Image via Complex Original
Where do rappers get their inspiration from? Each other, apparently. When it comes to album covers, hip-hop has a tendency to run with the same ideas—over and over again. From the classic LP artwork that we'll remember forever, to the new jacks rehashing a proven formula, certain album cover concepts are wildly pervasive within the genre. Off the top of your head, you can probably think of more than a few examples of MCs standing in front of cars, flaunting jewelry, smoking, or any number of overused and abused themes. We started thinking about it and came up with a list of our own. Here are 20 Rap Album Cover Clichés. No idea's original.
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Standing in Front of Expensive Cars (Because I'm Flourishing in Life)
Examples: EPMD Unfinished Business (1989), MC Lyte Eyes On This (1989), Jay-Z Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life (1998), Lil Wayne Tha Carter II (2005), Mercedes Rear End (1999)
Rocking a Suit (Because That's What Gangsters Do)
Examples: Rick Ross Deeper Than Rap (2009), Scarface Balls and My Word (2003), Shyne Godfather Buried Alive (2004), Puff Daddy & The Family No Way Out (2007), The Notorious B.I.G. Life After Death (1997)
Stacks of Cash! (Because I'm Rich Now)
Examples: Twista Who'$ Got Next? (2008), Mobb Deep Blood Money (2006), Big Kuntry King My Turn to Eat (2008), Gang Star Daily Operation (1992), Eric. B & Rakim Paid in Full (1987)
Fire! (Because These Raps Are So Hot!)
Examples: Juvenile 400 Degreez (1998), Pharoahe Monch Internatl Affairs (1999), Cam'ron Confessions of Fire (1998), Heltah Skeltah D.I.R.T. (2008), Hot Boys Let 'Em Burn (2003)
Baby Pictures (Because Everything on This Album Is Real and Has Been Brewing Since Birth; Also, Awwwww)
Examples: Lil Wayne Tha Carter III (2008), Kendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), The Notorious B.I.G. Ready to Die (1994), Nas Illmatic (1994), Mike WiLL Made It Est. in 1989 Pt. 2.5 (2012)
Look.At.My.Chain. (Because Nothing Says Wealth Like a Hunk of Metal)
Examples: Lil Boosie Superbad: the Return of Boosie Bad Azz (2009), Rick Ross Port of Miami (2006), Plies Da REAList (2008), Game Jesus Piece (2012), Meek Mill Dreams and Nightmares (2012)
A Close-Up (Because My Face Sells Things)
Examples: Jay-Z The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (2002), Drake Thank Me Later (2010), 2Pac All Eyez on Me (1996), Common Be (2005), Snoop Dogg Tha Blue Carpet Treatment (2006)
Chilling in Outer Space (Because I'm So Far Beyond Everyone Else)
Examples: The Neptunes Present...Clones (2003), GZA Beneath the Surface (1999), Future Pluto (2012), Leaders Of The New School T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind's Eye) (1993), Outkast ATLiens (1996)
No Shirt! (Because Only a Square Conforms to Society's Clothing Conventions)
Examples: The Game Doctor's Advocate (2006), Lil' Cease The Wonderful World of Cease A Leo (1999), Goodie Mob World Party (1999), Big Daddy Kane A Taste of Chocolate (1990), 50 Cent Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003)
Gallivanting With Scantily Clad Women (Because I'm Having So Much Sex Right Now)
Examples: 2 Live Crew As Nasty as They Wanna Be (1989), Spank Rock and Benny Blanco Are...Bangers & Cash (2007), The Beatnuts Milk Me (2004), Big Punisher Capital Punishment (1998), Master PThe Ghettos Tryin to Kill Me! (1994)
Ice Grills (Because Ain't Nothing Sweet Over Here)
Examples: Onyx Bacdafucup (1993), Ghostface Killah Bulletproof Wallets (2001), Boogie Down Productions Criminal Minded (1987), LL Cool J 14 Shots To The Dome (1993), Big Tymers Hood Rich (2002)
The "I'm Not on the Cover" Cover (Because I'm an Artist)
Examples: 2 Chainz Based on a T.R.U. Story (2012), Kanye West 808s & Heartbreak (2008), A Tribe Called Quest The Low End Theory (1991), Dr. Dre 2001 (2001), Blu & Exile Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them (2011)
Big Cats (Because I Have Money to Do Exotic Shit Like That, Ya Dig?)
Examples: LL Cool J Walking With A Panther (1989), Tyga Hotel California (2013), Jaz Word to the Jaz (1989), Young Bleed My Balls and My Word (1998), T-Mac Shinin' & Bigtymin' (1999)
Smoking (Because, Face It, It's Cool)
Examples: Master P MP da Last Don (1998), Jay-Z The Blueprint (2001), Wiz Khalifa Rolling Papers (2011), Rick Ross Rich Forever (2012), A$AP Rocky LiveLoveA$AP (2011)
Guns (Because Blowing Up Didn't Make Me Soft)
Examples: Boogie Down Productions By All Means Necessary (1988), Scarface Mr. Scarface is Back (1991), Ice-T Power (1988), Action Bronson & Alchemist Rare Chandeliers (2012), Tec-9 from U.N.L.V Straight From Tha Ramp!! (1995)
Look.At.My.Shoes. (Because Rap Money Keeps My Kick Game Fresh)
Examples: Wale Mixtape About Nothing (2008), Three Times Dope Original Stylin' (1988), RUN DMC Tougher Than Leather (1988), Beastie Boys Solid Gold Hits (2005), Lil Wayne Rebirth (2010)
Drinking (Because the Party Never Stops)
Examples: Tha Alkaholiks 21 & Over (1993), Mr. Muthafuckin' Exquire Lost In Translation (2011), Sweet P I Toast Myself (2000), Obie Trice Cheers (2003), Ludacris Chicken-n-Beer (2003)
Using the American Flag (Because I Have Things to Say About the State of Our Nation)
Examples: Young Jeezy The Recession (2008), Outkast Stankonia (2000), Master P Ghetto Postage (2000), 2 Live Crew Banned in the U.S.A. (1990), The Diplomats Diplomatic Immunity (2003)
Coordinating an Animal-Themed Moniker or Album Title into the Art Direction (Because Everyone Loves a Visual Pun)
Examples: Baby Birdman (2002), Sheek Louch Donnie G: Don Gorilla (2010), Snoop Dogg Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told (1998), Big Bear Doin Thangs (1998), Lil Bow Wow Beware of Dog (2000)
Animated (Because a Regular Photo Is So Basic)
Examples: Kanye West Graduation (2007), Pharcyde Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde (1992), Snoop Doggy Dogg Doggystyle (1993), RZA as Bobby Digital Bobby Digital in Stereo (1998), Clipse Lord Willin' (2002)
