They say not to judge a book by it’s cover but, I strongly disagree that this rule is applied to cover arts as if for anything, a song’s cover art should be the perfect avenue for artistes to create an aesthetic that symbolizes the music.
Over the years in the Nigerian music industry, one can not argue that the music history in the country isn’t riddled with a series of downright horrendous cover arts. From repulsive, offensive down to surreal arts, music lovers in the country have had to swallow the bitter pill of coming to terms with the fact that many of their favorite are not it.
We have seen acts risk questioning their reputation over their choice of questionable cover arts to many affirming their non-creativity.
In no particular order, here are 5 cover arts that are hilariously horrifying.
Vector – Tetracyling
It is a worldwide known fact that humans poop but I doubt we all need to be reminded of that when listening to music. Vector, in his diss track to fellow rapper M.I had more stomachs churning from the terrible terrible art cover which created the perfect imagery of one having the spend their day in a toilet full of watery shit with its need to create a replica of the antibiotic drug Tetracycline. Of course, I must acknowledge the witty play of words in the title, this, however, quickly turns to disgust upon seeing the cover art, so, nah. I sincerely do not know who we need to feel bad for here, Vector or the consumers who were made to listen to a mix of 2011 Vector and 2012 Hangman of Ruff Rugged And Raw.
Orezi – Born Broke Die Rich
Orezi is the poster child for ridiculous cover arts. It is no secret that cover arts are a medium for the artiste to give an insight into the music being released but this was not the case as singer Orezi for the song ‘Born Broke Die Rich’ posed with a N1000 note in flames while struggling to come across as confident and sexy but in fact having his eyes say all that is needed to know with the semi-craze look in it. The need to ridicule the power of the Naira down to the title of the song not in anyway tallying with the cover art makes this monstrosity a no no for me.
Skales – The Never Say Never Guy
I mean it’s Skales, and to be honest, not much creativity is expected here but I dare say, we were not prepared for the ‘orgy’ portrayed by the use of colors sliced through the body.
Solidstar – W.E.E.D
Sometimes, the best thing that can happen to any cover art is for the face of the artiste not to be on it. I mean if your album is titled ‘Witness Everything Exceptionally Different’ with the acronym WEED which when thought about literary is a substance that helps calm one, now imagine having that in mind and seeing your favorite with a crack on his face, huh, hard pass. I guess his team somehow could get a word in as the picture used on the other side of the art, sees Solidstar turning his face away. Like I said, sometimes it is best if the face of the artiste is nowhere to be found on the cover art.
CDQ – Quality
Who else suddenly feels the pangs of hunger hitting at them upon sighting what the rapper and his stylist term mink? From the terrible usage of the gradient effect down to the costume employed for the creation of this cover art, this creation is in fact far from what the album title sought to preach.
Written by: Tope Delano
