R&B Music Magazine Analysis'

VIBE MAGAZINE ANALYSIS

The word vibe, in addition to being the abbreviated form of vibration, is also used to describe "a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing". By the use of this word, we know straightaway that this a music magazine. The use of this word as the title of the magazine almost serves as a description for each artist featured on the front cover each month. It may also refer to the "intangible quality" of the magazine itself, how it provides the best quality content amongst it's competitors. 

Various shades of blue and yellow are used as the main colours of the magazine, these colours are complimentary colours on the colour wheel, so they are a good combination and they allow the reader to clearly see the writing against the background. The colour blue also, represents relaxation, which links nicely to the title and connotations of the word "vibe". The most interesting, words and headlines appear to be written in yellow, for example, the title of the magazine "Vibe" and the word "Ciara" is also important as she is model for the front cover of this issue.  

Featured on the front cover is Ciara, a famous RnB music artist and dancer. She is wearing a tight fitting, leather look dress which accentuates her curves. The headline "New Music New body" suggests she has reinvented herself and the dress is tight to showcase her new body. Ciara's facial expression is dark and her makeup is also and smokey which creates and atmosphere of mystery, which would encourage the readers to purchase the magazine to find out what the magazine has to offer. Her sexy look on the magazine would mainly attract men to this particular issue and the rhetorical question "Don't You wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me?" reiterates that this issue is aimed at men. As the main target audience is men, the heavy use of blue can be explained, as stereotypically, blue is considered a male colour. 

Direct addressing is used to make the reader feel a part of the magazine, "Don't You", when reading this, we can feel the emphasis on "you" and the reader feels as though the magazine is including them in the magazine, which will encourage them to buy it. 

BLUES&SOUL MAGAZINE ANALYSIS

The simplicity of the title, is very effective for this magazine, a reader selecting a magazine will instantly know it is about the music genre 'BLUES&SOUL" and can then make a quick decision as to whether they would like to purchase it or not. For the magazine and it's business, this is beneficial as they know many people enjoy the "I am what it says on the tin" marketing strategy. In it's abbreviated form, however, the name could also be misinterpreted as a popular swear word, RnB is known for frequent use of swearing, so this could be a deibrate use in order for the magazine to play up to the stereotype given to this genre of music. 

The title is written in white against a red rectangle. Red, may represent the passion the magazine has for blues and soul music, in the headline the word "fire" is also written in red, the magazine may do this to subliminally encourage the reader to make a connection between heat, fire, and power and the ethos the magazine is attempting to send out. The white used for the title, may again be used to reinforce the idea of the simplicity and pureness of the magazine's content. 

World renowned Sean Paul, is the cover model on this issue. His attire is very urban, which is suitable for the magazine as it is obviously an RnB magazine and historically this genre is very urban in it's roots. He is also wearing a lot of jewellry, stereotypical of RnB artists. The photo appears to have been enhanced with a vintage style concept, this may be to reflect Sean Paul's importance within the industry and particular genre. At 40, he is at the top of his game and well respected in music, therefore I feel the use of the vintage filter is very effective in conveying this. He is stood against a grey wall and his hands are clenched, in a way typical of rappers preparing to begin performing or it may suggest that, along with his head slightly cocked to the side, that is pensively thinking about something. Whichever it is, it excites the reader to purchase the magazine and find out more inside.

Another aspect of himself that Sean Paul is known for, is his mohican hair which he has been rocking for a considerable amount of time and has now become a staple of his. By highlighting him as "The Last Of The Mohicans" the magazine is adding humour to the magazine by suggesting they have exclusive content as Sean Paul aka the "Last Of The Mohicans" is featured in their magazine. 

In regards to the rest of the magazine, it is quite bare. With only a list of interviewees and "Sean Paul" written large at the bottom, there is not much else. This again, is in response to the magazine of "less is more" and is a contrast to other magazines that pack on as much as possible in order to attract readers. The fact that there is liitle on the front cover, leaves readers curious to find out what is inside and also coincides with the saying "quality not quantity".