When I think of one of the biggest media makers of my time, Rupert Murdock isn’t the first name that comes to mind, its Kanye West. Above being one of the greatest musicians of the hip hop culture, his third album cover spoke loudly for his style, message and music. The artwork by Takashi Murakami worked to speak to an audience who had yet opened the CD. As the first aspect of the music experience the colors instantly pop out at the view. The bright pinks, yellows and purples scream that Kanye is Here. He uses unbalancing to spotlight his bear character; the picture almost pits him against the “system.” As appose to classical balancing, this album cover overloads one side putting the focus on the open space. This cover works so well for me due to its vibrant colors, which isn’t something you see on a hip hop album. The abstractness allows all people to analyze the cover to their liking. This work affords a shock value that hasn’t been seen in hip-hop, it works to be so different, that it entices the average hip hop fan. Essentially this album cover works on many levels, on the surface, its functional as an album cover, it covers the CD, tells the artist name, and the album name. As a form of art and Media, it challenges what people think “rap” is and gives a hint that the album will be doing the same. Kanye delivers on these at all fronts.