The 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Magazine Covers

[Mahmoud48]

http://www.complex.com/music/2011/03/th ... ne-covers/

#13. Eminem (STRESS, 1998)

Photography: Jus Ske
Art Direction: Tischen Franklin
Issue: 1998

Oft overlooked underground pub, STRESS dressed Em up as Clockwork Orange's demented protagonist, Alex, for one of his earliest covers. The shoot not only highlighted Shady's crazy side, it also served as an ill subliminal to rival white rapper Cage, who was then best known for his Clockwork-sampling underground record "Agent Orange." The flick was so nice that it got used twice, later turning up on a Spin cover as well.

#41. Eminem (Complex, 2010)

Photography: Matt Doyle
Art Direction: Tim Leong
Issue: December/January 2010

Eminem is Detroit, and Detroit is Eminem. So for the Dec/Jan 2010 cover, shot at the low-point of the recession, Complex played with the theme of I Am Legend, as Eminem is captured alone, the last man standing, in what looks like a post apocalyptic Detroit. The irony of course being that there has been no apocalypse, just 40 years of economic neglect. The interview within found Marshall alternately introspective and candid, admitting that Relapse was not what it should have been, and also relaxed and silly, joking about porn and Superbad.

[Devil'sAdvocate]

too lazy to go through it

[NicoleEM]

You forgot
#5. Eminem, Dr. Dre, & 50 Cent (XXL, 2003)
Photography: Sacha Waldman
Art Direction: Rommel S. Alama, Davina A. Lennard
Issue: March 2003


Officially marking the beginning of the era of the Aftermath/Shady/G-Unit hydra, XXL featured all three figureheads on this '03 cover, released weeks before 50's blockbuster, Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. Embattled by Murder Inc. and Benzino, this cover served as a statement of power, bringing the trio together for the first time publicly, and gave the three the opportunity to address and dismiss their detractors as a unit. The striking image, controversial story, and overwhelming buzz shared by Em, 50, and Dre, would propel this issue of XXL to be the magazine's all-time highest seller.

At least they got the right issues on top 5:
#4. Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Suge Knight, & Dr. Dre (VIBE, 1996)
#3. Snoop Dogg (VIBE, 1993)
#2. Dr. Dre (The Source, 1992)
#1. Tupac Shakur (VIBE, 1994)