Little Mix is discussed as a popular pop band appealing to younger audiences through their upbeat, fun songs and girly, ditsy appearances in music videos set in schools. Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber are also described as major pop stars popular with young girls and boys due to their relatable themes of young love in songs and videos depicting dancing, games, and social activities. Pop music is summarized as very popular in the UK charts, occupying two of the top three spots with Justin Bieber songs.
2. THE HISTORY OF POP MUSIC
Pop music is a genre which is abbreviated for the term of
‘popular’ music. Popular music first began in the USA during
the 1930s as lively music called ‘swing’. Later on, into the
1950s, rock and roll, which was a louder and more exciting
type of pop music, emerged with songs about youthful
rebellion and teenage love.
There are now many pop artists which are in the charts at the
moment. For example: Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Rhianna,
Katy Perry and Little Mix.
3. POP ARTISTS
My chosen example of a pop artist is Little Mix. They are a very popular pop band in the UK and
have recently made a great success in USA. They are very appealing to the younger age group
as they produce upbeat, bubbly songs which are fun for the younger age group. Furthermore,
Little Mix produce music videos that relate to this representation as they appear girly, ditsy and
fun through their choice of clothing and makeup. Due to them being located in a school and
wearing items such as backpacks and having their hair in pig-tails. This is effective because it
displays to the target audience that their songs are relevant to them and it allows young girls to
feel compatible with Little Mix as they are showing similar characteristics.
Another familiar pop artist is Justin Bieber who is extremely famous and currently has 8 of his
singles in the UK top 40. This shows the extent of how popular pop music is from the single fact
that one artists has encounter so much of the overall chart list. In his music videos there are
teenage girls and boys surrounding him and socialising in the streets. This is attractive for
younger girls as at the ages of 9-13 it is what you are either doing or wanting to do when you
are slightly older. Therefore this can be representative of their age range or be aspiring for
some.
A final pop artist is Taylor Swift. She is also a major star from the eyes of young girls. Many look
up to her therefore she is a great example for a pop artist. Taylor Swift creates many songs that
regard the theme of young love, which is very relatable for my target audience. Furthermore,
her music videos mainly consists of her dancing around, which appears fun and girly. Therefore
connotes with connotations or interests with my target audience. For example her music video
of ’22’ includes her playing around of a trampoline with her friends. This is very representative
of my target audience because they will stereotypically be involved in similar activates.
4. POP MUSIC IN THE CHARTS
Pop music is very popular in the UK
charts as it is a genre that is loved by
many. As you can see out of the top 3;
pop music consolidates two of them
by the artist Justin Bieber. Therefore
showing the success of pop music as
it has managed it overtake the
majority of the UK chart list.
5. EXAMPLES OF ARTISTS FOR MY
FRONT COVER
Taylor Swift would be a suggestion for the model on my front image
because she is a well known successful artist who is loved by my
target audience. I also feel that Taylor Swift displays herself almost
in a child-like way. This is due to the majority of her songs being
about young love. This is therefore relatable to my target audience.
Furthermore, in her music video of ’22’, which can be found on my
blog Taylor Swift is also shown foolishly dancing around with her
friends. It is more than likely that this is the kind of activities that
my target audience would get up in their spare time. As a result of
this Taylor Swift would be an effective model for my front cover
because she is seen as an idol from the eyes of 9-13 year olds.
Taylor Swift also plays around on a trampoline with her friends in
her music video. This is another child-like activity which further
suggest that she should appear on the front cover of a child’s pop
magazine because she is seen as a inspiring fun character from my
target audiences point of view. Finally, Taylor Swift has been
featured on the front cover of competitive magazines to mine. For
example, ‘Top of the pops’ and ‘We love pop’. This shows that her
image is effective due to the fact other magazines have been
successful –perhaps from the use of her appearance or persuasion.
6. EXAMPLES OF ARTISTS FOR
MY FRONT COVER
Justin Bieber is another suggestion for who I might have to appear
on the front cover of my magazine. I have selected him because he
is an extremely successful artist who is world-wide loved by
younger girls. His music also expresses young love or child-like
things of which are relatable to my target audience. Which is why
stereotypically my age group are massive fans. Additionally, in
Justin Bieber’s music video of ‘One time’ he appears to be playing
video games at the start. This suggests that he is of a young age as
he is still interesting in gaming. Later in to the video Justin is
shown outside on bikes with a small group of both boys and girl.
My target audience of 9-13 year olds would be familiar of this scene
as this is probably how they spend their spare time. Therefore they
feel relatable and equal to Justin Bieber. Therefore by having him
on the front cover of my magazine would be effective because my
target audience would be instantly pealed and integrated to find out
more regarding articles on him. Finally, Justin Bieber has
previously been featured on pop magazines such as ‘We love pop’
and ‘Top of the pops’. Further suggesting that he is a representative
model who successfully draws in the audience.
7. A final suggestion of who I may select to appear on the
front cover of my magazine is the girl group called
‘Little Mix’. This is because they are very inspirational
to my target audience as young girls have lots of
hopes and dreams and Little Mix were once normal
girls who became famous through the power of a TV
show called ‘X-Factor’. Therefore my target audience
would stereotypically see this group as role model of
whom they would look up to. Little Mix are also very
child-like with regards to how they present themselves
in their music videos. For example in ‘Black Magic’
they are located in a school and play roles of geeky
school children. This is obviously aiming to attract the
younger generation as they are presenting themselves
sin an environment which is associated with younger
children. Finally Little Mix have also been featured on
other successful pop magazine (‘We love Pop’ and ‘Top
of the Pop’).
EXAMPLES OF ARTISTS FOR MY
FRONT COVER
8. MISE EN SCENE OF POP
MAGAZINES
The usually mise en scene which is used in pop
magazines consists of bright colours that are
extremely eye-capturing. This is because this genre
tends to aim to attract the younger generation.
Therefore bright colours appeal to them. Furthermore,
the use of costume used generally tends to be a
casual look. As you can see in both examples the
models are dressed in basic t-shirts. This is
representative for the younger age group as they are
stereotypically not familiar with glamourous dresses
or designer clothes etc. Moreover, for a pop magazine
targeting girls the model may have a prop which
resembles with their gender. For example in the ‘We
love pop’ magazine Taylor Swift is captured with a
hairbrush. This emphasises that the magazine is for
the use of girls as a hairbrush has feminine
connotations.
9. CLOTHES/ACCESSORIES MY
MODEL WOULD WEAR
On the cover of pop magazines I feel that
the models dress sense is regularly
covered by bold cover lines and other
conventions. This is busy a serotype for
pop magazines is to have a lot going on.
Therefore I would dress my model is
casual clothes as there would be a lot
going on around the image. I feel if I was
too dress them in something glamourous
and sparkly for example then it would be
too busy and it would be uncomfortable
for the reader.
10. MAKE-UP MY MODEL WOULD
WEAR
I want my model to have a natural look when
regarding their make-up. This is specifically
because I am targeting a young age group
who stereotypically are not majorly
interested in make-up. Therefore I feel it
would be morally wrong if I were to promote
heavy make-up to 9-13 year olds. However, I
do think the use of pink lipstick and nails
with the pink colour scheme looks effective
from the example of ‘We love Pop’ magazine.
I feel that it makes the magazine look more
feminine and therefore more clearer for who
the target audience is.
11. QUESTION AND ANSWER ARTICLE
EXAMPLE
This is a question and answer
article as the structure shows
that the speech jumps from
each individual- there is no
mention of surroundings or
extra description.
I like this style of article because I feel it is more
personal to the reader as they can interpret their
own feelings about the characters involved.
However I feel added description can influence
readers to feel how the publishers do as they can
tweak the speech to how they want it to sound.
Furthermore, I feel the
question and answer
style article suggests to
the reader that they are
receiving exclusive
information as the format
feels like they are
reviewing the actual
interview. This is because
no extras have been
added. Therefore I overall
feel that this style is more
honest and validity.
12. FREE FLOWING ARTICLE
EXAMPLE
In contrast this is a free
flowing article. This involves
much description and tells
the story more. The
individuals is added in
through the use of
quotations. Furthermore, in
this style of article the use of
surroundings are usually
made reference to create
more of a story for the
reader.
I like this style of article
because I think it creates more
of a bigger story to the reader
as its more creative and
interesting rather than a
simple question then a answer.
This is more descriptive and
imaginative.
However, I feel free flowing
articles can sometimes be
presented as biased views as
they can use certain
descriptions to encourage
readers to agree or sway to
what they believe. There as a
reader you may not always get
the fall story.