As y’all read this drop I am at a function celebrating the 25th anniversary of Def Jam thrown by the folks at Dr.Jays.com. While not the oldest label to produce rap music Def Jam is the longest running and the most storied. It seems that no matter what label your favorite artist is signed to he or she had to come to the Def Jam offices for something at some point.
Def Jam is to rap music what Stax is to soul music or Motown is to rhythm and blues. The label clearly defines the genre.
I thought we could take a trip down memory lane and look at some of my favorite cover art from the greatest label in the history of Hip-Hop.
Beastie Boys – ‘Licensed To Ill’
Quite possibly the best ghostwritten album of all time.
Jay-Z – ‘Reasonable Doubt’
Jiggaman was renting Bentleys before it became all trendy.
DMX – ‘It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot’
First disk from the incredible run that DMX had at Def Jam.
Redman – ‘Whut! Thee Album’
Hard to choose between this one and ‘Dare’ so I gave it to the debut.
Warren G – ‘Regulate’
The G Funk era at it’s zenith.
Foxy Brown – ‘Ill Na Na’
Fox Boogie was not lying about her ill na na. Get well Foxy.
Ludacris – ‘Chicken-n-Beer’
Not my fave Luda album but I love the cover art on this joint.
Public Enemy – ‘It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back’
One of the most hardbody rap album covers of all time.
LL Cool J – ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’
THE most hardbody rap album cover of all time.
EPMD – ‘Business As Usual’
My fave all time cover because it was drawn by BILL SIENKIEWICZ. If you don’t already know about son you need to get familiar.
Uhm… Reasonable Doubt was put out on Priority. They didn’t sign to Def Jam till the next album
a-one,
You are right sir. If I wasn’t so damn lazy I would replace that with another Redman album
Love the Mama Said Knock You Out cover (for my own personal reasons…Ladies love cool James!).
And the Beastie Boys plane is a straight classic. I still have that one at my mom’s house on vinyl.
True story– last week I was cleaning out my car and found my original It’s Dark & Hell is Hot CD in my trunk. Hadn’t seen that thing in at least 4 years. I proceeded to blast it, windows down, as I drove down Peachtree. Got caught at a light during the “Whose dick you suckin” skit. The side-eyes I received= Priceless.
That Regulate cover is one of my faves, too.
I would say that was one of the worst CD covers out of Jay-Z’s catalog. I never really cared for any of his CD cover.
Dare is a Darkside & Muddy Waters = Good Covers.
ONYX – ALL WE GOT IZ US !! was tight . . . well particularly because they took the concept for the cover from me!
Ye’s Graduation – the whole package was decent.
Luda -Word of Mouf
. . . wait a minute, D . . .
How are you not going to rep “Fear of a Black Planet” album cover. Talk about one of the all time best album covers ever. I’m still looking for a t-shirt with that cover.
Good post nonetheless.
. . . I always have been fond of the ROots covers because they really put thought into the title and cover of their projects.
. . . not really considered Def Jam rap cover but Rihanna cover with Good Girl Gone Bad is tight.
I supposed I could post FOABP cover… Again.
Or I could hop around the place and show mad people love for what they do.
So many great creative people have been putting in work.
Angela, you nasty. I love you. LOL
I think JT Smith’s “Radio” was classic, in the same “Licensed” vein, maybe more so than “Mama Said..” If only for the taco meat & nipples [||].
But for that matter, “Walking with a….” was ill too. Who the fuck has a live panther on an album cover, in hip hop @ least? Them niggas wouldve be tryin to Mike Vick/DMX it.
Somebody should do an art exhibit in regards to hip hop Cover art. That would be sick, if done right. G’head DP, you can use that [||].
I still remember the day I got “It’s Yours”. My Mom probably remembers it too.
Dominating, illustrating, description giving, adjective expert…
Still holds up. So I’m riding w/ the original 12″ covers.
(Shouts to Zulu)
Ah…Def Jam, from 1984-1999 they had an excellent run. Now you have to wave guns in their faces just to promote your ass if you’re name isn’t KanyeNasYoungJeezyRickRoss….How the fuck did Electrik Red only move 5000 units in their first week? Can’t wait for Fab to flop next week, either. Welcome to the family, Big Boi!