The document analyzes and summarizes several hip hop album covers. It finds that album covers commonly include imagery of the artist, use of color, the artist name and album name typography, and sometimes a PEGI rating. Specific album covers are discussed, including how they use montage imagery, fading effects, graffiti fonts, and layouts centered around the main image to attract audiences. Key codes and conventions identified across covers are main images, color use, artist/album names, and PEGI ratings.
2. Beginning
We as a group decided to research Album
covers as promotional covers use album
covers.
We needed to find out the codes and
conventions of the album cover so we can use
them in improving our promotional cover.
So our Initial action when researching album
covers was to look at different hip hop groups
and their album covers. I research the famous
rapper 2 Pac, Eazy E, Fort Minor and others
such as T.I.
3. Imagery –
Tupac - Resurrection
The montage of images creating an interesting effect as
it illustrates the life of the rapper Tupac. Consequently
such an effect compliments the main image of the artist
thus resulting in an efficient album cover.
Moreover the lighting used within the album cover
makes an exceptional effect as we can almost feel a
sense of fading, this is due to the effects of light and
the fade of the main image. Both effects compliment
each other to make a much more efficient an interesting
album cover.
Colour –
The use of two colours within the album cover makes
it easier to relate the main image with the montage of
images. Moreover the fade effect illustrates the death
of the rapper. This is due to the fade representing the
artist fading into history.
Typography –
The text on the album cover consists of the Artist
name written in a graffiti font which relates to the
music tribe. While the Album name is in simple font, Layout –
the Combination of the Artist name and Album name The layout consists of the large main mage within
creates an attractive effect as they both illustrate the the middle of the album cover, with the Artist name
artist attributes and individuality. and Album name at the bottom. Moreover a PEGI
Moreover the Quote “THIS IS MY STORY” illustrates warning is labelled at the bottom left corner of the
the belong of the album to the deceased artist. album cover which is in the same place of a pug in
Consequently the reader relate themselves to this the magazine. The PEGI rating warns the audience
dead legend as the cleverly used text appeals to the to the content within.
targeted audience making the album cover much more Moreover the album cover is finished by the quote
efficient. at the top of the album cover.
4. Imagery –
The album cover consist of a main image in the middle of the
album cover.
The dominant image makes it much more eye catching which in
turn makes it easier to attract the targeted audience.
Moreover the fade to white with the image makes an attractive
effect, which illustrates the artist as the superior, someone the
targeted audience can relate to.
Typography –
The text consists of the album name “Eazy E” and
“FEATURING”.
These two text used to compliment each other makes the artist
sound like a legend thus some who the target audience is
attracted towards.
Moreover the use of graphics with the text makes an exquisite
effect which allows for a much more efficient album cover as
the interesting effects are attractive to the eyes of the target
audience.
Font of the text “Eazy E” is a traditional graffiti font which the
targeted audience of the hip-hop music tribe will be able to
relate themselves to.
Colour –
Eazy E – Eazy E
The colours within the album cover are simple and
plain, how ever the effect of the background to make
it look like old paper is quite attractive as my eyes
almost mistakes some colour dodges as actual Layout –
graphics. The layout the album is made of the text at the
Moreover the gradient used within the Album name is bottom, with the main image of the artist in the
beautiful because of the colour, font and text working middle. While a PEGI rating is placed in the middle
together to make a single effect which I believe is right section of the album cover.
appealing to the eyes of the target audience.
5. Imagery –
Rather than an artist, an image is placed on the album cover
to represent the band while expressing the creativity of the
artist. Something which the targeted audience will relate
themselves to.
Fort Minor – The Rising Tide
Typography –
The Artist Name is accompanied by their Logo which relates
the album to the band.
Moreover the font used for the Artist name is interesting has it
has an erosion effect while the bold text makes it easy to
catch the eyes of the audience.
Similarly, the Album name is written in a calligraphy font, this
creates an effect which is almost indescribable. But as I look
at the Album cover, the writing and the images remind of the
streets, graffiti and the hip-hop music tribe. This is due to the
codes and conventions of the music tribe being followed thus
is something the targeted audience will relate themselves with.
Colours – Layout –
The imaginative album cover uses colour derived from all of the The main image dominates the album cover
primary colours such as red and cyan are present within the while the text is placed upon the middle right
main image. But the colours of the text, red and black of the album cover. This I believe combines
compliment one and another as they are contrasting. The red is the image and text into a single picture,
eye catching and is able to attract the audience due to the which results into a much more efficient
brightness, while the black is a welcome sight for the eyes of album cover.
the audience as they gaze upon this colour album cover. Due
to the attributes of both of the colours, the targeted audiences
are hooked onto the album cover.
6. T.I. - KING
Imagery –
The large main image in exceptionally good as the correct use
of the shadow to fade the image into the black background.
This effect results in a well designed album cover which is
able to attract the audience much easily.
Typography –
The typography consists of the artist name and the album
name with the same font and size. This I believe links the
text together as they relate the artist with king. This is
purposely done to not only illustrate the album name but
to illustrate the artist as the KING.
The white colour of the text strongly contrasts with the
black background making it eye catching for the target
audience. This in turn makes the album cover much better
at attracting the targeted audience.
Colour – Layout –
The black and white colour of the album compliment each The layout is made up of the main image within
other as they both contrast with one and another. This in turn the middle of the album cover separating the
makes the who of the album cover eye catching and Artist Name and the Album Name.
attractive to the targeted audience.
Moreover a PEGI rating is placed on the bottom
Its amazing how simple colours can create such interseting right of the album cover.
effects.
7. Findings
During our research we found a pattern within the album covers we
researched.
Furthermore we found certain codes and conventions which are always
present and some which are not always present
Artist Name & Album
Images Colour PEGI Rating Name
8. Uses of Codes and
Conventions
Images – Main images on the album
cover
Colour – The Colour present in the
album cover
Album Name – Name of the Album
Artist Name – Name of the Album’s Artist
PEGI Rating – PEGI Contents Rating
