3. Representation The double page spread features Usher – a stereotypical, black, male, R&B artist to which XXL’s target audience would be familiar with.
4. Mise – En – Scene The anchorage image on the left-hand page of the double page spread shows the musician in a denim shirt, which gives him a more casual look. The shirt is made by G-Star RAW – a designer clothing company that produces fashionable urban clothing. This fits in well with the stereotype he is portraying. He is also wearing a watch and smoking a cigar, this connotations of wealth. The artist is looking away from the reader in this image, this makes the audience perceive him as a superior persona.
5. Typography The quote on the left-hand page of the double page spread is in a different, larger font than the rest of the text, this attracts the readers attention to it. The quote is in front of the smoke from the cigar, it surrounds Usher and highlights his face. ‘GREATEST’ is in capitals, this has been done to make the word stand out amongst the rest of the text and to emphasise the importance of the word within the quote. The Q&A page of the double page used lower case letters, this gives the interview more of an informal register. Questions are in a bold font.
6. Language The quote from Usher on the first page of the double page spread informs the reader of the musician’s intentions as an artist in the industry. The artist uses slang, for example ‘ain’tgon’’, and curses, this gives the interview an informal register. Genre specific names such as ‘Will.I.Am’ have been used, this would appeal to Vibe’s readers as their target demographic would be familiar with these artists.
