Audience profile

1. Audience Profile –Genre: Hip-Hop
Target Audience:
Gender and Age (Hartley’s 7 Subjectivities) and
why:
The genre will appeal to males aged 16-30, as males
are more attracted towards the hip hop genre. The
genre appeals to a broad range of ages as it is a
genre and a culture that has been present for many
years. This means older people as well as younger
people will be interested In the genre. It will appeal
mostly to males as most hip-hop artists are males
meaning that women may not have many girls to
idolize or relate to.
Socio-Economic Needs and why:
According to the socio economic needs table the
target audience will fit into the classes D-E as old
school hip hop usually details the struggle of life and
gaining money which audiences from the classes D-E
could relate to. Furthermore many hip hop artists
were also born into these classes and therefore
listeners can relate to the artists. Furthermore
magazines are usually not a lot of money so
someone who is unemployed or an unskilled worker
may still be able to purchase the magazine.Name: Shaune Hazlehurst
Candidate Number: 3056

2. Katz’ Uses & Gratifications Theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs
The genre of Hip-hop will appeal to Explorers as the culture of hip hop has slowly changed over
the years and explorers will change with the genre/culture. Hip hop has changed as the music
people have been releasing has evolved in the sense that artists are becoming more
experimental while still staying part of the genre. An example of this would be Kanye West’s
evolution musically as from his 3rd album ‘Graduation’ to his 4th album ‘808’s and Heartbreaks’
he has incorporated more electronic sounds which has inspired more artists to follow his style.
The audience will look towards this genre as it will inform and educate people about events in
the artists own lives and therefore allow the audience to build up a personal relationship with
the genre. Also the audience can be in the category of Diversion as they are able to escape from
their everyday lives by reading the music magazine and being ‘informed and educated’(Katz) by
upcoming artists.
Stereotype(s):
Initially, stereotypically the genre would appeal towards black males in America but over the
years the genre has expanded and began to appeal to white males and females as well as black
males and females. Furthermore a stereotype of hip hop audiences would be people wearing
urban clothes with accessories such as chains, hats and watches.