Billboard magazine is a chart magazine that doesn't focus on a particular genre, which is similar to Rihanna herself as she is related with R&B and pop, so she is appropriate for the front cover of this magazine. Rihanna also appears to the magazine's target audience as her fan base are interested in chart music and she is a young artist who features within the charts regularly.
Layout; The margin gives the magazine means the audience reads the magazine automatically from the left,noticing the headlines the magazine wants. The colour scheme is mainly primary colours white and red which are simplistic, mature and appealing.
Main Image; Rihanna's pose could be presented the audience as provocative, appealing to the male gaze. This pose may also appeal to the female audience as they will admire Rihanna and aspire to be her. Her neutral top could suggest innocence, but as it is could be seen as revealing due to the length and structure of the top, as skin is shown allowing to see tattoos this could suggest the opposite to innocence, but also could show fierce characteristics. The brightness and boldness of the red hair connotates passion and lust, the same passion which could be felt whilst listening to her music. The red also contrasts against the purple background, as red is a powerful colour our eyes as an audience are instantly drawn to this.
Masthead; Uses the billboard logo. Is seen, on every edition of the billboard magazine there creating a brand identity so it is easily recognisable. The front is informal aiming at it's target audience of teenagers. The colours red and yellow are gender neutral, appearing to both sexes. The word billboard is also the word of a advertising sign, telling us the magazine contents a form of media.
Header; draws attention to the conference. Shows it as a form of media and advertising. The main image of Rihanna overlaps the masthead suggesting the billboard isn't a independent magazine and customers will recognise it even if it is covered.
Feature Headline; 'Rihanna' is written in gradient, above the anchorage of 'my fans don't really know who i am' suggesting it is fading because the Rihanna we think we know, we do not. This could be due to many of Rihanna's re inventions of her image. The heading is spread over the width of the magazine, bigger than the mast head, suggesting Rihanna is a bigger star than the magazine. The use of white against the purple makes it stand out . The white could also portray purity and innocence.
Quote preview; 'Don't know who i am' makes the audience want to read on due to curiosity to find out more about Rihanna, to feel closer to her.
Bar Code; a common convention used on magazines, which allows purchase of the product. But also shows the magazine is official.
Date and Price; A common convention in all magazines. Price is very small conveying that the company doesn't want the price to be to obvious as this would not appeal to the audience.
