Music Magazine Research
Gantt chart
I have created a gantt chart to illustrate the music magazine task schedule, on how i will start and finish the coursework.it shows the research I plan to carry out, such as deconstruct the magazine, carrying out a questionnaire to gain audience feedback. then i plan to design the layout and structure the design of the front cover, content page and double page spread.
History of well-known Music magazines
Vibe
A monthly music magazine features hip hop music, and R&B artists, actors and other entertainers. It focuses on different areas of music, whereas competitors such as "XXL" and "The Source" focuses on just rap music.
"XXL" - Hip Hop Magazine
XXL stands for (double-X-L) hip hop magazine focuses on hip ho music, where it focuses on information on album reviews, latest hip hop album releases, mixtapes.
Rewind magazine
UK urban British magazine covering Hip Hop, Garage, Drum and Bass, RnB music genre, magazine features interviews, news, charts. I feel that RWD is a similar music magazine that I would want to focus in my music magazine.
Kerrang
A heavy metal, rock punk UK music genre magazine, providing news, interviews, charts, album releases and concerts.
Research of Music Magazine - Deconstructed
"XXL"
Age : young people who are into urban style
Gender : this magazine is suitable for both males and females, as R&B and hip hop are listen to men and women.
Genre : R&B, Hip Hop
This magazine is a hip hop magazine, the masthead "Hip Hop Soul" is shown on the top the front cover behind the the main photo. This makes the main picture of the magazine stand out.
There is only one main picture shown in the front cover. The layout of each articles has been placed around the picture with colour theme of black and brown. this shows how use of colour is used around the front cover. The front cover shows a bar code on the bottom left side of the frontage. This is needed to show the price of magazine.
"Vibe"
Age : 18 - 25+
Gender : Both Males and Females
Genre : Hip Hop and R&B
This magazine shows a picture of 50 cent a hip hop artist with De Niro a famous actor. The picture is a medium close up shot, where the picture goes over the "vibe" masthead. this makes main picture stand out and fits in with the front cover. above the masthead "vibe" it shows a menu of articles inside the magazine. This is a good way using all the space of magazine and provides more inside articles about the magazine.
On the left side of the magazine it shows more heading of whats inside the magazine. The layout of heading is shown in columns. this makes magazine look organised.The main heading"Now That's Gangster" has a white font colour with a red glowing effect. This use of font makes the front cover look intersting. Also the heading is tilted where it stands out from the magazine.
"Kerrang"
Age:20-30+
Gender: Males
Genre:Rock, Heavy Metal
"Kerrang" is a heavy metal, Rock music magazine, where it the genre consists of an aggressive attitude type of music.
The magazine features of front cover is the main photo, article headings, small images, top menu. The top of the magazine shows a menu of Rock band/artist such as "Rage Against the Machine". the menu on the top of the front cover illustrate the audience the type of genre this magazine is and the information of the artists included in this magazine.
As you can see from the front cover, the masthead "Kerrang" font style has a cracked glass type of font effect. This is an interesting font that would be suitable for the target audience of Heavy Metal, Rock music.
The small images on this magazine shows the readers music news and article on whats inside this magazine.
Analysis Of Music Magazine Presentation
| mojo_magazine_presentation_by_sunil.ppt | |
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Questionaire
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Here is my questionnaire that I carried out in order to research what audience prefer on music magazine. I distribute 10 questionnaire through a local school/college in gaining information which i feel is suitable in creating my magazine. The types of questions used in the magazine relate to what people feel a about a music magazine
for question 1, I asked the audience what gender they are. This is to have statistics on what gender i could aim my music magazine at. also i wanted to examine different views of males and females attitudes for music magazine and what meets the expectation.
in question 2, i wanted to know what types of music people listen to. The highest result was hip hop and RnB music. this shows what genre of music people listen and how I would use hip hop and R&B to created my music genre of magazine. the second popular music that people listen to is grime, this result was answered from males.
The least popular music was Rock and Metal, this is because i think that people i questionnaire were not into the metal and rock style, however were into urban hip hop style.
in question 3, i identified the age group in which I carried the questionnaire. the highest result of age group that answered this questionnaire were 17-18 , then 15-16 and 19-20.
for this question i found out 7 out of 10 people do not buy magazines and 3 out 10 do buy music magazines. this shows that their is not an interest in music magazine. This is because there are lots of different music magazine that mostly adults buy. The music magazines available do not meet teenagers expectations.
this question shows that 55% of people do not buy music magazines, 27% said they but music magazines monthly and 18% buy magazines weekly. 0% do not buy magazines every day.
in this question i wanted to identify was grabs readers attention in a front music magazine cover.
40% said the main picture of the magazine, 30 % said the title attracts readers attention. This is because title should look interesting as it should stands out.
20 % said article in a music magazine grabs their attention to buy/ read a music magazine, 10 % said the use of colours on magazine grabs their attention. this is by a magazine that has bold, bright colour that makes readers feel that the magazine would be interesting to buy.
the last question i asked was " What parts of a magazine do you prefer" this question was to help me research what feature of magazine i should focus on in order to have music magazine look good.
30% said that information about news involving music is what people prefer in a magazine. 30% said Reviews that a magazine has, is what their prefer in music magazine
20 % said interviews and artists features of magazine is what makes readers want in a music magazine.
Analysis of Questionaire
By carrying out the research and analysis the results, i have decided that music magazine genre would be Hip Hop, R&B and Grime. This genre of magazine would be suitable for the target audience of young adults aged 16-20.
I feel that as UK magazine introducing the genre of Grime in a hip hop magazine would make my magazine different from what music magazine are available. Therefore would interest the audience to buy my music magazine, where the result of my questionnaire showed that lots of people do not buy music magazines.
The magazine would be an monthly issued magazine, as my results showed that people go buy magazine monthly. So my music magazine will be a monthly magazine.
the main photo and tile of the magazine should appeal to the audience, as based on the results, the targets audience feel that a main photo and title is would grabs their attention. on the other hand , I feel that for my magazine the articles and use of colour is also important in having my magazine attract audience attention.
from the result, the parts of magazine that people prefer is the reviews and News in which a magazine provides. i will need to base information on my magazine using reviews and artist news into creating my magazine. In carrying my existing magazine research, i found that most magazine had contents of interviews shown in the magazine. This also shows how magazines that provide interviews is what audience prefers.
Research and Analysis of Mastheads
"RWD" is a hip hop,garage,grime, magazine, the masthead design has simple, bold font. The logo design of arrows on the right side of the masthead shows a
"Rago" is a hip hop magazine, where its masthead design has a bold, big font. the use of colour black and red gives it a dark urban type of look.
I like the way "Magazine" goes under the title of masthead. This makes the magazine stand out. i feel that the design of magazine is useful for me to design my music magazine.
This masthead design of "XXL" has a small size masthead with red background and white font colour. I feel this is a simple masthead that would not be suitable
In this masthead design" Vibe", it has a basic black colour font with a simple font style. The masthead looks bold and is good for my magazine.
Names of Music Magazines
Buzzin - This type name for a magazine, "buzzin" has a interest type sound, where it would feel suitable for the target audience of young people who are into hip hop, grime, rap magazine. The name reflects on a noise type of sound. However I feel that buzzin does not give an appropriate type of magazine name for young adults. also Buzzin may appeal to all type of genre of music such as rock.
Rap Area - For this name of magazine, I think "Rap Central" would be a good name in being suitable for the genre music of hip hop and grime. This is because the word rap, also known as (Mcing or Mcee) is someone who sings in a rhymes with beat of music. Rap is an important element in hip hop and UK Grime.
Da Rap Central (DRC) - "Da Rap Central" goes well with the hip hop ,grime magazine music. I chose this name for a magazine because it goes with the genre of my chosen music hip hop, grime music, where the word "Central" gives a main center of the magazine being a top hip hop grime magazine. i feel that Da Rap central (DRC) would stand out from my magazine
Da Grime Scene (DGC) - I feel this time type of title for magazine goes well with the genre of UK grime music. "Da Grime Scene" name for a magazine gives impression of what information grime scene features such as artists, news, reviews.
Magazine Masthead designs
The Masthead is another name for banner,using a masthead for a music magazine is the important part for designing a magazine. This is because masthead for a magazine should appeal to the target audience.
I have produced a number of possible mastheads designs for my music magazine, i used Adobe Photoshop to add effects and edit fonts style using tools from the Adobe Photoshop software.
Masthead Design 1
In this masthead design 1, I have edit the font style using a green paint brush, I wanted to use something that has a dark aggressive type of font. this is because as a grime music genre, this is the type of style that goes with the music.
Masthead Design 2
in Masthead design 2, I used a outer glow effect for this font, this tyle of font looks formal, yet has a graffiti font style used. I used the burn tool in Adobe Photoshop on the font style. this was to make font look interesting.
Masthead Design 3
in masthead design 2, i used a graffiti font style made in Adobe Photoshop. I used the shadow effect, this was to make the design look interesting and standout. i feel this style of masthead is suitable for my music magazine.
Masthead Design 3
masthead design 4, I chose to use a broken, smashed type of font, this has a burning glow effect. i like this masthead design as it looks interesting and would really standout from my front cover.
Research of the types of Articles on magazine
A Music magazine is a magazine dedicated to the culture of a music genre. From researching different genres of magazine, all music magazine have in common are that they have information on interview with artists, music news, reviews and photos. It is important that the types of articles presented in a magazine meets the target audience. for example for a rock magazine, the style of a rock artists should fit in with the music culture.this example tells us the way in which a music magazine should portray the style of music.
The age group that music magazine is aimed for, should be suitable for the age group to read. if age group are young teenagers, then use of language of articles should be written for young teenagers to read and understand. from the slide show I carried in analyzing a music magazine. The Magazine "Mojo" has a formal use of language, where its age group is aimed for middle aged men, who are into classic rock music. So the types of genre of music reflects on how music magazine articles should meet target audience of a magazine.
Photos I took and practiced
Bar code design
i designed a Bar code design for my front cover,
Content Page Layout
Features
04. Azn Boyz - Exclusive interview on new album release
09. Chipmunk’s new league
14. Flirta D Vs Kano freestyle
16. Exclusive video photos
17. Dizze Rascal success in the USA
23. Raxstars interview on top 5 London music clubs
26. N Dubz - “I Swear” single out now
29. Lady Sovereign signs up to Jay z UK record label
32. Sways central London Music Tour
35. Craig David and Akala to work on upcoming album
36. Giggs wins Best UK Grime Hip Hop BET awards
42. West And East London - Rep Ur Endz Top rappers
46. Jay Sean to work with Boy Better Know
Regulars
02. Top 10 Charts
- The Latest UK Grime Charts
06. Live Albums Reviews
- What hot and not ...
08. Competition Time
- Join and win a I Phone 3g
20. Tim Westwood on knife crime
- Westwood’s news on how to stop and
deal with London knife crimes.
34. Dj Soundz Grimey Mixtape
- The one and only Underground grime Dj,
free monthly Mixtape album downloads
49. Clubs and Gigs info
Double Page Article
Its time to let you know about a new grime artists that’s kicking off the grime music,
Da Grime Scene interviewed “Azn Boyz”, Zibby and H, on what’s happen to their music career and how things are going on to release their second album “Grimey Wayz” out in January 2009.
Which is going to hit mainstream?, They worked hard in to bring in a new level of grime, heavy beats, and gritty vocal, here we go...
What’s happening Zibby and H how is things?
Zibby: it’s all good... just waiting for our music to hit the shops..... Worked hard and to show our skills and ambitions.
H: yer, we just ready for audience to buy and listen to new album man... Where good beats and gritty vocals fit in to the way UK grime is to be noticed.
So lets start by introducing yourselves,
H: I hate doing that, my name is Harry, but short for H...
Zibby: I am Zibby, just Zibby
Some would say that what you do in your music is influenced in mainly Hip Hop, what would you say?
Zibby: (Laughs) I listen to all music, hip hop, drum and bass, garage, RnB, Rock, all music, my influence has got be Hip hop but music to what Azn Boyz create is grime, we can bring in the Asian style music, or hip hop beats, but we are straight grime, grime is UK, Hip hop is USA (Laughs)
How did you get interested in Grime?
Zibby: Erm... You know just rapping at a young group, been writing rhymes and poems, on how living in the struggle and stuff. I know H for a long time and like me and him, we just wanted to make music,
H: I got interested into that vibe of Grime music, I like the way how Grime is so energetic. I was like yea I could do make Grime music. I was good at rapping, writing good rhymes innit...
What’s with the name “Azn Boyz" ?
Zibby: The name “Azn Boyz” reflects me and H being Asian and how we are the first Asian Grime artists. I feel like using the name “Azn Boyz”, we establish how Grime music is for us, you know, cause like Grime Music artists are mainly black people. We feel “Azn Boyz” gives an image on what we do.
H: I feel “Azn Boy” is a right name for people to know by who we are... Erm we want to show people that Grime is listen to Asian people and that we as young Asian are also rapping into Grime.
Let’s move on now and tell us about your new album?
Zibby: new album called “Grimey Wayz”, a 10 track songs of life, violence, racism, romance and problems in society. “Grimey Wayz” out on January 2009, date still being decided, but watch out..
That is a lot of subjects you covering in the album, what’s your favorite song and why?
Zibby: All the songs are wicked (laughs), Erm... the song “Just a moment” is my personal song, you know where I express my views on racism, because like I feel racism is a problem, especially as young British Asian....
H:, True man, yea Like Zibby said all 10 tracks are excellent and would suit all true grime audience listeners.
What made you call the album “Grimey Wayz?”
H: the name on the album shows who we are and what we do, we bringing grime to a raw and original level for people.... Zibby: we wanted to show people that we are bringing original grime for the audience. Cause nowadays grime is like heading towards different areas of music. So “Grimey ways” album is to show audience what grime music is, and how we are getting ready and set. (Laughs)
Your first album “What We Do” was successful and got Azn Boyz influenced, how has your first album impact you to make “Grimey ways”?
H: well first album was successful, I never thought that “Azn Boyz” was going to be big and like get well known... when we first released album we just recorded and rapped songs that was aimed for clubs and stuff, we wanted people to dance to our music with good lyrics and our creativeness.
Zibby: By introducing a songs that people enjoyed, we then focus on important issues that affect young adults, this was our aim in becoming respected for people to believe in what we expressed and how we cover all aspects of music.
Who would you say has influenced you with your music?
H: My influence has got to be the great legend Tupac, his music was good and I like his way he use to rap.....
Zibby: Influence on my music is Hip Hop rappers like Dr Dre, Snoop, Nas.... Grime Music is Dizze Rascal... His too good man....
What’s the future for you lots?
Zibby: (laughs) , we going to keep making albums, work hard, make money and be true to Grime Music....H: Yea, that’s what ”Azn Boyz” is about, we express and rap what we know that best, and any haters should bounce (laughs)
Any shout outs?
Zibby: we like to thank all the people who listen to our music, support us and we are ready and set for UK Grime......
