FRONT COVER OVERVIEW

All front covers are from VIBE magazine, so they have all been designed with the intention of attracting fans from the Hip Hop/RnB musical genre. Through carrying out this investigation of them and by comparing them to each other, it will then be possible to identify if there are any shared features within them and then to establish particular repeated patterns.

The eight front covers chosen feature typical magazine cover conventions such as sell lines which accompany the image, mastheads that are designed in an appropriate font, a main image which dominates the front cover, and articles which relate to the content inside. Each cover also takes the layout of a convention magazine.
We also see other repeated patterns. Each front cover features one sole artist image. The audience expect to see an artist on the front cover of a music magazine, but due to there rarely being a group indicates that it is extremely rare for groups within the Hip Hop /RnB world. On each front cover the artist dominates the whole page which emphasizes the importance that they have within their own careers. This shows the artist to be in control. By the artist being the main focus of the frame will attract the target audience, as they know instantly who this issue will contain. Each artist shows direct address towards the audience, even in the Beyonce issue, although her stance is seductive with her head lifted upwards she is still looking directly at the readers creating a personal tone whilst gaining the readerships attention.

In addition to this, the ratio of male to female within this genre is very much equal. This indicates that both genders are as important as the other within the musical world; they both have their unique twists to their music. However males are portrayed as masculine, within the Nelly issue he has his t shirt off, revealing his muscular body which fits the stereotypes of men. Whereas the females are shown as sexual objects, the Ciara issue shows the artist with no clothes on, seductively inciting the audience. This serves to reflect that this could be the way males and females are entirely represented throughout these genres.

Throughout the eight covers the only similarities within each are the masthead and sell lines. Each image is completely different to the next; this is to reinforce the element of being unique. In terms of costume each artist differs, The T.I issues shows him as a male who take his career seriously, he is dressed to impress and wants to be noticed, on the other hand the Lil Wayne issue shows him in a casual light, showing that he feels comfortable within his own skin and doesn’t care what other people think of him, the fact that he is laughing whilst on a throne can be him mocking other artists who feel they are better or wiser than him. Also two of the four female front covers display the women as sexual objects, but on the Alicia Keys issue she is portrayed as elegant, ands simple, with an almost dominant edge. The way each artist is shows relates entirely to the artist themselves and how they wish to be perceived.

The sell lines are a similar feature, purely because each issue has them. The positioning is also similar, as they fall around the main image. Allowing the artist to look dominant.  The sell lines which are in a bigger font than the others relate to the featured artist, providing them with more importance. Some of the issues have a puff, for instance the Alicia Keys issue, but this is to just telling the readers which issue it is. The space on the front of the magazine is devoted to the artists main image, indicates just how important the artists truly are within their careers and within the Hip Hop /RnB genre. The Mise-en-Scene is varied to each artist, as the Nicki Minaj issue shows her in a game, which is colloquial language within these genres as the ‘game’ is another word for the industry.
On each front cover the signature VIBE masthead appears in the exact same place, in a clear display font. The colour of the masthead varies to the artist featured, with the intention of setting the mood. On the Keys and Minaj issue the masthead appears white which gives a sense of purity and originality which are both features within their music. But on the Drake issue yellow is used, this is create a statement, perhaps to show that he is the new face of Hip Hop and here to make his mark.  The heads of artists are placed on top of the masthead, so that it is not fully visible. This suggests that the magazine is such a high success and extremely popular that the audience are able to understand and identify the magazine just by the sell lines and image. IF the magazine was new and upcoming it would not be wise for the image to dominate the masthead as its fan base would not be stable.
Colour wise VIBE has no strict structure. The colours depend on the artist. The Drake issue is black which connotes dominance, it is also a plain and simple colour, this can relate to the artist himself as he is known for being laidback and easy going. Although on the Nicki Minaj issue blue, white and pink are used to create a colourful image, much like Minaj’s look. Blue is a calm colour which is ironic as the front cover itself is anything but calm, perhaps this could be a theme within her music irony.
Layout is consistent as mentioned earlier; on each of the eight covers the artist dominates each frame.  The sell lines fit around the main image, and the barcode is always placed within the last third of the issue. These features will all help to persuade the audience to buy the magazine.
Having carried out this overview, it is obvious that VIBE has its own brand identity that is easily recognised by its target audience. This is maintained through repetition stylistic and layout features within each issue. These are all attributes that will help the magazine to sell and succeed.