The Best Hip-Hop Album Covers Ever. Re-live some of the best and most memorable hip-hop album covers of all time.
1. Notorious B.I.G, ‘Ready To Die’
The album cover for Notorious B.I.G’s ‘Ready To Die,’ released in 1994, features a baby picture of the iconic rapper. This classic album includes the unforgettable single ‘Juicy,’ showcasing Biggie’s lyrical prowess.
2. Kanye West, ‘808s & Heartbreak’
Kanye West’s ‘808s & Heartbreak’ album cover, designed by KAWS, portrays a broken heart. Released shortly after the passing of West’s mother, Donda, the artwork reflects the emotional tone of the auto-tune-infused album.
3. Drake, ‘Nothing Was The Same’
Drake’s third studio album, ‘Nothing Was The Same,’ boasts two covers—one depicting him as a child and the other as an adult. The oil painting, created by Southern California’s Kadir Nelson, adds a touch of artistic sophistication to the album, with Nelson also known for his work on Michael Jackson’s posthumous album cover, ‘Michael.’
4. Beastie Boys, ‘Paul’s Boutique’
The cover art for Beastie Boys’ 1989 album, ‘Paul’s Boutique,’ is a captivating photograph of Ludlow Street. Shot by photographer Jeremy Shatan and credited to Nathanial Hörnblowér, the artwork captures the essence of the album’s eclectic and groundbreaking sound.
5. The Fugees, ‘The Score’
The iconic cover of The Fugees’ album, ‘The Score,’ features band members Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel striking different poses. This visually engaging artwork complements the musical brilliance found within the album.
6. Dr. Dre, ‘The Chronic’
Dr. Dre’s debut solo album, ‘The Chronic,’ boasts a simple yet iconic cover—a picture of the rapper framed in gold. This striking image remains a memorable representation of one of hip-hop’s groundbreaking albums.
7. Eminem, ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’
Eminem’s ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ has two covers, with the one depicted here showing him sitting beside wooden bars on a wall. The album, released in 2000, showcases Eminem in front of the Detroit house where he grew up.
8. Jay Z, ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’
Released in 2013, Jay Z’s ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ features artwork that was premiered in Salisbury Cathedral alongside the original copy of Magna Carta 1215, adding a historical and regal dimension to the album.
9. Drake, ‘Take Care’
Drake’s second album, ‘Take Care,’ released in 2011, features artwork by Martin “Drop” Wong. The cover depicts Drake seated at a table, surrounded by opulent antiques, conveying a sense of wealth and sophistication.
10. Kid Cudi, ‘Man On The Moon: The End Of The Day’
Kid Cudi’s ‘Man On The Moon: The End Of The Day’ showcases graphical artwork with Cudi emerging from the moon. Released in 2009, the album includes his breakthrough hit ‘Day N’ Nite.’
11. Ice Cube, ‘Death Certificate’
Ice Cube’s ‘Death Certificate,’ released in 1991, features a provocative cover that sparks debate, aligning with the album’s intense themes. Despite the controversy, the album achieved huge success.
12. Childish Gambino, ‘because the internet’
Known for pushing boundaries, Childish Gambino’s ‘because the internet’ features interactive artwork that comes to life, creating a unique visual experience for those with a hard copy of the album.
13. Lupe Fiasco, ‘Food And Liquor’
Lupe Fiasco’s ‘Food And Liquor’ cover art, designed by Chuck Anderson and Righteous Kung Fu, showcases the rapper surrounded by various items, inspired by a skateboard deck that Lupe owned. The eclectic mix reflects the diverse themes in the 2006 album.
14. Beastie Boys, ‘License To Ill’
Beastie Boys’ 1986 album, ‘License To Ill,’ features a Boeing 727 on its cover with the band’s name emblazoned on the tail. The tail includes the Def Jam logo and ‘3MTA3,’ which cleverly spells ‘EATME’ when viewed in a mirror.
15. Lauryn Hill, ‘The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill’
Released in 1998 at the peak of Lauryn Hill’s fame, ‘The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill’ features an album cover with the singer’s face intricately carved into a piece of wood, capturing the essence of the groundbreaking album.
16. The Pharcyde, ‘Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde’
Slick K2S’s artwork for The Pharcyde’s 1992 album, ‘Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde,’ depicts the rapper emerging from a tunnel on a fairground ride, contributing to the album’s whimsical and playful vibe.
17. A$AP Rocky, ‘Long. Live. A$AP’
Draped in an American flag, A$AP Rocky appears in two parts on the cover of ‘Long. Live. A$AP,’ his debut album released in January 2013. The patriotic imagery adds depth to the album’s visual narrative.
18. Outkast, ‘ATLiens’
‘ATLiens’ showcases cartoon versions of Big Boi and Andre 3000 on its cover. The animated theme continues throughout the album’s singles, contributing to the distinctive visual identity of Outkast.
19. Snoop Dogg, ‘Doggystyle’
Artist Joe Cool’s creation graces the cover of Snoop Dogg’s ‘Doggystyle,’ embodying the themes explored in the album. The iconic cover has become synonymous with Snoop Dogg’s early career.
20. Jay Z, ‘The Blueprint’
Released on September 11th, 2001, ‘The Blueprint’ cover features a captivating image of Jay Z, taken from above, smoking a guitar. The table next to him includes various items, including a microphone, adding layers to the visual narrative of this seminal album.
21. Kanye West, ‘Graduation’
The 2007 album ‘Graduation’ by Kanye West boasts cover art designed by Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. The visually striking artwork features Kanye’s iconic mascot, Dropout Bear, being launched into space.
22. Lil’ Wayne, ‘Tha Carter III’
Lil’ Wayne’s remarkable 2008 album ‘Tha Carter III’ showcases the rapper’s baby picture on its cover. Drawing inspiration from Nas’s ‘Illmatic’ and Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Ready to Die,’ both of which featured baby pictures of the artists, Lil’ Wayne’s album art pays homage to these hip-hop classics.
23. Nas, ‘Illmatic’
Nas’s influential 1999 album ‘Illmatic’ features a baby picture of the rapper superimposed on a street from the Queensbridge housing project. This iconic cover captures the essence of Nas’s roots and the gritty reality of his upbringing.
24. Kanye West, ‘Yeezus’
Renowned for pushing artistic boundaries, Kanye West’s ‘Yeezus’ (2013) took a minimalist approach to cover art—there wasn’t any. The album was housed within an empty CD case, sealed with a bold red tape, challenging traditional album cover conventions.
25. De La Soul, ‘3 Feet High And Rising’
The cover art for De La Soul’s 1989 studio album, ‘3 Feet High And Rising,’ was crafted by the radical British art collective, The Grey Organisation, led by Toby Mott and Paul Spencer. Having transitioned to New York, the collective, known for their work with artists like Public Enemy and The Rolling Stones, designed this visually eclectic artwork for De La Soul, adding a unique flair to the album’s visual identity.
