In Defense of TLOP Cover

Maddie Tran

Recently, the Rolling Stones Magazine classified Kanye West’s “The Life of Pablo” album cover as the seventh worst cover of all time.

If you are unfamiliar with the album cover, imagine a Google Slides presentation that you forgot to complete and had to frantically compile together in the hallway during passing period. Across a bright orange background is an assortment of “THE LIFE OF PABLO” bolded phrases, photos of Kanye’s family and a woman’s posterior and a collection of text reading “WHICH/ONE.” 

What works about “The Life of Pablo” musically is its lack of consistency. Songs can go from emotional, spiritual ballads as chorused through “Ultralight Beam” and “Saint Pablo,” then just as quickly transition to light-hearted, simple production and lyrics as in “I Love Kanye.” 

The most representative song of this duality is encompassed in the most popular track on the album, “Father Stretch My Hands pt. 1,” which opens with an undoubtedly cinematic chorus sample, a Metro Boomin’ producer tag, the iconic beat drop and a following verse about models, bleach, T-shirts and you know the rest. 

It is well known that a large part of Kanye’s brand name can be attributed to his controversial public reputation. From his interrupting Taylor Swift at the VMAs to his anti-Semitic remarks and problematic digital footprint, he has remained just as prominent in the world of controversy as he stands in the world of music production. 

And in summation of its parts, the oranges, repeated text and images of family and posterior, “The Life of Pablo” encapsulates every aspect of Kanye. Along with his string of controversies and music achievement, the artist has had a public battle with his bipolar disorder. Although his controversies—and even his failed presidential run—can be partially explained by this, does it by any means justify his actions?

For Kanye, the concept of separating the art from the artist is stretched. In a way, the emphasis on “WHICH/ONE” is a question to both the listeners and Kanye. Which one? Genius or madman, prophet or lunatic, “Famous” or infamous? Which one?