1. Textual
analysisBy Chloe Harrison

2. Masthead: The masthead is written in large easy to read writing.
This magazine is confident that they are known as Kanye’s face
is covering the text. This communicates that the magazine is
successful and confident that it’s readers would be able to
recognise the magazine even with some of the letters obscured.
This is a technique we intend to use. Also ‘vibe’ means feelings,
emotions it’s a reaction from something. This links to music as
some readers get emotional from certain music.
Strapline: This is the first thing the reader will see when the magazines
are stacked. Using the words ‘exclusive’ and ‘secrets’ makes the reader
want to read it as it features exclusive secrets.
Cover image: Using Kanye’s face communicates to the reader that
the genre is music. Kanye’s eyes are looking directly at the camera,
giving the effect that he is looking into the readers eyes, this makes
the reader feel involved. Using a close-up makes Kanye look
vulnerable contrasting against his rap music he makes, this makes
the reader want to buy the magazine as its rare to see him
vulnerable. The artist also looks very serious suggesting the
information inside is very important. I like how Kanyes collar is
incorporated to the magazine as the masthead writing is in blue like
the collar as are some of the subheadings.
Theme colours: Blue and pink are suitable for a mixed gender
audience as pink is stereotypically a girls colour and blue is a boys,
so using both makes it suitable for any gender. The colours are also
quite fun and bright and contrast against the plain white background
making the writing stand out as well as the artist.
Subheadings: Using a quote from Kanye makes the reader feel
like they have an insight to the artists life and they know part of
his personality which makes the reader want to know more. His
name is in capitals so its easily read. His name is also the
biggest font size making it stand out. Underneath is a subtitle
‘50 Greatest songs (and 10 to delete)’ again it is placed in
capital letters so stand out. Suggesting there are songs by
Kanye to delete is quite naughty, and raises a debate as some
readers may disagree with the magazines choice as they might
like the songs. This again makes the reader want to buy the
magazine to find out what is inside.
The other artists that feature are placed on the right side of the
magazine which is the less busy side. They are also placed in
capital letters so they are seen. The colours make a pattern and
looks exciting which diverts the readers attention to the artists
featuring inside.
At the bottom right is a logo that reads ‘Celebrating the best music in
history’. Usually the barcode with the price is placed here so to place
the logo here makes sure it is seen.
The magazine avoids placing
subtitles on Kanye it is spread
around him on the white
background. This again makes him
stand out and look important making
the reader want to buy it as he is
powerful.

3. Main image: A similarity I have found whilst doing my research is that main images on most covers that feature an R&B artists
have the artist in a close up shot. This makes the artist look vulnerable which contrasts with their rap image, influencing the
reader to buy the magazine as they have never seen the certain rap artist in such a vulnerable state. Drake is facing the side
slightly, opposing to other artists like Kanye who looked straight at the camera, which portrays that Drake is not as soft as other
artists and is a bit more rebellious but he is still looking at the camera as if he is looking at the reader. Drake is also filtered in
black and white which communicates ‘emotion’ as typically in movies the emotional scenes are placed in black and white. His
image also matches the subtitle ‘the new face’ as it is just his face shown.Strapline: Whilst researching certain Billboard magazine covers I found
that there is no strapline. I think this is done as the main focus is the
main image as the subheadings are also around Drakes face instead of
being placed infront of his face.
Subheadings: The subheadings are highlighted in a green
background with black letters. This is so the writing stands
out and easily seen. ‘A little pitchy’ referring to the ratings of
a show named ‘American idol’ this is quite cheeky which
appeals to the readers as this is quite controversial which
intrigues the readers.
Using the word ‘exclusive’ for a subheading makes the
reader want to read it as it features exclusive secrets.
‘The first good world cup album’ again this is controversial as
it could offend buyers of a world cup album as they disagree.
‘The new face of hip hop’ which introduces Drake appeals to
most readers as they want to know who he is.
I feel the subtitles could be improved by making the font size
bigger as its not easy to read.
Theme colours: The theme colours are very simple as the
main image is filtered in black and white. The subtitles uses
the same green from the masthead ‘d’ which makes the
cover look consistent.
Masthead: The masthead is in a simple font that is easily read but certain letters
have a colour in the ‘gaps’. This is consistent for every issue and is easily
recognisable when stacked with other magazines.

4. Main image: Usher is posed in a defence move as he holds
his fists in a typical fighting move. This contrasts with his
image of being ‘loving’ suggesting he is evolving. He is also
looking at the camera which makes the reader feel
involved. Usher represented in a typical way as males are
‘stronger’ and ‘tough’.
Masthead: The masthead is written in large easy to
read writing. This magazine is confident that they are
known as Ushers face is covering the text. This
communicates that the magazine is successful and
confident that it’s readers would be able to recognise
the magazine even with some of the letters obscured.
This is a technique we intend to use.
Strapline: This magazine does not have a strapline as they
feel confident that they are successful without one as a
strapline normally persuades the reader to buy the
magazine. Also this communicates that the artist is more
important than the actual issue.
Subheadings: The subheading below the name Usher read
‘Dirty dancing with the hitman’ I think this communicates
that Ushers music is evolving and he does not care. I think
this as a hitman is somebody who receives money for
committing murders and if somebody is ‘dirty dancing’ this
implies they are not worried, or scared.
‘Facebook fuels ticket sales’ this also relates to readers as
they may own a Facebook account and can relate to the
article.
Theme colours: The main colour on this magazine
cover is blue. This colour is stereotypically a
males colour which makes him look more tough in
his defence pose. He is also wearing a dark grey
top underneath which also communicates that
Usher is ‘tough’ on his outside but also on the
inside as he is in a dark colour that does not
represent happiness.

5. The image shows a band that features inside the magazine as
their quote has been placed beneath them. The long shot
photo communicates power as they are stood on a ‘hill’
overlooking houses which relates to males stereotypical
representation of being ‘stronger’ than females. The band are
also wearing stereotypical ‘rock’ clothing with baggy tops, tight
black trousers.
The ‘features’ subtitle is against a red background making it stand out
against the white background. The features are very organised at the page
number is in a clear red font so its easy to see with the black font. This is
helpful as the audience can clearly see the page numbers and page titles.
The every month section communicates that the
magazine is up to date as it features new events that
take place every month. This is also in a red
background so its easily seen.
The date is placed here so the audience know how recent the
magazine is, and when the events in the magazine took place.
This is placed below the image so that the
audience can find this certain band inside.
The review featured reviews of albums and more by the
producers. Being placed below the image makes it easily seen
and communicates that it’s important. Not putting the writing
in a red background communicates it different from the other
features and again communicates importance.
I am aware this contents page is not R&B genre but I
found whilst researching that they are un-organized and
are not clear to the audience as they struggle to find
pages.

6. Although this is an R&B contents page I feel it looks
more like a front cover as Kanye is the main focus, and
the writing is spread around him which is too much for
the eye. I also feel this is unorganized as there is text
on the left, right and also the masthead ‘contents’ is
unorganized.
The masthead is spread around the page to communicate independence as its
different to other magazine titles. Its also a ‘cool’ approach again as its
different which appeals to the target audience as teenagers are reaching an
age where they become different and like new things.
The ‘V’ in the background communicates what magazine it is as the V is in the
same format as the masthead on the front cover. Also makes the audience feel
as if this interview is exclusive as he stands behind the V magazine
communicating he’s confident and satisfied with the magazine.
The colour splash technique used gives the photo an ‘edge’ to it and also
communicates his representation as he is known to be ‘nasty’ and
‘outrageous’ but this communicates to me he is a gentleman as the women is
clenching the heart which again communicates that he is loveable to women.
It also communicates that females are his weakness as he is stood with his
hands in his pockets looking into the camera which makes him look powerful
and quite angry whilst a females arm is almost strangling him as they clench
his heart.
The main image is Kanye stood with his hands in his pockets which
communicates ‘lies’ as he feels the need to hide his hands which represents
a powerful man as he has the ability to lie. He is also staring at the camera
which again communicates power as the audience feel as if he is looking at
them. This is a stereotypical representation of males as they are ‘stronger’
and have more ‘power’ against females.
The text ‘Features’ and ‘Fashion’ are in the same font so they are easily seen
and recognized as subtitles and in the repetitive font colour which is black so
again it’s recognized as writing which is the same colour as the ‘contents’

7. The main image is the band black eyed peas stood in powerful poses as Wil.i.am is
saluting, Fergie resting her elbow on Wil.i.am’s shoulder and the other pair are
stood with their heads held high. I think the female representation shown is very
stereotypical as Fergie is wearing the least clothing and her arm is leaning on the
male communicating that she is the ‘appeal’ to the group as she's the only female
and she is stood in the middle which emphasises the point.
The masthead
‘Will he won’t he?’
communicates
Wil.i.am’s decision
on whether or not
to quit the band.
This is
communicated by
the editors
decision on
highlighting
Wil.i.am by
‘ghosting’ out his
band members
The colour scheme
communicates royalty
as Wil.i.am is dressed
in gold's which
contrasts with the
others grey and black
clothing emphasising
that he is the main
member of the group
and if he leaves the
bands career will be
troubled.
The writing is placed in
a black background
with a white font
which means the
writing is easily seen
and contrasts with the
writing in black. This
also communicates to
the audience that this
writing is important.
‘Will he’ is
written in gold
which matches
his gold clothing
so the audience
know this article
is based around
him also ‘Will’ is
used to
communicate
the same
message to the
audience.
The artists are dressed in suits which
contrasts with one of the members gold
chain which communicates there music is
different from others which appeals to the
audience.