music magazine cover analysis

1. TASK 2A FC NME ANALYSIS
Rachel
Cave

2. I can tell that this
magazine is specific
to the rap genre as it
has colours such as
red with connotes
violence (this is an
idea that is
stereotypical assisted
with the music)
Also the use of graffiti
chains and a well
known rap artist show
that the magazines
desired genre.

3. From this cover I can tell that the target
audience is teenage, black, males. I can
tell this is the target audience from the
background. Bright colours and graffiti are
used to appeal to a younger demographic.
Teenager are stereotypical represented as
being involved in antisocial behaviour such
as graffiti. Not only dose the graffiti link to
the age group but to the life style as rap
must is commonly associated with crime
and violence.
The iconography, specifically the
language. The language suggest a poorer
or younger target audience as it uses less
formal phrases such as ‘its on’ or ‘man!’
The way I know that I is aimed at people
who are black in ethnicity is because they
used a famous black male artist in the
main image. Also rap is stereotypical
associated with black males.

4. The masthead has been placed in the left
hand corner above the artists head. This
not alone draws attention to the mast head
(as its in the first place our eyes look) but
also anchors it to the main image. ( which
is beneficial as we then associate this
magazine with having exclusives from
famous artists).
In addition to this the masthead is a red.
This is important as read connotes danger.
The main image shows a rap artist, this
links with the idea of danger as rap is
supposed to be a very violent form of
music.
Not only does the colour connote opinions
abut the genre but it also contrast with the
white background. This makes it stands out
and suggests (thought the things we
associate with the colour white) that rap is
violent but it is also good and enjoyable.
This would relate to the target audience
who have an interesting in this genera of
music.
The masthead is mainly used
as a form of branding.

5. The cover lines are thu and far apart as not to
distract from the main image. The main cover
line however is layered on top of the artist and
is canted. This links to the denotation of the
word Dizzy which is a homophone for the
artists name.
The cover line does not cover Dizzee’s face
but does go over his body this anchors the two
together and helps the target audience move
there focus in the way the editor intended.
The cover lines used have been closely leaded
to save space and not distract from the main
image this again links to the target audience
who are suspected to be of lower or lower
middle class and of a young age
The typography use dis also bold, this reflects the bold style of music and
the strong characters ,such as dizzee, in the rap industry.

6. The magazine has used a puff
in the left hand corner bellow
the masthead. This is used to
draw attention to the information
and also appeals to the reader
as it is short and consisted
information (which is good for
teenager who have a lower
attention span that fully grown
adults)
In addition to this the puff is red
and creates a sense of house
style as other elements such as
the masthead are red. The
reader may also be drawn to
this puff as if the target
audience profile was correct
people how have an interest in
rap, are young and male should
also enjoy the news of the
pavement reunion.

7. A strap line has been used on the
cover. This is used to give
information about the issues that
may be very appealing to the
target audience.
The way that magazine are
displayed in some shops only
allow a small section of the top of
the magazine to been shown.
The strap line is used to draw the
target audience in even though
they can not seen the main
image. Braining would help to get
the target audience close as
NME is an establish magazine
but buzz words such as “special”
would attract readers to this
specific issue.

8. The mise-sen-scene of the cover represent a lot about
rap music. In the middle section of the top row in the
rule of thirds we see dizzee’s gold chains gold denotes
wealth. This would be appealing to the target audience
a they aspire to be just as successful and rich as artist
like dizzee.
Also the models stance and the way his hand is out
stretched, in the main image, make it feel as though he
is close to the audience.
Interestingly a low angle shot has been used. This
could be used to make the reader believe that they are
better than the rapper. This complement and sense of
power would make the target audience feel good as
they aspire to be like Dizzee.
The shot is a full body shot but by the way he is
crouched and the way the text intersects him turns it to
a mid shot which is congenitally used in magazine main
images.

9. Lighting is also use do appeal to
the target audience as the light in
the scene illuminated the models
muscles.
Men are becoming increasingly
image conches due to the media
and they have always valued
strength so they would look up to
the rapper is the embodies both of
these points.
This may encourage then to learn
more about him and his life. And
could lead to more purchases of
the issue.

10. Rule of thirds has also been used in
this cover to draw lenition to the main
cover line which intersects with a hot
spot and the artist face which also
intersects with a hot spot.
Attention would want to been drawn to
the artist as he is famous and his
appearance is helping establish the
success of the magazine also he is a
famous artist that would be idolised by
the target audience and the rule of
thirds is drawing there attention to his
direct address. This make them feel
include and draws the audience in.