Media Studies

1. Research & Planning
Signs & Signifiers – Textual Analysis of
Music Magazines
RnB

2. Front Cover #1
You can tell that the genre of this music magazine
is RnB as the main and only image is of the top
RnB singer Chris Brown. As well as this, the
background consists of the names of famous RnB
singers/rappers.
An oppositional reading of this would be that we
shouldn’t be giving the limelight to people who
haven’t done anything productive for the world.
People who a good fans of Chris Browns music
will enjoy this, which is the preferred reading.
Another sign that you would expect to be on an
RnB magazine would be bling, low saggy trousers
& tattoos on the main image.
The preferred reading of this would be that it is
cool to wear these sort of things. The
oppositional reading to this would be that this
looks unappealing and dirty.

3. One iconic sign on this front cover is
the main image of Chris Brown, which
represents himself, as a celebrity. The
camera shot is an close up,
emphasising the intensity/importance
of the image.
The preferred reading of this would be
that Chris Brown is a popular artist
with great talent, something the
target audience of the RnB magazine,
XXL, would believe.
The oppositional reading to this would
be that Chris Brown should not be in
the lime light anymore due to his past
of domestic violence with another
world famous RnB singer, Rhianna.

4. A symbolic sign on this front cover is the use and
emphasis of the colour red for the background.
The colour gives themes of: danger; lust; blood;
anger and power. Adding this with the main image,
it suggests that Chris Brown isn’t happy or
expressing negative emotion for this interview.
It is very typical for an audience to feed off
negativity as it is controversial and entertaining.
This will also be seen in the target audience for
RnB enthusiasts as the lyrics in this genre have the
tendency to use negative words/topics.
All of that can be in addition to the facial
expression Chris Brown is pulling in the image. It
shows tension and strain in his face, signifying that
what he is going through or what he has said in the
interview is hard for him to tell.
An oppositional reading of this would be that it
doesn’t look appealing, to read about something
that implies negativity.
The preferred reading of this would be that

5. An indexical sign on this front cover would be
the phrase ‘NO MORE APOLOGIES’. This can be
inferred that Chris Brown is not going to be
feeling guilt anymore for his actions for either
the past, present or future.
This instantly can be related back to his
incidents with Rhianna, which caused a massive
backlash on Chris Brown and his music, this
would be an oppositional reading. The preferred
reading would be that it’s good he is forgetting
about the past, and looking forward. People
who want to aspire tend to do this.
His costume has an indexical sign that he is a
misbehaving chap, as the bling and grills on his
teeth suggest this. As they are also gold, it
shows that Chris could be a materialistic person,
and uses his wealth to show off, this would be
an oppositional reading.
His body language, by covering up his face,
could either show to us that he is wiping away
the past and forgetting all the wrong doings in
his life; or it could represent that he is covering
up a certain story maybe, or perhaps he could
be protecting himself from all the hate he has
gotten.

6. Front Cover #2
You can tell this is an RnB magazine as
it includes a main image of Beyoncé.
She is one of the most famous RnB
singers at the moment. The preferred
reading would come from her fans as
they will like to read about her.
Another example that this is an Rnb
magazine is the puff of the
downloadable content you can receive
within the magazine. It is called ‘RAP
BEEF 2.0’, rap is usually implemented in
this genre so can easily be related to it.
An oppositional reading from this
would be that ‘BEEF’ is associated with
anger or a dispute between two
people, which is linked with negativity.

7. An iconic sign on this front cover is the
logo for ‘VIBE’. This represents the
company and their magazine. The
typography shows that it is important for
the reader as it used the biggest font on
the cover.
Another iconic sign is the image of
Beyoncé. The camera angle suggests her
dominance on the page because of her
body language. She has pushed out her
chest and body, showing she is confident
with herself and body. The oppositional
reading to this would be that showing off
so much skin gives a bad example. This is
what could be decoded from this.

8. A symbolic sign on this front cover
is the plus sign next to the number
ten. This icon simply symbolises
that there is more than 10 pages
in the article.
Another sign is the usage of lines
to create a box like shape around
the puff. It highlights and cuts it
out from the rest of the front
cover, signifying the importance of
it. It also uses a different colour
for the font. It is different from
everything else so highlights it
even more.

9. An indexical sign on this front
cover is the body posture of
Beyoncé. It suggests she is a bit
naughty, by exposing her chest
and cleavage. This is for the ‘male
gaze’, where men would find more
enjoyment out of this position.
The oppositional reading could be
that this isn't a good example for
kids, showing too much skin can
be frowned upon by many.

10. Contents Page #1
You can tell that this is based
around Rnb, because of the
image of Lil Wayne. He is a
RnB rapper. He is also
performing a gang sign, a
common practice in this line
of music. The oppositional
reading would be people
disliking Lil Wayne and/or his
music. Seeing him could turn
a few heads away.

11. An iconic sign on this contents
page is the line ‘COVER STORY’
in the red box. This indicates
that the story it is next to is the
main article in the magazine
that was also on the front page.
Another iconic sign is the ‘Nike’
tick on his socks, showing the
brand that made them. This
would have a preferred reading
of aspirers wanting Nike
products more now, seeing a
celebrity wearing them.

12. A symbolic sign is ‘THE A-SIGN’
which signifies that this is somewhat
the better side to the contents. ‘A’ is
usually linked to being the best, or
the highest on a list.
Another symbolic sign is the black
rectangle, separating the cover story
description from the rest of the
stories. This implies that the cover
line is the top/best story in the
magazine. By putting it on the top,
the stories below it seems not as
important.

13. An indexical sign can be seen
with the gang sign Lil Wayne is
creating. This can be linked with
the current crimes going on
around the world with certain
gangs. It is a very intimidating
situation, especially to people
who don’t know much about it.
A lot of people will decode this
as a pointless hand movement
that makes him look immature.
It can be related to violence and
death too.

14. Contents Page #2
This can be seen as an RnB contents
page as of the main image of 50
Cent.
Another sign is the phrase “Top
Billin’” the use of slang as well as the
mention of money is a few
stereotypes seen with this genre.
An oppositional reading of this
would be that using money to show
off is very egotistical and pointless. A
preferred reading would be that it is
a goal for aspirers to have that sort
of money.

15. An Iconic sign with this is the US
Dollars, which represents a currency
used in USA. As there is an
abundance of it, it will be linked with
wealth and being rich as well.
This is a common trope with RnB
artists as they want to boost their
ego with the amount of money they
are making/have already got.
This can either be seen as an
inspiration to be as successful as the
artist. Or it can be decoded to be
seen as showing off.

16. A symbolic sign on this page
would be the phrase “top billin’”
symbolising that, in this case, 50
Cent is currently loaded with
money, and is living the high life.
This is a very common goal for
up and coming RnB artists or
pretty much everyone in the
world.
But once again the oppositional
reading would be that life isn't
all about money, that they
should focus on the good stuff.

17. An indexical sign would be the
way 50 is wearing his hat. A very
clear of saying he don’t give a
damn. The style of wearing a
hat backwards or to the side has
been around for a long time
now, signifying the wearer
thinks he looks cool or like a
‘gangster.’
A preferred reading to this
would be that he looks cool, but
the decoded message would be
that its an old and used motif
now.

18. Double Page Spread #1
• An iconic sign on this would be the letters ‘WK’ which are the
initials for the artist in the main image – Wiz Khalifa. They are in the
same colour scheme as his hat in the image, black and yellow. A
nod to his bigger fans, as one of his biggest hits was the song ‘Black
and Yellow.’ This will entice his fans to the article just that bit more.

19. • A symbolic sign would be question ‘How High?’ This could be seen
as a relation to his smoking habits with marijuana, which he isn't
afraid to show. Or it can be related to how well he is doing in the
music business. This is a play on words, making it
memorable/funny. An oppositional reading would be that the use
of marijuana is illegal and should be condemned.

20. • An indexical sign to this spread would be the smoke coming from
his mouth, indicating usage of drugs. A very touchy subject, as
drugs can be highly frowned upon, especially when you are in the
spot light where everyone can see you do it. An oppositional
reading to this would be that drug use is bad and because it is illegal
shouldn’t be in mainstream media.

21. Double Page Spread #2
• An iconic sign on tis spread would be the artists
name ‘RITA ORA’ indicating who the spread is
about. It makes it very clear and stand out with
the use of the bright red on a white background.

22. • A symbolic sign would be the font effect on the artists name. It
makes it look like it has the R and O been spray painted on the wall.
The graffiti effect gives it an rural look, which is related to the RnB
genre. It has a very urban feel when listening to it. An oppositional
reading to this would be that we shouldn’t be rural or ‘dirty’. Upper
class people would link this to ‘hood rats’ and other negative things.

23. • An indexical sign would be the background and setting where Rita is
sitting. With the brick wall and dark floor, it gives the feel of the
inner streets where most RnB musicians are brought up/get their
inspiration from. Almost like it is their roots. They started from the
bottom now they here.