Textual Analysis: Music Magazine Double Page Spread

The double page spread denotes a central figure (male rapper Nas) looking directly into the camera. It is a medium close-up shot revealing his arms, shoulders, body and head with his waist downwards not visible in the shot. The background (which occupies one page and half a page) appears to be denoting gym and boxing equipment such as: punch bags, gym mats and weight machines. To the far right of the double page spread, there is a text box containing text for the rappers interview with the magazine with an extended quote from the interview situated at the bottom of the text box. Situated at the top of the text box is the rappers name in which the font is large and dominates the text, as well as being in an old fashioned script font. Furthermore, the first word of the interview contains a large capital C which is the largest font on the page, marking the significance of the interview, which is a popular convention amongst many magazine double page spreads. Mise en scene can be analysed to deconstruct the directed meaning of the double page spread. The rapper in the image is seen wearing particular “Costume” in which a watch, chain, diamond ring and vest are denoted. The burnished watch displayed by the rapper carries connotations of prestige and wealth and esteem as a large watch is an item quintessentially associated with the wealthy, upper-class market to provide status. The diamond ring deliberately displayed by the rapper again connotes wealth, prosperity and status as it is an item that is often associated with loyalty, therefore portraying the artist as possible loyalty within the rap culture. As well as this, the chain displayed around the rapper’s neck further builds on the connotations relating to wealth and riches, further amplifying his status as being prosperous, possibly due to his career. In addition, the figure is shown wearing tattoos amongst his arms, which is a common theme amongst musicians and amongst urban street culture which connotes the rappers status of being a street rapper who prides himself on his urban background stereotype and image. The rapper is also shown wearing a white vest, which is an item used for perhaps exercise or to perhaps stay breezy which carries connotes that he is possibly working hard or trying to adapt his body which may be metaphorical for his rap career. The use of props is evident in the background with various gym equipment such as Everlast punching bags, gym mats and weight machines. These pieces of equipment, for example the punching bag, carries connotations of preparing for a fight and practice to improve your boxing technique which is significant as it may reflect that the rapper may be preparing for a battle with his career for the better or worst perhaps, or against another rapper which is a popular custom within the rap world for opposing rappers to make tracks about one another to depict who is better. The setting appears to denote a dreary, old fashioned gym with windows looking out to a cityscape of some sort. This brings to mind the fictional fairytale story of Rocky, who was a boxer who trained in a old fashioned, archaic gym but strived to reach the big time and conquer the world of boxing. This may be symbolic in the life of the rapper, who possibly is fighting a battle to reach the top from the bottom, reflecting his “Rags to Riches” background. The windows carry connotations of freedom and ambition which is emblematic as the rapper may have ambitions and strife towards being a worldwide phenomenon and becoming one of the best rappers of his generation. The deliberate use of low-key is quite homogeneous, in which the image denotes a shadowy directional lack of lighting shining on the right side of the rappers face and body deliberately leaves the other side of the rapper dark and ambiguous. This carries connotations of vagueness, anonymity and suspense which portrays to the reader that the artist may contain a dark and mystifying side, which automatically brings a stereotype to the artist. The low-key lighting which is partly shining on one side of his body connotes heaven and evangelism which displays the rapper in a good light and juxtaposes the typical stereotype of a rapper – one of being appalling and uninfluencial. As well as lighting, the use on non verbal communication (NVC) acts as a means of communicating with the viewer with no words said. The photo is of Nas, in which his body language is posed in a fairly relaxed, reflective manner in which his waist and upwards is visible as if he was sitting on a chair. The fact that he may be sitting down brings a sense of welcoming to the page and invites the reader to not feel threatened by the image. His hand signals show that his hands are together in a thoughtful, reflective manner to display that he is in clear thought. This enables the reader to interpret this in a variety of dimensions, for example the rapper may be thinking about his future or possible past that his influenced his life which may all be revealed in the interview on the opposite page which engages the reader to read this. The fact that his body language is reflective may also indicate he is aspiring to be more established and known in the rap world. Furthermore, his facial expressions denote his eyebrows pointed upwards and his eyes fairly open indicate to the audience a sense of desire and willingness. This again builds on the rappers image of striving for the better and trying to reach the heights of the rap industry. The most dominant text on the screen appears to be the rappers name, Nas, in which the font is appears to be in the Vivaldi font which is an old fashioned font, carrying connotations of elegance and class which provides the reader with a positive image of the rapper. It may also suggest that XXL magazine, even though lists itself under the rap culture, is one of class and provides stories and news that is not what many stereotype rap as “trashy”. This is something its readers can rely on for accurate and challenging journalism. Furthermore, the letter C is put in a bold, red old fashioned script large font to begin the interview with the rapper. This is a common convention amongst music magazine double page spread, and is used as a signifier to show the beginning of the interview. The font is again in an old fashioned Vivaldi font, again carrying connotations of classiness and elegance which may be indicating that the interview is not just trashy but provides a stylish approach. The use of technical codes creates meaning in the particular image. The shot size used is a medium close up, which enables the reader to view the figures facial expressions significantly to understand the figures emotions being portrayed. The shot also enables us to view the figures body language and hand signals, in which he is positioned sitting down in a reflective manner. The lens type appears to also be standard which again enables the image to be established on the page, and the camera angle appears to be straight-on which engages the reader, making them feel part of the page as the image is situated in the viewers point of view.