Textual analysis of a music magazine double spread.

I will be analysing this magazine double page spread to help with the making of my music magazine.

Reading the introduction of the interviewer, I can tell that Jamelia is attempting a new image; she has been busy ‘having another child, winning awards’. It has been a long time since she was last interviewed and the interviewer is intending on having a little catch up

This is a double page spread of a singer called Jamelia. The picture of the singer shows she is of a mature age, most likely to be in her mid 20s.

Main Image:  The denotation of this image is the photograph of a black woman in the background; the setting colour is a dark brown which draws attention to the light complexion of her skin. Her clothes tell that she has matured since last interviewed; in the first picture she is wearing urban clothes which were mainly worn in the 90s. However, in the main image you see her wearing a nice smart shirt to show growth and maturity. The surrounding of the image connotes that she is calm and peaceful woman as the bedroom is a calm and peaceful environment. This also connotes the music she plays and how it can be depression and loud in a sense of the beat. The bedroom is calm and peaceful but it is also a place where arguments break out and fears are born, due to loneliness.

There is some high key lighting used in the image, in this main image the light seems to be coming from both sides, this is used to make her complexion lighter instead of her complexion looking to artificial. The singer is also breaking the forth wall as she is looking directly at the camera.

The singers name is written in a caption which is blended so I can see the original unedited image through the letters. This could symbolize truth; she is no longer how the media wanted her to be, she is now her own person.

The interviewer’s introduction is written in white and in bold, whereas the questions are written in red font. The response from the singer is written in white, this was done in so the reader can be able to identify who is speaking between the two.

Textual Analysis Of A Music Magazine Front Cover

Main Image: - The denotation of this magazine is the photograph of a black man in the background; the setting colour is black which draws attention and also gives the picture a nice affect, because he is wearing a black shirt and hat. His clothes tell that he is a man of power, a black shirt and hat is a timeless classic; the viewer gets the impression he doesn’t care how he looks and yet he looks good. He is wearing two chains which shows he has a bit of wealth, the ‘unstoppable’ written on his shirt shows that he is not only rebellious but also can’t be stopped.

 There is some low key lighting in the mans’ neck (shading), this shows that the light is coming from the viewers right side; this is because the man is not standing straight in the middle, his body moves more to the left. The man is also breaking the forth wall as he is looking directly at the camera. The front cover is meant to attract audiences and I think this magazine does a good job, with its simple way of making black the main focus.

Masthead: - The name of the magazine is displayed in a specific typeface. This masthead is slightly blocked by the main image, although it is blocked the viewer than still know what is says. I believe the reason the main image is blocking the Masthead is to show the importance of the image. He’s Non-Verbal-Communication in his facial expression shows he is quite confident, the way he is standing straight in the middle shows power; as if he is someone to be respected. The masthead is usually used on the contents page inside as well as the front.

Coverlines: - Coverlines are pieces of texts that attract an audience to the contents of the magazine. The coverlines show that this magazine is appealing to a modern society; with such big names as ‘Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Drake’ these musicians really influence the youth of today and for one of their favorite artist to share their views is inspirational to them. The coverlines are bold and in capitals; it is set that way to be eye catching. The coverline has run over the image slightly but fortunately the image doesn’t have a lot of colour changes, which means the words are still visible.

Dateline: - The dateline is on the top right of the magazine, normal dateline shows the month and year of publication but this magazine shows the year and the season. This shows a more modern way of dateline.

Selling Line: - The selling line is meant to be short, sharp description of the title’s main marketing point. This magazine shows a good example of that; ‘Lil Wayne & Kobe, Tracy Morgan, 50 cent, The New Gabby, Kelis, Hughes Brothers ’. Just by saying those big names it already draws the audience. The selling line shows that this magazine appeals to the youth (15-18), it helps the audience keep up to date with everything new in music e.g. new songs, new tour, new album. It gives the impression that this magazine is essential to them, as youths they should buy the magazine if they have any hope of knowing that’s going on in the music world.

Main Coverline: - The main coverline is the largest coverline on the front cover. Its purpose is to display and promote the main featured article in the magazine.  This magazine took a different approach, it may seem as there is no coverline but if you look again you would see that the writing in the shirt is the coverline. ‘Unstoppable’ is a statement and the main coverline, it is the most important coverline which is why they made it the biggest.

Barcode: - Standard bar code used by retailers so that the sale of the magazine can be registered quickly during its purchase.

Introduction

My name is Manny Adekoya and I am 17 years of age. I'm doing a music magazine on r'n'b, this consists of: a front cover, content page and double page spread. This is going to be of a lager audience than a college magazine.