Magazine Research

I've decided to call my magazine Street Soul, i chose this name because it anchors the Hip-Hop theme but doesnt sound threatening to readers. I've chosen a target audience of 16 and older hip-hop and rnb fans. The magazine will follow a similar layout to HHC Magazine (Hip-Hop Connection).

I've researched various fonts and analysed HHC Magazine's language in order to know what type of language i should use in my magazine.

Kerrang Contents page

This is Kerrang's contents page, its more visual than NME's contents page. This could be because it targets a less educated audience. The language is also very expletive which shows it doesnt play on being rude like NME.

NME Contents

This is the contents pages for NME magazine. The page is split up into three sections, a band index section, a brief of an article followed by subscription information and small columns of exclusive extras available in the magazine. The contents title also follows uses the magazine name and its the same font as the masthead and the 'THIS WEEK' title next to it is simple block capitals.

The band index section is effective because offers a wide range of different artists and bands for their readers to read about and get exclusive information on. The middle section id effective because it gives brief information about an exclusive article and the subscription information effective because readers wont have to miss and issue. And the final section that's divided into columns that contains exclusives such as News, Radar, Reviews, Live, Features and a small PLUS column. The final section that's divided into different columns shows readers that the magazine has alot of information to offer. The radar columns shows the magazine has a large coverage of stories. The exclusive crystal castles story shows the band has come to NME and told the magazine their life story 'dead rats, crackheads and prostitutes.

The language used is poetic and there's an effective use of alliteration and rhetorical questions.

Overall the contents page also shows the magazine has a large coverage of artists and new in the music industry. The layout also follows the house style of the magazine, the language is dark and expletive. There are references to bands that only rock n roll fans would recognise.

Research for main task-NME

NME is a music magazine that targets teens and older rock and roll fans. The name NME actually stands for National Music Express but the name sounds like the word Enemy, which makes the magazine seem subversive. The magazine is also non-judgemental, it leaves its readers to draw their own conclusions from the articles published.

The main subversive image shows the singers from the electronic dance punk band crystal castles. They're photographed lying down on a white background, both wearing leather clothes which connotes the rock n roll look. The camera is above them which would make them look vulnerable but it doesn't they look challenging and thick-skinned. The female is wearing a short leather jacket with a hood and some black jeans. Some of her belly is shown which anchors sex appeal. Shes also seen smoking and has a channel tattoo on her stomach, this is also very subversive because it shows she doesn't care what other people think about her image. The male is also wearing a black leather jacket with a hood and black jeans. However most of the photo shows the female which suggests shes the dominant in the band and shes publicly recognised. The female models hand is also holding part of the masthead, this is effective because its connecting the band to the magazine and shows they have a close relationship with the magazine.

NME also uses unique selling points such as the exclusive Nirvana story, live reviews and lists of gigs, this is effective because it shows readers the magazines popularity and its got strong connections with successful artists in the music industry.

The language used for the straplines are dark and expletive, ' Crystal Castles Murder- Drugs and Twisted Love' is a example of the dark and expletive language, it also connotes the rebellious image of the band. Although the language is dark and expletive, its attracting readers because fans of the bands would want to know the latest celeb news.

Research for main task

This is a magazine cover for Spin magazine. Spin is USA’s leading music magazine, its known for its broad coverage of different music genres such as college orientated rock groups and hip hop. Spin targets an audience of 16 years and older music fans of different genres of music. Spin uses unique selling points such as the background of other successful artist names, to show readers the different types of artists the magazine is connected to, this is effective because the reader isn't restricted to one certain genre, they can explore other genres of music.
The main image of Kayne West and Daft Punk photographed in a medium close up emphasise Spin's broad coverage of different music genres. The artists are wearing all black clothes with bright fluorescent lights shining on them. The image anchors the idea that they're in a club. The main image relates to Kayne West's electronic and hip hop house single because its the type of music you'd hear in a dance club. The main image also relates to Daft Punk because they're known for producing electronic house music. Therefore the main image relates to the genre of music these artists produce, which is flattering to the reader who likes that genre of music.
The magazine layout follows the electronic house layout with the use of bright fluorescent colours you'll see a club. The font is a simple, san-serif and easy to read. Its very clear and straight to the point, this is effective because the reader wont have to read too much of the straplines to know what’s inside.
The skyline promising exculsivity- 'The best of 2007' makes the reader want to read and find out what was 'The best of 2007'.
There aren't alot of straplines, they're just a few straplines for the '40 best albums' and the '20 best singles'. The straplines really emphasise the fact that the magazine is a music magazine and everything inside is going to be music related. The straplines also shows that the magazine covers a broad range of music genres, because its the '40 best albums' and '20 best singles'. Therefore the reader can see the best album and singles of 2007 from different music genres; it also guarantees the reader will get their moneys worth if they buy the magazine.
The language used is informal; this is effective because the type of artists Spin covers is mainstream. The mainstream content reflects the everyday lives of music fans who love keeping up to date with fashion and what’s new in the music industry. The main content of the straplines are in a larger font to ensure it's eye catching and the reader will be drawn to buy the magazine.
Overall the magazine clearly represents different music genres so their readers don't fell restricted to one music genre. Also there's a large coverage of different artist which is effective because it shows the magazines superior position in the media.