Drake’s Certified Lover Boy Album Cover Sparks Controversy

The 12 pregnant women emojis that feature on the album’s cover, symbolic of nine months release delay, has become a topic of debate, with fans and critics even calling it hip hop’s most controversial album cover to date.

Drake’s latest album, Certified Lover Boy, was released on September 3 and became a rage just as soon.

Earlier, Drake had announced the official launch of the much-awaited sixth album with an Instagram post, which read, “CERTIFIED LOVER BOY SEPTEMBER 3” along with the image of 12 pregnant women: the album cover.

The 12 pregnant women emojis that feature on the album’s cover has become a topic of debate, with fans and critics even calling it hip hop’s most controversial album cover to date.

British artist Damien Hirst, known for sparking controversies through his art, has designed the album cover for Drake. From the famed Medicine Cabinet to “For the Love of God,” the contemporary artist has produced some remarkable designs, albeit controversial. 

The 12 pregnant women featured on the album cover could be connected to the nine-month delay in releasing the album.

The rapper owns several pop artworks that can be seen in his condo, among which is Hirst’s “For the Love of God”: a human skull encrusted with diamonds. The 34-year-old rapper’s love for pop art could be why Hirst was chosen for the album cover art. 

Repetition, according to Hirst, is what brings his artworks to life. He once said: “people are afraid of change, so you create a kind of belief for them through repetition. It’s like breathing. I’ve always been drawn to series and pairs. A unique thing is quite a frightening object.”

For Drake, repetition is not something he relies on. From “Pipe Down” to “Fountains,” Drake explores various sounds to keep his fans hooked to Certified Lover Boy.

An article published on the Rolling Stone mentions, “It’s ultimately a shame since Certified Lover Boy could have very well been Drake’s best record. Sonically, it’s his most impressive offering to date. For years he and longtime producer Noah ‘40’ Shebib have constructed a palette of sounds that coalesce beautifully here.”

Here is “Knife Talk” (with 21 Savage ft. Project Pat) from Certified Lover Boy.

While many expressed their excitement about Drake’s new album, there were others who described the album art cover as “abysmal” and “Ugly” on Twitter.

Maury Povich, from the Maury Show, posted pictures of himself with the caption: Certified “You ARE the Father” Boy.

Adobe was quick on sharing emoji women working on their tools:

With all the memes doing the rounds, the album’s popularity has only increased. Bestseller on Amazon and the most streamed album on Spotify, Certified Lover Boy is by far Drake’s best production.

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