Kanye west artist research

http://prezi.com/n2mlsenjseaq/kanye-west/

http://prezi.com/sfg5u9e8vgnn/hiphop/

This is Jay-Z’s tenth studio album cover. In this image, the mise-en-scene shows Jay-Z’s in a suit which connotes power and him being the boss. This also connotes that he is more than just a rap artist but is also a business man. Jay-Z is active in this image because he is walking towards the camera unlike some album covers where the image is passive. Images of men tend to be active – therefore I would suggest this reinforces gender stereotypes. His body language is quite powerful, but not aggressive.  A long shot is used; this shows his physique, what he is wearing and what is around him.  This enables the use of mise-en-scene in terms of location to show that it is an out of hour’s café. This connotes he is there for a meeting or perhaps some nefarious activity away from the public.

He is also seen as powerful from the way he dressed, looking at the camera and his body language which attracts the male gaze since their can relate to his fashion sense. Jay-z is written in red on the cover which can suggest he is dangerous or in a dangerous business, it also represent power (social class). The coat can also connote that he is in charge and the suit can represent professionalism. From this image, the audience gets an idea of what he does ,which might be organised crime. This is echoed in the album title.

The colours in the album cover are a bit of black and white, which represents old time Hollywood and its culture. This is seen through the surroundings which show Jay-Z’s entering some kind of 19^th century cowboy bar. He is shown as the boss, like in old mafia movies where the bosses come in early before the employees arrive and the customers. Jay-Z is shown coming in from outside but the only thing behind him is a white light which suggest maybe he is coming from another time. The colours also show that it is a dark and dangerous environment not suitable for children hence the parental control sticker or logo.

The language in the album cover shows that he has one name which is not his real name but this is usual for rap artists to have stage names which attract fans. He uses a stage name which links to the album cover, this is so in a way that in the American mafia-gangsters never used their real names or just had nick names.

The background of the album cover is of a bright white light and smoky wooden wall on the sides. Jay-Z’S is the biggest image on the cover because he is the most important and he is the one being promoted. His name is written in red to attract attention and to stand out.