20+ best rap album covers that still inspire artists to date
The best rap album covers blend powerful visuals with cultural impact, creating images that stand the test of time. Covers like Nas’ Illmatic, The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready to Die, Eminem’s The Eminem Show, and Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy exemplify this mastery. These iconic albums remain defining symbols of rap’s legacy.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Rap album covers that changed the game for music and art
- 21. Illmatic – Nas
- 20. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) – Wu-Tang Clan
- 19. Straight Outta Compton – N.W.A
- 18. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City – Kendrick Lamar
- 17. The Chronic – Dr. Dre
- 16. The College Dropout – Kanye West
- 15. Stankonia – Outkast
- 14. Watch the Throne – Jay-Z & Kanye West
- 13. Ready to Die – The Notorious B.I.G.
- 12. Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life – Jay-Z
- 11. Graduation – Kanye West
- 10. Tha Carter III – Lil Wayne
- 9. The Slim Shady LP – Eminem
- 8. Licensed to Ill – Beastie Boys
- 7. All Eyez on Me – 2Pac
- 6. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – Outkast
- 5. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ – 50 Cent
- 4. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill
- 3. The Score – Fugees
- 2. The Marshall Mathers LP – Eminem
- 1. The Eminem Show – Eminem
- Which are the best rap album covers of the 2010s?
- What is the most iconic rap album cover?
- What is the most famous rap album cover?
Key takeaways
- Nas’ Illmatic is considered one of the most iconic rap album covers, renowned for its raw storytelling and simplicity.
- The College Dropout by Kanye West introduced personal, creative imagery with its mascot theme.
- Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) popularised dark, masked group portraits in hip-hop visuals.
- Kanye West’s Graduation, designed by Takashi Murakami, broke rap aesthetics with anime-inspired art.
Rap album covers that changed the game for music and art
In compiling the best rap album covers, we considered the album's influence within the hip-hop world and its global sales performance. This ranking reflects historical impact and commercial success, acknowledging that opinions on design remain subjective. The list draws on data and insights from reputable sources, including Magnetic Magazine, Billboard, and Revolt.
| Rank | Album | Artist name | US sales (millions) | Worldwide sales (millions) |
| 1 | The Eminem Show | Eminem | 12 | 27+ |
| 2 | The Marshall Mathers LP | Eminem | 11 | 25+ |
| 3 | The Score | Fugees | 7 | 22+ |
| 4 | The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill | Lauryn Hill | 10 | 20+ |
| 5 | Get Rich or Die Tryin’ | 50 Cent | 9 | 12+ |
| 6 | Speakerboxxx/The Love Below | Outkast | 6 | 11+ |
| 7 | All Eyez on Me | 2Pac | 6+ | 10.6+ |
| 8 | Licensed to Ill | Beastie Boys | 10 | 10.5+ |
| 9 | The Slim Shady LP | Eminem | 4 | 8.5+ |
| 10 | Tha Carter III | Lil Wayne | 8 | 8.3+ |
| 11 | Graduation | Kanye West | 7 | 7+ |
| 12 | Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life | Jay-Z | 6+ | 7+ |
| 13 | Ready to Die | The Notorious B.I.G. | 6+ | 6.3+ |
| 14 | Watch the Throne | Jay-Z & Kanye West | 5 | 5.5+ |
| 15 | Stankonia | Outkast | 5 | 5+ |
| 16 | The College Dropout | Kanye West | 4 | 5+ |
| 17 | The Chronic | Dr. Dre | 3 | 5+ |
| 18 | Good Kid, M.A.A.D City | Kendrick Lamar | 3 | 4+ |
| 19 | Straight Outta Compton | N.W.A | 3 | 3.5+ |
| 20 | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | Wu-Tang Clan | 3 | 3.5+ |
| 21 | Illmat | Nas | 1 | 2+ |
21. Illmatic – Nas
Source: UGC
- Release year: 1994
- Chart performance: #12 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified Platinum (1 million)
- Worldwide sales: 2 million+
Illmatic’s cover places a childhood photo of Nas over a blurred Queensbridge streetscape, merging. Although it debuted at #12 and sold modestly compared to later classics, its influence is monumental. Illmatic is considered a blueprint for authentic hip-hop artistry and cover design.
20. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) – Wu-Tang Clan
Source: UGC
- Release year: 1993
- Chart performance: #41 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: 3 million+
- Worldwide sales: 3.5 million+
Released in 1993, the cover of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) shows nine masked members in a dark, grainy image that sets the tone for hardcore rap. It peaked at #41 but later went triple Platinum in the US.
19. Straight Outta Compton – N.W.A
Source: UGC
- Release year: 1988
- Chart performance: #37 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 3× Platinum (3 million)
- Worldwide sales: 3.5 million+
The cover shows N.W.A’s five members—Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella—towering over a camera lens in an alley. Straight Outta Compton reached #37 on the Billboard 200 but became a cultural landmark.
18. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City – Kendrick Lamar
Source: UGC
- Release year: 2012
- Chart performance: #2 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 3× Platinum (3 million)
- Worldwide sales: 4 million+
The cover presents a faded Polaroid of Kendrick Lamar's family in a modest living room, with black bars obscuring their eyes. This imagery mirrors the autobiographical themes of the album, billed as “a short film.” It entered the charts at number two and later achieved triple-Platinum certification in the US.
17. The Chronic – Dr. Dre
- Release year: 1992
- Chart performance: #3 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 3× Platinum (3 million)
- Worldwide sales: 5 million+
The Chronic’s artwork resembles Zig-Zag rolling papers, with Dr. Dre’s framed portrait at the centre. The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and later earned triple-Platinum certification in the US. Its iconic packaging became inseparable from Dre’s reinvention of West Coast sound.
16. The College Dropout – Kanye West
Source: UGC
- Release year: 2004
- Chart performance: #2 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 4× Platinum (4 million)
- Worldwide sales: 5.1 million+
The College Dropout cover features a teddy bear mascot seated on a wooden bench. It debuted at #2 and won the Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2005. The hand-crafted, nostalgic design has over 5 million worldwide sales.
15. Stankonia – Outkast
Source: UGC
- Release year: 2000
- Chart performance: #2 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 5× Platinum (5 million)
- Worldwide sales: 5 million+
Released in 2000, Stankonia’s cover features a distorted American flag in black, green, and white with bold block lettering at the top. The album debuted at #2 and won the 2002 Grammy for Best Rap Album.
14. Watch the Throne – Jay-Z & Kanye West
Source: UGC
- Release year: 2011
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 5× Platinum (5 million)
- Worldwide sales: 5.5 million+
Designed by Riccardo Tisci, the cover features an embossed gold pattern with intricate geometric detailing. The album dominated charts on release and quickly earned multi-Platinum status in the US. It had worldwide sales exceeding 5 million.
13. Ready to Die – The Notorious B.I.G.
Source: UGC
- Release year: 1994
- Chart performance: #15 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 6× Platinum (6 million)
- Worldwide sales: 6.3 million+
The album cover features a wide-eyed baby with an afro against a plain white backdrop. This stark minimalism contrasted sharply with the album’s raw themes of life and mortality. Ready to Die peaked at #15 but went on to achieve six-times Platinum status in the US.
12. Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life – Jay-Z
Source: UGC
- Release year: 1998
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: 6 million+
- Worldwide sales: 7 million+
The cover presents Jay-Z in a sharp suit, leaning on one of his favorite cars (the Bentley Azure 97), reflecting the album’s polished, street-meets-luxury theme. This release marked his major commercial breakthrough, topping the Billboard 200 and winning a Grammy for Best Rap Album.
11. Graduation – Kanye West
- Release year: 2007
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 7× Platinum (7 million)
- Worldwide sales: 7 million+
The vibrant cover, designed by Japanese artist KAWS, depicts Kanye’s Dropout Bear mascot blasted into space amid bold, animated graphics. The album topped the charts, won a Grammy, and sold 7 million copies in the US.
10. Tha Carter III – Lil Wayne
Source: UGC
- Release year: 2008
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 8× Platinum (8 million)
- Worldwide sales: 8.3 million+
The cover shows Lil Wayne shirtless, tattoos exposed, wearing sunglasses and gold chains against blazing orange flames. Tha Carter III opened at number one and became the best-selling US album of 2008, moving over a million copies in its debut week.
9. The Slim Shady LP – Eminem
- Release year: 1999
- Chart performance: #2 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 4× Platinum (4 million)
- Worldwide sales: 8.5 million+
The cover presents rapper Eminem sitting on a chair, blond-haired and brooding, while a baby lies on the floor. The unsettling imagery mirrored Slim Shady’s unpredictable persona, sparking endless conversation. The album’s sharp lyrics and shocking visuals helped it peak at #2 on the Billboard 200.
8. Licensed to Ill – Beastie Boys
Source: UGC
- Release year: 1986
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified Diamond (10 million)
- Worldwide sales: 10.5 million+
Licensed to Ill’s cover shows a Boeing 727 jet with Beastie Boys branding. It became the first rap album to hit #1 on Billboard and later achieved Diamond certification in the US. This rock-inspired visual helped expand hip-hop’s mainstream reach.
7. All Eyez on Me – 2Pac
Source: UGC
- Release year: 1996
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: 6 million+
- Worldwide sales: 10.6 million+
The artwork portrays the American rapper 2Pac against a stark black backdrop, flashing the “Westside” hand sign with a piercing gaze. The double-disc album stormed the charts and became one of the best-selling rap records of all time. It has sold over 6 million units in the US and more than 10.6 million worldwide.
6. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – Outkast
Source: UGC
- Release year: 2003
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified Diamond (13× Platinum combined; 6.5M per disc)
- Worldwide sales: 11 million+
The cover splits into two panels: Big Boi poses on a golden throne in a fur coat on the left, while André 3000 appears shirtless with a white cap on the right. The record topped the charts and secured Album of the Year at the 2004 Grammys. It moved 13 million units in the US and approximately 11 million globally.
5. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ – 50 Cent
Source: UGC
- Release year: 2003
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 9× Platinum (9 million)
- Worldwide sales: 12 million+
The cover features 50 Cent shirtless, framed against a shattered red-glass backdrop. This aggressive image captured the essence of 50 Cent’s street-hardened persona. The album opened with an explosive 872,000 first-week sales and topped the Billboard 200.
4. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill
Source: UGC
- Release year: 1998
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified Diamond (10 million)
- Worldwide sales: 20 million+
This artwork portrays Lauryn Hill’s face carved into a wooden school desk. The album’s release sparked a cultural shift, debuting at #1 and sweeping the Grammys with five wins. With 10 million sales in the US and 20 million worldwide, it stands as a landmark record.
3. The Score – Fugees
Source: UGC
- Release year: 1996
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: 7× Platinum (7 million)
- Worldwide sales: 22 million+
The minimalist cover features silhouetted profiles of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras, arranged in a cinematic composition. Chart dominance and Grammy recognition secured its legacy, with sales reaching 7 million in the US and 22 million worldwide.
2. The Marshall Mathers LP – Eminem
Source: UGC
- Release year: 2000
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: 11× Platinum (11 million)
- Worldwide sales: 25 million+
The sepia-toned cover shows Eminem sitting on the steps of his childhood home, evoking nostalgia and raw authenticity. The album collected major Grammy wins and dominated the charts for eight weeks. It shifted roughly 11 million units in the US and 25 million globally.
1. The Eminem Show – Eminem
Source: UGC
- Release year: 2002
- Chart performance: #1 on the Billboard 200
- US sales: Certified 12× Platinum (12 million)
- Worldwide sales: 27 million+
The album cover depicts Eminem stepping out from behind a red theatre curtain. Its success was immediate, topping the Billboard 200 for weeks and earning a Grammy. With about 12 million US sales and 27 million worldwide, it remains his highest-selling record.
Which are the best rap album covers of the 2010s?
The 2010s featured some of the most creative rap album covers. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West stood out with George Condo’s surreal art. Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly portrayed a defiant group scene outside the White House, while Travis Scott’s Astroworld showcased a vibrant carnival entrance.
What is the most iconic rap album cover?
Illmatic by Nas is often regarded as one of the most iconic rap album covers. It displays a childhood photo of Nas over a Queensbridge housing project, showcasing his life and environment. Its simplicity and storytelling have inspired generations of artists, making it a timeless image in hip-hop culture.
What is the most famous rap album cover?
Some of the most famous covers in rap history include Kanye West’s Graduation, which featured bright, anime-inspired visuals that broke traditional rap aesthetics. Nas’ Illmatic also remains legendary for its raw, reflective design.
The best rap album covers have defined eras and set creative benchmarks. Designs like Nas’ Illmatic, The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready to Die, and Kanye West’s Graduation remain unmatched in influence and cultural impact. These covers shaped how hip-hop is visually experienced and continue to inspire modern artwork.
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