2. Album covers.
Album covers are used to help[p attract an audience into buying an artist music.
However this has to be different for each genre of music because they need to
attract a certain audience who like this genre of music my applying certain
conventions. This therefore meaning that particular characteristics and conventions
of a Hip Hop album cover would be different to those of a folk genre. This is why it
is important that when I create my digipack and cover I need to make sure that I
use these conventions related to my genre to make sure that I can attract my target
audience.
3. WRETCH 32 Album Cover
This is wretch 32’s album cover
for tractor. This album cover
instantly ticks the boxes for a
stereotypical hip hop album.
Firstly the image itself uses low
key lighting. This gives this
earie effect witch is what Hip
Hop and rap can usually consist
of. This dark lighting gives of
this dangerous atmosphere
too. This is something that I will
make sure I will use in my
interpretation because I think
this makes the cover very
recognisable to the audience
and target market of the hip
hop genre. I believe that this a
convention that fans of this
genre look out for. If this is
done well it will do well at
attracting the audience.
Another aspects that I like is the location they have used for this
cover. The fact they have use a brick wall almost resembles an
alley or block of flats this therefore suggests where this music is
mainly listened too. It also gives this gangster affect to it witch
gives the artist this stylish aspect to him.
I believe that the font used for album name is
also a crucial aspect of this cover. The fact that
this title is in the graffiti font it looks like it has
been sprayed on the wall behind. This gives of
the idea that the fact this album is sprayed on
walls show he has a reputation. This also
shows that the artist within this genre is
ruthless and almost gives of the idea that the
artist doesn’t stick to the rules. This is also
something that is often related to hip Hop
artists because it was originally created in
areas of poverty like flats. This is where you
would normally see this kind of Graffiti. This
cover stays true to its roots keeping the genre
young and fresh. The artist is always wearing
stereotypical Hip Hop clothing this gives him
off as a kind of role model.
4. Wretch 32- Print Advert
This is Wretch 32’s print advert promoting his new album he
released in 2008 called Wretchrospective’. There are a range
of key elements that have been engaged into this print
advert so that it can related to the genre conventions and
attract the audience of this type of music.
One of the first thing that I have spotted was this images
of the block of flats on the left of the advert. The fact he
has this on there may be to personally gain a connection
with the viewers, as this may symbolise his story. He was
originally brought up in Tottenham. The fact that this is
engaged on the ad may be demonstrating that wretch
will always stick to his roots, and he has made it in show
bizz because of the way was brought up.
Another aspects that I picked up was the choice of clothing
that wretch has decided to wear in the ad. He has initially stuck
to the stereotypical hip hop style. This usually contains baggy
t-shirts and drop-crotch trousers witch wretch seems to be
wearing. This is something that will help promote his genre
and get more people into this style. His fans would also see
him as a role model so this will help them pick up his style and
adopt it themselves. This will help the artist become more
popular.
I also think that the font used in the ad has been specifically chosen to
create a certain message. As the font itself almost looks like Graffiti
this may demonstrate his roots and style. Graffiti is an art in witch
people express there feelings this my mean that wretch wanted his
audience to know that his music is artistic and interesting. This could
also demonstrate to the audience that his music is Urban. This artistic
idea has also been demonstrated on the artists neck and arms. That
fact this artistic style has been used on the artist himself could also
imply that he has an artistic, hard to perceive personality, witch his
fans may recognise. This gives him a unique aroma witch could also
make viewers more attracted.
Another eye-catching technique they have used is the way that they
have promoted the date of release, the album name and the special
guests. The fact they have used this black label effect makes this
information really stand out. The contrast of the colours make it
easy for users to see witch it effective. They have also got the
release date in a bolder writing, this is because this is the most
important piece of information on the ad, as this need to be seen
well to get the hype of the release, and initially make sure the album
sales.
The producers of this ad have also made sure that the viewer can
see where they can get the album from. This will help boost sales.
Not only does it give shops like HMV it also gives the audience an
option to where they can download the album this is a good tool
as a lot more people download now rather than buy because of
web 2.0.
The fact that it has been made obvious that wretch has a religious chain on
his pocket may suggest that he believes in god. It can also show that the
artist is respectful and believes god has helped him on his journey. This may
also relate to his viewer's.
This images used for the print advert is
exactly the same as the album cover.
