XXL Magazine Analysis

The XXL masthead is one of the most generic conventions of this magazine. A red background and large white text placed in the top left hand corner of every issue of the magazine. This allows readers to build familiarity with the magazine and creates an expectation for every issue. Because of this, it is not always necessary to have the entire masthead showing the central image as they recognise the brand. An issue will usually feature one individual, usually male, however once in a while multiple figures or a woman might feature on the front cover. Through costuming e.g. jewellery and expensive clothes to display the wealth of the industr, facial expressions such as aggressive and superiority to display artist’s egos and poses, XXL manage to create and maintain a hip-hop stereotype which has up customer loyalty. Customer loyalty is further maintained by keeping attributes similar from issue to issue. Large writing of the artists name and clear features of what the magazine includes are replicated on every XXL cover. Because of the font, colour and presentation of the artist that generally connotes a "gangster" image, I’m able to infer that the magazine is aimed at a male audience ranging from teenage years to late forties as the artists are around this age. XXL magazines feature in-depth interviews and articles about both prestigious and new artists, all of which are usually male. the magazine often features picture flash cars are women as this appeals to the general male audience. XXL will also try and reach out to the growing female audience by breaking the convention of a male central figure and having a female feature instead. Featured articles such as ‘eye candy’ may also attract females – presumably of a young age, however in regards to the front cover, women are presented heavily sexualised and seen to have on minimal clothing, suggesting that a broader male audience may be targeted more than encouraging a female audience.