kanye west - taking notes from justin timberlake
Let's take a closer look at Kanye West in 2007.
He's got his new album Graduation out. Check out the cover art. The way the cartoon figures' eyes are drawn, you will know that it's by Takashi Murakami.
Fans of LV bags will know Murakami as the designer of a series of bags featuring his trademark artwork as well as introducing colours to the monogram design.
Clubbers who bother will also see a series of original prints by the artist as they walk into Velvet Underground. The entire album's art direction is by Murakami, including the singles. Will check them out online.I saw his video for the single Stronger which features Daft Punk as well as sampling of the latter's Bigger Harder Stronger Faster. The video itself "samples" scenes from the anime classic Akira. It's quite blatant. Not sure if permission was sought.
Youtube here.
Daft Punk has already "been there done that" in terms of using anime for MTVs. UNKLE as well. It's really interesting because it's like some hybrid of cultures. Anime is mainly a Japanese product that has entertained kids all over the world. I found myself talking to French uni mates about Doraemon and Gatchaman prevously. And I have seen with my own eyes Doraemon speaking Spanish on TV.
So with this album, Kanye West mixes so many cultures together. I am pretty sure he will release official merchandise featuring artwork by Murakami. It's obvious. And it makes business sense. Kanye dabbles into the dance music scene, the art scene, the anime scene and what other scenes, I am not sure. He is already a credible R&B artist and by collaborating with all these other fine artists, it is really awesome. The last time Justin Timberlake mixes superior fashion sense, slick dance moves with fantastic R&B tunes, his success was secured. He did more of the same with his second album which I think I should be getting.
See any similarity between Takashi Murakami's 2004 Homage to Francis Bacon (Study of Isabella Rawsthorne) - (above) and the coverart for Kanye West's Graduation?
Youtube here.
Daft Punk has already "been there done that" in terms of using anime for MTVs. UNKLE as well. It's really interesting because it's like some hybrid of cultures. Anime is mainly a Japanese product that has entertained kids all over the world. I found myself talking to French uni mates about Doraemon and Gatchaman prevously. And I have seen with my own eyes Doraemon speaking Spanish on TV.
So with this album, Kanye West mixes so many cultures together. I am pretty sure he will release official merchandise featuring artwork by Murakami. It's obvious. And it makes business sense. Kanye dabbles into the dance music scene, the art scene, the anime scene and what other scenes, I am not sure. He is already a credible R&B artist and by collaborating with all these other fine artists, it is really awesome. The last time Justin Timberlake mixes superior fashion sense, slick dance moves with fantastic R&B tunes, his success was secured. He did more of the same with his second album which I think I should be getting.
See any similarity between Takashi Murakami's 2004 Homage to Francis Bacon (Study of Isabella Rawsthorne) - (above) and the coverart for Kanye West's Graduation?
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