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1. WAYS IN WHICH MY MEDIA PRODUCT
USES FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF
EXISTING MEDIA PRODUCTS

2. The skyline of conventional Rap magazines is made
up of names of successful or upcoming Rappers. My
music magazine’s skyline consists of names such as
Nicki Minaj, Drake and Ne- yo who are all popular
Rappers likewise the skyline of Vibe magazine which
also uses names of famous Rappers like 50 Cent and
Lil Wayne.
One of the main conventions of Rap music magazines is the placement of
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
(Rapper) is more important and powerful than the title of the magazine.
This is a convention which I have followed by also putting the head of my
model over the Masthead of my magazine as is done by Vibe and other
magazines.
The form (layout) of existing Rap
magazines like Vibe is simple.
With a single image on its front
cover, the main image is placed
at the center of the cover with
the coverlines wrapped around
the model’s body. The model’s
chest area is always free from
text/coverlines to reveal his
masculinity/her femininity. I have
followed this form in my music
magazine’s front cover and have
also placed the isbn number at
the left of the cover which is
always done by Vibe magazine.
Rap magazines like Vine and
XXL use plain 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 attention might
be diverted from the model to
the background making the
main image less powerful. This
is a convention which I have
followed by making the
background of my front cover
plain white.

3. Vibe magazine always uses a
single image on its contents
page. Following this
convention, I have also used
a single image on my
contents page. The model on
my image also has a similar
gesture to that of the model
on the Vibe contents page.
I have also followed the
forms of Vibe’s contents
page by also using a plain
background and
positioning my “features”
of the left side of the page.
My music magazine’s
contents page is simple as
Vibe’s is.

4. WAYS IN WHICH MY MEDIA PRODUCT
CHALLENGES FORMS AND
CONVENTIONS OF OTHER EXISTING
MEDIA PRODUCT

5. Most Rappers on the front cover of Rap magazines wear gold,
diamond and/or silver bling as seen on the front cover of XXL
magazine. This connotes their wealth and power and bling is a
stereotypical jewellery for Rappers as it is seen as a masculine way of
showing wealth and power. However, I have challenged this
convention by making the model (Rapper) on my front cover wear a
beaded necklace instead of a bling. I did this to challenge the
stereotype that Rappers like wearing bling to show off their wealth
and power. Wearing a beaded necklace is a feminine stereotype,
therefore my Rapper wearing a beaded necklace suggests that he has
a feminine/soft side to him unlike the power dominant image Rappers
are usually portrayed as.
A conventional facial expression of Rappers in the main images
of Rap magazines is tensed and aggressive with a direct mode of
address. This is done to connote power, dominance and courage
as these are the stereotypical characteristics of a Rapper’s
personality. The Rapper in the main image of my front cover
challenges these conventions as his facial expression is smiley/
happy which is inviting and he is wearing glasses which
obstructs the direct mode of address. I did this to lessen the
tension between the reader and the image as with glasses on,
he looks friendlier unlike the model on the front cover of Vibe.
This affirms my theme that Rappers are bold but have a
friendlier side to them.

6. Vibe magazine always has
“Contents” as the main
coverline of its contents
page. I have challenged this
convention by putting the
Masthead of my music
magazine as the main
coverline of its contents
page. I have also changed
the position and style of
“Contents” to a faded
vertical text on the left of the
page.
The Rappers in the main images of Rap magazine like Vibe,
usually have their shirt off. This denotes their body which is
usually covered in tattoos and connotes masculinity and
dominance. The models in my main images challenged this
convention by wearing white T-shirts/vest to cover up their body.
This enhances the theme that Rappers can be friendly as by
wearing a shirt/vest they break the stereotype of revealing their
body and looking aggressive.