But yeah, overall hip-hop album covers suck. Another big problem I see is that even when some have do good cover artwork, it doesn’t carry over to the rest of the package. Most of the time the tray, outer packaging, and inner booklet designs look, to say the least, lazy compared to the cover.

As far as Jay-Z having creative covers, I would have to disagree. Fancy jewel cases don’t make great covers. The artwork for “The Black Album” is probably on my list of worst album covers, ever. Using a black opaque jewel case was a stroke of genius because the cover totally sucked. All of his album covers are unimaginative and, aside from the colorful plastic, boring. P.S. you don’t get points for making it a digipak. I think some are equating these album covers with their musical significance which is a mistake. Just because the music is great doesn’t make the cover great.

One last thing, KennFletch you are an idiot. There is nothing false about the assertion that the majority of hip-hop albums have bad cover artwork. What’s ironic is that using symbols to represent an entire race of people (read: generalizations and stereotypes) screams racism.

We are talking about cover artwork, right?

Lots of covers have/had the potential to be exciting, but lacked this element due to artist ego or record label wants, or the need to conform to all that glitters must be good…

Very much hope none of that exudes symbolic racism coz not really in the mood for reading another political bashing :)

It got a little heavy there. Confused and heavy.

All I can say is http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SvV-upQVoFs

Talking about Rap CD covers shows bigotry and racism? You sound like some one who’s either too brainwashed and angry to think rationally, or some one who’s too young to understand the meaning of the things they say.

You see racism because you look for it in every situation, like an obsession.

You are probably the kind of person that if some one said they didn’t like you, you’d immediately think race rather than anything personal.

Try not to take offense. Just take a step back, breathe slowly, and chill out man.

When you go off on a rant calling some one a bigot and a racist for a simple CD cover artwork comment you just come off as a self centered arrogant lunatic.

I’m just saying what you said shows your lack of respect. I mean damn Kanye’s albums. Trust me being part of a group of people that are pretty much hated you see a lot of of things that people on the other side don’t. Its just shows lack of respect.

My evidence, or case is this.. rappers don’t design CD packing. The people that release rap albums hire graphic designers, different people.

Aside from Jay-Z, lets see Puff Daddy(you don’t know ^#*@), lets see Usher, I mean no disrespect, but you really sound uneducated. Rap albums don’t have different designers, I mean damn, I’m looking at dozens of hip hop albums, Timbland design is hot, Memphis Bleek’s 534.

I can spot a bigot miles a way. By the way most racist and bigots don’t know they are. My opinion of what you said is you just sound stupid. It makes no sense. No disrespect its just that when you have to live your entire hearing this it makes you upset and snap, lol.

I never seen or bought an Eminem album but since he is hi profile I’m sure his label shelled out some money for his design. Seriously man you don’t know what your talking about, John Legend, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z again (do you have any idea how many cool jay-z album packages there are, god!!!)I mean damn you seriously don’t know…

I just think your ignorant, very. I don’t mean it in name calling I mean the definition of the world. Just remember Hate comes from 3 things, ignorance, fear, and jealousy. Don’t take my word personally you just getting the heat the last asshole I had to deal with. The person after you will get yours.

Alicia Keys, god are you retard, Common. I’m sorry every album just pisses me off.

PS, half the people that say I don’t like rap music, are really saying I don’t like black people(thats Symbolic Racism – Using symbols of people). Its perfectly fine to say I hate Gangster Rap but to say I hate rap music just is ignorant. Gospel Rap anyone? Do those people hate gospel Rap. Hip Hop has problems thats why I don’t listen to radio anymore because its just terrible but rap/hip hop itself is the most amazing music of the past 30-40 years and for the next 50.

If anybody thinks I’m too harsh, well so are they people that treat my diff because I don’t like them and want me dead. Not talking to ASh but dude try not to sound ignorant… GoD!!! Music Soul Child’s albums my god. JEsus help your children, lol, serious… no hard feelings ;)

But you should check out Nas’ “Illmatic” album cover. That might be a good one to talk about.

i’m a little confused with your comment. I actually don’t know what symbolic racaism is? Can you enlighten me?

Jay-Z aside, I still think the majoroty of Hip hop music doesnt try to explore CD cover art that much and sticks to over produced photography and familar themes.