Top 10 Most Absurd Mixtape Covers

One of the less talked about consequences of the move toward digital music is the potential death of the album cover. Sure, visuals will probably always play a role in the sale (or at least promotion) of music, but is the current conception of cover art + liner notes on the verge of distinction? Who knows. In my estimation, the more important question is this: What’s going to happen to the mixtape cover?

The mixtape cover is the ugly stepchild of the Album Cover, but it suits hip-hop right down to the bone. Topical references and “sampling” from pop culture? These trappings of hip-hop music find their visual manifestation in bizarre references to TV and Hollywood films, from Seinfeld to Nightmare on Elm St. “Aggressive content” and flashiness? Photoshopped images of money, booty, and hard liquor are worth 1,000 verses. Ultimately, mixtapes are pressed and released to the streets so fast that they do not even attempt to have shelf life—they can be as current as this week and they don’t need to get past the Wal-Mart censors to move copies. That, in a nutshell, is why they are often so incredible.

What I’ve compiled here are some of my favorites, leaning mostly toward current releases. But hit up MixtapeTorrent.com and you’ll see this list is far from complete. Let me know your favorites in the comments—I can’t get enough of this shit…

Jadakiss, The Predator

Jada oeuvre offers many good examples of a common mixtape cover strategy (e.g., movie references that basically have nothing to do with anything), and here he combines it with the slightly less common video game reference. Film allusions range from the topical (Young Dro’s I Am Legend tape) to the classic (Young Jeezy The Mixtape Monster), while video game shououts are generally either silly (The Supa Mario tape) or completely awesome (Curren$y’s Techmo Super Bowl). But how can you compete with Predator meets Gears of War? Maybe ‘Kiss is angling for a spot in an AVP sequel.

Tony Yayo, 00YAYO

If we want to talk aggressive cover art, Fiddy’s actual albums certainly rank pretty high—starting out looking brolic behind a bullet hole, he then transformed into a steroid-ridden comic-book character, and finally a bizarrely anguished loner. G-Unit mixtape covers are also pretty great on the whole, but give props to the worst rapper in the crew for trumping his compadres with this beyond-stupid title and hilariously ironic attempt to look suave (imagine him doing the “Yayo dance” in that getup and try to keep a straight face). The broke-ass looking Hallie Berry stand-in is icing on the cake.

Hell Rell, For the Hell of It and Black Mask, Black Gloves

Ok, ok—I’m cheating. But Ruger Rell chooses mixtape-style art for his real album covers, and for that he must be saluted. The bullets-for-teeth was probably the greatest marketing ploy someone of his stature could ever pull. When your music doesn’t have the blogs going nuts, a mouth full of artillery surely will. Splendid and tremendous.

D-Block, Jedi Knightschool

Jedi Knightschool? This looks like it was created by someone who is in Literal Night School (for “Beginning Graphic Design”). I guess Jada’s mixtape tomfoolery has spread to the rest of D-Block. (For the record, Jedi Large Amounts is an amazing name.)

Remy Ma, Shesus Khrist

Nas caught all sorts of flack for his “Hate Me Now” video back in ’99, but last summer Remy Ma let the world know that Jesus is not only black—she’s also a woman! I would love to know what Mel Gibson thinks of Shesus Khrist. At the very least, you’ve got admit that Ma’s theory would have made Renaissance paintings more interesting (and a lot less gay). My favorite part is the scroll at the bottom: “Y’all Bitches Working on Y’all Albums Go Back to the Studio Immediately.” WWRMD!

Crooked I, St. Valentine’s Day Bossacre

Something about this cartoonish cover reminds me of GI Joe, so maybe there’s a bit of nostalgia wrapped up in its appeal. But mostly it’s the title that’s the kicker. The term bossacre should really catch on.

Rhymefest, The Man in the Mirror

This is a real thought-provoking and bizarre joint from Rhymefest. Let me get this straight…when Michael Jackson looks in the mirror, he sees the most popular “Everyman” rapper since Joe Budden? I guess that makes sense. And I bet when ‘Fest looks in the mirror he sees Kanye.

Heltah Skeltah, D.I.R.T.

A real throwback for Sean P. and Rock in 2008. This wild photoshop job combines all the elements of a great mixtape cover—random mayhem, a silly acronymic title, and inexplicable costumes. Top marks.

Lil Wayne, The Rapper Eater

Movie homages are the norm, but this one wins points for literalizing Weezy’s nickname and referencing one of the most absurd scenes from Hannibal, a film I can definitely imagine him watching and laughing like a maniac when that dude with no face gets eaten by flesh-eating pigs. Baby also looks like Casper the Gangster Ghost hovering in the backdrop. Again, I count that as a positive.

The Young Ones, Young, Fly, and Fresh

Who the FUCK are these little dudes? Do they think it’s still the early ‘90s. Kris-Kross and Color Me Bad were a fad, lil’ homeys. There is literally no explanation for the fact that you have a track called “Young Bosses,” and another called “Young Hogs.” (I may actually buy this…)

Freekey Zekey, Henney and a Cigarette

There’s a strong tradition in the South of mixtape covers featuring ass and titties, usually of the enormous variety. Money stacks, alcohol, fire (?), and other cartoonish trappings of hip-hop culture also feature prominently. But while there are probably better examples of this style out there, Freekey Zekey really looks like a grade-A clown popping up amidst this little still life of sin. Dipset!

Big Bear, Doin Thangs

I think this is an actual album. It makes me laugh for various reasons. “This Cristal is a little flat. This Cristal is too warm. But this Cristal is just right!”