Front Cover Analysis 2

The front cover of the hip-hop orientated “XXL” magazine adheres to the stereotype given to hip-hop culture by implying and displaying an over abundance of male dominance and macho behaviour, and adheres to several musical magazine conventions through the use of key techniques such as a dominant focal point and cover story. This is similar to another hip hop magazine, “Vibe”

The most striking aspect of any music magazine is naturally the cover image. The “XXL” magazine clearly has a very strong image, which can convey a variety of different responses from potential readers and buyers. The image has several meanings which is important for a magazine attempting to appeal to a broad purchasing base to have: the image can be seen as displaying two young men you came from a harsh upbringing (suggested by the dilapidated building in the background) and have achieved great success, as implied by the abundance of jewellery covering the two, illustrating the affluence that the two now enjoy. This makes the reader think that the two have enjoyed a “rags to riches” story so to speak, and could entice readers to buy the magazine to read interviews of the two which could potentially tell us more of the duo’s background.  Others may just see the image as the stereotypical representation given to (and certainly adhered to by most) rappers and others involved in the hip-hop industry, emphasising the gangster vibe of the entire genre. Finally, the pose with the two rappers topless and in a friendly embrace of sorts could emphasise a degree of homoeroticism, no doubt this is a decision made by the editor and photographer designed to appeal to as wide an audience as possible no matter how subtle the indications of homoeroticism may be, as  the pose represents the duo’s masculinity far more than the subtle indications suggest, as it portrays the two as overwhelmingly macho and masculine and at the same time very sure and confident about what their sexuality is, and they do not feel the need to fear showing being close friends.