3 cover stories in our archive
Behind the Covers' archive includes 3 album covers documented under the "sci fi" design theme, spanning the 1990s, 2000s. These covers sit within the hip-hop, electronic tradition and feature work by OutKast, Air. 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.
OutKast's groundbreaking sophomore album cover transformed the duo into literal aliens landing in Atlanta's skyline, visualizing their concept of being outsiders in both hip-hop and their hometown. The stark sci-fi imagery marked a bold departure from typical rap album covers of the era.
OutKast's Stankonia cover transforms Big Boi and André 3000 into otherworldly beings through extreme digital manipulation, creating one of hip-hop's most surreal and futuristic album covers that perfectly matched their genre-defying musical experimentation.
Air's dreamy debut featured a mysterious retro-futuristic cover that perfectly captured the album's space-age bachelor pad aesthetic. The vintage-style illustration became an instant icon of late 90s electronic music design.