Main Image:

Shows a popular

artist, with an artists

relating to the music type

or genre of the magazine

Image is mid-shot.

Overlapping Masthead:

Shows the logo is well-enough

known to allow the artist to become

the main image. Has faith the

customers are aware of the magazine

Bottom Strip:

Shows relating articles within

the magazine, relating popular

artists within the genre

Colour Scheme:

Black white and

Yellow, edgy, simplistic yet

stylised

Date:

Mainly for retailer

however it also allows

the buyer to keep up to

date with the issue

Cover Lines:

Other important articles worth

reading within the magazine

Tag:

„Transition‟ shows the artist

is changing or developing

his image and wants to be

respected by the public.

‘RWD’ Front Cover

Showing off his tattoo‟s –

wearing rolled up short sleeves

further to show his powerful

image. „Believe‟ Tattoo almost

emphasized, located in the centre

of the magazine.

„Chipmunk‟ written in

white, contrast against the

dark background. Noticible

from afar and stands out

Wearing chain, shows

flashy jewellery and

could possibly have

personal value.

Facial expression is

also somewhat

aggressive, shows

the artist wants to be

respected and asserts

his power

The main message of this magazine is

to make the artist look „hard‟ as he

wants to be a respected rapper

although many of his hits are currently

pop based, it shows he wants to make

this transition.

Shows Rihanna in a

new light, and softer

status. Different from

her previous „Good

girl gone bad‟ image.

Billboard Magazine Cover

Overlapping

masthead, almost shows

Rihanna is more important

than the mast head as she is

a new very well known pop

artist

Unfortunately the title

„Rihanna‟ is almost

drowned out due to the

light colours against the

light background.

“The re-Reinvention of

Rihanna” shows again

she is able to recreate

her image again

Although her new image is more

girly and feminine her tattoo‟s are

still shown

Seductive pose, eyes

are sharp and red

lipstick suggests

provocative look.

Cover lines: Relating articles

that would interest the reader.

“Bull on Parade” similar

popular artists mentioned

within the magazine.

Back drop is roses, relating to

her video „Only girl in the

world‟ again showing her new

image.

Barcode, website links, price

and date are all included in the

bottom left corner, does not

take up much space on the

magazine front cover.

Competitions available

with prizes within the

magazine.

“My fans don‟t really know who I

am” Recreation of her

image, suggests mystery in

consideration of her current

status. Includes gossip maybe that

the demographic will enjoy and

be interested in.

This magazine was released

around the same time she

changed her look and this

magazine cover is essentially

promoting this change to her

fans and the readers of the

magazine.

“They Crucify me like Christ” Already the

articles title is controversial, suggests

Kanye West sees himself in a very good

light which feeds into his egotistical image

he portrays or as the public currently see

him as. This could also relate to the press

and their criticism of him and somewhat

relative to Jesus.

“New Album verdict” Tells

us this article is a review of

his most recent album.

“He‟s not the messiah, he‟s

a very naughty boy”

contradicts or mocks his

image of himself.

“Kanye is back in the building”

possibly a reference to Elvis

Presley, as he was an icon and West

sees himself as this.

“it‟s safe to assume that his time on Planet

Kardashian hasn‟t blunted his perspective

at all” The writer includes a reference of

West‟s social life and popular relationship

with Kim Kardashian, yet they are saying

his relationship hasn‟t distracted him from

making good music.

The album is rated a seven and can therefore

be said it‟s worth a listen, therefore the

magazine is promoting his new album in the

process.

“Kanye and co are back! And the good news

is he‟s as tormented as ever” could be

saying it takes pain or negativity to make

good music, or possibly even mocking his

work suggesting his work is often negative

and he needs to lighten up.

The image of him is very casual, yet his

expression is almost surprised. With his

hands behind his back (almost more

assumed) it shows he is assertive and

maybe shows power.

Review of „Cruel Mercy‟

in NME Magazine.

“Against a strutting piano riff that bears a

paving resemblance to „Jesus Walks‟”

Questions his talent, suggests his music is

becoming repetitive, also uses inclusive

language as it refers to previous music he has

made. Throughout the article references are

made to his old music that Kanye fans might

have previously enjoyed.

Advertisement takes up a percentage of the

page and could therefore be said to be more

important or that there was little to say about

the album so they used extra space for adverts.

“BEST TRACKS: „New God Flow‟, „Don‟t

like(Remix)‟,‟Mercy‟ songs that the

demographic might enjoy, shows the

opinion of the magazine.

“After twin peaks of „Watch the Throne‟ and

„My Beautiful Twisted dark Fantasy‟ rap-pop

grandeur, „Cruel Summer‟ feels slight in

comparison” suggests is recent success causes

this album to have less appeal.