Costume is typical of the Hip Hop genre in it’s connotations of masculinity through items such as the chain, vest and sunglasses. The audience can relate to it.

Artist name is Hip Hop orientated and memorable.

The slug accentuates how gritty, urban and witty the artist is through juxtaposition. These are typical aspects of conventional rappers, and thus would appeal to the target audience of Hip Hop fans.

By paying homage to the history of raps lyrics, old and new fans are catered to.

Bold, college-esque font similar to other magazines is utilised and appeals to the target audience through familiarity.

The puff uses Ebonics which the African American majority of the target audience can relate to.

Artist of specific ethnicity used to address the ethnic majorities in Hip Hop.

Related artists that the target audience probably have listened to or have heard of, allowing them to connect with the magazine.

Chain being held like a trophy representative of the confidence and stature of the artist. Hip Hop artists are very much like this, and the target audience would be able to recognise this and link it to other artists.

Crucifix around neck connotes religious belief. Many African Americans are religious and thus they would endorse and be appealed by this accessory.

Pull quote inferences self-glorification, a quality of many rap artists. The audience of Hip Hop listeners will be familiar to this.

Urban, off-bounds setting connotes a street-wise lifestyle that the working/middle class audience can recognise and draw comparison to with their own lives.

Highlighting and colour coding of certain words not only looks aesthetically pleasing, but sign-posts the necessary information for easy and casual reading.

‘Big-League’ references the page’s quality of listing the most important article’s page numbers. It would be contrasted by separate pages saying ‘Little-League’, which display the less important articles of the magazine. This would appeal to the audience in that it is clever and references American lifestyle and values in being ‘Big’, while also signposting the most valued parts of the magazine.

Graffiti style kicker. Graffiti and street art is an integral part of Hip Hop culture, and the target audience consists of people within this culture. Thus, the kicker will aesthetically appeal to them.

Commonly occurring, complimentary colours such as the red and gold connote Hip Hop’s sense of identity and fashion consciousness.

Clothing like chains and fitted caps representative of African American fashion and style are worn by the artist. Those of this ethnicity will appreciate the likeness in style, and thus the image will appeal to them.

Microphone prop is symbolic of Hip Hop, particularly rap, and hence will appeal to fans of the genre who populate this magazines target audience.

Off-white background signifies a rough life, gritty surroundings and a dark persona. These are qualities conventional of rap artists, so the audience will be familiar and catered to because of it.

Pull quote relaying the artists work ethic impresses the audience.

A pull-quote undermining the artists own position offers hope to those with ambition.