Behind the Covers

black-and-white-photography

1 cover story in our archive

Behind the Covers' archive includes 1 album cover documented under the "black and white photography" design theme, all from the 1980s. The cover sits within the hip-hop tradition and features work by Eric B. & Rakim. Each entry below includes the cover artwork, the designers and photographers behind it, and a short story about the visual choices that defined the release.

Paid in Full by Eric B. & Rakim — album cover art

Paid in Full by Eric B. & Rakim (1987)

The stark black and white portrait that launched a thousand hip-hop covers used the simplest possible concept: two artists, direct eye contact, no gimmicks. This minimalist approach became the template for serious rap album artwork.

Label
4th & B'way Records
Genre
Hip-Hop
Decade
1980s
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