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25 of Hip Hop’s Most Memorable Album Covers

Zhe Lovett — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 23:53:54 +0000

Dating back to graffiti, art has always been a large part of Hip-Hop culture. Hip hop album covers were once an art form, and artists made sure they always served heat. Streaming has taken away from the artistic side of album artwork, and covers have become more simple. Before streaming popularized, people were buying these physical pieces, and MC’s had to make sure they caught your eye!

From Snoop Doggy Dog, to Grandmaster Flash, we’re hopping in a time machine as we go through Hip-Hop’s 25 Most Memorable Album Covers.

25. Juvenile, 400 Degreez (1998)

From the diamonds and flames, to the Z in “Degreez” being a dollar sign…There’s just something about the WordArt feel of this album that keeps fans coming back.

24. Wale, Attention Deficit (2009)

The obvious shoutout to a digital world reigns as the focal point for this album cover. A strong, yet simple message burns through the vibrant cool colors, and captures your attention immediately.

23. De La Soul, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)

You’ve probably seen these flowers before, or maybe even these 3 talented young men. Fun fact, rap group De La Soul actually hates this album cover. They felt that everyone would be associating them with flowers, peace, the whole hippie movement, when that wasn’t them at all!

22. Kanye West, 808s and Heartbreak (2008)

The minimalism in this cover is the beauty of it all. Kanye was hurting, simple as that!

21. 2Pac, Me Against The World (1995)

This album shook the charts, and you couldn’t go anywhere in 1995 without seeing it. 2Pac rocked the world right before his unfortunate passing, and sold hundreds of thousands copies of the album.

20. Run-D.M.C., Run-D.M.C. (1984)

Run-D.M.C.; Pioneers, legends, superstars. This classic cover had to make the list!

19. Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

Firstly, it’s Lauryn Hill etched into a school desk. This album taught everyone a couple of things. No further explanation needed.

18. Snoop Doggy Dogg, Doggystyle (1993)

From the dogcatcher in the back to the Snoop Dogg lookalike on top of the dog house, this album cover is full of style, steeze, and comedy!

17. Eric B. & Rakim, Paid in Full (1987)

Money. Harlem was all about money. Eric B. and Rakim made it clear that they had it, and there was never any problem getting it! The Dapper Dan Gucci sweatsuits, the huge rope chains… The aesthetic of it all represents a very transitional era in the development of Hip-Hop music.

16. Ice Cube, Death Certificate (1991)

Ice Cube next to Uncle Sam’s corpse. No further explaining to do.

17. Missy Elliott, Supa Dupa Fly (1997)

Missy Elliott has always held more swag than most artists in the music industry, remaining humble and subtly stunting on everyone! This cover embodies exactly who she is; chilling for the moment… but don’t forget that she’s fly.

18. Wu-tang Clan, Enter the Wu-tang: 36 Chambers (1993)

This album cover is actually kind of wild. Firstly, no face, no case. Secondly, does the guy in the front have a finger gun? This album cover is great for its immense mystery.

17. Jay-Z, The Blueprint (2001)

Jay-Z wearing a Rocawear jean jacket smoking a cigar. He won.

16. A Tribe Called Quest, Midnight Marauders (1993)

The various facial expressions in the background, the bulging eyes… What do we look at first?! This album cover is great because it leaves so much space for interpretation, the colors on the cover represent so many things, and everyone would formulate their own meaning.

15. Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)

We need to take over the White House… and keep it. Bring our culture, our families, our music… make it OUR country. Simply put.

14. Kanye West, The College Dropout (2004)

We all know the bear. This bear costume (that Kanye FOUND, by the way) looks like any college student during the longest finals week ever: TIRED. The album cover is warm, relatable, and not complex; perfect in a sense.

13. Grandmaster Flash, The Source (1986)

Do we start off with the fly guy with this legs crossed, or old boy with the red leather hat to match his shoes? This album cover embodies the true start of Hip-Hop. B-boys, spitting bars in New York City’s uptown train station, even down the pager on homeboy’s hip!

12. Snoop Doggy Dogg, The Doggfather (1996)

The Godfather is a critically acclaimed cult classic, and Snoop Dogg actually might’ve done something, by simply switching 2 letters! This was Snoop’s final album on Death Row Records under his name of Snoop Doggy Dogg, and he was owning the game. The West coast made no moves without you hearing about Snoop, rightfully making him the Doggfather.

11. NWA, Straight Out of Compton (1988)

One of the most controversial groups, with one of the most rebellious albums of all time. These young men all banded together and shook the West coast with words that everyone in Compton couldn’t bring themselves to say.

10. The Fugees, The Score (1996)

Firstly, Lauryn Hill AND Wyclef Jean on ONE album cover… That’s art. The beauty lies in the minimal yet intense typography, and the 3 beautiful black faces.

9. Nas, Illmatic (1994)

This kid is too cute. Too cute for the cover, and too cute for the hood he reigns from. Nas showed that everyone was suffering and surviving, even the young.

8. Master P, The Ghettos Tryin To Kill Me! (1994)

The lace bra hanging from Master P’s name, the Boosie fade, my man creeping in the window “Cell Therapy” style… The lo-fi quality wraps it all together, you feel like you’re watching a movie, and you’ve barely even looked at the cover.

7. DMX, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998)

This album cover is bloody and gory, in every sense. Its beauty lies in the naive state of such a “Ruff” guy, and almost goes to show that the black man is one of the most sensitive species.

6. Redman, Dare Iz a Darkside (1994)

Redman is stuck buried in this Children of the Corn looking field, and its freaking me out. I love it.

5. Outkast, Stankonia (2000)

This album cover is great for 3 reasons: One, Andre 3000 was having an amazing hair day. Two, so was Big Boi. Thirdly, it calls out the entire country, so subtly, being a black and white world. We all knew… But did we really know?

4. Gang Starr, Daily Operation (1992)

Gang Starr is really giving off intellectual and successful vibes, and who doesn’t love that? “The goal is money, and this is how we get it. Don’t ask no questions, I thought this through.” Guys from the hood are smart too!

3. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Return of the 36 Chambers (1995)

Have you seen the O.D.B tv special, where he took America into the food stamp office in Brooklyn, and got his money right? This man never cared, was never too embarrassed to live his life and let whoever wanted to look come and see. Hoping his unbothered soul is resting in peace.

2. The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die (1994)

Foreshadowing? This was Biggie’s debut album, and just as his career was being born, he was ready to die. Sadly, he would pass away 2 years after its release. But in those 2 short years, he conquered the world. He started off on top, and he achieved what he needed to; he was truly ready to die.

1. Geto Boys, We Can’t Be Stopped (1991)

This man… Is in a hospital bed. The rap trio is standing in a hospital, posed for an ALBUM COVER. Who was stopping the Geto Boys? NOTHING! They literally cannot be stopped, no matter the circumstance. This cover is full of hustle and desire to reach success, and has to be respected as THE most memorable. Who’s forgetting this?

Do you have any albums you think should’ve been on this list? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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RESPECT. Recap: Atlanta Comes Together for Epic One Music Fest

RESPECT. Staff — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 21:13:45 +0000

The Atlanta One Music Festival that began in 2010 and gives you such a big mix of performers. It’s known to be one of the most anticipated festivals in the A and voted one of the top three festivals “Not to be Missed” by Ebony Magazine. It provides you with amazing artist, good food, a little liquor if you’re of age and VIP sections. You can also see beautiful art, charitable giving, local and worldwide vendors. It’s definitely an event to bring the ATL together and people from all over the world.

As my partner for media, Jalan Burton, we walked up, we easily received our media wristbands and photo passes to start a travel-worthy day.

First we entered the media patio with press from outlets such as BET, Huffington Post, Bossip, CNN and more waiting for artist to step foot in front of the One Music Fest backdrop.

Artists were performing at two different stages, one called Hercules and one called Zeus. It was a troop back and forth, but we made it happen!

There was a good amount of black businesses out hustling. Selling shirts about being black and beautiful, paying homage to black activist and even $1 jewelry for the ladies.

First up were artist Tulani and Nick Grant. They were the first acts to start-up the festival. Around 2:30 the soulful and angelic beauty Andra Day hit the stage. Fans stood from the front row to the lawn as she sang some of her hits such as the hit “Rise Up.” Vibing and dancing on stage as if the song was moving her as much as it was moving the crowd.

After the amazing Andra Day leaves, there was a small intermission before the next performer. The DJ was spinning and mixing getting the crowd amp’d up for the next act. With this festival, the performances were on time.

Anderson Paak was performing next at Hercules, which was the outside stage. Walking towards the stage, fans were already going insane! Paak’s energy will be something never forgetten. There’s artists who really have a passion for their music and fans, Paak is definitely that artist! He went from performing with the mic to running to the drums and playing his heart out. Shouting out his mom while she was in the crowd with the rest of the fans. It was great to have a new profound respect for Anderson Paak and he certainly can add a new person to his fan base, me.

Anderson Paak pic.twitter.com/pAyttLIvv4

— Bri (@lil_forte) September 11, 2016

Next up was the beautiful Jazmine Sullivan. The crowd was going crazy as she came out in her t-shirt dress, white jacket and long pretty hair. Now you know how some people who can sing on the radio don’t usually sound the same live? Well that’s not the case for Sullivan, each note was hit like you were listening to it straight off the album. She came out to her 2014 single “Dumb,” with the humorous video playing in the background. Taking us back to “the old Jazmine, ” as she called it, giving us her hits from “Lions and Tigers and Bears” to “Holding You Down.” Adding a crazy twist to “Holding You Down” by mixing The Fugees “Killing Me Softly.” Singing so nicely as the crowd hits the high notes after Wyclef’s “Ayo L-boogie, take it to the bridge.” The crowd is swaying and vibing left to right like The Fugees just hit the stage. Finally, Jaz ended with her hit that made you feel what love really is with “Let It Burn.”

After that amazing set, we slid back to the media. With temperatures being 90 degrees in Atlanta, shade and air conditioning when possible was a must. We ran into one the Mob members himself, A$AP Ferg. It was pretty epic, due to him previously doing RESPECT. Mag digital cover story. So down to earth and so humble, he showed love to the RESPECT. crew. Moving on, Ferg was up next to hit the stage. Coming out to his hit single “Work,” with his smooth skeleton rib printed leather vest and shining diamond pinky ring. Then “Hella Hoes,” played and the crowd were rocking with it heavy. Of course Ferg didn’t come alone, he brought out Marty Baller in his black “baller” tee and fresh braids. They performed Marty’s “Flex“. Full of energy and jumping around Baller was hype on the stage. During the end Ferg gave homage to his late brother A$AP Yams. He performed “Tatted Angels.” “Sometimes I wish Yams was never using when we toured in UK, I knew I’d lose him,” rapped Ferg, deep into the song. Then he came with the song “Beautiful People” and to end it right he got directly into the crowd and performed “New Level.” Up close and personal, Ferg got the people hype.

A$AP Ferg & Marty Baller pic.twitter.com/GK6PRwMnDq

— Bri (@lil_forte) September 11, 2016

Ice Cube was next at the Zeus stage, which was the inside stage with seating. All the old-heads were ready, ages 35+. There were even couples vibing to Cube as if they were reminiscing on the 1980’s. “Y’all watch Straight Outta Compton? It made 200 million in the box office, but I ain’t get all that motherf***kin money,” said Cube as the crowd laughed. This brought him to rapping “Straight Outta of Compton,” and the crowd went crazy! Two guys were even rapping in each other’s face like they were N.W.A. Next thing you knew, he asked the audience to put their middle fingers high into the sky. “F*ck The Police” played and everyone was rapping while still keeping that middle finger up. Cube gave a performance that everyone was standing up for.

If you’ve seen Erykah Badu live, she doesn’t play about with her performance. She will make sure everything is good and ready before hitting that stage. The fans waited screaming “Let’s go Erykah” for some time until she hit the stage. Badu walked out so smooth and cool with her exaggerated top hat and custom leather Samo jacket. If you’re not familiar with Samo, it’s a graffiti tag developed by the infamous Basquiat. She stepped up to the stage and posed, showing the swag. The soulful beauty sung hits such as “On and On,” “Love of My Life,” and “Next Lifetime.” Hitting clean high notes and flowing so poetically whilst the crowd was hypnotized to her melody. Badu also reminded us that she’s an artist and “I’m sensitive about my sh**.”

BJ the Chicago Kid and Busta Rhymes also hit the stage in Atlanta. To end the festival, The Dungeon Family + Organized Noise perfomed. This featured Big Boi, Cee-lo, Killer Mike, Big Gipp and more. Andre 3000 wasn’t on the list, but came out with the Dungeon Family, of course. Dungeon Family had the entire crowd on their feet, especially when Outkast made their appearance together. Singing songs from “Hootie Hoo” to “So Fresh, So Clean” and Ms. Badu joined the stage with them too. This was certainly the main event of the night with all ages loving the reunion.

This festival was certainly a success and people got what they paid for. If you missed this year’s epic festival make sure you make your way to the Atlanta One Fest next year.

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French Montana Drops New Track “Have Mercy”

RESPECT. Staff — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 20:30:30 +0000

In the midst of the delay for MC4, French Montana had mercy on his fans, and dropped one of the tracks. “Have Mercy” features Beanie Sigel, Jadakiss & Styles.

The track is produced by Illa Da Producer and the one-and-only DJ Khaled (we the best). The Moroccan-born musician returns to his roots in the exotic album cover for MC4, and the music follows suit.

The instrumental for “Have Mercy” sounds like something out of The Prodigy, an electronic and dub group. The grand sound recalls gangsters, cigar smoke, and exotic destinations. Mr. Montana has quite an image to maintain.

The lyrics contrast against these dangerous vibes, as French dissonantly calls on God to forgive him for his sins. Whether it’s bragging or remorse, French lists his crimes: “Cause I’ve been robbin’/ I’ve been stealin’/ I’ve been messed up, haah/ For that big gold chain/ Slang cocaine/ Don’t get gassed up, haah.”

French also ends the hook with an “ooh la la la,” that sounds remarkably like an ode to The Fugees infamous “Fu-gee -la.”

Montana’s album has been pushed back, and now has a tentative date of October 14th for release. French credited this delay to issues with sample clearances on Twitter earlier this week.

French added another dash of the international into his recent song “No Shopping” with Drake. The two rappers put on some iffy Spanish accents, and donned fake moustaches for their music video in the Dominican Republic. Who says musicians don’t have a sense of humour? El Drake and French Montaña gave it their best shot…

Listen to “Have Mercy” here.

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RESPECT Your Elders: The Fugees – “The Mask”

RESPECT. Staff — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:21:25 +0000

The Fugees reached huge success with their six-time platinum and grammy winning album, The Score, which was almost entirely produced and spit on by members of the group themselves. “The Mask“– although never climbing to bilboard success like “Killing Me Softly,” or “Ready or Not”– still resonates with themes that just about every listener can relate to. Take a listen below, and RESPECT. your elders.

The post RESPECT Your Elders: The Fugees – “The Mask” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.