2. Outkast, ATLiens
What made OutKast’s ATLiens cover so important is that it was their sophomore effort and the first time they were able to share with the world their “King” mentality, a mindset that some have termed the Southern alternative. Using this hyper-imaginative cover that portrayed them as comic book characters, they invited you into their genius while drawing license from George Clinton’s funk movement of the 70s and 80s. Art students, Nigel Sawyer and Vince Robinson not only pulled from Clinton and the Parliament collection of visually awesome album covers but were inspired by Todd McFarlane’s Spawn. They linked up with a team to deliver not just this epic cover, but also a comic book inside the cd—attached to the liner notes. Oh my GAWD! The characters were sketched and created by OG comic book illustrator Frank Gomez; fans were able to see both rappers in a newly imaged way … as the Hip-Hop superheroes that they are.
