Music Magazine Analysis - XXL (baby and lil wayne) & VIBE (usher)

The XXL Masthead really sets the spirit of what genre the cartridge is based on. The use ofdiamonds in the font automatically holds connotations of riches and money which isprominentlymentioned in recent hip-hop/rap music. The list of irons on their necks also regard the style as it too shows connotations of riches and money, revealing they get enough money to open the quantity of chains.

'baby' and 'lil wayne' both are shown shirtless. This reveals their full bodytattooswhich suggests they are flaunting their masculinity, as tattoos hurt when being done. This appeals to younger teenage boys who run to attend up to rappers. Not but that, the fact that they are showingtheirbodies means that they areattracting interest from youngimpressionableteenage girls, in other words the project has sex appeal.'baby' has his arm around 'lil wayne' and this can be seen as 'baby' protecting him, almost like a older brother to a younger sibling. the balance of both men (tilting head) shows a large stage of arrogance which is coupled with hip-hop culture. It is easily known that the lyrics used by the latest rappers is to brag about the money they make and the image helps embrace this. The main cover line's font is large so that the referee knows what the chief article will be near and the red colour used in this image helps it to bear out as red has connotations of peril which is joined into gangster rap and hip-hop. The setting in the project was purposelyblurred and the result of this is that is focuses the care of the referee to the focal point of the image, 'baby' and 'lil wayne'.

The VIBE magazine's masthead font stands out as R&B style as it is big,boldand stands out in your face. The colour baby blue also helps underline that period as it represents a cool and smooth nature. This also relates to 'show' because he is an R&B artist,and they are expected to take this personality. His name 'usher' and the primary range of him overshadows the masthead which way he is more important. This could be low to the fact that he is the essence of attention because he is celebrated and can beidentifiedon a world scale. So in many ways it could be seen as the company VIBE using usher's image to deal more magazines. The face page consists of primary colours which serve the address lines stand out. The use of Yellow, Red and Blue highlights this. The little 'e' in the masthead draws little aid to the list of the magazine. There also was the use of graffiti style font on the word 'swagger' which helps underline the colloquialism in the term 'swagger' to make style. usher is wearing much lessjewelleryin this project as a position to 'child' and 'lil wayne'. This could be low to the fact that R&B in general has a more mellow vibe to it than hip-hop, which is more urban. Likewise with the tattoos, usher is just display one, which again links to thesubtletyof R&B. in this image usher is seen as ametro sexual, this shows that he appeals to both homosexuals andheterosexuals. The ring finger image reinforces the main cover line but also is viewing a 'gangster' side to show in the fact that the finger isprovocative. This is because it is being used like a middle finger which is a mark of disapproval or discomfort towards someone. the shades that usher wears makes him seem enigmatic, almost saying 'I can see you but you cant see what i'm looking at'. Usher likewise with the haughtiness of 'child' and 'lil wayne' is shown when tiling his head. This shows a secure connection in culture between hip-hop and R&B and also reinforces the back like "(king) is back". the use of the book "sex" is all over the face page, it is mentioned over a staggering 3 times. This could suggest that usher has a big mass of sex appeal because thenatureof R&B is mostly to sing about making love.