VIBE Front cover analysis

Background of VIBE Vibe is a music entertainment magazine founded in 1993, known as

'Volume'.

Genre: R&B/Hip-Hop

Re-Launched in 2009

Target Audience: Teenage followers of the rap culture, mainly between the age of 16-30 of both genders

Circulation in 2007 was 800,000, and 300,00 in 2012, suggesting there has been a downfall in popularity of the magazine (and

magazines in general)

Large presence online (Vibe.com), and in selected stores which implies it is of a high quality

Owned by InterMedia

Typical Articles: Music reviews, gossip, up-coming artists, urban clothing, photo galleries. .

Masthead The masthead 'VIBE' undoubtedly is the prevailing feature of the front cover,

using the largest font size and thickness. It also mixes the two colours from the colour scheme (Black and Red) as they blend into each other from top to

bottom, which allows it to be very eye-catching.

The word 'Vibe' defines as “to enjoy oneself by listening to or dancing to popular music.” so the masthead is a connotation of the music

genre, which is important as it is more relatable to the audience and will always be associated as a music magazine

There is a masthead underlay, implying that the dominant cover image subject (Eminem) is more important as he is such a well-

known figure, so will likely sell more issues if he is noticeable on the page. This could also have been used as 'VIBE' can still be clearly

seen and understood despite the underlay as well as insinuating that because VIBE is so well known in the music magazine industry, you

will recognise it even if just the V was showing.

Unusually, there is a cover line (though it only is a few words) overlaying the masthead as well, which in my opinion doesn't look

that good, but is relevant to the article. This again suggests the importance surrounding the lead cover line rather than the

masthead.

Sans Serif font Majority of text uses Sans Serif font, hinting that the magazine uses a more

formal approach.

Lead cover line “Eminem comes clean”

This cover line is not as recognizable as on other music magazine front covers that I have studied, which is the house style of VIBE magazine. This may be done as it makes the

audience pay more attention to the whole of the front cover, rather than just one section, thus getting them more involved.

The actual wording of the cover line is not very revealing, but connotes the drug use that Eminem has been known for in past years. This is for most, especially those of the target

audience, a very interesting topic worthy of a lead cover line, as Eminem has not been outspoken about his drug-use, which also makes it an exclusive article, which can be used as

a unique selling point.

As well as this, three drugs are listed beside the pull quote as an initial insight into the article, which could further intrigue the reader to purchase the magazine

Strap line Like 'NME' magazine, there is no strap line proposing the idea that music

magazines avoid using strap lines like other magazine genres. However, there is an exception to this theory, as Q proudly boast the strap line “World's greatest music magazine”

Model/mise-en-scene Eminem has the title of 'The King of Rap', so it is no surprise that he is

presented as the most important component of the front cover (e.g use of masthead underlay)

His costume is a very basic black tank top displaying his tattoo sleeves as well as his iconic necklace. This is the typical image portrayed by Eminem, which VIBE are not challenging. It creates a sense of power and fearlessness, but also a down-to-earth feel which fits the topic of the lead cover line.

PoseLike his costume, Eminem's pose builds a confident, powerful representation, helped through the use of direct gaze like he is directly addressing the audience.

Pull Quote

“I literally almost died” - Eminem

Unlike the NME magazine front cover I analysed, the pull quote is taken from the leading cover line – which is what I would suggest is the more

typical convention of a music magazine.

The pull quote serves it's purpose as it is very gripping and hard-hitting, making the reader want to buy the magazine to see why he almost died. It is a very good selling technique, and therefore is used more effectively than on

the NME magazine cover I analysed (So I will hope to use it like this)

Barcode There is no barcode on this particular front cover, which is likely down to the

fact that VIBE magazine is now primarily an online magazine, rather than a print magazine (Though they still do print copies)

Secondary cover lines

Includes articles on Jay-Z, Kanye West and T.I who are all big name artists within the R&B genre. Including such superstars is boasting the high quality and status of the magazine, as well as selling more copies because of the Artists' huge fan-bases.

“Who is the best rapper of all time? You decide” - This is an example of an interactive article/feature, establishing an active audience, which all magazine companies want to have. So polls are perfect to accomplish this.

There is also mentions of artists such as Drake,Kid Cudi and Young Money who are artists of a different genre to those mentioned before. This allows the magazine to have an audience that is not too niche, but that is also not mainstream. It will also gain interest from the Artists' fan bases.

Issue Number + Website link

Issue number will show that the magazine has a good history as a large number suggests that the magazine has been popular for a long time to new-comers.

Colour Pallete Red & Black: Provides a very professional and classy look. Connotes power,

which accompanies the same connotations of Eminem's pose.

Superlatives 3Words such as 'hottest', 'best' used to draw more attention to

their respective articles.

Flash Used in the top-right corner of the front cover to publicise the “Real

Rap' feature, but in my opinion ruins a very clean-cut front cover.

No additional images

This may have been done purposely to divert all attention to Eminem and the lead cover line – as when he is the only image (therfore dominant) he is

the first thing the readers see

Skyline Situated at the top of the front cover, it provides the audience with even more names of artists featured in the magazine, generating even more interest, as well as building a big-name reputation in the music

magazine industry