Genres of music magazines

Every magazine has a theme and style that is suitable for a particular segment of the population. Businesses can guarantee that the product that they are releasing is similar to something else out there so they have to make sure they are conforming to what the niche audience would be interested in. The niche audience includes a select group of people with a unique interest, who will be dedicated to buying your magazine. These may include groups of people based on Age, Gender, Ethnicity and Nationality.

Rock magazine

Rock magazines usually have a dark background to connote to the audience that it is a dark and mysterious magazine. Also, important cover lines and quotes are highlighted in bright colours (red and white for example) to add to the edgy vibe of the product; as red connotes danger and aggression. The dark colours used attract the niche audience to the magazine because they are interested in this type of style and content which will encourage them to buy the product. Also, rock magazines are usually said to be aimed at adults, mostly men because of the genre of music and also because most successful rock bands are popular with an older audience.

This issue of MOJO magazine shows Leonard Cohen, a successful folk and rock musician. This issue is shown in black and white to highlight the old themes of this magazine due to the old musician on the front, as it is dedicated to him. This may interest the audience who are interested in his music and other musicians similar to him and this culture.

Pop Magazine

Pop magazines are very different to the rock magazine shown above. Not only do they look like extreme opposites, but they also appeal to a completely different audience and contain a lot of different conventions. This magazine We 'Heart' Pop and would definitely appeal to a young audience of around 7-16, this is obvious mainly because of the colours and conventions used.  Many different colours are used, primarily bright such as blue, red and white. This is because younger people need lots of visual stimulation in order to interest them, whereas older people who may read a rock magazine, do not require as many visual aspects. 

Also, a pop magazine will always include some form of celebrity gossip inside. This is because they are aimed at (usually) young girls who do not have many hobbies or interests at that age and aspire to be like successful people e.g. Rihanna or aspire to be with people e.g. One Direction who are in the public eye regularly. Furthermore, pop magazines occasionally involve free prizes such as posters, CD's, nail varnish etc, because young people do not have money of their own to spend so would be interested in this.

Hip-Hop magazine

Each magazine I have chosen represents a different genre in society, this issue of VIBE magazine represents hip-hop music culture as the cover image features the successful male rapper Drake. The audience of this magazine could be ranged however mostly older due to the language used in most raps in the hip-hop genre. Also, particular ethnic groups and cultures could be more interested in this genre because of the content and role models involved.

The layout of the magazine is very organised and aesthetically pleasing, including colours which harmonise with each other; black, white and yellow. These colours connote a cool vibe which matches the style of Drake on the cover as he is wearing a cap and chains to interest and connect with he audience. 

Although, all these genres are extremely different and give each magazine a unique look they do have some things in common.  The mast head on each magazine is at the top, very bold and clear to the reader. Also the barcode is presented at the bottom of the page as it is not playing a part in encouraging the reader to buy the product. These magazines do their job at appealing to their specific niche audience which is why they are world renowned today.