Cover Uncovered

Hip hop is not known for it's restraint, or for it's subtlety, and to that I say 'Thank the Lord', because it gives us images such as the one shown above, for this is the cover of rapper Lil Wayne's soon to be released sixth studio album. Have you ever seen a better front cover in all your life? Hell, have you ever seen a better image in all your life? In case your too in awe to fully grasp what's going on, let me break it down for you into its constituent parts; essentially, there's a small child in a dapper blue, pin-striped suit staring just off camera. He looks a little startled. He's probably been chairing a meeting in his huge office or brokering some big deal with some heavyweight big-timers. It's kind of like those toilet paper adverts where the toddler is the company director and he gets to order people about while filling his nappy, only in this case, rather then being based in a factory in Reading or Slough, our kid is living it up in New York, renting out a top floor apartment and entertaining some female toddlers with glasses of chocolate milk and Oreo cookies. This kid is the don, just check out the ring on his little finger, the guy (I mean kid) means business. If you don't believe me, then draw your attention to the rather fetching (if not slightly disturbing) tattoos, specifically the tears that appear just beneath his eyes. Now, I'm no expert but I've seen The Wire and Oz enough times to know that those tears are meant to represent how many people you've murdered. Last time I checked Fisher Price had yet to release their range of AK-47s but I guess it's only a matter of time. Hip Hop may have been accused of glorifying violence, but with this image it's out to break the final taboo; even your two year old will gun you down if you forget the Cheerios.