The document analyzes and summarizes CD covers of famous rap artists like Eminem, Jay Z, Nicki Minaj, and 50 Cent. It discusses conventions used in rap music CD covers like props, facial expressions, camera angles, and colors. It analyzes how these aspects represent the artists' backgrounds and struggles while attracting their target audiences. Mood boards are also created to inspire the author's own CD cover design.

1. BY KOMAL RANA

2. What these slides include?
 In the following slide I will be analysing CD covers of
famous rap artist such as Eminem, Jay Z, Nicki Minaj
and 50 Cent. I will also be analysing the back of CD
covers.
 I will evaluate the cause and effect this has on there
target audience through the use of representation.
 I hope this will help me understand the purpose and
importance of every aspect of a CD regarding the front
and the back of the CD.
 I will also be constructing a Mood board of these main
stream rap artist regarding the front and back.
 As a result, by analysing CD covers relating to the
front and back I hope to construct a successful CD
cover that attracts and meets the convention on my

3. Analysing Jay-Z’s CD cover The artists name is in
bold and white font.
The fact that it stands
On the CD we can on through the
see light shining from contrast of black
left onto Jay Z face. background allows the
This reinforces Jay Z target audience to
struggle of life. Through the use of camera
establish who the
Stereotypically we angles Jay Z has allowed
artist is.
associate light with himself to be established. The
happiness and CD cover illustrates a high
darkness with sorrow. angle close up shot. This grabs
The fact that the light the audiences attention as he
is over taking Jay Z’s is the dominant focus that
face implies that there takes up the whole of the CD
is a way out of the cover. This is very beneficial
One of the the that has been used in the CD cover is for Jay ZTheitcigar inhim to be
hard life in props a cigar. as allows
‘hoods’. recognised.
Jay Z hand stereotypically signifies power. The reason for this is because
representation of cigars throughout the years have been associated with upper
class. For example, in the first James Bond movie the audience see ‘Roger’
smoking a cigar who is establish to be an upper class character. This reinforces
the fact that cigars are associated with upper class. The effect this has on the

4. Analysing Eminem’s CD Cover
The fact that the
background is pitch The font looks like graffiti,
black and the artist has which reinforces Eminem’s
light shining on him, it background since he was a
allows Eminem to be the kid. Stereotypically the
dominant focus. This is audience associate this
beneficial for the artist type of front with lower
because it allows him to class. The reason for this
be recognised and build is because the media
an identity through the represents gangs that are
use of a low angle close from lower class creating
up shot. Close up shots graffiti as a hobby in
are of an artist are on of movies. The fact that
the conventions of Rap Eminem’s audience is
music which allows the mostly lower and middle
audience to identify what class, it allows them to
genre the CD cover connect to the artist and
One of the conventions of rap music is the types of props they are represented with. For
the culture he brings
belongs to. Thiswe very of rap artist we imagine loads of heavy jewellery such as chains
example, when is think
powerful it enables and artist surrounded by loads of females. The fact that use of his
and baggy clothes
through the
Eminem is
Eminem to exploit his fonts.
shown with a limited amount of jewellery, reinforces his sorrow of life. Stereotypically
target audience. in rap music video as a prize or object. Eminem has challenged this
women are shown
convection and instead through facial expressions has cleverly grabbed the audiences

5. Analysis of Nicki Minaj’s CD cover
The pink background, and props (shoes,
and dress) reinforce gender stereotypes.
Stereotypically females are portrayed with
the expressive roles and males are
represented with instrumental roles. The
fact that the CD covers dominant colour is
pink, it stereotypically reinforces that
women are soft and emotional and males
are strong. I personally do not find this
impressive as it reinforces stereotypes of
The fact that the artist is the
women being soft and unequal to men.
only character in the CD cover,
it allows her to be the dominant
focus. This is beneficial for her
as she can easily be identified
by people who may not
In this CD cover we can see a lot of skinnecessarily be her target
being revealed on the legs.
In today’s society women are exposed to skin as they are
audience.
stereotypically represented as ‘sex objects’. The fact that Nicki
Minaj is sitting with wings like a barbie doll it reinforces this
stereotype. I personally believe this is disturbing as it takes away

6. Analysing CD Cover Of 50 Cent
This CD cover features most of the conventions
of a rap music videos. For example, one of the
conventions for rap music videos is, the artist
would wear heavy jewellery. 50 Cent is shown
to have a range of heavy jewellery such as
heavy necklace and heavy watches on both
hands. This allows the audience to identify what
genre the music video belongs to. Moreover,
the fact that he has tattoos all over his arm
represents stereotypically that 50 cent came
from ‘hood’s. The reason for this is because
most films represents the people within the
‘hoods’ to have heavy tattoos which is part of
there culture. This influence the target audience
to also get tattoos as it enables them to
represent there culture. Also throughout the
We can see jay Z sitting on a chair through the use of camera angles (medium low
angle shot). This Iimplies his power, as the audience see him sitting in a rich chair
previous slides, have realised that the facial
that has gold of these artist are very serious, the Z is looking directly at the
expressions designs. Moreover, the fact that Jay
camera, grabs the audiences attention as itthis
audience do not see them smiling. I think creates eye contact with the audience
and the artist. The reason that Jay throughout directly into the camera is to
signifies there struggle and power Z is looking
life.
represents his power and that he is not scared of anyone. This also reinforces

7. The following slides will represent
individual mood boards on some of
the main stream rap artist of 2012 –
2013 that I researched. The reason
for this is to provide me with
inspirational ideas for my CD cover.

11. Analysing CD back Cover – 50 cent
I think Jay-Z is not
wearing a top to show In this CD back
of his muscles to cover, the track list
attract his females is situated on the
audiences. The right. I think the
masculinity of Jay Z is reason for this is
reinforced through light because when you
shining on his place CD’s on a
muscles. Moreover, In shelf and it tilts the
todays society audience are able
stereotypically women to read the tracks
are attracted to men that the CD
that have huge contains. This can
muscles as they find it attract the
Jay Z is looking directly The audience to listen
use of purple
sexy. Jay-Z represents
The text in the CD backgroundthe my opinion is
to in track as they
this stereotype as The
into the camera. the
effect this has on the back cover is un used to represents Jay-Z
notice the CD.
audiences attention is
audience is, it creates eye white. This grabs the feminine side. This attracts
grabbed towards his
contact. This also audiences attention the female audience
body.
reinforces Jay-Z’s power as it contrasts with because it illustrates that he
is not arrogant.

12. Analysing CD back Cover – Rick Ross
In the back CD cover the
audience can see a low angle
close up shot of Rick Ross.
This represents Rick Ross’s
power as he is looking down
at the audience. Moreover, the
fact that it is a close up, it
reinforces the conventions of
what genre this CD belongs
to. Moreover another way
conventions of rap music are
reinforced is through the use
of props. The audience can
see Rick Ross wearing heavy
gold jewellery as it stands out
The white font is used to stand from the contrast of the black
out to grab the audiences ground from Rick Ross’s t-
attention as it contrasts the shirt. The reason he has these
black background. props is represent his power

15. Conclusion
 Having constructed a variety of CD covers
(back and front covers) I have understood
the impact and effect it can have. For
example, through the use of black
backgrounds with white font the audience’s
attention is grabbed towards the CD track
lists. This encourages the target audience
to purchase the CD as it stands out.
 By doing this task I have gained a range of
ideas that I would like in my own CD cover