MAIN TASK: Double Page Spread Textual Analysis

The double page spread shows a central figure of rapper Nas looking directly at the camera. This is a medium close-up shot showing his waist upwards, arms, shoulders, and head. The background which occupies one page and half a page appears to be boxing and gym equipment such as: gym mats, punch bags and weights. To the right of the double page spread, there is a box containing text from the rappers interview with this magazine with an extended quote from the interview located at the bottom of the text box. Positioned at the top of the text box is the rappers name “Nas” in which the font is larger and it dominates the text, as well as being in an old fashioned font. Furthermore, the first word of the interview contains a capital large “C” which is the biggest font on the page, specifying the significance of the interview, which is a favoured convention amongst many magazine double page spreads.

COSTUME: Mise en scene can be analysed to reconstruct the meaning of the double page spread. The rapper image is seen wearing individual “Costume” a chain, diamond ring watch and a vest are shown. The shined watch displayed by the rapper carries connotations of importance, wealth and esteem. The large watch is an item usually definitevly associated with the wealthy, upper-class market to provide status. The diamond ring intentionally displayed by the rapper again connotes wealth, status and prosperity as it is an item that is often affiliated with loyalty, this portrays the artist as possible loyalty within the rap culture. The chain displayed around the rapper’s neck builds on the connotations relating to wealth and riches, amplifying his status as being prosperous due to his career. He is shown wearing tattoos on his arms, this is common among musicians and urban street culture which connotes the rappers status of being a street rapper. Nas is also wearing a white vest, this is an item usually used for exercise or perhaps to stay breezy this connotes that he is working hard or possibly trying to adapt his body which may be metaphorical for his rap career.

PROPS:The use of props is visible in the background with numerous gym equipment such as “Everlast” punching bags, gym mats and weights. These equipment, for example the punching bag, carries connotations of preparing for a fight and practice to improve your techniques which is significant as it may reflect that the rapper may be preparing for a battle of his career perhaps, or against another rapper which is a popular within the rap world for opposing rappers to make tracks about one another to characterise who is better and whose not.

SETTING:The setting appears to denote a gloomy, old fashioned gym, with windows looking out to a cityscape. This brings to mind the fictional fairytale story of Rocky, who was a boxer who trained in an old fashioned, gym but strived to reach the big goal and conquer the boxing world. This is symbolic in the life of the rapper, who possibly is fighting a battle to reach the top from the bottom, this reflecting his “Rags to Riches” background. The windows carry connotations of ambition and freedom which is symbolic as the rapper may have ambitions to strife towards becoming one of the best rappers of his

generation. The deliberate use of low-key lighting is quite similar, in which the image denotes a shadowy lack of lighting shining on the right side of the rapper and deliberately leaves the other side of the rapper dark and unclear. This carries connotations of ambiguity, invisible and suspense which represents to the reader that the artist may contain a dark and mysterious side, this automatically brings a stereotype to the artist. The low-key lighting which is partly shining on one side of his body connotes heaven and evangelism which portrays the rapper in a good light and juxtaposes the typical stereotype of a rapper.

The use on non verbal communication is a way of communicating with the viewer without words said. The rappers his body language is posed in a fairly reflective, relaxed manner in which his waist upwards is visible as if he was sitting on a chair. The fact that he may be sitting down brings a sense of welcoming to the page and the reader to not feel threatened. This enables the reader to interpret this in a variety of dimensions, for example the rapper may be thinking about his future or possible past that his influenced his life which may all be revealed in the interview on the opposite page which engages the reader. His facial expression shows his eyebrows pointed upwards and his eyes fairly open expresses to the audience a sense of willingness. This builds on the rappers image of striving to reach the heights of the rap industry.

The most dominant text on the screen appears to be the rappers name, “Nas”, appears to be an old fashioned font, this carries connotations of elegance and class which provides the reader with a positive image of the rapper.The letter C is put in a bold, red old fashioned script large font to begin the interview with the rapper. This is a common convention amongst music magazine double page spread, and is used as a evidence to show the beginning of the interview. The font is again in an old fashioned font, again carrying connotations of classiness and elegance which may be indicating that the interview is not just trashy but provides a stylish approach to it. The shot size used is a medium close up, which enables the reader to view the rappers facial expressions significantly to understand his emotions being portrayed.