How does your media product represent particular social groups

2. Media representations are the ways in which the media
portrays particular groups, communities, experiences,
ideas, or topics from a particular ideological or value
perspective. Rather than examining media
representations as simply reflecting or mirroring
"reality," we examine how media representations
serve to "re-present" or to actually create a new reality.
Each music magazine attempts to represent a particular
social group in order to generate popularity within a
certain niche or even wide audience that tends to
conform to certain stereotypes which are recreated
within the magazine. With my magazine representing a
particular hip-hop culture yet having a unique style, it
allows those who embrace the hip-hop culture to enjoy
a magazine that innovates and gives not just the genre
but hip-hop in general a different spin. The magazine
although appealing perhaps slightly more to those who
conform to particular stereotype, it can equally attract
fans, of the music alone, that are interested solely in the
artist.

3. Audience profile. With the hip-hop
genre as a whole, the socio-
economic-needs would perhaps
meet those between C2 and E, this
on the basis that hip-hop music
tends to talk of hardship and
coming from a less fortunate
background, and therefore there
may be aspects that perhaps
would not be understood by
higher class people. A
stereotypical example of this
would be that a C1 or C2 classed
person would be more attracted
by certain messages and
conventions of hip-hop in contrast
to a social grade A, regardless of
age, gender or to and extent,
ethnicity. Gender is not exactly
important with regards to the
audience, that being said, much of
hip-hop music is from the
perspective of males.

4. Age is slightly more important, and the target
audience tends to include anyone aged 16-30
as the music is mainly aimed towards a
younger audience and therefore may not
appeal to an older generation if they are
offended the explicit language that much of
the music contains. This being said, many
successful and popular hip-hop artists are
over this age, as they began releasing music at
the target audience age ands continue to
show an interest as an older adult. I would
associate the target audience with ‘personal
relationship’ (Katz) and the need for
‘diversion'. This being in regards to the fact
that they may converse with one another
regarding a particular magazine/article and
thus develop a closer personal relationship.
This is also explained by the constant need of
the target audience to update themselves on
the genre, whether that be the latest music,
fashion or the private life of certain artist,
which also coincides with ‘star appeal’
(Richard Dyer) in that the target audience is
interested in particular stars.

5. The picture used by The Source magazine with 50 Cent on it inspired the photo that I used for
my front cover. To begin with I attempted to recreate the photo of 50 Cent on the front cover
of The Source magazine, as 50 Cent well represents the stereotypical hip-hop culture.
However, I thought that the use of props, for example the Kevlar vest that 50 Cent is wearing,
contribute to the style of the hip-hop genre and culture. I decided that it would be
appropriate instead for the artist to hold a bottle of alcohol, thus not promoting gang
violence as it may deter a certain audience that I want to attract. With the artist standing up
on the front cover, he looks much more firm and serious, which is stereotypical of the hip-
hop genre. Although I was able to conform to age stereotypes, I have used someone who is
at the lower section of the target audience. In doing this I hope to contradict the typical front
covers, in regards to the age of the artist on the front cover, yet choose someone who is still
in the target audience, thus giving credit to an up and coming artist who may even be more
relatable for a teenage audience.

6. On my front cover of inspiration 50 Cent is wearing a hat and therefore I thought it
would be appropriate to replicate this as a common stereotype of the hip-hop
genre. In regards to his facial expression I went for a more serious and straight-
faced look as this connotes that the artist is serious yet avoids looking too angry as
not to deter certain audiences. The artist is wearing black clothing, which is
associated with power, elegance and formality yet also, mystery. The shot type
that I decided to use for my front cover I decided to use a medium close up shot.
The connotations behind this could represent dominance and power in the music
industry whilst at the same time signifying that he is serious about music. The
lighting in the first image was relatively low key yet I used camera flash as this
makes the artist stand but still shows an aspect of darkness.

7. For the contents page I decided to replicate the
pose of Wiz Khalifa in The Source, as Wiz Khalifa
well represents hip-hop culture. However, I
believed that it would be more appropriate for
the artist in the photo to be wearing more casual
clothing, as he is an up and coming artist so is
more likely to dress in casual clothing. I chose to
dress the artist in a silver body warmer/gilet, as
silver is often associated with words/phrases
such as sleek, high-tech, and modern, as well as
ornate, glamorous, graceful, sophisticated, and
elegant. Silver is a precious metal and, like gold,
often symbolizes riches and wealth. On both the
contents page, front cover and double page
spread I decided to have the artist looking
directly at the camera as in doing this it provides
the audience with the impression the he is
addressing them, building a ‘personal
relationship’ (Katz) which is more inviting. By
having the artist sitting down, the artist looks
much more relaxed and less professional than on
the front cover, highlighting that although he can
be serious, the artist is someone that the
audience can relate to. The shot that I used for
my contents page is a low angled medium close
up. The connotations behind this could be
dominance and power, not just in music. For the
contents I decided to use a close up as it
contrasts the front cover and makes the artist
look less intimidating.

8. For the DPS I decided to replicate the pose of Meek Mill in The Source’s double page spread as I
believe it not only well represents the hip-hop genre but gives a feeling of confidence. I believed it
would be appropriate to style the artist in a street –wear brand whilst wearing a chain as this shows
that although he remains humble to his background, he likes to enjoy certain luxuries. I chose to
place the artist in a grey t-shirt with a gold chain because gray is a cool, neutral, and balanced
colour. The colour grey is an emotionless, moody colour that is typically associated with meanings of
dull, dirty, and dingy, as well as formal, conservative, and sophisticated. The colour grey is a timeless
and practical colour that is often associated with loss or depression and gold is cousin to the colour
yellow and the colour brown, and is also associated with illumination, love, compassion, courage,
passion, magic, and wisdom. Gold is a precious metal that is associated with wealth, grandeur, and
prosperity, as well as sparkle, glitz, and glamour.

9. The language that is included in the double page spread interview is rather informal and uses
some slang. One could argue that formal language is not as appealing to the hip-hop audience,
in that the typical hip-hop social group would tend not to use formal language and would
instead converse using more informal language whilst also using a variety of different slang, That
said however, although there was some use of slang during the interview, this was only from the
artist as I didn’t want to include too much slang that would make the interview difficult to
understand for certain people. Gender stereotypes are possibly conformed to as there are no
mentioned female artists. Although I believe there is a particular social group that is more
immersed into the hip-hop culture I would also say that hip-hop music often appeals to a variety
of social groups.