When it comes to album covers in the world of rap, there are a few iconic designs that immediately come to mind, such as Kanye West’s bear or Snoop Dogg’s doggystyle. However, one trend that has quietly persisted in the genre is the use of white album covers.
The Power of Minimalism
One of the most well-known examples of a white album cover in rap was The Beatles’ self-titled album, commonly referred to as “The White Album.” Released in 1968, the album featured a stark white cover with the band’s name embossed in small letters. The lack of any visual imagery on the cover left the focus on the music itself, which included classic tracks such as “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Blackbird.”
In the world of rap, white album covers have often been utilized to achieve a similar minimalist effect. Without any visual distractions, the focus is on the music itself and the message the artist is trying to convey. For example, Lil Uzi Vert’s 2017 album “Luv Is Rage 2” featured a simple white cover with black text, showcasing the artist’s name and the album title in a sleek and modern font. The cover’s simplicity allowed for the focus to be on the music, which featured popular tracks such as “XO Tour Llif3” and “The Way Life Goes.”
The Symbolism of White
Another reason why white album covers are popular in rap is due to the symbolism associated with the color itself. Often associated with purity and simplicity, white can be used to convey a sense of clarity and focus. For example, the cover of rapper 6LACK’s 2020 album “6 PC HOT” featured a white cover with black text and minimalistic line drawings. The simplicity of the cover united with the album’s introspective, almost meditative tracks, created a cohesive and moving artistic statement.
