Stic from Dead Prez took to Instagram to share a bit of history. The photo pictured below was the first piece of artwork they produced when Dead Prez got their deal at Loud Records. I’m guessing this could have been an album cover. I have to say, although the image is powerful, the cover they chose was the better fit.
In case you didn’t know, Let’s Get Free, their debut album, is often considered one of the most important hip-hop albums EVER. A true masterpiece.
Stic from Dead Prez: This was the very first piece of artwork we did with the art dept when we got our record deal. They were asking for glossy press photos — we wanted to use an image that represents the emotional weight of our art and mission. Not only did it acknowledge the origin and core struggle and contradiction with the system, it represented even more significantly the state that so many of us live in mentally, in bondage to the limitations of our own ignorance.
Liberation is and has always been at the heart— an inside job. You don’t got to be locked up to be in prison. Every construct is not constructive.
In hindsight though I think we’ve seen enough of the images of the misery of slavery in the films and cultural motifs of society — it’s time to see more examples of liberation in actions.
But this was a powerful line in the sand at the time.
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