Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Since my demographics were in the regions of late teen to Iate 20s, I feel the choice of a hip hop magazine can span to both spectrums of my audience, the culture itself is timeless, and although perspectives may mature in this age range, the love for hip hops certain aspects are purposely injected into this music magazine. If one area doesn't completely sway the potential reader, surely at least one of the 4 bases covered in this magazine are bound to be appreciated, as hip hop isnt just expressed by rap, there are the other 3 elements/attractions also that are widely appreciated.

Ethnicity

I decided to use a black male as my main artist throughout the magazine, this is due to the majority of the artists in the hip hop industry are black as well as the majority of ethnic audiences who listen to hip hop are black people. However further demographic research had influenced me to incorporate other races into the magazine, the magazine itself is shown to be edited by a man of alternative ethnicity (Bolivian) that isn't black, this is supported by my incorporation of an Asian artist being on the contents page to still apply to other ethnic groups within my chosen age range. In effect this sends a signal out to others that the subculture of hip hop is open to all ethnicities, testament to this diversity can be seen by rappers such as the far east movement who are Asian and pit bull who is Latin American.

Clothing

In order to abide by the conventions. I asked my main model to wear a hoody, to wear dark colored baggy jeans and to wear trainers (Air Jordan's was my preference since its a popular choice of footwear for many big rappers).

My models clothing was chosen for the reason that hip hop isn't commonly associated with clean cut men in suits and formal footwear.
The stereotypical clothing that society usually associates with this sub culture is hoodies, trainers and baggy jeans.

By dressing in this manner, it not only appears realistic to what rappers wear but it can also be used as a means of identification for the target audience. If they spot this clothing they can assume a hip hop magazine is on the shelves.
This kind of clothing may also be similar to the target audiences clothing style.
My model (right) is wearing Jordan's he is sporting a hoody and he is wearing an expensive belt, this is wrapped around dark coloured jeans that are worn low.

NVC

To further match the look of a conventional rap magazine. I took influence from well established examples (e.g VIBE, BLENDER AND HIP-HOP) on how to photograph my rapper/model. This is why my model is posing seriously on the front page, to give the impression that the artist featured has a tough personality or to suggest the music he raps about may have a dark tone.

This is my magazine front cover, notice how the pose is almost central on the page and how the pose is similar to Drake in VIBE magazine.