The Analysis of similiar media texts

1) XXL MAGAZINE



XXL magazine is primarily a rap / hip hop magazine with its target audience specifically appealing to the young black american society. The rap genre has certain individualistic ideals that create the music as a whole, appealing to those with a specific taste in the genre. The main picture of Nas overlapps the title resembling house style, portraying the magazine as a well known production as people would recognise the few showing words of the title and colour functions. The background colour is grey, matching the main pictures representation as it depicts "Nas" with a stern face showing anger. This is used in conjunction with the background colour to produce "attitude", relating it to what the rap industry is about. This focusses on the meaning of the magazine and gives the reader an insight into what the magazine entails. Mise en Scene is delivered as "Nas" is supporting a massive silver chain with thick links to showcase his wealth and links him to a sense of superiority, again relating to the hip-hop genre. A black hoody relates to the youth of today by resembling a sense of "street credit" and an aura of toughness. A sub title, "NAS" is used to present who he is and is the same colourway as the background picture as this follows suit to the colourways used to give the cover order. Red is used throughout as its a stand out colour and people relate red to anger and attitude, a reoccuring theme running throughout hip hop music. The red also gives it an american feel by using it in conjunction with white to relate it to the colour wyas of the american flag, as hip hop originated in south america. The slogan "hip-hop on a higher level" relates to the title as its "XXL" meaning extra extra large, a catchy yet simplistic slogan. The layout of the subtitles follows suit to the genetic codes of a magazine front cover layout. With the subtitles being layed out on the sides of the page it attracts the audience to the main focus, the picture. The "NAS" is overlapping the bottom of the picture to show that the picture is of "NAS". The rappers names are embedded in bold writing to stand out, making them easier for audiences to depict whoose involved in the magazine features. A question is headed to the audience, "What has the internet done to Hip-Hop" to involve the audience and gives a que that the magazine will awnser this question, a common trait that magazine covers resemble. The barcode is neatly tucked away in the bottom right hand corner to take it away from the attraction of the front cover itself. This magazine cover relates to the specifics of the genetic conventions of a music magazine, with a main picture taking up most of the space, subtitles following down the side of the page and with the main picture having its own individual subtitle to tell the uadience who it is, this magazine cover works well and would stand out on a stores shelf with its bold titles and specific colourways.