Digipak Analysis
By Aaron McGreevy
Album Background
The name of the album that I am going to be analyzing
is 50 cent Get rich or die tryin this was the rappers first
album which was released in 2003. The debut album
also sold 872,000 copies within the first week and
became the fourth best selling rap album in the US
selling eight million copies.
Digipak Analysis
In this album is comes with one disk that contains
sixteen songs which is sixty nine minutes of playing
time. The main theme of this album is red this
represents danger and stands out and this is why it is
the main background colour as he is trying to tell you
the type of lifestyle he lives without actually telling you.
Front cover
Also the titles are visible
such as the artist name in
the top right and the
album name in the top left
hand corner different fonts
are used for each one but
the main focus of the
album cover is the image
which is in the center and
draws your attention.
The first thing that stands
out straight away is the one
large image of 50 cent and
the effect as if someone
has shot through some
glass. This no only stands
out and draws your
attention to the middle of
the album cover but also
gives tells you that he is
involved in violence and
especially guns as shown
with the bullet hole.
Also seen on the front is a picture of him with his top off and a chain
which very clear and can be seen visibly through the bullet hole. This is a
convention in the rap genre so therefore this is a conventional album
cover. Also the fact that he has his top off is a bit narcissism as he is
showing off his body and the image is visible so he wants you to see it
Back Cover
On the back of this album
cover the song names are
clearly stated and are easy
to read which is important.
Also the layout is set out so
the picture is on the right
and the text so they do not
overlap and doesn’t make it
harder to read. Also round
the edge of the album on
the outside is red which has
the album written on both
sides.
There is one major
picture which is of
50 cent looking over
his shoulder which
may be trying to tell
you the type of
neighbourhood he
is from and this is
the background
image on the back
which looks like a
rough area. The
picture suggests this
from him looking
over his shoulder
meaning he always
needs to be on the
lookout. This fits the
generic conventions
of the Rap genre as
violence is usually
seen in this.
At the bottom of the back cover is the Executive
Producers which is clearly stated next to the
background and all the other logos in the bottom
left hand corner.
Spine
The spine of the album has the same colour
scheme as the rest of the album which is red
also he name of the album is clearly state on the
side so will be easy to spot and the colour will
stand out when it is on the shelve.
Inside Booklet
On the inside the
first thing you
notice is the picture
which is on the left,
this is a drawn
picture and is of 50
cent wearing and
showing off his
jewellery. A generic
convention of Rap
videos is that they
contain lots of
chains and watches
etc.
The watch from
the front cover
can be seen
here so there is
a link between
the front cover
and the inside
of the booklet.
The chain has a cross on the end so
this may suggest that he has a
religious side. Also there is no text at
all and on the inside is just the large
picture which takes up the whole
page.
Booklet interior
The first five song
names are on the
right hand side with
a bit of information
about the song for
example the lyrics
and how the song
name came about.
There is a picture on
the left hand side which
also overlaps onto the
right hand side shows
him with a gun on his
back this is not the first
picture with holding a
gun which suggests that
he uses them on a
regular basis.
The background picture is similar to the
background shown on the back cover of the
album as it is a rundown area which you
would normally relate to the rap genre.
Booklet interior
This is another page
of the booklet that
comes with the
album the layout is
similar to the
previous page with a
picture of 50 cent on
the left and then the
information about
songs. This picture is
of 50 with his top
and showing of his
muscles and his
jewellery on display
such as his watch
and chain.
The text on the
right hand side of
the booklet is
easily readable
this is important
as there is a lot of
text which is not
the biggest size
even with the
background
picture it can still
be read.
Booklet interior
On this page the
layout is somewhat
similar apart from that
the picture and the
text have swapped
side. The background
has also changed but
the type of location is
the same being on a
street.
The picture does
not show a face
but the reason
for this is that
the emphasis is
meant to be on
fact that has a lot
of money on
display. Having
money on
display is a
common
convention in
the hip hop/rap
genre so this
image has done
so accordingly.
Booklet interior
The picture of
50 cent is of
him having his
arms folded
and looking
very serious he
is also looking
directly into the
camera so is
directly looking
at the audience
and also a low
angle shot is
being used for
the picture so is
showing that he
has power and
authority.
The background as on
every other page is also
similar and buildings can
also be seen so is a city
environment this is also
another convention of
the genre to be set in a
urban environment. I will
consider this when
creating my own digipak
as well as the type of
pictures used.
Discs
In this album there is only one disk which contains all the songs
on the album ,shown in the picture below. The album name is on
the CD as well as a bullet hole effect which ties in with the
generic conventions such as crime and guns. The disc colour is
black which symbolises power, wealth, mystery as well as making
a change from the red background which is used throughout so
black really makes t stand out.
Disc impressions
When the disc is removed from the album there is the disc
impression which can be seen in the picture below the disc
impression. The disc is completely different to the disc
impression underneath it meaning that as soon as you take the
disc out it stands out. The image is G-Unit which is the name of
the rap group that 50 cent is from this is clearly stated and the
text is the same colour as the disk colour so red and black is the
main colour scheme in the album.
Digipak analysis - Overview
• The main colours used throughout the Get Rich Or Die Tryin was red and
black linking the red with power and black being mysterious and dark. The
colours also stand out and draw your attention.
• The album has other good effects added to make it stand out even more
such as the bullets holes in the CD as well as the smashed glass effect on
the front cover.
• The pictures are the main thing draws your attention especially the image
on the front cover, many conventions are included in the album such as
guns and chains and also environments that fit the genre.
• Overall the album is very generic and follows convention expected in the
rap genre but also mange's to be something different and unique. All so the
title Get Rich Or Die Tryin means try to get money or get hurt this is
reflected in the pictures e.g. 50 cent holding money and also holding
several guns.

Digipak analysis

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Album Background The nameof the album that I am going to be analyzing is 50 cent Get rich or die tryin this was the rappers first album which was released in 2003. The debut album also sold 872,000 copies within the first week and became the fourth best selling rap album in the US selling eight million copies.
  • 3.
    Digipak Analysis In thisalbum is comes with one disk that contains sixteen songs which is sixty nine minutes of playing time. The main theme of this album is red this represents danger and stands out and this is why it is the main background colour as he is trying to tell you the type of lifestyle he lives without actually telling you.
  • 4.
    Front cover Also thetitles are visible such as the artist name in the top right and the album name in the top left hand corner different fonts are used for each one but the main focus of the album cover is the image which is in the center and draws your attention. The first thing that stands out straight away is the one large image of 50 cent and the effect as if someone has shot through some glass. This no only stands out and draws your attention to the middle of the album cover but also gives tells you that he is involved in violence and especially guns as shown with the bullet hole. Also seen on the front is a picture of him with his top off and a chain which very clear and can be seen visibly through the bullet hole. This is a convention in the rap genre so therefore this is a conventional album cover. Also the fact that he has his top off is a bit narcissism as he is showing off his body and the image is visible so he wants you to see it
  • 5.
    Back Cover On theback of this album cover the song names are clearly stated and are easy to read which is important. Also the layout is set out so the picture is on the right and the text so they do not overlap and doesn’t make it harder to read. Also round the edge of the album on the outside is red which has the album written on both sides. There is one major picture which is of 50 cent looking over his shoulder which may be trying to tell you the type of neighbourhood he is from and this is the background image on the back which looks like a rough area. The picture suggests this from him looking over his shoulder meaning he always needs to be on the lookout. This fits the generic conventions of the Rap genre as violence is usually seen in this. At the bottom of the back cover is the Executive Producers which is clearly stated next to the background and all the other logos in the bottom left hand corner.
  • 6.
    Spine The spine ofthe album has the same colour scheme as the rest of the album which is red also he name of the album is clearly state on the side so will be easy to spot and the colour will stand out when it is on the shelve.
  • 7.
    Inside Booklet On theinside the first thing you notice is the picture which is on the left, this is a drawn picture and is of 50 cent wearing and showing off his jewellery. A generic convention of Rap videos is that they contain lots of chains and watches etc. The watch from the front cover can be seen here so there is a link between the front cover and the inside of the booklet. The chain has a cross on the end so this may suggest that he has a religious side. Also there is no text at all and on the inside is just the large picture which takes up the whole page.
  • 8.
    Booklet interior The firstfive song names are on the right hand side with a bit of information about the song for example the lyrics and how the song name came about. There is a picture on the left hand side which also overlaps onto the right hand side shows him with a gun on his back this is not the first picture with holding a gun which suggests that he uses them on a regular basis. The background picture is similar to the background shown on the back cover of the album as it is a rundown area which you would normally relate to the rap genre.
  • 9.
    Booklet interior This isanother page of the booklet that comes with the album the layout is similar to the previous page with a picture of 50 cent on the left and then the information about songs. This picture is of 50 with his top and showing of his muscles and his jewellery on display such as his watch and chain. The text on the right hand side of the booklet is easily readable this is important as there is a lot of text which is not the biggest size even with the background picture it can still be read.
  • 10.
    Booklet interior On thispage the layout is somewhat similar apart from that the picture and the text have swapped side. The background has also changed but the type of location is the same being on a street. The picture does not show a face but the reason for this is that the emphasis is meant to be on fact that has a lot of money on display. Having money on display is a common convention in the hip hop/rap genre so this image has done so accordingly.
  • 11.
    Booklet interior The pictureof 50 cent is of him having his arms folded and looking very serious he is also looking directly into the camera so is directly looking at the audience and also a low angle shot is being used for the picture so is showing that he has power and authority. The background as on every other page is also similar and buildings can also be seen so is a city environment this is also another convention of the genre to be set in a urban environment. I will consider this when creating my own digipak as well as the type of pictures used.
  • 12.
    Discs In this albumthere is only one disk which contains all the songs on the album ,shown in the picture below. The album name is on the CD as well as a bullet hole effect which ties in with the generic conventions such as crime and guns. The disc colour is black which symbolises power, wealth, mystery as well as making a change from the red background which is used throughout so black really makes t stand out.
  • 13.
    Disc impressions When thedisc is removed from the album there is the disc impression which can be seen in the picture below the disc impression. The disc is completely different to the disc impression underneath it meaning that as soon as you take the disc out it stands out. The image is G-Unit which is the name of the rap group that 50 cent is from this is clearly stated and the text is the same colour as the disk colour so red and black is the main colour scheme in the album.
  • 14.
    Digipak analysis -Overview • The main colours used throughout the Get Rich Or Die Tryin was red and black linking the red with power and black being mysterious and dark. The colours also stand out and draw your attention. • The album has other good effects added to make it stand out even more such as the bullets holes in the CD as well as the smashed glass effect on the front cover. • The pictures are the main thing draws your attention especially the image on the front cover, many conventions are included in the album such as guns and chains and also environments that fit the genre. • Overall the album is very generic and follows convention expected in the rap genre but also mange's to be something different and unique. All so the title Get Rich Or Die Tryin means try to get money or get hurt this is reflected in the pictures e.g. 50 cent holding money and also holding several guns.