The document summarizes research on existing magazine adverts and CD/DVD covers in the Afrobeats genre in order to plan an original cover and advert. Key elements analyzed include color schemes, image composition, text placement, and implied meanings. Color schemes commonly featured red, black, and white to represent passion, power, and simplicity. Close-up images tightly framed the artist's face to show emotion and body language implying power, wealth, and opening up through their music. Text was placed simply and away from images for clarity.

1. TASK 8: RESEARCH AND
PLANNING THE CD/DVD
COVER AND ADVERT
A2 MEDIA
SYNTYCHE SONZI

2. So that I am able to successfully create a CD/DVD cover and advert, I have conducted research
on mini case studies on existing media products of the particular genre that has been chosen;
AFROBEATS.

3. MAGAZINE ADVERT : P-SQUARE
“DOUBLE TROUBLE” (MYSTREET
MAGAZINE)
First thing I have noticed with this advert is the house
style colours; black, red and white. Black is the
colour of the night, in this particular context the
Black may symbolise elegance, class, power and
wealth which is what most Afrobeat artists/groups
aim to achieve through their songs and physical
appearance. Red is the colour of strong emotions,
this may vary from love, excitement, passion and
energy which is usually given off in Afrobeat music.
White can represent simplicity, peace and youth.
This creates the representation that this band are
youthful, powerful and energetic which goes with the
general type of songs produced in the afrobeat genre.
The placement of text is one thing that I like the most.
The simplicity of the advert makes the audience
intrigued to find out more, also the placement of the
text has a powerful impact on the reaction of the
audience as it simply connotes what the album is based
on.
The image is of the two artist in P-Square; Peter and
Paul. Both are wearing blacked out shades, one is
looking straight at the camera elevating his chin
creating a fierce look in his face the other is looking to
the right with no emotion in his face. This body
language and the use of the shades creates the
implication that they are both powerful African men.
This is a close up shot type tightly framing the artists
enabling the audience to see clearly the artists and are
able to identify them. The image creates an anchorage
with the name the album “Double Trouble” as there are
two artists who are twins and the phrase “double
trouble” is usually associated with twins.
The lighting used is mainly to highlight the features
of the artist and create shadows enabling the
identification of the body language. There is little
airbrushing used, the areas that this is used is
mainly around the forehead and nose just so that
the image looks clean and professional.

4. MAGAZINE ADVERT : FABREGAS LE
METIS NOIR “ANAPIPO”
The house style colours for this magazine advert are;
gold and brown. In this advert the colour gold
symbolises success, luxury, masculinity, prestige and
sophistication, value, wealth and elegance. This is
commonly what afrobeat artists successfully portray
to the audience. The colour brown is a friendly yet
serious and down-to-earth. This creates the
representation that this artist is a down to earth guy
and this album will include traditional concepts, this
is also shown through the mise en scene: ( the
dashiki worn by the artist, the location of the photo
and the props used.)
The placement of text is very simple and straight
forward. It shows the name of the artist and album,
the date when the album will be released, sponsors
and the producers. This has a powerful impact on the
reaction of the audience as it simply connotes what
the album is based on, I particularly like the sponsors
logos at the bottom as this is a promotional method
and I would use this for my own magazine advert.
The image is of the artist Fabregas Le Metis Noir;
Fabrice Mbuyulu. He is wearing blacked out shades
is looking to the right with no emotion in his face.
This body language and the use of the shades
portrays that he has adopted the common
convention with all African artists and creating an
implication of power and wealth. This is a long shot
type showing the audience the entire location and
the clothing of the artist.
The lighting used is mainly natural lighting, this goes with
the traditional theme that is being aimed here. I am unable
to identify if there is any airbrushing used because of the
type of shot that was used.

5. MAGAZINE ADVERT: TIWA SAVAGE
“ONCE UPON A TIME”
One thing from this advert that I really like is the
image; this is of artist Tiwa Savage; Tiwatope
Savage. This is different from the other two as she
isn’t wearing blacked out shades so we can actually
see her emotions. She has a direct eye contact, as
she is looking straight at the camera.
This body language and the subtle makeup creates
the implication that she is opening up to her
emotions sincerely and the album is about her and
her feelings. This creates an anchorage with the
name of the album “Once upon a time” which is
used to tell a story, meaning this album is about her
telling her story. This is a mid close up shot type
enabling the audience to see what she is wearing
and her emotions on her face. I really like the use of
this element and will consider using this for the
female artist during the photo-shoot
The text and the placement of the
text is once again very simple and
away from her face allowing the
audience to see everything on the
advert very clearly
The lighting used is mainly to
highlight the features of the artist
and create shadows enabling the
identification of the body language.
There is little airbrushing used as the
makeup is used to make her look
flawless.

6. CD/DVD COVER: RIHANNA “LOUD”
FRONT COVER : The image is of Rihanna and it is a close up
image tightly framed enabling the audience to see her
emotions and the subtle makeup. The body language and
the makeup portrays intimacy her eyes being closed means
deep sorrow and deep sadness because there is no direct
eye contact with the audience meaning that she will let us
in to her real emotions through song.
The text is placed under her chin and away from her face
which allows us to see her face and the text with ease as
there is nothing overlapping. The name of the artist isn’t
shown on this; this is because she is a well known
mainstream artist so her face will be easily recognised
without her name being there. This is different with
afrobeat artists as they are not as worldwide known as
artists like Rihanna, so they is less availability to self
promote with just image.
BACK COVER: All the text and barcode is
written on the right hand side, this
positioning allows the image on the left to
be clearly seen. The image is a now a long
shot showing the audience the entire
location and the clothing of the artist.
The main house style colours are red, peach
and white. The white and peach are soft
colours which portray her emotions, the red
brings brightness onto the cd cover and shows
her strength

7. CD/DVD COVER: FALLY IPUPA
“ARSENAL DE BELLES MELODIES”
FRONT COVER : The image is of Fally and it is a close up
image tightly framed enabling the audience to see his face
and his emotions. The body language portrays he has
confidence, class and wealth which is what most Afrobeat
artists/groups aim to achieve through their songs and
physical appearance. There is direct eye contact with the
audience showing the communication between the artist
and his audience.
The text is placed away from his face so we can see
everything properly as there is nothing overlapping. The
name of the artist is placed vertically on the right hand
side away from his face, this clear placement of the text
allows the ability to see everything on the cover.
BACK COVER: The text is separated into 2 parts, CD1 songs
on the left and CD2 songs on the right. The barcode and
the name of the artist is separated as well, this is because
there is an image of the artist in the middle. Fally’s back is
facing the audience showing no direct eye contact, he also
has a self portrait on the back of his t-shirt and his name at
the bottom which signifies that he has his own back and a
confident individual.
The main house style colours are red, gold and white. The
white and gold bring some softness onto the cd cover,
indicating that behind the fierceness of the red, he is caring
and is willing to open up his emotions in this album, once
again red is used in this cover; this represents his passion
and the beautiful melodies that he will sing.

8. CD/DVD COVER: YEMI ALADE “KING
OF QUEENS”
FRONT COVER : The image is of
Yemi and it is a close up image
tightly framed enabling the
audience to see everything that
is on the cover. There is direct
eye contact with the audience
showing the communication
between the artist and her
audience. This body language
and the heavy golden makeup
creates the implication that
she is opening up to her
emotions sincerely and that the
artist is implying that she is
royalty and luxurious with
riches.
There is nothing overlapping as
the text is placed away from
her face. The name of the
artist is placed directly under
the name of the artist in a
large font, which will grab the
attention of the audience, this
clear placement of the text
allows the ability to see
everything on the cover.
BACK COVER: The text is placed in the centre of
the cover, with mirroring images of Yemi facing
towards the audience portraying the theme of
royalty that she is aiming to achieve. Surprisingly
there is no barcode on this back cover but there is
distribution numbers on the left hand side of the
CD.
The main house style colours are black, gold and
white. Black symbolises elegance, class, power
and wealth, the white and gold in this particular
context represents youth, success and
sophistication which is also communicated
through her hand gestures and the body
language. Showing that this album is of elegance
and that she represents the success and luxurious
African young women.