One aspect that is common with some rappers CD covers is the use of black and white, often a key part of intertextuality throughout the rap genre. This is used to create a sense of nostalgia and simplicity. Although very simple shades are used, the black and white helps to create a tense image and easily highlight the focus of the image. With no vibrant colours more commonly associated with things such as Happiness (Yellow) and Passion (Red), the black and white creates a serious, almost harsh, effect leading the audience to see the CD and the Artist as serious, with the colours creating verisimilitude towards what it is representing.
Importantly, Jay-Z's eyes can't be seen in any of these covers, conveying the message (based on Richard Dyer's list, 1985) of secrecy and mystery, intriguing the target audience, and contrasting to the popular factors of rap music (bright clothes, chains, tattoos etc.). By doing this, Jay-Z is intentionally going against popular culture in an attempt to influence factors such as 'style', and succeeding with his incredibly successful albums.
One rapper renowned for using black and white CD covers is Jay-Z. 8 of his 12 studio albums had black and white covers.As an incredibly successful and influential rap artist, the fact that Jay-Z has consistently used black and white covers and influenced many other hip hop artists to do so, including Rihanna and R Kelly.
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