Album Covers

What makes a good album cover? Well, obviously it’s subjective and everyone is going to have there own ideas of what makes good art.

Some of them are made good because of how much you like an artist and may not seem significant to non-fans. A simple picture of the group, or artist, can be special to a fan, but may seem plain to those that aren’t big fans, or even know who that group or artist is.

All of the above being said, here are some that I thought of, mostly off the top of my head, that are great and some that are not. I’m sure I’m missing some that I like or hate, but I had to cut myself short, because this had the potential to really get out of hand.

Great LP Covers

This is a small list of great album covers. I’ll explain a little about the artwork and a quick synopsis of the actual music. I also tried to keep it to one per artist, because some have consistently great artwork and I didn't want to post a 12 page article. Here are some (and I know I’m missing a lot, feel free to share your faves):

The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die













Artwork: I like simple, uncluttered stuff. The album artwork is real simple and clean. I always loved this cover featuring a small child (maybe Big’s, maybe Puff’s, I was unable to find this info).

Music: Classic. This LP is an all-around great piece of music, including the intro, which may be one of the best intros ever.

Nas - Illmatic













Artwork: Nas as a child over his childhood home. Again, a pretty simple concept, but a great.

Music: Another classic. Sometimes I think the artwork, or cover, can be seen as even better than it is when the music is so good. I’m not saying that’s the case here, because I really do like the artwork, but great artwork can be seen as even better when the music is on point.

A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders













Artwork: Man, this is one of my favorites ever. Just the fact that they had all those other dudes on their album was a cool idea to me. For some reason, I thought my CD was green, but all I could find was the above picture and I can’t find my CD right now.

Music: This is my favorite Tribe LP. I mean this is a great LP with some classic tracks (Electric Relaxation, Steve Biko, Award Tour, We Can Get Down, Clap Your Hands, Oh My God). All of those songs could easily be in my top 100 songs of all-time.

Beastie Boys - Check Your Head













Artwork: It’s pretty simple. All their albums have had great artwork, but this is my favorite. This is one where being a huge fan really makes the artwork better. Black and white with the Beasties showing off their respective instruments, which they decided to pick up for this album.

Music: I’m a huge fan and this is my favorite album from them. Just like Tribe, there are a couple different albums that could be considered my favorite at any time. To me, this album is solid all the way through and the instrumentals work well in the flow of this LP. I didn’t quite feel the same way with Ill Communication, but it’s still a great piece of music.

Camp Lo - Uptown Saturday Night













Artwork: This is lame, but I don’t remember what this artwork is an interpolation of. I know the title is from the old movie of the same title, but I feel like the artwork was from something else, maybe Cooley high?

Music: This is definitely one of my favorite albums and I can just listen to it all the way through without skipping a track.

Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back













Artwork: This is just an iconic image for hip-hop heads. If you’re a PE fan, you remember the video for Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos.

Music: “I got a letter from the government the other day, I opened and read it, it said they were suckers.” Great album and arguably the best from PE.

EPMD - Business As Usual













Artwork: I dig this artwork and EPMD is one of my favorite groups. This isn’t my favorite album from the duo, but it has the best art of all their albums.

Music: It’s a great album and I actually think I like it better than when I first got it, and I liked it then. EPMD was talking about the pitfalls of Gold Diggers before Mr. West and made some music with LL before he got bit by a shark.

Masta Ace - Disposable Arts













Artwork: Everything on this cover is cool. The angle and the lighting, just lounging’ in the street on a car seat. It’s just a real cool picture and Ace is my favorite emcee, so that helps I’m sure.

Music: DA was a triumphant return from MA. This album is what TNT would call a ‘new classic’ if they played music instead of Jason Bourne movies.

The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde













Artwork: It’s a bit infantile when you view the entire thing, but the artwork is great.

Music: “I got a letter from the DMV the other day, I opened and read it, it said they were suckers.” This is one of those albums that just holds a special place in the pantheon of 90’s hip-hop. One of the few west coast artists that bucked the gangster trend and just had fun.

Tha Alkaholiks - 21 and Over













Artwork: There’s just something about the view from inside the fridge as the Liks partake in one of their favorite past times. It’s simple, but it fit’s the group perfectly.

Music: It’s a short album, but a classic. The entire album is perfect for that party that you’ve been wanting to throw, so just put this on repeat and get your drink on. Tha Liks are one of those groups that I’ve had numerous people (non-rap fans) comment on how much they like them when I play one of their CD’s. How they never just blew up, I don’t know.

Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)













Artwork: This is one of those covers that just fit in with the Wu. It’s raw, like the Wu was one the first hit the seen. I imagine it looks even better in the form of a vinyl cover, where the title and W symbol would fit a little better.

Music: I remember not being into Wu-Tang the first time I heard Protect Ya Neck, but then I came to my senses. It’s a phenomenal piece of music and a great debut.

Bad LP Covers

There are a lot of albums that I could probably put in here, but I tried to relegate the list to stuff I own, or artists I like, with the exception of Lil’ Flip. Pretty much all of those LP’s from the south back in the late 90’s/early aught could go in here (No Limit, etc.).

Again, I could have went nuts here, so here’s just a small list:

Nas - I Am…













Artwork: Okay, the It Was Written made sense, it seemed to complete the gap from child Nas to adult Nas, but here he’s a pharaoh from the future I guess. I don’t know, he pushed it.

Music: After Illmatic, I bought the next 2 albums and they both disappointed. This LP has the classic “Nas Is Like” and that’s about it from what I remember. It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to anything from here except “Nas Is Like“.

Goodie M.O.B. - World Party













Artwork: Goodie M.O.B. caves in to all the artwork from the south during the time that this LP came out. Nothing bothers me more than when people copy something that’s popular, especially when that something popular is lame (see Autotune).

Music: There was some alright stuff on here, but I really didn’t get into this album much.

Lil’ Flip - I Need Mine













Artwork: I don’t own this. I just think this is one of the most ridiculous covers I’ve ever seen, so I had to include it. Who does this appeal to? If I was living in the ghetto or the trailer park, I’d want to beat the holy living hell out of this guy, not run out and buy his album. I think he covers all the stereotypes here (grill, money, jewelry). The capper here is the giant wad of cash, which has always been lame as hell to me, whether it was Pac or lame ass Lil’ Flip.

Music: I’m sure it’s awesome. I mean, he has Lil’ in his name. That’s original.

Heltah Skeltah - D.I.R.T.












Artwork - This cover makes me laugh. I think that’s what they were going for, but it still looks goofy.

Music: I was really impressed with this album. It definitely was a surprise to me. It’s worth picking up.

Binary Star - Masters of the Universe













Artwork: I think my little cousin drew this. It’s a real goofy cover, but it’s an extremely indy album, so I guess I’ll let it go.

Music: Oh, and it’s a great album, so who cares about the artwork really. Buy it if you can find it.

If you're checking this blog out, you probably have most of these albums, but here's a download with a track from every album above, with the exception of Lil' Flip:

Download it Here

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Where's The Book, Dammit?!?!

I'm wrapping up "Raising Hell: The Rise, The Ruin and The Redemption of Run DMC", by Ronin Ro. It's not the greatest book of all time, but it's been extremely entertaining. I credit Run DMC with getting me into hip hop to begin with, and probably the single most important group in the genre's history, so to read an in depth book on them has been interesting to say the least.

On my nearly hour commute this morning, it got me thinking, and not just about about how many hours left until the upcoming three day weekend neither. I was thinking what groups/artists would I want to read a "no-holds barred" biography on. It would have to be entertaining, have to be some juicy back stories, and some dissension and conflict are always entertaining sub-plots to have.

In the end, I came up with these five as my most wanted to read bio's.....

The Pharcyde

If you are going to write a book on an artist or group, the subject matter has to be fairly interesting, which means you need conflict, deception, and angst. Let's face it, the history of the Pharcyde contains all of that. From starting off as dancers and pop lockers, the story that I've read about them dancing in an after school boys club and how they came together, always sounded mad interesting. Then of course, you have the near infamous stories that you occasionally catch from the Pharcyde manor day, in which you had every hanger on sleeping on the couches, while the four member crew was usually high as hell. Everything was all happy go-lucky during the Bizarre Ride days, but it's also been documented that things went south fairly quick with rumors of drug abuse by both J-Swift (the fifth Pharcyde member) and Fatlip. There is a reason for the change in tone between the first album and the second album. What was it? Inquiring minds need to know

The stuff that has been heard about how the group handled the whole Fatlip episode would be great reading material after Labcabin.. was released. I'm sure there is a shitload of "behind the scenes" stories to come out of that whole incident. Including an incident with him and Imani at a Blaze Battle at the House of Blues back toward the late 90's. Slim Kid Tre was the next to bolt, and again, cats felt jaded by it.

I'd read their biography, not only because they are one of my all-time favorite groups, but their story sounds like a great read. I have it from my behind the scenes contacts, that their is currently a....I won't even call this cat a blogger, because he's so much better than a "blogger", but a writer that is well known on the internets that is looking into doing their biography. Let's hope that goes through.

Masta Ace

I know Ace has been talking about doing his biography for the past few years now, and hopefully he has the chance to follow through on it. Ace's story is interesting in many aspects. He didn't get his start until AFTER he graduated from college. He won the opprotunity to record with Marley through a contest, way back in the day. That's the makings for a good book just right there. But it doesn't stop there, the split from Cold Chillin' is something that hasn't been covered all that much. I'm sure it's like most of the other artist splitting from Cold Chillin', which has a reputation for being somewhat shady.

The Inc. was a close knit bunch at one time. Both of Ace's Inc. albums portrayed a group of individuals that had Ace's back, then all of a sudden, things went south. There were rumors of some deceit going on behind the ranks with Ace and Digga. Not sure where that put Paula Perry in the whole mess. I'm not sure how many people now the story behind Ace and Leschea, but let's just say there is your romantic tale for the book.

After the Inc failed, Ace got signed to Big Beat, in a deal that failed miserably. Again, great material for those not in the know, and there isn't many in the know. I don't know much about that deal, and I'm a self professed Ace stan. Of course, Ace probably hasn't the greatest "comeback" in hip hop history, with coming back with the Disposable Arts and A Long Hot Summer releases and even the eMC album is worth reading about.

Hopefully this gets done as well. Ace is an interesting character that has been through a lot. You'd have Juice Crew history all the way to still being relevant in the 21st century. Not many can claim that.

HOLD UP!!!! Marco Polo & Torae welcome Masta Ace & Sean Price to the Double Barrel album. HOLD UP!!!! We're leaking yet another track off Marco Polo & Torae's "Double Barrel" album in stores June 2nd. HOLD UP!!! Vinyl heads can purchase the "Double Barrel" single today at Fat Beats featuring "Double Barrel" b/w "Hold Up" & "Combat Drills."

Download "Hold Up" featuring Sean Price & Masta Ace:

http://bit.ly/WJcnP

Link to Purchase Marco Polo & Torae's "Double Barrel" Single Vinyl at FatBeats:

http://bit.ly/10xsL8

Link to Pre-Order Marco Polo & Torae's 'Double Barrel' album at Duck Down's Store:

http://bit.ly/Jdtws

Eazy-E/N.W.A.

I have to believe this will happen sooner rather than later. Yes, there has been plenty written on the subject already. Most of us that have any interest in the subject have read most of the material that has been dropped on the subject. Several books that deal with Dre's history (Have Gun, Will Travel and others) and his role in NWA, but it'd be nice to hear from Ren and Yella about the subject. Even Cube hasn't really dropped a lot of knowledge via books on the subject. It'd be nice to read some of the more insider knowledge from the various cats that were around during the time. I'd love to know more about that NWA & The Posse album that dropped before NWA beginning their gangsta rap rule. I'd like to hear about some of the obscure groups and artists that appear on it.

Eazy is already lost, a full fledged written history about one of the more important groups in hip hop history (both positively and negatively) needs to be done, and like yesterday.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1622-NY-Hip-Hop-Music-Examiner~y2009m3d9-NWA-is-coming-to-a-theater-near-you

KRS-One/Boogie Down Productions

From homelessness to being one of the top three MCs our generation has ever seen? Tell me that's not some straight up book/movie shit right there! Again, a lot has this topic has been covered already and KRS isn't shy to talk about it, but it'd be great to have him get really in depth with it. I'm sure more light can be shed on who Scott LaRock was. Yes, I've read a bunch of stuff printed about him, but I'm sure there is more.

Those years, '84-'86 are just real interesting time for hip hop in general. Then to top it off, you have one of the greatest battles in hip hop history, with the Bridge Wars. To have that time period thoroughly documented would only be a blessing for future generations in this genre. There is also those days of kicking it in the legendary hip hop hot spots, such as the Roxy, Danceteria, Latin Quarters and others that I could read about all day if I had to.

Kris' career spans over three decades (soon to be four, doesn't look like he is slowing down), the things dude has seen, is probably not rivaled by very many other MCs out there. Of course, you'd probably want someone else writing this, KRS doing it, it might be a little to far out there. Other than that, the dude is walking treasure trove of knowledge, no matter what you think of him as a person or as an artist, it would be great to tap that mind and drain the knowledge.

EPMD

Just the taste you got from their chapter in Brian Coleman's "Check The Technique" book, was more than I had ever read on the pair from Long Island. They have an interesting story on how they came together and started making records. I'm sure it could have been even more in depth than what was covered in Coleman's book (which is a great read none the less and should be read by anyone that considers themselves a hip hop head). They done the tours with the likes of LL Cool J, Public Enemy, NWA, Run DMC, they've seen the road in their early years and they saw great success for a hip hop group back then.

Of course all that took a dive, when one of the more bizarre stories in hip hop history took place. At the root of most hip hop beefs, money. But you usually don't hire thugs to go rob your own partner. That's supposedly what happened between Erick and Parrish, with E (allegedly) sending some goons to collect. The crazy thing was Parrish still stuck around AFTER this all went down to finish the tour. How would it be to be a fly on the wall on some of those backstage after shows parties?

The story is still going strong. Reading about how they brought it back together would be interesting, although they have never had the same chemistry that they had before. Get this done, like yesterday.

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