Advert Poster Analysis: Rihanna - Rated R

Rihanna Advert Poster from LewisSaunderson

Digipak analysis. Chris Brown - Fame.

Front cover

 

The first thing the audience notices is the central image which we understand to be the main singer. The direct eye contact and harsh look makes Brown appear confident, highlighting his masculinity which is typically stereotyped (looks are important) within the dance genre. The way the album is designed tells us that this genre focuses a lot on the image of the artist rather than the music as previously mentioned. Also, the artist doesn't posses any instruments which makes us believe that album revolves just around Chris Browns voice. The graffiti style back drop represents street life as such, and connotes an urban life style, which in linked to this genre. The back drop also includes many images of the artist performing, putting emphasis on his multiple talents such as dancing which is very common within dance music videos. Although the album is very hectic the typography plays an important role bringing the album together the title 'F.A.M.E' suggests that fame is his focus point. Also, the graffiti style text runs parallel with the theme throughout.

Back cover

The back cover contradicts the front in certain ways. We see Chris at a long shot with a mask covering his face and looking away from the camera suggesting he doesn't want his identity revealed this could perhaps relate to his past in his personal life with ex partner Rihanna, suggesting he doesn't want to be in the lime light. Although, the stance we see Chris stood in shows confidence relating back to the image on the front cover. Even thought the pink background doesn't particularly fit the graffiti theme within the front cover it enables the black text to stand out more not allowing the album design to become dull allowing it to stay attractive to the audiences eye.

Inside (CD)

Again, we see another different colour scheme within the CD, but it works well. The black on white creates a strong contrast enhancing the image and bringing it to the foreground. Browns stance is again strong and confident reflecting on his own personality. The text is consistent in comparison to the front cover keeping the urban graffiti style, running alongside his genre of music. Even though, the colour of his name is a dull colour in relation to the front cover but it works well with the black/white scheme.

Dance artists names.

Dance as a genre.

Dance music is composed to promote dancing, obviously. My initial understanding of sub genres of dance included house, electro and pop. However, when researching and looking more in depth on the web I discovered that dance has many more sub genres I was once unaware of - such as rock combined with dance.


So, what makes a successful dance track? personally, I think if the listener/audience can 'feel the beat' making them dance along to it then you have created a good track. Hence why most night clubs play music within the dance genre. Dance tracks have arguably simple bass lines and beats that build up pace from the start until they reach the peak of the song and 'drop'. They often include a minimal amount of lyrics and sometimes just once line that will get stuck in your head. For example Calvin Harris's Burnin'  (see link below)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss6CAIGpoko



Some Examples of dance music sub genres - 
Electronic Dance Music:
Electronic dance music is made using electronics and is usually heard in dance nightclubs, on popular radio stations, and on television shows and movies. Electronic dance music became popular after the boom of personal computers during the 1980's.
Electronic dance music is composed using computers and synthesizers instead of physical instruments. Synthesizers, sound cards, samplers, and drum machines interact with each other to achieve perfectly-synchronized sounds.
Folk Dance Music:
Folk dances are traditional social dances of ethnic groups from all over the world that are generally performed at weddings, parties, and other social gatherings. The tempo (pace) of folk dance music can be anywhere from slow and meditative to vigorously aerobic. Many people feel that live music at folk dances helps the dancers to experience feelings of community more so than recorded music. An example of traditional folk dance music played in the United States is music heard during square dances.
Acid House:
Acid house is a sub genre of house music and often uses samples and spoken words rather than lyrics that are sung.
Techno:
This is also another sub genre of dance music, having similar styles of drum patterns to house. Althugh it often has little or no chord movement, using more synthetic sounds. This is style of music often has very few or no vocals at all. Techno is highly associated with clubs and raves.