This magazine cover features English rapper Plan B. In the image, he has an aggressive and masculine appearance, with a close-up shot showing his confrontational facial expression and middle finger gesture. Stereotypical symbols like smoking and a hoodie further suggest a working class, rebellious persona. Dark lighting and colors, and all-caps font, make the image and text seem threatening and intimidating. The representation portrays Plan B as masculine and intimidating, fitting expectations for male working class artists.

1. Task Four
Representation analysis
The cover story artist on this magazine
is Plan B. Plan B is an English rapper,
singer, songwriter, actor and film
director.
On this particular magazine cover he is
shown to be very aggressive and
masculine. The image is a close up of
his face and his hand; this type of shot
makes him seem very confrontational
and intimidating. His body language is
obvious; the middle finger supports
this representation as it is an
aggressive, unfriendly gesture. He is
also smoking a cigarette which is
stereotypical for a working class male
youth, and it signifies rebellion which
fits with the artist’s persona. He is
wearing a hoodie – which is commonly associated with lower class youths, e.g. “chavs”. The
lighting used emphasises the threatening image of the artist as there is a shadow over half
of his face which creates a sense of mystery and violence.
The text on the cover also adds to this representation. He is shown to be warning David
Cameron that he is “coming for him” – this fits with the image of Plan B as they are both
very threatening. The colours on the cover are mostly very dark. Black has many negative
connotations, such as death and hatred, and it is also a very dominating colour which fits
the image and makes him stand out. The font used is sans serif and it is all in capital letters;
this makes it seemmore aggressive, as if he was shouting.
The representation of Plan B that has been constructed through this image fits with how he
is usually seen in the media. Overall he is shown to be masculine and intimidating, which fits
with the stereotypical representation of male, working class youths.

2. Contents Page
Most of the artists on
this contents page are
represented in an
aggressive way. Four of
the images are of the
artists performing;
there is Eminem in the
top left corner, Bombay
Bicycle Club in the
centre, The Gaslight
Anthem at the bottom
and Arcade Fire on the
right hand side.
There are two close ups
of artists, which both
help to show their
expressions. Both of
these artists look quite
angry, which is a
stereotypical
representation of
rock/indie artists. The
image of John Lyndon
on the left hand side
has used very low key
lighting to cast a
shadow over half of his
face – this connotes danger and mystery and makes him seem intimidating.
Most of the artists on the contents page are all wearing dark clothing which is common for
artists of the rock/indie genre and so it will fit with the audience’s expectations of the
artists.
The band in the bottom right hand corner look quite intimidating because of their poses. It
is a mid-shot of the band and it is a slightly low angle shot which makes them look more
powerful. Their body language also makes them look aggressive as their arms are crossed,
which connotes hostility and creates tension. This fits with the stereotypical representation
of rock bands.
All of the artists featured on this contents page are male and they are all represented in a
stereotypical way. Masculinity is often associated with being scruffy and rebellious, and the
overall representation of the artists on this cover page fits with this as they are all shown to
be aggressive and uncouth.

3. Double Page Spread
This is a double page spread of the band “Them Crooked Vultures”. The left page is
completely taken up by an extreme long shot of the band. This type of shot allows all of the
band members to be seen at once, and shows their body language. They all look relaxed and
laidback, this fits with the stereotypical “slacker” image of rock artists.
The band members are all wearing dark clothing which is conventional for the rock/indie
genre and it also makes them look more masculine. The band are represented in a very
masculine way through the use of body language and colour. The rock/indie genre is
typically very masculine as rock artists tend to be male and so this double page spread fits
with the masculine stereotype.
The setting in the image looks very run-down and distressed. This creates a grungy vibe that
rock/indie are often associated with. The composition of the image also enhances the
masculine effect as they are not close to each other and they are all looking away which
suggests there is tension between the band members.
Explicit language has been used throughout the body copy, which creates a hostile, informal
tone. This represents the band to be stereotypical pugnacious males, which fits with the
rock/indie genre.