Music Magazine Background.

What genre of music are you going to use?

The genre of music I am going to use is R&B. As I enjoy listening to this genre. Rhythm and blues is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s.

What media exists for the genre currently?

There are a few magazines, which surrounded their articles/front, covers with R&B such as ‘VIBE’. There are also TV channels dedicated to R&B such as R&B TV and RandB TV.  And a huge amount of website delivering the top news about rhythm and blues music and what’s new and what’s popular.

Who produces these?

VIBE is produced by Quincy Jones who is famous in the music industry for producing the Thriller album by Michael Jackson and many other albums made by Sinatra and Dean Martin.

What is typically included in the current publications?

The publications predominately features R&B and hip-hop music artists, actors and other entertainers. ‘VIBE’ has a circulation of approximately 80,000. Featured segments included the back page list 20 Questions, the Boomshots column about reggae and Caribbean music by Rob Kenner, Revolutions music reviews and Vibe Confidential, a celebrity gossip column. Next profiled up-and-coming artists. The magazine also devoted several pages to photo spreads displaying high-end designer clothing as well as sportswear by urban labels such as Rocawear and Fubu.

How much does it cost? How often is it published? How many pages does it have?

VIBE magazine cost 79p to buy every 2 months or £9.51 to buy it for 12 issues over two years.  It’s published every two months.

Who is it aimed at?

The magazines target audience is predominantly young urban or supporters of hip-hop cultures.

How successful are they?

The magazine was initially released in fall of 2004 and sales were considered successful enough for the magazine to be issued on a quarterly basis. VIBE Vixen folded after its August/September 2007 issue due to low circulation.

Example of another R&B Magazine.

Example of a VIBE cover

Magazine Genre Homework.

The genre of the magazine I would like to produce is R&B. I think people associated with this genre would have to be with the current fashion and music etc. I think the magazine to fit with this genre would have to layout there magazine for example coloured with the changes of the seasons. The cover models would always have to be well known or someone who in the future may become well known. I think they would have to make layout look futuristic and new to make a statement that other magazines would like to copy. Also I think cover lines would have to have to stand out to the public, as that’s what current musicians have to be nowadays to be noticed. I think the magazine overall would have to be unique and stand out as thats how you get into famous industrys such a singing and acting. I chose this genre because i enjoy listening to it.