Representation in Music Magazines

Task: You need to research the musicians referenced in the cover lines on your copy of MOJO magazine. Create a research page outlining the different artists. Print this out and tag into your exercise book.

Task: Answer the questions below.

1. Consider what the choice of artists mentioned in the cover lines tells you about the magazine and its readership. How is the magazine using the artists and their fame to sell the magazine to their target audience? How do the artists help to drive the appeal of the MOJO product?

2. How is representation being used to sell the MOJO magazine product? Read the notes below to help you write your own answer.

In the exam you need to understand how the producers have chosen to construct a version of reality that represents events, social groups and ideas to fit their purposes:

• MOJO wishes to attract a target audience that shares its reverence for ‘classic rock’ so constructs a version of reality that represents musicians as authentic heroes, striving for excellence, e.g. in the photo of Bob Dylan looking towards the distance.
• In contrast, We Love Pop wishes to attract a target audience of young female teenagers so constructs a version of reality centred on social media, appearance and romance.
  
  Question: How and why have stereotypes have been used, including anti-stereotyping/counter-stereotyping:
  

• MOJO’s selection of a cover photograph of a young, white male may be to fit the stereotype of rock musicians – this will enable instant recognition by audiences
• MOJO’s anti-stereotypical positive representation of older people as popular musicians, e.g. the artist from CSNY on the front cover. This may reflect the anti-ageism of an older audience
• In contrast, We Love Pop’s front cover addresses stereotypical female teenagers as loving pink and concerned with (heterosexual) relationships, fashion and gossip.
  
  
  
  Question: Which social groups are under-represented or misrepresented:

      • MOJO’s front cover only represents white male musicians in photographs under-representing female musicians and black musicians - why might this be the case when you consider the magazine's target audience?
• In contrast, We Love Pop’s front cover only represents young adults and appears to exclude older 

people.