41. Public Enemy, It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
One of the most pivotal albums of all time, It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, as a cover is a bold stance for the golden aged architects that used rap as a protest. Set in a prison, the photographer Glen E. Friedman balanced the group’s energy with Chuck D’s smugged face of rebellion with Flavor Flav in the back signifying that the Thunder of Hip-Hop has backed up. In 1988, such an image cut through pop culture like a hot knife to butter. The logo smacked dapped in the middle reminded you that they were not here to cozy up to the status quo — Public Enemy wanted you to know whose side they were one. And to this day, the cover represents exactly who they believe themselves to be.