The 10 Oddest Cars on Album Covers

Image via Complex Original

Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Album: good kid, m.A.A.d. city

Not odd in the context of the album narrative-Kendrick's borrowing of the family minivan-but certainly something different for hip-hop.

Artist: ESG
Album: Ocean of Funk

ESG came correct with this album in 1995. The Houston rapper helped popularize the chopped and screwed sound of the legendary DJ Screw. More important, he took car-based album covers to strange new heights by slidding his slab into the ocean. The graphic treatment is undeniably odd, and (subsequently) one of the most undeniably entertaining album covers to emerge from underground '90s southern hip-hop.

Artist: 8Ball & MGJ
Album: On Top of the World

What is Larry Johnson doing here? Why are Orange Mound's finest MCs standing on a pool table? Why is the Dodge Viper the flashy car of choice in this bizarre (vaguely narrative) collage? Why is 1995 the greatest year in the history of rap album covers?

Artist: Jake One
Album: White Van Music

In the UK, "white van man" refers to a working class builder, carpenter, or plumber who employs lightweight commercial vehicles for transport. White Van Music isn't entirely working class, but Jake One is nonetheless well represented by the nondescript motor. Call him the opposite of Scott Storch, for all the right reasons.

Artist: Dead Kennedys
Album: Frankenchrist

Released in 1985, the Dead Kennedys' Frankenchrist drew unwelcome attention for a poster depicting penises and vulvas included with the original printing. Odd. Also odd, the decision to employ a bunch of Shriners riding their signature little cars in a parade on the album cover. The record doesn't even mention Freemasonry in the lyrics. The Shriners sued the Dead Kennedys (and Newsweek, from whom the band had purchased the photo) for invasion of privacy. Weird cars, weirder back story.

Artist: Black Keys
Album: El Camino

The album is called El Camino. However, a Chrysler minivan is pictured on the cover. Why, Black Keys? Why? Apparently for an inside joke. The Grand Voyager is the first car they toured in.

Artist: Thelonius Monk
Album: Alone in San Francisco

Nothing says alone like hanging off the rear of an SF cable car, right? Thelonius Monk's solo piano effort, recorded pays tribute to Bay Area's most famous ride and situates his station behind the keys without accompanyment perfectly. Still, lack of background makes the whole thing very odd indeed.

Artist: Chingo Bling
Album: Tamale Kingpin

Chingo Bling is known for slanging tamales from a slab. He's also one of the few rappers bold enough to employ a fully fledged shipping truck on an album cover. It proves his parking lot huslte is payng off, and his hand-to-hand sales of delicious masa treats has grown to an unstoppable statewide enterprise. Or, does it just signal that Bling's off-the-wall humor has failed his normally solid taste in cars?

Artist: Thizz Nation (Staring Mr. Fab)
Album: Vol. 8

Going dumb and allusions to a short bus make total sense. Driving a yellow school bus with blinging rims into what appears to be the set of the Irish Spring Commercial? Totally odd.

Artist: Steppenwolf
Album: For Ladies Only

Steppenwolf took a political stand in 1971, releasing an album (For Ladies Only) about feminism. Logically, the band used a car that looks like a giant dick-seen parked on Hollywood Blvd on the album cover. Needless to say, some folks viewed the rolling cock as a bit sexist.