1. WAYS IN WHICH MY MEDIA PRODUCT USES FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS
One of the main conventions of Rap music magazines is placing the head of the model in the main image over the
Masthead. This is usually done to connote dominance as it suggests that the model(who is a Rapper) is more
important and powerful than the magazine. I have followed this convention by also putting the head of my actor
over the Masthead of my magazine just as I’ve seen other Rap magazines like Vibe do.
Rap magazines like Vibe and
XXL use plain dark
backgrounds on their front
covers. This is done to make
the model on the main
image the main focus of the
reader as if there is a
graffiti/designed
background, the reader’s
focus might be diverted
from the model/the fonts to
the background. I have
followed this convention by
using a plain grey
background.
The forms usually used by other existing Rap magazines such as
Vibe is positioning the isbn number on the far left and the rest of
the cover lines on the left and right ends of the page. This is done
to leave the chest area of the model (Rapper) bare which connotes
masculinity and power. I have followed the same form.
Existing Rap
magazines use
skylines on their
front covers it
sometimes contains
of promotions or
names of successful
Rappers. I have
followed this
convention by using
the names of other
famous Rappers as
my skyline which will
attract my target
audience.

2. WAYS IN WHICH MY MEDIA PRODUCT CHALLENGES AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS
Most Rappers on the front covers of Rap magazines
wear gold, diamond and silver bling as seen on the front
cover of XXL magazine. This connotes the wealth and
power of Rappers and bling is stereotypical of Rappers
to wear and is seen as a masculine way of showing
wealth and power. However, the model/Rapper on my
front cover wears a beaded necklace instead of a bling, I
did this to challenge the stereotype that Rappers always
wear bling. My model wearing a beaded necklace
suggest that he has a feminine/soft side to him as beads
are stereotypical jewelleries for women.
The facial expression of Rappers in the main image of Rap magazine front
covers is usually tensed and aggressive with a direct mode of address.
This is done to connote power, dominance and courage as these are
stereotypical characteristics of the personality of Rappers. The Rapper on
the main image of my front cover does not follow these conventions as
his facial expression is smiley/happy and he is wearing glasses which
obstructs a direct mode of address. I did this to challenge the stereotype
that Rappers are usually tensed and bold with an aggressive look by
making my model have a friendly look on his face which shows that he is
bold but friendly. I prevented a direct mode of address by making him
wear glasses to reduce the tension with the reader.
Rappers usually have their shirts off
on the front covers of Rap magazines.
Showing their masculine bodies
connotes masculinity and dominance
which is what Rappers stand for.
However, the Rapper on my front
cover challenges this convention by
wearing a white vest which represents
peace, friendliness and casualty.