Study Task 05: Studio Brief 2 - Research

Task 1:

Relevant contextual research (genre if particular one is used, could be grouped in to popular at some point)

-Subcultures of the genre
-branding of the genre
-how the genre is advertised and portrayed in western society
-history of the genres album artwork aesthetics

Task 2:

Target audience research

-Western world region
-Western, young adults/music lovers, politically left wing, more non-religious,believe in the musicians artistry

Therefore, if I were to speak about Kanye's banned Dark Twisted Fantasy Cover and the hip hop genre,
as a success to 3 personas

1. Teenage black American male lover of hip hop culture
2. Young adult female long a fan of Kanye's career and an particular interest in fine art
3. Older man in the music industry a long time involvement in the hip hop music industry very aware of how
artists create their brand identity through mediums such as album artworks to push success

The tactic of shock gains more publicity for the musicians which is why they create such
unsettling images, the first thing seen when you look at their album. Mainly reflecting the
attitude of the musician/s, their identity/style and the themes of their lyrics.

Hip hop cover designs that benefitted their brands success

Task 3:www.therichest.com/rich-list/most-shocking/the-10-most-controversial-hip-hop-album-covers-of-all-time/

Kanye enlisted the artist to make this so the audience would feel visceral toward it, and while it got banned itwas still one of his best sold albums of all time, and was released after the uproar of his super-ego. Super-ego is agreed on, but dedicated fans of his music appreciate the next step he takes of artistry beyond the audio alone.

-Rhetoric, personification: Painting of an angel and painting of a devilish looking Kanye

Referencing slavery through the imagery makes his african american fanbase stronger inclined to his brand and
legacy, and what he stands for although the artwork is very unsettling the visual strengthens a unity of many of
his large African American fanbase.
-Rhetoric, Metonymy: Lashes symbolic for the suffering of African American slaves

Straight to the point self exploitation for attention to her album, is in line with her lyrical themes and brand identity and aesthetics shown within her music videos and images put out. Went viral as imagery of females implying sex always succesfully do due to the male gaze but also in the era of female empowerment which Nicki preaches, which concedes with this as a rather in your face statement of proud sexual nature.

,Things Fall Apart, the fourth studio album by The Roots, was a sign of the times when it was released in 1999. The artwork for Things Fall Apart reflected the world’s greatest turmoils—famine, violence, discrimination, and fear—through images that came to represent these negative aspects of society from years past.'Had The Roots gone with the original concept for the cover (an illustration ofThe Roots and Sean “Diddy” Combs jettisoned at the bottom of the ocean), the message and public response would have been undoubtedly much different. Needless to say, the shock value of Things Fall Apart grew The Roots’ reputation for raising public awareness in both their music and on their album covers.'"This became the main artwork for a few reasons. The cover felt like the urban community could really relate to it. Seeing real fear in the woman's face is very affecting. It feels unflinching and aggressive in its commentary on society. I remember going to Tower Records and seeing it huge; it was just so impactful. I'm not sure that it would work today. I give MCA respect for pushing it out at the time."

http://uk.complex.com/style/2014/02/the-roots-things-fall-apart-album-covers/

-rhetoric: has the theme of irony as the image is used to ring true still to the late 90's

-Parody and Pastiche, detournement: using the 60's image to make the graphic design become politically confrontational for the time stating that things are still the same