ANALYSING FRONT PAGES:

The hip hop magazine I will be analysing is XXL. In terms of presentational devices the magazine consists of a masthead, puff, coverlines , a main coverline and a main image.

The masthead (XXL) is written in capitals filled with diamonte. This has associations with wealth and bling in the hip hop culture. This is reinforced by the main image of Lil Wayne and Baby who are rappers wearing multiple chains (bling). This folloes the stereotypical representation of rappers and hip hop which gratifies it’s audience as it meets their expectations.

The main image of Baby and Lil Wayne is an effective presentational device. The fact that they are both topless signifies courage and them being tough, real men through the tattoo’s they have (which also coveys wealth) as most people may feel vulnerable or sevobject, if asked to be photographed topless. This aspect of the main image meets the generic codes and conventions of hip-hop and a hip-hop magazine whereas the camaraderie within the main image opposes it. The fact that Baby has his arm around Lil Wayne as if he is hugging him coveys support for each other and protection which subverts black male characteristics but also the typical hip hop representations.

The coverlines of the magazine lists various music artists which show different artists that will be included in the magazine. This persuades consumers to purchase the magazine if they aren’t necessarily interested in the artists in the main image, they may be interested in one artist included in the coverline therefore purchasing the magazine which gratifies its targeted audience.

The background is also significant. The background image depicts a house which seems quite rough signified by the wood it was made of. This suggests the area which Baby and/or Lil Wayne grew up in. This connotes that they never get were they come from and they are true to themselves which subverts the representation perceived by them wearing a lot of chains.

Lastly, the puff included in the magazine persuades audiences to purchase the magazine. One of the puffs “A decade of dominance” includes alliteration which makes it memorable and stays in the consumers mind. Also, the use of the word “dominance” makes it seem as if XXL is the best selling hip-hop magazine which is reinforced by another puff “10^th Anniversary” which connotes how long they have been selling for.

In conclusion, some aspects of the magazine conveys generic codes and conventions of a hip-hop magazine which includes the masthead and the main image which I think makes this text successful in targeting it’s audience. Also, parts of the magazine challenges dominant ideologies of hip hop which I feel attracts its targeted audience but also other audiences as it creates different ideas about hip-hop-i.e. The fact that Baby’s arm is around Lil Wayne creates positivity about hip-hop which shadows the negative stereotypes associated with hip hop through people’s perceptions.