Ice Cube - Richard Dyer's 'Star Theory'

Richard Dyers star theory is the idea that icons and celebrities are manufactured by institutions for financial gain. He believes that stars are constructed to represent 'real people' experiencing real emotions. Stars are manufactured by the music industry to serve a purpose; to make money out of audience, who respond to various elements of a star’s personality by buying records and becoming fans. 

His theory is spilt into three sections:

1. Audiences and Institutions 

2. Constitutions 

3. Hegemony

Audience's and Institutions 

The album cover represents the star's brand identity, immediately with his stage name 'Ice Cube' from his original O'Shea Jackson, Sr., his name is hear in some of his songs as the album reflect's his youth in Compton, similar to N.W.A's 'Straight Outta Compton' in which he left to go solo. The target audience for Ice Cube would be fan's of N.W.A and the gangsta rap genre. Ice Cube became a household name for his controversy in the band. Although the member left to do his original work as he felt he wasn't credited enough in his writing in the band, the separation from N.W.A would create interest for this drama in the media. Ice Cube remains to be associated with the brand identity of a thug and a criminal, shown through his clothing. The album cover shows his a dead relative, with an American flag. The dark shadows create a death like atmosphere, with him on the left lets the audience question whether he caused it. 

Constitutions

With his association with the hip hop, he is considered one of the best MC's in the genre. Although audience's can connect to the audience through his true experiences an honest lyrics, it could be suggested that the character was constructed to be a larger representation of his experience's, embodying the criminal stereotype that he was labelled with when he was younger for being a black youth in America. He has a natural look on the album cover, not being the main focus. It could be connoted that his true identity his hidden behind his experience's, his crimes and past; he is hidden behind his character. The font on the cover is simple, black and white, but is recognisable. It differs from the stereotypical rap font with includes thick letters with sharp, messy, flicked corners. The 'Parental Advisory' sticker is included to inform, but it has also become a sort of logo which people would wear on T-shirts; a celebration of explicit content, included in the clothing gangsta style.

Hegemony

The 'culture' of the star's fans will most likely be big fans of the hip hop genre, as gangster rap is considered one of the more 'hard' genres. Fans will be seen wearing similar clothing to Ice Cube, wearing baggy jeans, sweetmeat and sports clothing, caps and 'bling'. It would be likely that popular clothing brands would sponsor the artist, giving him clothing to wear with their logos on so that his audience will want to replicate his look and buy those brands. With the genre being 'in style', this increases sales of albums in the genre, including Ice Cube. With his relatable tough youth, people of similar backgrounds will admire the star and want to replicate him. There are negative influence's too, with fans being involved in crime and violent acts/language due to his music. Although the lyrics may condemn the actions, it influenced the idea of being tough to be cool. As shown on the cover, suggested murder is shown openly, and becomes a normal trope of the hip hop genre. Another rapper, Snoop Dogg, was discovered by Dr. Dre of N.W.A. and went on to make his own albums. His 'star' identity influenced an increase in marijuana sales. 

Artists in the hip hop genre usually have a stage name as their rapper identity and rap about their experiences. Their reliability and honesty influence's fans to want to recreate their actions and style. The genre connotes crime, drugs, and sports clothing. Connected to the theory, It could be suggested that these stars are created to be in the media to remind society of dangerous people 'stereotypes', to let the people with this style reclaim their identity, or more simply, to sell branded sports clothing and albums.