Front cover analysis 1

The music magazine ‘VIBE’ is owned by Quincy Jones, which specialises in four main music genres: R&B, hip-hop, rap and pop. In summer 2009, the production came to a halt and a private investment fund InterMedia Partners purchased the magazine. The magazine is issued four times a year which targets males and females between aged between 16-24.

The copy is written in block, and consists of two colours yellow and white, through the sell line and the masthead. This allows the magazine to look neat and professional, attracting their target audience. The words used are easy to read, which again reinforces their target audience. The name of the magazine is repeated twice, once in the masthead and once again above the barcode, stating the webiste address. this allows the magazines name to stick in the readers mind.

The key image is a medium shot of Drake, who is a well-known American rapper. He’s looking directly at the camera, which allows the audience to feel involved. Drakes clothing (mise-en-scene) reinforces that fact that he’s a rapper, and he’s wearing an era cap, chains and a printed top; this is seen as typical for rappers. Drake attracts both male and female audiences as he is seen as a role model for the males and attracts females within Vibe magazines target audience. The black back-ground is plain black and this lets the audience focus on the key image of Drake and the sell lines.  

The sell lines use three main colours: yellow, black and white. The bright colours attract and appeal to both males and females (their target audience). The words NEW and EXCLUSIVE allow the magazine to hook the reader as these words connote the information is recent. The sell line directly under the word EXCLUSIVE states 'Chris Brown the definitive interview' this suggest the information inside is one of a kind and attracts the audience. Another sell line 'Drakes hip-hops new religion' relates to the medium shot of Drake, allowing the audience to recognise the key image and be drawn in. Although there are no free items for the readers when they buy the magazine, through the sell lines it clear that they offer tip, as stated in one of their sell lines ‘Fashion forward’. Similar to the sell lines, the masthead reinforces the fact that the magazine is aimed at young people as it states well known singers/rappers. The two colours used (white and yellow) allows the audience to see the separation and view the different names. The use of the colour allows the magazine to separate the stories and look neat.

The front cover of Vibe adhere the typical conventions of a magazine. This is as it consists of the main characteristics such as a key image, sell lines, masthead and a barcode. This attracts the audiences as it reinforces the fact that this magazine is professional.