18. Lil Baby, Harder Than Ever
When Lil Baby dropped his debut studio album Harder Than Ever, his mind was on defining himself as not only an artist but as a mogul. The cover art reflects clearly the space where he sees himself, representing the trappings of success as painted by street lore. The black and white photograph has been stylized to resemble a pencil sketching of his profile, providing an urgency in his face that is matched by the vibe of this 2018 mega-hit album. But that urgency is not the most prominent character in this covers design. It is the multiple stacks of hundred dollar bills held up to his ear as if it is his telephone. The ostentatious display is called a “money phone” because essentially for many, “money talks.” It’s clear that he is flexing — but if anything it is showing his Hip-Hop genealogy.
Since the 80s, hustler culture has leaked into the artist space helping to shape the concept of “getting money.” The drug dealer and the hood emcee had a symbiotic relationship which is bonded by the umbilical cord of cold cash. Lil Baby’s cover, with his diamond-encrusted rings and watch (fans see his QC pimpishly big pinky ring), is a modern take on Nas’ lyric made-Jay-Z-hook, “I’m out for presidents to represent me.” It also reminds us of the Paid in Full cover that has been famously venerated by Hip-Hop fans. The “Bigger Picture” rapper is indeed flexing, but it’s the beauty of the cover makes this flex really a work of art.