Album Artwork Analysis (Tenacious D)

Here is a picture of the group work analysis we did of a selected album artwork. It is breaking down all the aspects that make up the Tenacious D 'Rize Of The Fenix' album cover, back, disc and booklet.

Album Artwork Analysis (50 Cent)

The album artwork for 50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Tryin', is very focused upon one main aspects, 50 Cent. The background of the album cover red, red is can be viewed as a rather fierce colour, it can be associated with violence. In the top right of the cover is 50 Cent's name in its well known logo form. It is very loud and unmissable, the text is incredibly bold which works against the album title text. The album title text is a much more elegant style, which works well as it goes against the normal conventions of a Rap album cover. Also important to review is the 'Explicit Content' warning in the bottom left of the album cover. This acts almost a a sense of pride on a rap album cover, it adds to the image that 50 Cent is portrayed as, very violent, aggressive, as a gangster. Finally The main spotlight, 50 Cent himself, he is staring directly at the viewer, he is also topless and there is a good sense of focus upon his muscular appearance and tattoos, this is to make him appear as a more rough individual which again provides back up for the star image he portrays. He is wearing a strap over his shoulders and around his waist which is known for carrying guns. It is not completely clear from the picture wether there is a gun in the strap but the fact he is wearing one makes him appear as ruthless and gives the idea to people that he is a gangster and could go as far as a killer, this is very good evidence to support his image, and the way he is wanted to be perceived by the public. Also two accessories he is wearing, a belt with large, shining belt buckle and a watch again covered in diamonds. This gives the impression he is rich and cares about his accessories, which is important for two reasons. Firstly is goes with the album title 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin' and also because the public have become very aware that gangsters and thugs are very involved with big diamond crested accessories to show of their money. Finally the key part to the album cover, the fact there is a bullet hole in the glass in front of him, and through the bullet hole the viewer can see the diamond cross around his neck. This is so important as it brings such a criminal aspect into the situation and compliments it with a very holy symbol, two so incredibly different ideas. This gives the impression 50 Cent is involved with the violence of crime and guns but also is a firm believer of specific things, the perfect 'gangster' image. It is clear that 50 Cent is wanting to be perceived as a criminal, careless and reckless, this will go with the music he is making and when joining those two elements successfully, music and image, a star is created.

Artist Presentation

Artist presentation is key to create a star. Involving Dyer's theory of 'Star Image', he states, artists are constructed to become stars, without the way they are represented, they are nothing. This displays the importance of the way an artist is viewed by the public and the style they display of as a musical artist.

One example of very loud and and bold figures in music is Ke$ha. She is perceived as a very charismatic individual, the public see her as almost a 'out of control diva'. Ke$ha's image plays upon this idea and leads to her success due to the more wacky she is represented, the more hype that is focused upon that crazy side that is invoked the more sales made. It is clear that the way someone like Ke$ha is presented to the public will have a direct link with his/her success. From the album cover animal it is clear that firstly the main focus is Ke$ha looking directing toward you. Her lips are covered with a gold lipstick, this is coupled with the text and the outlines of the album cover give of the effect of being written in glitter. Ke$ha is outlined to stand out from the background, this is clear that she is being portrayed at the important figure, she is conveyed as more forward and the glitter adds a sense of craziness which amplifies her image of a very captivating and compelling. Everything in the album cover is there to stand out or make Ke$ha stand out.

The opposite to this is the much more quiet and humble character. A perfect example of this is Ed Sheeran, he is conveyed as normal and just a normal person. He again plays upon this image to appear as just a average person, very humble for his fame. This is created through both his album cover and music videos. All his music videos have not been extravagant, more so just involving general situations. One example of this is in his music video for 'Small Bump', in which he is just sitting in the waiting area of a hospital in normal casual clothing as other faded figures pass him. This displays him as normal, no big production level, just focusing on him becoming sensitive and down to earth as a star, or at least the way he is perceived by the public. Also in his album cover for the album '+', simplicity is emphasised as it is just his face. The cover consists mainly of orange which helps give make him appear more friendly as it is almost a play upon his well associated ginger hair. It is clear that Ed Sheeran is made to look normal, to appear as if the fame has not changed him from who he is. People can connect to him as a more real individual, which helps his success even though that realness is outlined by the way he is made to be presented.

Artist presentation is absolutely crucial to help created a individual into a star. The way it is done and what the aimed outcome is can take large effects on the success of the artist.

Changing Blog

I took the time to arrange certain aspects to help the blog become more profession, also I changed the template and layout to fit what I want.

First Post

I set up a new blog which will be used for research & planning, creating and evaluating A2 Media work.