Creating a Black Hole Superette for Aesop Rock – Creative Review
Justin Coro Kaufman, a renowned concept artist, R&D designer, and illustrator, has collaborated with rapper Aesop Rock on various projects, including designing the cover for his 2023 album, Integrated Tech Solutions. The cover for Aesop Rock’s latest album, Black Hole Superette (Rhymesayers Entertainment), takes on a 3D stage set appearance, showcasing a maximalist design approach with vivid colors and surreal elements that extend to music videos like “Checkers.”
Kaufman’s inspiration for the album cover stems from Ice-T’s 1988 album, Power, specifically the cover art by Glen E Friedman. Drawing influence from the front-to-back reveal concept used in Ice-T’s album, Kaufman aimed to replicate a similar effect with Black Hole Superette. Using 3DS Max and V-Ray, Kaufman meticulously designed the front and back views of the street scene, complete with intricate graffiti tags, signage, and detailed elements like cigarette butts and scribes on the glass to enhance the overall concept.
The deluxe edition of the album features a gatefold sleeve with perforated ‘doors’ on the front and back, revealing additional images when opened. The front door even includes a scratch-off lottery ticket underneath it, adding an interactive element to the packaging. Furthermore, the slip covers depict floating bottles and cans swirling around the album label, creating a visual vortex effect that ties back to the album’s theme.
Describing his collaboration with Aesop Rock, Kaufman expresses his enjoyment in working on these projects, emphasizing the creative alignment and collaborative spirit between them. Unlike larger campaigns where creative ideas can be compromised by multiple stakeholders, working with Aesop Rock allows for a seamless collaboration that brings their visions to life authentically. In addition to the album cover, Kaufman also directed the music video for the album’s lead single, “Checkers,” immersing viewers further into the world of Black Hole Superette.
In conclusion, Justin Coro Kaufman’s innovative design approach and attention to detail bring Aesop Rock’s Black Hole Superette album to life, creating a visually striking and immersive experience for fans. Through his hand-drawn artistry and conceptual design skills, Kaufman has once again demonstrated his ability to captivate audiences and elevate music visuals to new heights.