2. Audience and
Representation
XXL Magazine is a monthly
magazine devoted to
covering news and
current events in the hip-
hop community. The
magazine’s target
demographic is mainly
young, urban followers
of hip-hop culture.
3. Representation
The cover features Kanye West – a
stereotypical, black, male, hip-hop artist,
immediately recognisable by XXL’s target
demographic. Although by looking directly
at the camera Kanye is establishing a
_ relationship with the
reader he maintains the
perception of superiority by wearing
sunglasses. The photograph has been
reflected across the middle of the cover – this
has X connotations of a split
personality/alter-ego, reinforcing the ‘love’,
‘hate’ across the image.
4. Mise-En-Scene
The model (Kanye West)
wearing a leather jacket,
chains and sunglasses
which all have
connotations of a
stereotypical black, male,
hip-hop artist and is a
‘look’ that would appeal
to many of XXL’s readers.
His chain is oversized
which reflects his life-
style, fame, talent, ego.
5. Typography
The same monochrome font has been used
throughout. ‘THE EXCLUSIVE STORY’ is in
bold to draw the attention of the reader to
the puff as the story is ‘EXCLUSIVE’ and is therefore more
appealing to the reader. ‘LOVE’, ‘HATE’ is the largest font on
the cover except from the title, it is also
in bold. This grabs the reader’s attention
and draws their eyes to the image. It also
emphasises the feelings most people have towards Kanye
West. ‘KANYE WEST’ is also larger than the puffs to ensure
readers immediately recognise that it is Kanye West on the
cover. Three word puffs and short, punchy sentences make
the magazine sound fast paced like the music industry and
most of their audience’s lives, this keeps readers interested.
6. magazine. The title block is white against a
red background. The two colours interact
with eachother and the white writing
stands out.
Typography Continued…
7. Language
The anchorage text links the
central image to the topics
of the article about Kanye
West. Words like ‘SPECIAL’
and ‘EXCLUSIVE’ remind
readers that it is not an
ordinary
issue, this makes the
magazine more appealing.
‘BY THE MAN HIMSELF’ also
draws the readers attention.
