Audience Profile – Genre: Hip Hop/RnBTarget Audience:

Gender and Age (Hartley’s 7 Subjectivities) The denotation of the target audience for my new Hip-Hop/RnB music magazine is going to be 16- 25 year olds, both male and female. This is because people who listen to R&B/hip hop music listen to radio and TV stations such as MTV BASE, Radio1 Extra and Kiss. These stations play a lot of R&B and hip hop songs. Nike, Adidas, Calvin Klein, Stone Island and True Religion are all brands that would be popular to Hip Hop\RnB fans. They wear branded and trend following clothes, this is what they would like to seen worn of the model on the front cover of the magazine.

Socio-Economic Needs The denotation of the socio-economic needs of the magazine readership demographic is going to C1-E because stereotypically Hip Hop music is considered urban and ‘from the streets’. The audience would be in this category because my target audience is young people who are usually students, unemployed or just getting started with their jobs so will be on a low wage. Some of the people in this category could be plumbers, manual labor workers, builders and be in unskilled jobs. Generally this means that they will be on a low basic income and might be ‘struggling’. This is why this category of people are associated with Hip Hop because the genre is all about coming from nothing and then becoming something.

Katz’ Uses & Gratifications Theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsAccording to the Katz’ Uses and Gratifications theory, the target audience will respond well to the girl on the cover because they can relate, ’personally identify’ and recognize themselves in her. This is highlighted in the way she dresses and presents herself. The model icon representing the issue of the magazine is dressed in the stereotypically hip hop fashion and becomes an icon for the readers. This also makes the reader feel like they want to read the interview inside the magazine about her. My magazine is going to attract audiences who are in the category of ‘explorers’ (Maslow) which highlights they like social change. For example Imani in the picture is showing attitude, which highlights how times have changed as women are more empowered and have the opportunity to voice their opinion.

Stereotype(s):Stereotypes associated with hip hop and RnB music include, poverty, violence, drugs, dirty money and illegal behaviour. These stereotypes can influence RnB music, for example the lyrics or meaning behind the song. Including stereotypical hip hop icon on the front cover keeps within the same theme and overall look of the magazine.