'Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you and I'mma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!' The year was 2009 when Kanye West notoriously interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for “Best Female Video” at the VMAs. The cover is straightforward, clear and memorable- an instant classic, just like the music. The greyish- blue hue in the background perfectly compliments the depressive and emotionally vulnerable soundscape and lyrics of the albums- songs such as Coldest Winter lead Kanye West to reminisce on his mothers passing. The lifeline of the album is the empty percussive element of Kanye West utilizing the Rolan TR- 808 drum machine (hence the reference to 808s in the name). Reminiscent of Pop-Art’s simplicity, the cover proves brilliant as it foreshadows the themes that haunted Kanye West and that appear throughout his songs. This deflation communicates a sense of loneliness and emptiness while contrasting the solidity of the grey background. The mentally deflated Kanye West communicates his feelings with the shriveled heart on the center of the cover. Photographed by Kristen Yiengst and designed by both Virgil Abloh and Willo Perron, the cover showcases a deflated, red, heart-shaped balloon against a grey background with an obscure colour code bordering the left-side (a potential homage to the iconic graphic designer Peter Saville). 24, 2008, 808s & Heartbreak was melodic and minimalist, with Kanye singing in auto tune and barely rapping. Kanye West hinted that this album would be a sonic equivalent to the Pop Art movement. This crushing series of events became the seeds of themes that would later surface in West's album, 808s & Heartbreak. At around the same time, Kanye and his fiancée, Alexis Phifer, ended their engagement. 10, 2007, Kanye West’s mother, Donda West, died as a result of cosmetic-surgery complications. Throughout his storied and successful career, three of his later album covers showcase his versatility, meticulous thought, and captivating imagination. The designs of his covers are just as fundamental as the content of his highly acclaimed music. The notoriously unapologetic, multi-Grammy winning cultural icon has greatly influenced music as well as the artistry of album covers. Their wit, message, and visual allure have been become emblems of amazing bodies of music. Often, they are a listeners’ first point of entry to an artist’s album.

They are masterfully crafted artworks that intertwine beautifully with his music.Īlbum covers have long been awe-inspiring works of art their artistry being essential components to a musician’s sounds. Kanye West’s album covers are more than just packaging.

Kanye west album art