A lot of effort goes into making a great rap album. The lyrics have to be on point, the production needs to deliver a fresh sound, and maybe most importantly, the message in the music has to resonant with listeners. Rappers like Jay Z, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, and more have been able to find this balance on several projects, which is why we hold them in such high regard.
Unfortunately, the same can't always be said for their album covers. Sure, a fan typically won't worry about this layer of a rapper's creative expression if the music is legit. But it's become clear that they have gotten off the hook more than they deserve to when turning in less than impressive cover art. Here's A Recent History of Great Rap Albums With Wack Album Covers. These rappers' creative teams let us down.
The LOX, We Are the Streets (2000)
Missy Elliott, Miss E… So Addictive (2001)
Jay Z & R. Kelly, The Best of Both Worlds (2002)
Ghostface Killah, The Pretty Toney Album (2004)
Cam'ron, Purple Haze (2004)
50 Cent, The Massacre (2005)
Birdman & Lil Wayne, Like Father, Like Son (2006)
T.I., T.I. vs. T.I.P. (2007)
Common, Finding Forever (2007)
Talib Kweli, Eardrum (2007)
Ludacris, Theater of the Mind (2008)
Drake, Thank Me Later (2010)
Waka Flocka Flame, Flockaveli (2010)
Future, Pluto (2012)
Lupe Fiasco, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 (2012)
