Mass Appeal has used Google Maps to find the exact locations of where some of Hip Hop’s most iconic album covers were shot.
After taking inspiration from The Guardian, who did a similar piece earlier this month, Mass Appeal sourced some of Hip Hop’s most famed album covers and subsequently substituted the natural landscape where they were shot with the respective cover art.
Nas’ debut studio album Illmatic was the first LP included on the list.
“In honor of the 21st anniversary of this hip hop classic, which took place on April 19, we will start with Illmatic,” the Mass Appeal article says. “The cover was shot at the intersection of 10th St and 41st Ave in Queensbridge, one of the largest projects in America.”
The publication also found the location of Warren G’s debut album, Regulate… G Funk Era.
“Taken on the corner of E 21st Street and Lewis Ave in Long Beach, CA, Warren G chose to feature his old neighborhood on his debut album cover.”
Big L’s Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous, released in 1995, was also included.
“For the cover, Big L shot in front of The United Fried Chicken spot on the corner of 139th and Lenox, also known as Malcolm X Blvd. His debut album titled was inspired by the 1985-94 television series, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”
In addition, the original location of Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted album cover was discovered.
“Cube uses the streetscape of L.A.’s historic Theatre District for his first album following his split from N.W.A.”
To view the full list, please visit Mass Appeal.
The publication’s picture collection can be viewed below:
Props to them for remembering MC Lyte. Nas still lost tho
Keep taking those L’s Nas
Hov! What’s up, my nigga? Keep getting those W’s, son.
get these stars hov!!!!!
Ice Cube’s cover looks like its a gentrified neighborhood now.
This is stupid and a waste of time. Nas losing by doing this nerd shit, while Hov is winning with his Tidal empire growing and getting new subscribers as we speak. Only autistic people will find this interesting.
Nas never sold his soul like Joe Camel did here.
Uh, yes, he did. “It Was Written” ring a bell?
He redeemed himself with God’s Son while Jay-Z sold out to the masses with that Watch The Throne techno BS and collaborating with Justin Timberlake to stealing Nirvana’s song. Also Nas never bit Biggie in his songs
God’s Son was terrible and was overshadowed by Blueprint 2. On WTT, Hov was showing that he can be a versatile MC and can rap to any beat and kill it. Nas always misses the mark when he tries to do commercial shit and becomes the laughing stock of hip hop. As far as biting Biggie, Hov only does it to big up his brother, and I’m pretty sure Nas has bit a few Biggie lines here and there. All rappers are inspired by Big.
WHAT UP FUCK QUEENSBRIDGE!!! WE SENDING YOU NOTHING BUT LOVE!!! GET THESE NAS STANS YO!!!
“God’s Son was terrible and was overshadowed by Blueprint 2.” hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Too bad Tidal is literally already a massive fucking flop, lmao. I like Hov way more than I like Nas, but you should take that dick out ya mouth.
thats pretty dope..good idea i always like album covers for some reason..prob why i never use Itunes and if albums good enough i get vinyl or CD.