Bob Marley cover - Q4
Refer to Extract 1 in the insert. Analyse the representation of Jamaican Reggae music andmusicians such as Bob Marley in this MOJO front cover. (5 marks)
This MOJO Magazine has gone against its normal stereotypes of having very black and white colours and rock stars by featuring a full-colour picture of the reggae star Bob Marley. Bob Marley’s name is emblazed in the Jamaican colours which shows how he was very colourful and how that colour now represents reggae due to its origin. Reggae is a big influence in Jamaican culture and having Bob Marley on the front cover of MOJO Magazine shows that they respect all cultures and music.
Having Marley covering the masthead shows how important he is and makes you realise how big he is in the reggae music scene. The cover mount includes the words ‘explosion’ and ‘classics from the birth of reggae’ which connote excitement and ‘classic’ a sense of nostalgia. Rather than a stern and serious face, Marley is smiling and looking directly at the reader as if he’s happy to see them – this breaks the usual stereotype of rock icons being portrayed as serious, even saints in some. However, the magazine also keeps a bit of its stereotype with ‘BOWIE THE LOST ALBUM’ coupled with a black and white photo of Bowie looking over his shoulder.
Mark 4 out of 5 Very good. Notice what is on the cover mount ,too, (old pic of sound systems, showing Jamaica's past) and comment on the 'from gang war to one love' which shows Bob Marley as a force for peace.
ReplyDeleteExam board says:
Responses should analyse representations of Jamaican Reggae music and musicians in the extract from MOJO Magazine, for example:
the image of Bob Marley has been shot and selected to connote his openness and friendliness – he directly addresses the camera with a smile, he is shot in natural light, he wears very ‘ordinary’ clothing, and his stance is very unaggressive.
the cover line ‘From gang war to one love’ connotes the violent social background of Jamaican Reggae music and anchors the meaning of the photograph, presenting Bob Marley as a man of peace
the crumpled monochrome photograph of Jamaican sound systems suggests that Jamaican Reggae comes out of poverty and has an authenticity due to these roots
the selection of a photograph of highly decorated sound systems suggests that Jamaican Reggae comes out of a folk tradition with a rich heritage of creativity
any other relevant representation analysis.