Evidentally from the image above and what I am going to go on to discuss, males generate a higher percentage of this Hip-Hop/Rap music genre. Lots of tattoos, gold jewellery, cars, girls and money are all highly recognisable features of the iconography for this genre. They are known to sing about themselves and the things they like coming across as very arrogant and self centred. It is a very large american based style genre and relates to the 'gangster culture' where a lot of he more famous and well known rappers where 'born and raised'. My chosen genre is a mixture of two, consisting of a stylised rhythmic music (Hip-Hop) and a rhythmic and rhyming speech (Rap). To accompany these genres often MCing, DJing, Breakdancing and graffiti writing is included which make up the four key stylisitic elements of the hip hop subculture.
The genre was formed during the 1970's in America and that is why it is hard to buy a lot of american based music magazines such as XXL and Vibe from local stores apposed to the more typical pop genre which populates the shelves of local supermarkets and newsagents. It started with Americans having block parties and showing off their DJing, MCing and breakdancing skills. It then became part of the American culture and grew and grew until the point where successful DJs began noticing the individuals and began isolating the percussive breaks of popular songs. Some of the more well know artists of the genre today are Jay-Z, Eminem, Kendrick lamar and Kanye West seen below.
Key icongraphy for the artists belonging to this genre that also reflect the contents of magazines includes gold chains, gold watches, gold fake teeth, caps, sunglasses, trainers, lots of red, black and gold as well as expensive cars, girls, drugs and an expensive taste in fashion. For the icongraphy of this genre I have gathered images and created a mood board to represent the main iconic features shown below. These features show the many aspects that are a part of the hip-hop/rap celebrity lifestyle and also features that may be picked up by audiences who aspire and enjoy this type of music.
In relation to magazines of this genre, below are a some i have selected to show the conventions they all share through the use of icongraphy. The colour black can be seen on nearly all the magazines as well as stylised fashion items such as glasses and jewellery which i have previously descussed to be seen a lot in relation to artists of this genre through imagery or their mise en scene. The females are seen in little clothing reinforcing that the genre is male populated and woman are seen as objects rather than humans which relates to the theory by Laura Mulvey - Male gaze. The males come across as emotionless and arrogant, showing they hold the power of this genre and they dont really care what anyone has to say. Finally my very first point about this genre being American based is clearly confirmed as every single artist below, although they show different mise en scene, style and personality they are all American and all part of the Hip-Hop/Rap music genre.
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