Music Magazine Analysis Half-term homework Oscar Mitchell

Front Cover Conventions Layout & design: Anchorage text is used to explain the image “DRAKE HIP-HOP’S NEW RELIGION”, this tells us that Drake is like the new ‘God’ of Hip-Hop. A top banner tells us the names of other artists that feature in the magazine and also the type of music this magazine is related to. The width of different columns show us the importance of each subject, for example an exclusive interview with Chris Brown has a wider column than a twitter related subject. Buzzwords or Crossheads are used “EXCLUSIVE” and “NEW” are both used to get the audience excited about the content of the magazine. It sounds like the information is only available in this one place, it’s used as a persuasive device. In the main cover image of Drake, he is using a direct gaze to make the audience feel like he’s looking straight at them. His clothes suggest that he has a smart style but he is still connecting to the hip-hop genre as he is dressed in a ‘street’ style, including silver bling and a plain black cap. The writing on his t-shirt “unstoppable” suggests he really is unstoppable. This will appeal to male fans who will look up to him and his resilience and perseverance. He’s representation Different font sizes show the importance of each subject, for example the name ‘Drake’ is in a larger font than ‘Amber Rose’ because he is the main story or subject in this issue as he is in the main cover image.

Banner Masthead Buzzwords Main Cover Image Plug Website Puff Usually at the top or bottom of the cover and act as a menu listing other features inside. The word ‘VIBE’ links to the type of magazine it is-music, as each music genres have a different vibe to them. ‘New’ is placed in the top left corner because it is where people look first. This will draw in the audience because something ‘new’ is exciting. Masthead Identifies the magazine or newspaper and contributes to a strong brand identity, e.g. a recognizable logo. Buzzwords These words are used to draw in the reader and make them want to read more. Main Cover Image The silver bling is subtle but street, it makes him seem cool. “Unstoppable” t-shirt makes him seem like a strong artist who won’t be stopped. The black hat slightly tilted is effective as it makes him fit in the hip-hop scene more, the hat puts a shadow on his face which makes him seem 3D. His pose and facial expression portrays that he is rebellious – he doesn’t care but he does at the same time. Plug A sentence that advertises content within the magazine. The fashion plug makes the magazine appeal to a female audience. Website The website link makes it clear to the reader that there are other ways of getting information about the featured artists. A website is an example of convergence. Puff This puff accompanied by the words “RESURRECTION THE LEGACY CONTINUES” suggests, with other features (‘NEW’), that this copy is a new front for the magazine and that it has maybe started again since a break.

Drake Drake is a very typical Hip Hop artist, he is Canadian but he lives in America with a darker ethnicity. He has had legal issues, in 2012, an ex-girlfriend sued Drake for using her voice without permission in his song "Marvins Room”. In 2014, Drake was charged $300,000 for sampling a 1982 song called "Jimmy Smith Rap", on one of his songs for not properly licensing it. Later that year, Drake was again sued for $100,000 by rapper Rappin' 4-Tay for misusing his lyrics on the song "Who Do You Love?". In July 2015, Meek Mill publicly dissed Drake on Twitter, calling him out for not tweeting his album out. On July 25, 2015, Drake premiered a track, titled "Charged Up" on the Beats 1 OVO Radio Show that is widely seen as a response to Meek Mill's allegations. On July 28, 2015, Drake dropped yet another diss track for Meek Mill called "Back to Back" in which he addressed ghostwriting accusations, among other topics. Meek Mill responded to Drake's diss with a track of his own titled "Wanna Know", in which he poked fun at some of his rival's embarrassing moments in the public eye, as well as revealing the ghostwritten verse Drake sampled for his song "Know Yourself".

Target Audience Vibe has a target audience of 18 to 34 year old males, who listen to Hip-Hop, R&B and Rap. Although the majority of the target audience is male, many issues feature female artists which appeals to a female audience and widens the audience. The covers of VIBE magazine are bold which emphasises it’s serious approach to music. The use of plain colours allow the main cover image to speak for itself and control the limelight of the front cover as it were. Vibe’s target audience are made up of young, maturing people, and so the magazine reflects this by using a mature approach to the music scene – giving information about the music, artists and backgrounds. Including origins of certain artists and styles of music. The style and maturity of the magazine is why it appeals to that audience. This is helped by the colour pallet and layout of the cover and pages. The colour pallet of the issue I have chosen is basic but bold, the bold colours along with the layout allow each section of the magazine to stand out y itself. This is attractive to the target audience which is why it appeals so much to them. The type demographic people who would read this magazine are people in the groups of E to C2, this is because this type of magazine would appeal to them the most. The psychographic profiles that apply to this magazine include: strugglers and aspirers. Strugglers would read this magazine as a way of escaping their lives. Aspirers however, would read this magazine to show they are materialistic and they may look up to Drake and other hip hop artists who they aspire to be.