Through the analysis of these two album covers - one male, one female, same genre - I have found that both artists follow the stereotypes of their genre, r&b; for instance, Ne-Yo conforms to the stereotype that male r&b artists are 'pimps' this can appeal to certain target audiences, especially males between the ages of 18-25 as they aspire to be as they perceive the artist; controlled, handsome, alpha-male who has women falling at his feet. Whereas, Rihanna appears to comform to common thinking that 'sex sells' as she is leaning back in a submissive, sexual position and is gazing out at the audience enticing them in, which will appeal to both men and women; male audiences, perhaps, see Rihanna as an object they can use or as someone they can protect; however female audiences may aspire to be as they perceive her - sexy, confident, feminine.
Although both covers can portray the artists in a positive light - they are people that audiences aspire to be; they can also portray them in a negative way. The way that Rihanna is positioned is enticing the audience in, this could be seen that she has control over them, however it could be the audience that has the control as Rihanna has to rely on her sex appeal to attract the audience - for instance; it wouldn't work as well if Ne-Yo's album cover was similar to Rihanna's - which suggests that it isn't her music that sells her products, it's what the audience think of her, perhaps some consumers only purchase her music based on this?
Although it doesn't seem to be the same with Ne-Yo as it isn't blatent sex appeal, the implication is there. Many consumers, perhaps especially males, would aspire to be as Ne-Yo is portrayed on his album cover; a handsome, successful male, successful not only montarywise but also sexually, as he has females at his command, which doesn't portray a good image because the equality between men and women is unbalanced as women appear to not have a choice and end up being objectified; this suggests that, perhaps, Ne-Yo, like Rihanna, sells his products not through his music but through sex appeal and how his life is perceived - rich, successful (sexually&montarywise)?
