Behind the Covers

classic hip-hop

1 cover story in our archive

Behind the Covers' archive includes 1 album cover documented under the "classic hip hop" design theme, all from the 1990s. The cover sits within the hip-hop tradition and features work by Jay-Z. 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.

Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z — album cover art

Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z (1996)

Jonathan Mannion's stark black-and-white portrait of a young Jay-Z became hip-hop's most iconic debut cover, shot in a single session that would define rap album photography for decades to come.

Label
Roc-A-Fella Records
Photographer
Jonathan Mannion
Genre
Hip-Hop
Decade
1990s
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