You’re looking at the official album cover for Guns n Roses’ much ballyhooed album, Chinese Democracy. Sure, Axl is a tool and Duff McKagan is a creep, but the point is they make great music and they sure as hell make some interesting album covers. The only thing this cover has in common with a typical rap artwork is the redundant self-promotion: GNR appears on it 3 times. Rappers already have that part down to an art.
The focal point of this cover, however, is a simple yet strong visual. Something that most hip-hop covers lack today. An effective album cover not only speaks volumes about an artist’s source of inspiration, but it also conveys an album’s core message. Besides a handful of imaginative artists (The Roots and El-P come to mind), most rappers are content with uninspired album covers that feature one of the following 3 cliches:
i) the bored look headshot
ii) the “tough guy” mean mug shot, and
iii) the “LL Cool J” pose
Why are hip-hoppers so reluctant to attempt anything beyond the norm? The technology is readily available, and there are people who would gladly design a creative artwork for cheap. My guess is that many rappers are scared of being pigeonholed for being “too different” or esoteric. I find that funny, because what ends up happening is they get placed in a box anyway, for not trying. Only this time that box is boldly labeled “complacent.”
In a music environment rife with complacency and with bazillions of artists competing for my attention, I want an album cover that speaks to me. Hell, I want an artwork that reaches out and grabs me by the arm as I’m strolling through the aisle. Is that too much to ask for?
