SIMILAR ARTIST:RIHANNA

Rihanna is one of the most iconic artists of this current generation. Although, the song I am doing for my music video is Nicki Minaj's 'Moment 4 Life' I aim to create my artist around Rihanna's style and image. Rihanna's target audience varies from children as young as 11 who enjoy chart music and have access to Rihanna's music due to her mainstream success and radio play; but also older people ranging from 12-28 who may accept Rihanna's star image as she is carefree and a rebel in the industry. She may have the lifestyle many young people would love to have which creates a personal identify from the uses and gratification theory. The interaction and social integration theory can also be used concerning Rihanna as she is rebellious and therefore her controversies such as he outfit choices and her marijuana use may be heavily scrutinised by the mainstream media.  The older generation or perhaps more conservative people may reject Rihanna's star image as they may see her as too rowdy and a bad example to her younger fans. Due to the fact Rihanna does have young fans many people expect her to be a role model but her rejecting this expectation and continuing to be care free and live how she wants may make her a role model to her older fans because of this. She may become a model of behaviour as she doest care what others think which may influence her older fans to do the same and to replicate her confidence.

I will incorporate Rihanna's bold attitude into my artist however I may make my artists outfits less revealing, due to the concept and lyrcis of the song which is  a quite slow and meaningful. Therefore it wouldn't look realistic and the genre of the song wouldn’t match with the video if if the artist was wearing outlandish outfits when talking about something more meaningful than partying and being carefree. 

This is Rihanna’s 5th album released in 2010. A close up shot is used which may indicate that the songs on this album may be personal and a replication of Rihanna’s personality and thoughts. The male gaze is emphasised in this shot due to Rihanna’s NVC which is looking down, which therefore highlights her shoulders, which can be interpreted as sexual. To continue, Rihanna’s bright red lipstick can connote sex appeal which also adheres to pop cultures representation of female artists. However, the fact Rihanna is not looking directly into the album may show innocence which is another image of females in pop culture and the mainstream music industry. Furthermore, the fact a part of Rihanna’s tattoo is showing also brings through her personality as tattoos are not usually inked with innocence, which can possibly show the fact that Rihanna looking down isn’t innocence but doesn’t care what people think of her therefore she’s looking down in dismissal which also brings attention to her tattoo.

Rihannas female audience may also be drawn to the album cover due to her beauty which may make her a role model in the uses of gratification theory as her fans may look up to her and her lifestyle. The fact the album cover doesn’t need to say her name but simply the name of the album shows how famous Rihanna’s face and image is. The simple font used brings full attention on her face; To continue, the simplicity of the font contradicts with the actual name which is ‘LOUD’. As the word LOUD is written in such a simple font. Furthermore, the image of only her face, emphasises how Rihanna’s looks and image play a huge role in her success and therefore she emphasises her looks and puts immense focus on them. on the front cover

LOUD ALBUM COVER ANALYSIS

The male gaze is immediately evident in the back of the LOUD Digipak. The use of a long shot connotes the male gaze, due to the fact Rihanna’s legs are shown. Although Rihannas legs are being shown her NVC is quite innocent, which is emphasised due to the lack of strong make up. The location of her shoot is a room, with warm décor such as wooden floors and beige curtains possibly trying to show innocence. Through the curtains , if you look closely there is an American flag. This may be Rihanna trying to connote her being America’s ‘pop princess’. She may subliminally be trying to state that she represents America’ s pop image and wants to be their so called ‘pop princess’. However, the fact another one of Rihanna’s tattoos is being shown (or her ribs) yet again emphasises Rihanna’s carefree personality and therefore not innocence.

The fact she is looking directly in the camera can be due to the fact the song list is placed next to her. Rihanna may be trying to connect with her audience be giving full eye contact giving the impression that the songs will be personal to her and therefore would want her audience to get the same connection and feel directly from her. The barcode is placed unusually above the song list which may be Rihanna expressing her quirkiness or simply random placement. The legal information is placed on the edge of the image which is usually seen anywhere on a back cover.

LOUD BACK ANALYSIS

LOUD INSIDE CD ANAYLSIS The inside image of the Digipak can be opened up to form a longer horizontal image inside of the square shaped CD. The actual CD’s are placed into the 1st and 3RD image; the CD’s have pink roses on them. The image of Rihanna yet again adheres to the male gaze due the emphases of Rihanna’s neck and shoulders which are usually sexualised. This contradicts with the light pink puffy dress Rihanna is wearing which can be connoted as innocence. Rihanna is lying on a bed of red roses. Red Roses symbolise love, romance, courage and passion which may Rihanna’s giving an indication to the type of songs which will be on the album or her personality. Pink roses symbolise grace and elegance . Also the pink rose is often given as a token of admiration and appreciation. Rihanna’s placement of the pink rose on the CD may be showing appreciation to her fans for their support as well as showing her grace and elegance through the long shot pose shown. The fact the image is of a long shot but doesn’t show her legs which would highlight the male gaze may show Rihanna’s focus on displaying innocence and grace.