1. Conventions of the Hip-hop/Rap Genre
and magazines
As with every piece of media, there are certain things that crop up again and again in the hip-
hop/rap genre. These conventions are very important in helping the audience recognise the type of
media being presented to them, therefore keeping them is essential to the success to the genre
being promoted, without them when audiences are presented with it they may be left feeling
confused as to which type of media and which genre it is.
Here are the main conventions of the hip-hop/rap genre that most audiences notice;
Special terminology – Swag, G, yo’, raw
Iconography, guns, chains/jewellery, hats (Snapbacks) cigarettes, cigars, stacks of money.
Designer clothes
Artists are mainly black but other races are prominent, like Eminem for example. Also
mainly American but other countries apply (Plan B, English)
Each rapper who appears on the front cover will be shown with his star image and personal
identity but also shown in a way that looks like all other rappers to create a common feel,
one example of this is, Meek mill is always shown with a MMG symbol, representing the
group he is a part of.
Can sometimes feature females on front covers but mostly male. Holds a stereotypical view
of women as being sex objects.
They a have a snarl or an angry facial expression to look intimidating and to show power.