Digipak AnalysisThe Eminem Show

Front.On the front cover is a long shot of Eminem

sat on a stage (we can tell this from the classic stage red curtains, the worn floor, spotlight and the microphone places centrally). Using the mise-en-scene in conjunction with the album title, the audience gets a clear theme that the album is about – fame.

The title is presented centrally on the cover, and the typeface is very uniformed. Eminem’s signature backwards ‘E’ is also present (a motif used in a number of Eminem’s work).

Eminem is sat on steps on the stage, deep in thought. The curtains are drawn slightly so we can see him. This may have a symbolic meaning – Eminem may feel like the curtains have been raised on his life, and his life has become public.

As this is not Eminem’s first album, he is not show up close on the cover of the digipak.

Back.The image on the back of the

digipak is a poignant one; the only thing visible is a mic on stage in front of the curtains (no Eminem this time). Being on the back of the digipak, it gives the message that ‘the show’s over’ – that Eminem can return to his private life now, hence no Eminem on the back. To further reinforce this, the font used for the tracklist looks like Eminem’s casual handwriting.

Tray.The image in the CD tray is one of

Eminem stood on stage, testing the microphone. It is a full body shot, so we see his entire costume as well as his face. The suit he is wearing appears to be worn casually – it is loose and baggy, especially the trousers. This could link to Eminem’s background as a perceived gangster or ‘white trash’ that wear loose and baggy clothing most of the time. Therefore, it juxtaposes his formal stage life with his more casual deprived roots.

Eminem is facing the camera, with his eyes fixed on it. This makes his face engaging for the audience.

Booklet.Like Professor Green’s album, ‘The

Eminem Show’s booklet includes lyrics for every song on the album, thus making the stories of the songs more accessible, and in turn allowing audiences to identify with and relate to Eminem more easily.

The style of the booklet is unique. It has images, accompanied by times and series’ of numbers, which make the images look like CCTV footage. Some display private aspects of Eminem’s life (ie, swimming with his daughter, and taking out the trash).The picture of a paparazzi and a CCTV camera reinforce this. This supports the idea that the album’s theme is fame, and also makes it look his life is public and he cannot get away from attention.

CD.

The CD follows the style of the covers of the digipak, in that it has the same title typeface and red curtains on it. This uniformity gives the entire digipak an easily recognisable aesthetic.

I HAVE LEARNT...

• Further evidence that lyrics in the booklet for a hip-hop digipak are a good idea.

• Uniformity in text is essential.• If the album has a theme, it must be

maintained throughout the digipak (ie, the title, curtains, microphone, CCTV footage and paparazzi all contribute to conveying the theme of unwanted fame in ‘The Eminem Show’.