• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
master class
December 24, 2015

#BestBlackAlbumCovers Has Lots to Teach Us About Style

By Ashley Weatherford and Allison P. Davis

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet

What’s the best black album cover of all time? That’s the question Robert Jones Jr., a.k.a. @sonofbaldwin, posed on Twitter yesterday with the now-viral hashtag #bestblackalbumcovers. Is it Teddy Pendergrass wearing the trifecta of loin throbs: fur, gold, and facial hair? Is it Donna Summer with a ball gown and boots? Is it Sade and her perfect lipstick?

Maybe it’s Janet Jackson’s Control?

#BestBlackAlbumCovers CONTROL by Janet Jackson pic.twitter.com/7pKPFVOF0y

— Son of Baldwin (@SonofBaldwin) December 24, 2015

Or maybe D’Angelo’s thirst-trap-ideal cover for Voodoo?

@SonofBaldwin #BestBlackAlbumCovers @TheDangelo - Voodoo pic.twitter.com/NQizhtsYZi

— Heavenly (@hvnlygaines99) December 23, 2015

What’s not up for debate are the style and beauty lessons that each cover offers. Click through our slideshow for clothing, makeup, and hair inspiration from the best black album covers.

View
1 / 13 Photos
Janet Jackson, Janet, 1993 Tip: Who needs a shirt if the curls look good?
Grace Jones, Island Life, 1985 Tip: When you go to the gym, remind everyone how beautiful your skin and muscular form is by oiling up and wearin... Grace Jones, Island Life, 1985 Tip: When you go to the gym, remind everyone how beautiful your skin and muscular form is by oiling up and wearing very little.
Sade, The Ultimate Collection, 2011 Tip: Wear whatever lipstick color Sade is wearing here. (Please, someone find me this shade of lipstick.)
Rick James, Street Songs, 1981 Tip: Always say yes to thigh-high red leather boots. Always.
Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston, 1985 Tip: Use just a little bit of highlighter on your cheekbones and you'll look like you're standing in a fl... Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston, 1985 Tip: Use just a little bit of highlighter on your cheekbones and you'll look like you're standing in a flower-strewn garden, radiating light.
Prince, LoveSexy, 1988 Tio: Always elevate, even when you're lounging at home in the nude.
Ohio Players, Honey, 1975 Tip: Use honey on your skin. No, really! It's both moisturizing and a natural anti-microbial, so good for acne. Also, ... Ohio Players, Honey, 1975 Tip: Use honey on your skin. No, really! It's both moisturizing and a natural anti-microbial, so good for acne. Also, look how sexy it is when you drip it on your tongue.
Donna Summer, I Feel Love, 1977 Tip: The bigger the hair, the bigger the hoops. Some people think big hoops require a simple, pulled-back hairdo... Donna Summer, I Feel Love, 1977 Tip: The bigger the hair, the bigger the hoops. Some people think big hoops require a simple, pulled-back hairdo. But does it look like Donna needs to pull her hair back?
Teddy Pendergrass, Duets-Love & Soul, 2015 Tip: Honey-colored fur, flashy gold accessories. Commit to winter like you may never see snow aga... Teddy Pendergrass, Duets-Love & Soul, 2015 Tip: Honey-colored fur, flashy gold accessories. Commit to winter like you may never see snow again. (Because honestly, we might not.)
Queen Latifah, All Hail the Queen, 1989 Tip: Incorporate military elements into your sweet-ass outfit to remind everyone who is in charge. (The ... Queen Latifah, All Hail the Queen, 1989 Tip: Incorporate military elements into your sweet-ass outfit to remind everyone who is in charge. (The answer, pretty much always, is Queen Latifah.)
Outkast, ATLiens, 1996 Bold colors, a varsity jacket, a head wrap — and is André 3000 in a caftan? Eternally on point. Tip: Wear a c... Outkast, ATLiens, 1996 Bold colors, a varsity jacket, a head wrap — and is André 3000 in a caftan? Eternally on point. Tip: Wear a caftan.
Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, and Teddy Pendergrass Tip: You don't need to stoop to athleisure for lounging when a sharp suit and an open shi... Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, and Teddy Pendergrass Tip: You don't need to stoop to athleisure for lounging when a sharp suit and an open shirt looks so good. Take it from the trifecta.
TLC, CrazySexyCool, 1994 Is there any '90s style more stealable than TLC's? Tip No. 1: Bring back the silk PJs and brown lipstick from the "... TLC, CrazySexyCool, 1994 Is there any '90s style more stealable than TLC's? Tip No. 1: Bring back the silk PJs and brown lipstick from the "Creep" video. Tip 2: If possible, always be bathed in red light.  
1 / 13

Tags:

  • beauty
  • fashions
  • janet jackson
  • outkast
  • teddy pendergrass
  • sliideshows
  • bestblackalbumcovers
  • style tips
  • master class
  • More

More Galleries

campaign trail Apr. 12, 2021
7 Women on Where They’re Finding Hope These Days  A new fashion campaign that focuses on the positive. 
fashion Mar. 15, 2021
Dramatic Wedding Gowns Inspired by Flowers  Danielle Frankel bridges the gap between bridal and fashion. 
campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.