My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Banned Cover
In 2010, Kanye West released his fifth studio album, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy." The album was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and receiving critical acclaim. However, the album's cover art caused controversy and was ultimately banned. In this article, we will explore the story behind the "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" banned cover.
The Original Cover Art
The original cover art for "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" was created by artist George Condo. The artwork depicts a naked Kanye West lying on a bed, with a winged female creature straddling him. The image is graphic and explicit, with West's genitalia and the female creature's breasts prominently displayed.
The cover art was met with mixed reactions. Some praised it for its creativity and boldness, while others criticized it for its vulgarity and misogyny.
The Banning of the Cover Art
Despite the controversy surrounding the cover art, it was initially approved by West's record label, Def Jam Recordings. However, as the release date for the album approached, concerns were raised about the explicit nature of the cover.
In November 2010, just a few weeks before the album's release, West announced on his Twitter account that the cover art had been banned. He wrote, "Banned in the USA!!! They don't want me chilling on the couch with my phoenix."
The decision to ban the cover art was made by retailers, who were concerned about the graphic content of the image. Walmart, one of the largest retailers in the United States, refused to stock the album with the original cover art. Other retailers followed suit, and West was forced to come up with an alternative cover.
The Alternative Cover Art
In response to the ban, West commissioned another artist, KAWS, to create an alternative cover for the album. The new cover art featured a painted image of a ballerina, with a red background and the album's title in bold letters.
The alternative cover art was less controversial than the original, but it was also criticized by some for being bland and uncreative. However, it was accepted by retailers and the album was released with the new cover art.
The Legacy of the Banned Cover Art
The banning of the "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" cover art has become part of the album's legacy. It has been cited as an example of censorship in the music industry, and has sparked debates about the limits of artistic expression.
In an interview with The New York Times, Condo defended the cover art, saying, "It's a tapestry of human emotion. People are afraid of sex, but they should embrace it and not be controlled by it."
The controversy surrounding the cover art has not affected the critical or commercial success of the album. "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is widely considered to be one of West's best albums, and has been included on numerous "best of" lists.
Conclusion
The banning of the "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" cover art was a controversial moment in the history of the music industry. The original cover art, created by George Condo, depicted a graphic and explicit image of Kanye West and a winged female creature. Retailers deemed the cover art too explicit, and it was ultimately banned. West commissioned an alternative cover from artist KAWS, which was less controversial but also criticized for being uncreative. Despite the controversy, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" remains one of West's most acclaimed albums.
Remember, censorship is not the answer to art.
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