The album cover features a black and white photo of a monk in simple style to draw attention to him. Very little text is included and there is no advertising, keeping the focus on the intended meaning. The black and white photo gives a darker, more somber tone compared to colorful albums. Blood and flames were removed from the original color photo to further the intended message.

1. The simplicity ofthe album cover is used tomake the monk
the focal point of the image, as the text is laidacross the
bottom toshow whothey areandthat they arenot the most
important thing on the cover. Furthermore, the back cover
does not have anyadvertising to tryandsell the record labels
etc. this keeps the meaning behind the album cover.
Furthermore, the picture in black andwhite makes
the picture seem moredarkandmorbid,it would
alsostand out against most colourful albums. In
addition, the original picture was available in
colour which made it more graphicas bloodand
flames were vibrantcolours. This gives the photo
moremeaning as the graphicaspects have been
removed.
rage against the machine (self titled)

2. Liquid Swords - GZA
The GZA is a member of the Wu-Tang
Clan, who is a rap group that are known
for their style of rapping and the beats
that usually reference or sample kung
Fu movies that the gang used to watch.
All beats are produced by the leader
Robert Diggs (the RZA). The Wu tang
use the Shaolin Vs Wu tang film as their
main inspiration for their name and
style of rapping. In addition, the clan
grew up in poverty in New York and
communicate this through their music.
The cover shows the Wu-Tang clan defeating other rappers, this image makes it clear that the
album has an aggressive style and the fans of the Wu –Tang clan would recognise the GZA at
the front, this creates a feeling of membership as the fans would feel that they part of the
Clan by recognising the symbolism.
In addition, the fight his happening on a chess board, this is linked to the Wu-Tang Clan’s self
proclaimed knowledge and wisdom which gives more meaning to their lyrics. Also, the GZA is
wearing casual clothes, this represents how he and the other members dress when
performing as they are not trying to show off and appear rich, but rather try to stay as real as
possible to make it more relatable to listeners who were in the same position as them.
The back cover shows the tracks on the album
however they names are made into a paragraph
and highlighted to show the actual names of the
tracks.
Moreover, the use of the colour red throughout
the album cover can be linked to the aggression
and violence expressed, but also to wisdom and
royalty with the noble and rich red colour used.

3. The genre of music is hip hop and rap. However, the album
cover is not typical for the genre. This is because most hip hop
albums feature the artist on the front in a photo and usually
looking out towards the camera. This album cover has a
cartoon sketch of the artist and how rather than looking and
presenting himself to the audience, is defeating opponents and
using the sword which is a representation of the artists’ ‘sharp’
lyrics and violent style.
The symbols used in the album cover, such as the G on the
GZA, the Wu-Tang logo on the hoodie in the background, the
checkered chess board floor,

4. NAS - Illmatic
Nas’ album illmatic was his debut
album and was used to introduce
him as a rapper and show off his
style and spread his experiences
growing up poverty in
Queensbridge- NY. This is shown
in the album cover by having Nas’
face as a child in the middle of the
cover. In the background is the
street where Nas grew up in
Queensbridge housing estates,
known as the projects. This gives
the album a very authentic and
brings the listener closer to the
artist. In addition, once the
listener hears the real lyrics about
his childhood and life in New York,
creating the feeling that you are a
part of the experience and making
the album a way to convey the
violence and crime that people in
similar situations experience.
The font used is very sharp and jagged,
creating a feeling of violence and
roughness about the music. Furthermore,
the highlighting of the word ‘ill’ shows
that there is a type of sickness to the
music that would make it more appealing
to a rap audience.
Furthermore, the parental
advisory sticker has been placed
in clear view to show that the
album is only appropriate for
certain audiences. This would
make it more appealing to
younger people who want to
experience music with more
attitude and aggression.
Also, the colours used
represent anger and the past,
with the use of red and the
brown/orange being used to
give the album a more vintage,
weathered appearance.

5. Metallica - …And Justice For All
Metallica are a heavy metal band who made
the album ‘…And Justice For All’. The album
cover has a stone background with the statue
of lady liberty, a well known symbol, in the
centre falling apart and being pulled down by
ropes. This symbolises how, in the bands
opinion, justice is lost and society in unjust. In
addition, the title ‘…And Justice For All’ gives a
quite sarcastic and ironic feeling as the view
expressed contradicts the saying.
Moreover the title is taken from the pledge of
allegiance which is:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United
States of America, and to the Republic for
which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
This could be seen as disrespectful, but also a
rise against authority that could interest
consumers.
The use of text is key in this album
cover, as the band’s name is in their
classical font. Meaning that someone
familiar with the band can identify the
text without really reading it.
Furthermore, the use of stone and the cracks
in the stone wall show people that the album
contains heavy and aggressive metal genre.
Also, the significance of lady liberty being
pulled down would grab the attention of
people who see it and it used a way to spread
a message.
In addition, the use of the colour green in the
Metallica is used to symbolise how the band
believe that money is used to bride judges
and escape persecution unjustly. This also is
the reason why there is money falling from
the scales of justice.
The statue of lady liberty symbolises the
justice system in USA and how the band
believes that it is corrupt by money.