CASE STUDY

info∆ The magazines past editors were also editors of other

hip-hop magazines: Reginald C. Dennis (The Source), Sheena Lester (former editor-in-chief of Rap Pages and Vibe music editor), Elliott Wilson (ego-trip and The Source) and Datwon Thomas (former Editor-In-Chief of King)

∆ They feature R’n’B artists as the genre is very similar to the genre of Hip-Hop

∆ Their slogan is ‘Hip-Hop On A Higher Level’∆ XXL magazine (pronounced “Double-Ex-El”) is a hip-hop

magazine that was founded in 1997 by Harris Publications.

∆ The price for a single issue is £3.10

then & now

∆Strong masculine hip-hop artist on the front cover. His blunt facial expression is typical for an artist of his genre because they tend to intimidate others∆Bold serif fonts to attractive audience also represents the genre ∆Colour scheme of white and red to match the logo of the magazine

∆Plain background so that the main image and sell lines stand out ∆Again strong and masculine physical appearance could effect his music and personality∆Same colour scheme is kept in the magazine because the is aimed at the males so it will attractive more than bright colours

1997 2012

INSIDE XXL...

Very simple colours used mainly because the magazine is aimed at males so it looks more masculine. Bold fonts are used to attractive the reader more and it connects with the genre of music because hip-hop is bold and “in your face”.

XXL FRESHMAN∆XXL magazine “freshman” is a

cover feature that they have every April.

∆ It features top 6 up-coming hip-hop artists that the magazine think will become successful in their careers.

∆The first freshman issue was distribution in 2008

IGGY AZELEA

∆Iggy Azalea is the first female and non-American to ever feature on the freshman cover issue.∆She is a new fresh female rapper who is currently perusing her career in the industry with help from her mentor T.I who is a huge star in the Hip-Hop genre.

TARGET AUDIENCE∆ Young adults.∆ male audience.∆ A Hip-Hop follower and music enthusiast.∆ Interested in fashion, jewellery and tattoos.∆ Supportive of their favourite rappers,

passionate about music, opinionated person who doesn’t care about what other people think and is original.

∆ Sees XXL as the main source for the latest Hip-Hop related news and for up-coming rappers.

CONTENTS∆ Largely based on Hip-Hop music

including news on the hottest artists, up-coming artists, reviews and lifestyle (fashion, entertainment and video games)

∆ Rappers that frequently feature; Lil Wayne, Nas, Young Jeezy, 50 Cent and T.I

STYLE∆ XXL features many Hip-Hop iconography such

as; jewellery, tattoo’s, dark clothing.∆ The magazine inside the magazine it’s image

based, meaning that there are more images than writing.

∆ Red, white and black are the main colours used in the magazine which suggests the male audience because they are bold colours that stand out. The colour red is usually associated with violence which is also linked with Hip-Hop.

Bold expensive jewellery and tattoos

White background so that the main image will stand out

Red, White and black for colour scheme

MODE OF ADDRESSMode of Address is Casual, featuring informal words and phrases that the TA might use. This is language that is used by the audience so therefore they will have a connection to the magazine. This suggests that they understand Hip-Hop.

OWNERSHIP∆ XXL is published by Harris Publications Inc.∆ Harris Pub is an American consumer magazine

publisher in New York City that has published other music magazines including Scratch, Revolver, Guitar World and Elektro.

∆ Revolver and Guitar World are both Punk Rock magazines, Elektro is dance music and scratch is Hip-Hop.

∆ They have published over 75 magazines overall other than music magazines e.g. Lifestyle, Sports & Health, comics and so on.