Analysis of front covers

1. Billboard
The music genre is clearly R&B. Beyoncé is a famous figure known across
the world for R&B music therefore it very easy to identify the music
genre.
The Target audience of this magazine is for older teenagers from 16 and
onwards, who like R&B music. It attracts this particular age group because
it is very mature, in regards to how they have structured the front cover
and the colours used.
The main image is a close up shot of Beyoncé which relates to the music
genre of R&B. In the image Beyoncé is looking directly at you which,
makes the reader feel involved. The straplines are left aligned to fill the
white space and the kicker is placed underneath, on top of the picture so
it stands out. In addition if someone who didn’t know who Beyoncé was
picked up the magazine they could easily relate the kicker to the picture
and understand who it is. Beyoncé is wearing a sheer top which is up to
her neck and her hand is covering her chest. This shows that she is not
being seductive in anyway so it appeals to both audiences.
This magazine has not included puffs which shows that it is not a standard
corny teen magazine but, that it is mature. It also shows that they don’t
need puffs to attract buyers because their brand, magazine and gossip is
enough to draw customers in.
The colours used are very limited. There are a few splashes of colour on a
black and white background. This shows both that Beyoncé is angelic and
sophistication. The colours used are mainly primary colours which show
that it is important. In addition it also stands out more if there are a few
splashes or colour, so it is more eye catching.
The magazine is called “Billboard”. The term billboard refers to a large
board which displays advertisements. However in this case it refers to the
billboards charts which is the popularity of songs in the US. This relates to
the target audience as they are the people who listen to music the most
and keep up to date with the latest music. The text colours are mainly red
and black. These colours contrast well against the black and white
background.

2. Vibe
The music genre is R&B. Nicki Minaj is a well known R&B
artist who has produced many songs.
The target audience is mainly from 15 years to late teens
and over. It attracts this particular audience because it is
very colourful and Nicky Minaj is wearing a tiara and a
dress.
The main image is a medium shot of Nicki Minaj which
relates to the music genre of R&B music. In the image Nicki
Minaj is looking directly at you which makes the reader feel
involved. The kicker is not really obvious but you would
assume it is “Nicki Minaj” as it is in orange and the rest of
the text is black. The strap lines are framed around Nicki
Minaj’s face and body so the image is still the centre point
of the magazine. It also shows that everything in the
magazine is related to Nicki Minaj. In the image Nicki Minaj
is wearing a tiara and a dress. The tiara and dress could
reflect that she is the queen of R&B. It also reflects her
personality which is loud, eccentric and outgoing. The
hands on hips position Nicki Minaj is in shows that she has
attitude, authority and power. The colours used are white
and orange the colour white symbolises purity and orange
symbolises enthusiasm and success. Since the market
audience is 15 to late teens and the colours are suitable
and appropriate as they are not the typical cheesy
magazine colours. In addition you don’t often see a white
and orange magazine so it is quite eye catching and unique.
The magazine is called vibe. The word vibe refers to a
persons emotion or someone who enjoys listening or
dancing to music. This is relevant to category of magazine
because it is a music magazine. This reflects the target
audience as the word “vibe” is something teenagers would
say. The colours of the text are orange, black and white.
The colours compliment each other very well.