Research & Contextual Analysis

Timelines

A timeline contains various aspects in one event. It is to show how something has changed in a period of time. This could consist of images, numbers etc. This is to mark key bits in an event. There’s two types of timelines. One could be evolution, so a million years ago while on the other hand it could be in the space of decade for example. I have a standard timeline below just briefly showing the evolution of HIP-HOP through the years.

This time line is demonstrated through images. It is quite obvious just showing how the fashion style economized through the years in the music genre. The years starts from 80's, 90's, 00's, and 10's. Hip Hop originally started in the 1970's. It started in the United State of America. The controversial genre evolved and formed in Bronx, New York city. Hip Hop music was often played in parties and of course block parties. Most artists came up from an underground record label where they would perform at cheap promos.  Linking to block party events the existence of Hip Hop started gang culture in some elements. What I mean by this is incidents like the Gang wars (Blood & Crips). Hip Hop linked hugely to this not even mostly because of the music but even the style. Nike, Timberland and baggy clothing wear.

 

Top artists of the 90's HIP HOP music: 

Tupac Amuru Shakur - A veteran in the music scene and also with political justice. His voice reached out to many souls across the world. Sold over 75 Million song records. Entrepreneur, Actor, poet but his life ended very short at the age of 25 years old in 1996 as he was assassinated due to his controversial presence in the media. He is the only rap artist to win a Hall of fame award. Big names partake in this event like the late Michael Jackson.


Aaliyah Dana Haughton - A young innocent queen who filled herself with light. Very quick to break in the music scene at the age of 12 years old when she signed for 'Jive Records' (Record Label). She sold more than 32 million records on her time on earth. She died in a devastating plane crash at the age of 22.


Notorious B.I.G - Notorious B.I.G aka Christopher A young Lyricist who grew up in Brooklyn, New York trying to make "a dollar out of 17 cents" He is a big face in the timeline of Hip Hop as his gentle flow touched viewers souls. He died at the age of 24 in 1997 (one year after Tupac's death due to the fact that there was a troubled conspiracy; relation of the first shooting that took place) Many believed Notorious B.I.G set Tupac up but this wasn't the case. Christopher Wallace was also assassinated in the same concept linking to Tupac.


Snoop Dogg - Snoop Dogg aka Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr is the Pinnacle of Hip Hop as he consists with his rhythmic flow. '' He is a loved man in Hip Hop. He is in association with many artists in the genre.


Nas - Nasir Bin Olu Dara is an iconic African American rapper. He grew up in New York where he then launched his best album there 'Illmatic'. Many say this was even the best album of Hip Hop. It sold over 1,000,000 in the first week.                                                                                  

This period of time was the peak of Hip Hop music. Many events occurred in this decade of music. Hip Hop is a versatile genre as it also links with other genres like R&B and soul. Today’s perspective of the genre has changed. Many describe it now as modern and not meaningful. I would agree to this due to the fact many artists now don't relate to what is going on in this world. The corruption of the world. This could consist of the government, drugs operation, poor climates and many more. All these boxes were ticked in the 80's 90's and early 2000''s. Nowadays the topics are all about money, girls and partaking in drugs.

My Questionnaire

These are 5 questions I included. I created a mix mode questionnaire closed and mode style question so it will enable me to receive statistical data and information that I can research further. By this questionnaire it is known that people of today still keep up with the genre. I made sure that all question was there option and only that. One of them which I asked was a question which included the 'YES or NO' option.

This is the best magazine for me too link back too. It covers everything in the Hip Hop world and culture. It is a versatile company when producing magazines. There are previews of any magazine on the official website.

 XXL

XXL was founded in 1994 based in New York City. It is a famous and global magazine; consists in every city and town in the United States of America. I would say it is more then just magazine. The company consists of many elements through the media. They have even invested in clothes merchandise where they produce T-shirts, trousers (Jeans) and many more. They expanding the every element of the company by branding. This is shown on their website. The good think is that their products are sold all over the world. I say this because any official magazine is sold all over America and America only. 
They have now widened their stalls which is a smart move for the company as they earn large income. Every magazine is produced every month; XXL are published by the Tonwnsquare Media, a international Mass media who are known out in the world. XXL are wise with their decisions as they work with the best to give out the best of their ability. In terms of the audience linked to XXL, I would probably say that mostly teenagers engage with the whole HIP-HOP subject. In terms of both Genders Males are statistically known to read an XXL magazine. The medium age of the readers are about from 17 - 27 years. 67% of African Americans purchase the magazines and a percentage of 44.7% from college students. The immigration from the statistics does make sense as HIP-HOP genre did mainly start from the African Americans. As I stated earlier, it the genre itself was formed in the Bronx in New York City. Another form of audience is in the social media like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc. The fact that XXL itself has their official account in every social media platform emphasizes that they are growing rapidly. 

Above, you can see XXL's official Instagram account. They have 4 million followers.  New people get to discover about them almost everyday which introduces exposure and then leads to more income for the company. Here, they can post any promotional content for the audience so that they are always notified. For example if a new magazine is coming out, XXL could send out trailers or incest in putting ads. It is most likely the audience can pre order but the main thing is that they are always alerted. XXL advertise with other companies in every copy of the magazine.  Distributors pay them and then they are promoted on their work. I have read a XXL magazine and i must say there a various ads which is good for business. The magazine company have an Estimated Annual Revenue of $27.3 Million dollars and they are still going up each day. 

Magazine review (XXL)

In my opinion, I feel the text on the side was a smart idea as it gives you an impression of what is inside of the actual magazine. Also I do like the colour as every 'XXL' magazine consist of the colours Red, Black and white which gives it this cool feeling. I'd like to use the same style but different colours.  In every magazine created by 'XXL', they always make sure to include the logo at the top left corner. This links to me as I want to include the same sort of style in my production. Simile, the fact that the music artists face is close up makes it interesting as you feel close to the personality. It brings out the authority in an individual. I aim to link to this action that has been repeated in every magazine throughout the years. The video is not available anymore for some reason but I can confirm that I watched the whole video and it gave me a clear idea of what to produce on my magazine. 

The starters of Hip Hop

The one thing that was classic olden times Hip Hop was writing with just a pen and paper. As this life has evolved artists tend to use devices to guide them. Time back in the day, it was different by a high margin. DJing consisted with high technical equipment mixing various sounds and constructing it as one. B-Boying was often used in the mid 80s where different types of dance moves were portrayed on the dance floor. By 1975 numerous youths in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn were stealing into train locations under darkness to spray-paint colourful renderings of their names. Graffiti was linked to Hip Hop. Many people participated in doing it.

In these times of Hip Hop, big names like Ren DMC, Rakim and LL Cool J were the face of  the genre. They started the timeline of Hip Hop. Numerous Labels took advantage of artists back in the day though, for e.g N.W.A. They did not really have a political and financially stable mind as of course, they were from the ghetto. They were not good at signing contracts so they were cheated on all the hit songs they made. Over the years it has improved due to the fact people have trust worthy artists now.