This document analyzes signs and signifiers on magazine covers and contents pages related to the RnB music genre. Iconic signs include images of famous RnB artists and logos. Symbolic signs use colors, phrases and layout to emphasize importance. Indexical signs relate to the artists' backgrounds, styles and controversial topics through poses, costumes and settings. The document decodes meanings from both preferred and oppositional readings of these signs.

1. Research & Planning
Signs & Signifiers – Textual Analysis of
Music Magazines
RnB

2. Front Cover #1
• You can tell that the genre of
this music magazine is RnB as
the main and only image is of
the top RnB singer Chris
Brown. As well as this, the
background consists of the
names of famous RnB
singers/rappers.
• Another sign that you would
expect to be on an RnB
magazine would be bling, low
saggy trousers & tattoos on
the main image.

3. • One iconic sign on this front cover
is the main image of Chris Brown,
which represents himself, as a
celebrity. The camera shot is an
close up, emphasising the
intensity/importance of the image.
The preferred reading of this would
be that Chris Brown is a popular
artist with great talent, something
the target audience of the RnB
magazine, XXL, would believe.
The oppositional reading to this
would be that Chris Brown should
not be in the lime light anymore
due to his past of domestic
violence with another world
famous RnB singer, Rhianna.

4. • A symbolic sign on this front cover is the use
and emphasis of the colour red for the
background. The colour gives themes of:
danger; lust; blood; anger and power. Adding
this with the main image, it suggests that Chris
Brown isn’t happy or expressing negative
emotion for this interview. It is very typical for
an audience to feed off negativity as it is
controversial and entertaining. This will also be
seen in the target audience for RnB
enthusiasts as the lyrics in this genre have the
tendency to use negative words/topics.
All of that can be in addition to the facial
expression Chris Brown is pulling in the image.
It shows tension and strain in his face,
signifying that what he is going through or
what he has said in the interview is hard for
him to tell.
An oppositional reading of this would be that
it doesn’t look appealing, to read about
something that implies negativity.

5. • An indexical sign on this front cover would
be the phrase ‘NO MORE APOLOGIES’. This
can be inferred that Chris Brown is not
going to be feeling guilt anymore for his
actions for either the past, present or
future. This instantly can be related back to
his incidents with Rhianna, which caused a
massive backlash on Chris Brown and his
music, this would be an oppositional
reading.
His costume has an indexical sign that he is
a misbehaving chap, as the bling and grills
on his teeth suggest this. As they are also
gold, it shows that Chris could be a
materialistic person, and uses his wealth to
show off.
His body language, by covering up his face,
could either show to us that he is wiping
away the past and forgetting all the wrong
doings in his life; or it could represent that
he is covering up a certain story maybe, or
perhaps he could be protecting himself
from all the hate he has gotten.

6. Front Cover #2
• You can tell this is an RnB
magazine as it includes a
main image of Beyoncé. She
is one of the most famous
RnB singers at the moment.
Another example that this is
an Rnb magazine is the puff
of the downloadable content
you can receive within the
magazine. It is called ‘RAP
BEEF 2.0’, rap is usually
implemented in this genre so
can easily be related to it.

7. • An iconic sign on this front cover is the
logo for ‘VIBE’. This represents the
company and their magazine. The
typography shows that it is important
for the reader as it used the biggest
font on the cover.
Another iconic sign is the image of
Beyoncé. The camera angle suggests
her dominance on the page because of
her body language. She has pushed out
her chest and body, showing she is
confident with herself and body. The
oppositional reading to this would be
that showing off so much skin gives a
bad example. This is what could be
decoded from this.

8. • A symbolic sign on this front cover is
the plus sign next to the number
ten. This icon simply symbolises
that there is more than 10 pages in
the article.
Another sign is the usage of lines to
create a box like shape around the
puff. It highlights and cuts it out
from the rest of the front cover,
signifying the importance of it. It
also uses a different colour for the
font. It is different from everything
else so highlights it even more.

9. • An indexical sign on this
front cover is the body
posture of Beyoncé. It
suggests she is a bit
naughty, by exposing her
chest and cleavage. This is
for the ‘male gaze’, where
men would find more
enjoyment out of this
position.

10. Contents Page #1
• You can tell that this is
based around Rnb,
because of the image
of Lil Wayne. He is a
RnB rapper. He is also
performing a gang
sign, a common
practice in this line of
music.

11. • An iconic sign on this
contents page is the line
‘COVER STORY’ in the
red box. This indicates
that the story it is next
to is the main article in
the magazine that was
also on the front page.
Another iconic sign is the
‘Nike’ tick on his socks,
showing the brand that
made them.

12. • A symbolic sign is ‘THE A-SIGN’
which signifies that this is
somewhat the better side to the
contents. ‘A’ is usually linked to
being the best, or the highest on
a list.
Another symbolic sign is the black
rectangle, separating the cover
story description from the rest of
the stories. This implies that the
cover line is the top/best story in
the magazine. By putting it on the
top, the stories below it seems
not as important.

13. • An indexical sign can be seen with
the gang sign Lil Wayne is
creating. This can be linked with
the current crimes going on
around the world with certain
gangs. It is a very intimidating
situation, especially to people
who don’t know much about it. A
lot of people will decode this as a
pointless hand movement that
makes him look immature. It can
be related tom violence and
death too.

14. Contents Page #2
• This can be seen as an
RnB contents page as
of the main image of
50 Cent.
Another sign is the
phrase “Top Billin’” the
use of slang as well as
the mention of money
is a few stereotypes
seen with this genre.

15. • An Iconic sign with this is the US
Dollars, which represents a
currency used in USA. As there is
an abundance of it, it will be
linked with wealth and being rich
as well. This is a common trope
with RnB artists as they want to
boost their ego with the amount
of money they are making/have
already got. This can either be
seen as an inspiration to be as
successful as the artist. Or it can
be decoded to be seen as
showing off.

16. • A symbolic sign on this
page would be the
phrase “top billin’”
symbolising that, in this
case, 50 Cent is currently
loaded with money, and
is living the high life. This
is a very common goal
for up and coming RnB
artists or pretty much
everyone in the world.

17. • An indexical sign would be the
way 50 is wearing his hat. A very
clear of saying he don’t give a
damn. The style of wearing a hat
backwards or to the side has
been around for a long time now,
signifying the wearer thinks he
looks cool or like a ‘gangster.’ A
preferred reading to this would
be that he looks cool, but the
decoded message would be that
its an old and used motif now.

18. Double Page Spread #1
• An iconic sign on this would be the letters ‘WK’ which are the initials for
the artist in the main image – Wiz Khalifa. They are in the same colour
scheme as his hat in the image, black and yellow. A nod to his bigger fans,
as one of his biggest hits was the song ‘Black and Yellow.’ This will entice
his fans to the article just that bit more.

19. • A symbolic sign would be question ‘How High?’ This
could be seen as a relation to his smoking habits with
marijuana, which he isn't afraid to show. Or it can be
related to how well he is doing in the music business.
This is a play on words, making it memorable/funny.

20. • An indexical sign to this spread would be the smoke coming from
his mouth, indicating usage of drugs. A very touchy subject, as
drugs can be highly frowned upon, especially when you are in the
spot light where everyone can see you do it. An oppositional
reading to this would be that drug use is bad and because it is illegal
shouldn’t be in mainstream media.

21. Double Page Spread #2
• An iconic sign on tis spread would be the artists
name ‘RITA ORA’ indicating who the spread is
about. It makes it very clear and stand out with
the use of the bright red on a white background.

22. • A symbolic sign would be the font effect on the artists
name. It makes it look like it has the R and O been
spray painted on the wall. The graffiti effect gives it an
rural look, which is related to the RnB genre. It has a
very urban feel when listening to it.

23. • An indexical sign would be the background and setting where Rita is
sitting. With the brick wall and dark floor, it gives the feel of the
inner streets where most RnB musicians are brought up/get their
inspiration from. Almost like it is their roots. They started from the
bottom now they here.