especiallyimportant,and
exclusivetoBillboard
readers.
PULL OUT QUOTE – Thisissomethingwhich
automaticallygrabsthe reader’s attentionasthe public
wouldbelieve theydon’tknow Rihannafollowingpast
publicity.Toreveal “Myfansdon’treallyknowwhoI
am” suggestsshe isdisclosinginformationthatisonly
exclusivelyavailablewithBillboard.Itisalsoimplying
Rihannais beingshockingandtrue whichmay nothave
beenseenbyherfansyet.Readerslovestoknowthey
have the exclusive informationandthis pull-outquoteis
reinforcingthe factthatthisis excitingand exclusive.
MAIN IMAGE – The mainimage isof the singerRihanna.
Her musiccrossesRnB,Hip-Hop,Popand Rock.The use of
heron Billboarddirectlylinkstothe factthat Billboard
doesn’tconformtoone style andincorporatesall typesof
musicgenresintheirmagazine.The use of thisallowsan
audience withawiderrange of preferences.The image of
Rihannashowsherleaningoverslightlyrevealingone of
hertattoos,whichcouldbe a connotationof rebellion
whichmatchesthe musicgenresshe associatesherself
with.She posesmysteriouslyandseductivelysuggesting
thiscouldbe targetingmale readersaswell asfemale
readerswhoaimto aspire to be like theiridol Rihanna.
Thispose linkstothe pull-outquote “Myfansdon’treally
knowwhoI am” thiswouldsuggestthatin thisinterview
she will reveal whoshe isandBillboardisinpossessionof
thisinformation.Thisautomaticallygrabsreader’s
attentionanddesire forthemtoknowmore.

2. ++
MASTHEAD – “VIBE” stands out at the top of the
page and is bright and clear. As it is the name of
the magazine it must stand out from the rest of
the page, which is why it takes up almost three
quarters of the page. The blue is bright on the
grey background and matches the trim of
Kanye’s jacket, colour coordinating.
SKYLINE – The skyline
incorporates alternative
colours to make the
statement stand out. It
summarises one of the
stories presented in the
magazine. This small
insight into one of the
stories attracts the
reader and helps sell the
magazine.
MAIN IMAGE – The image used is a close up shot of
Kanye West, it is a direct address to the audience which
entices the reader more because it as if Kanye is targeting
them directly. His facial expression is serious which gives
us an indication of the type of the type of interview we
should be expecting. The use of basic clothes could imply
Kanye is not showing off and is simply being raw and
honest. The use of a less revealing close up could indicate
it is not a target for women and is aimed at both sexes.
Typically a magazine cover targeted at women would
entail a topless man wearing minimal clothing.
COVER LINES – A smaller font is featured here
to highlight the fact these are less important
articles. The use of a pink and blue colour
scheme attracts both a male and female
audience, therefore expanding the target
audience and creating a bigger sale income.
This overall concludes to the target audience
Kanye West is for both genders and there is no
division. It gives an insight on articles inside
the music magazine. Focusing specifically on
Hip Hop artist, consumers who are fans of the
artists listed feel inclined to purchase this
magazine.
PULL OUT QUOTE - The
biggest, so assumingly main,
cover line has a pull quote ‘I
am rap’ – this pull quote
fascinates the target audience
because they are interested in
the context and related
information. This quotation is
also a very bold statement
which can come across as
controversial and discussions
could come about because of
this quotation.BACKGROUND – The background is a very neutral, bland
monochromatic colour. The simple background could imply
that the interview with Kanye is a very clear and pure
interview. It could signify there is truth in what he is saying,
rather than him being in nature, which could represent
peace, or a city which could represent importance, there is
a very modest background that reflects Kanye’s attitude
and mood in this edition.
MAIN COVER LINE – There is a
blue, pink, and black colour
scheme which makes the
magazine appear neat and
coordinated. The font applied
would be an example of a
house style with Vibe. The
continuous use of the same
font helps the presentation of
the magazine remain
sophisticated and attractive.

3. MASTHEAD – “VIBE”has a gradientcolourscheme
whichmakesitattractive and unusual.Itstandsoutat
the top of the page and takesupabout one quarter of
the page.It sticksto a red, black,greycolourscheme
that isincorporatedthroughoutthe frontcoverwhich
makesthe frontcover appearneatand attractive.Vibe
can place theirmastheadbehindthe subjectbecause of
the popularityandfamiliarityof the magazine.Itisa
simple yeteffective boldfont,allowingittostandout
as much as itpossiblycan.
SKYLINE– Thissummarisessome of the rap artiststhat
are featuredinthe magazine.Asthe genre of the
magazine israp,it will continue toassociate the
artists,withtheirmusicgenre,thenalsowiththe
magazine’sgenre itself.Italsoasksthe readera
question –‘IS 1998 RAP’SLASTCLASSICYEAR?’ – thisis
mostlikelytobe a rhetorical questionbut
automaticallyitengagesthe readerandmakesthem
engage withthe frontcover.Therefore,itmakesthem
r=feel asthoughtheymust readon and purchase the
magazine.
MAIN IMAGE – Thisisa mediumclose-upof Eminem,
He isstoodwithhisarms crossedand a stern,serious
expressionwhichcouldsignifythathe isa focused
artist.The seriousnessof hisexpressioncouldalso
relate tothe seriousnessof the articleshe isinvolved
in,whichisdrugs and the dangersthatinvolve drugs.
The costume he wearsallowsusto see hisarms and
all the tattoos he has.These tattooscouldbe
connotationsof the rap/hip-hopgenre.Theyare
rather rebelliousandthatis reflectedinhismusicand
social life.
PULL OUT QUOTE – thispull-outquote is
a veryseriousquotationthatcan catch a
lotof readerseyes.Itisan on-going
problemthata lot of people face and
therefore canbe quite relatable,sotosee
it happentoa celebritycouldmake the
readermore inclinedtopickupa copy
and readabout it.
COVERLINES – The coverlines
are all relatedtorap which
showstheyare relevanttothe
genre of the magazine.They
brieflytell the readerafewof
the stories/artistsfeaturedin
the magazine.Smallertextis
usedforthe lessimportantor
lesspopulararticles,which
couldinclude certainartist’s
names.There hasalsobeena
use of a rhetorical question,
whichallowsthe readertoget
involvedwiththe magazine
and givesthemachance to
decide certaindecisions. The
use of the coloursred,black
and greykeepsthe edition
veryseriousandimportant.It
keepsthe editionneatand
consistent.
MAIN COVERLINE – the
maincoverline isthe
boldestdisplayedcover
line andisin brightred
rather thangreyor black
whichseemstobe the
case forthe other cover
lines.Aswell asthis,this
coverline involvesapull-
out quote,whichattracts
the readerbecause itgives
theman insightof what
theyshouldexpectinthe
article.The word
‘EMINEM’ is the biggest
whichreinforcesthe fact
the story involvesEminem
and hisstruggle with
drugs.