WAYS IN WHICH MY MEDIA PRODUCT USES FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF

EXISTING MEDIA PRODUCTS

The skyline of conventional Rap magazines is made up of names of successful or upcoming Rappers. My music magazine’s skyline consists of names such as Nicki Minaj, Drake and Ne- yo who are all popular Rappers likewise the skyline of Vibe magazine which also uses names of famous Rappers like 50 Cent and Lil Wayne.

One of the main conventions of Rap music magazines is the placement of the head of the model in the main image over the Masthead. This is usually done to connote dominance as it suggests that the model (Rapper) is more important and powerful than the title of the magazine. This is a convention which I have followed by also putting the head of my model over the Masthead of my magazine as is done by Vibe and other magazines.

The form (layout) of existing Rap magazines like Vibe is simple. With a single image on its front cover, the main image is placed at the center of the cover with the coverlines wrapped around the model’s body. The model’s chest area is always free from text/coverlines to reveal his masculinity/her femininity. I have followed this form in my music magazine’s front cover and have also placed the isbn number at the left of the cover which is always done by Vibe magazine.

Rap magazines like Vine and XXL use plain backgrounds on their front covers. This is done to make the model on the main image the main focus of the reader as if there is a graffiti/designed background, the reader’s attention might be diverted from the model to the background making the main image less powerful. This is a convention which I have followed by making the background of my front cover plain white.

Vibe magazine always uses a single image on its contents page. Following this convention, I have also used a single image on my contents page. The model on my image also has a similar gesture to that of the model on the Vibe contents page.

I have also followed the forms of Vibe’s contents page by also using a plain background and positioning my “features” of the left side of the page. My music magazine’s contents page is simple as Vibe’s is.

WAYS IN WHICH MY MEDIA PRODUCT CHALLENGES FORMS AND

CONVENTIONS OF OTHER EXISTING MEDIA PRODUCT

Most Rappers on the front cover of Rap magazines wear gold, diamond and/or silver bling as seen on the front cover of XXL magazine. This connotes their wealth and power and bling is a stereotypical jewellery for Rappers as it is seen as a masculine way of showing wealth and power. However, I have challenged this convention by making the model (Rapper) on my front cover wear a beaded necklace instead of a bling. I did this to challenge the stereotype that Rappers like wearing bling to show off their wealth and power. Wearing a beaded necklace is a feminine stereotype, therefore my Rapper wearing a beaded necklace suggests that he has a feminine/soft side to him unlike the power dominant image Rappers are usually portrayed as.

A conventional facial expression of Rappers in the main images of Rap magazines is tensed and aggressive with a direct mode of address. This is done to connote power, dominance and courage as these are the stereotypical characteristics of a Rapper’s personality. The Rapper in the main image of my front cover challenges these conventions as his facial expression is smiley/ happy which is inviting and he is wearing glasses which obstructs the direct mode of address. I did this to lessen the tension between the reader and the image as with glasses on, he looks friendlier unlike the model on the front cover of Vibe. This affirms my theme that Rappers are bold but have a friendlier side to them.

Vibe magazine always has “Contents” as the main coverline of its contents page. I have challenged this convention by putting the Masthead of my music magazine as the main coverline of its contents page. I have also changed the position and style of “Contents” to a faded vertical text on the left of the page.

The Rappers in the main images of Rap magazine like Vibe, usually have their shirt off. This denotes their body which is usually covered in tattoos and connotes masculinity and dominance. The models in my main images challenged this convention by wearing white T-shirts/vest to cover up their body. This enhances the theme that Rappers can be friendly as by wearing a shirt/vest they break the stereotype of revealing their body and looking aggressive.