ICON
CEY ADAMS SHEDS
B y B e n j a m i n L e r n e r
Back to The Drawing Board
LIGHT ON SIX OF HIS BEST-KNOWN ALBUM AND SINGLE COVERS
OVER the course of his career , Cey Adams has worked closely with influential artists who shaped the sound and culture of Hip-Hop to define their visual personas . As co-founder and artistic director of The Drawing Board , Def Jam ’ s in-house visual design studio , Adams oversaw the creation of some of the greatest Hip-Hop album covers of all time . He shares his reflections on some favorite album covers and the stories behind them .
ALBUM
Public Enemy : Fear of A Black Planet
Beastie Boys : “ Cooky Puss ” ( 1983 Single )
In the early 1980s , Adams was building a reputation as a respected graffiti artist whose works were beginning to proliferate throughout New York City ’ s modern art galleries . At the end of Hip-Hop ’ s first decade , his childhood friendships served as the catalyst for his entry into the field of album art design , beginning with the cover for the Beastie Boys ’ first Hip-Hop single , " Cooky Puss .” “ Looking back , we were all just friends working on our art and music together ,” says Adams , “ but I still wanted to make sure that I did it right ." Recounting the single ’ s cover , Adams acknowledges that he was casual , yet purposeful , in his approach . " I won ' t even pretend that I had a lofty vision for it . The question was , ‘ How do I create something that works for what they ' re doing ?’" His signature graffiti lettering design for " Cooky Puss " has since become a pivotal part of Hip-Hop history , showcasing his early mastery of the form . Over two decades later , his presence remains woven into the fabric of Beastie Boys merchandise , a testament to the enduring legacy of their collaborative spirit .
( 1990 )
As Hip-Hop continued to evolve and thrive throughout the 1980s , Adams found himself at the forefront of a cultural revolution at Def Jam , crafting album covers that delved into themes of politics and social commentary . A prime example is the cover of Public Enemy ' s masterpiece Fear of a Black Planet . Adams was tasked with visually representing Chuck D ' s visionary concept of a Black planet , inspired by the “ Death Star ” from Star Wars : The Empire Strikes Back . According to Adams , Chuck D ' s initial sketch , drawn out on a restaurant napkin , served as the blueprint . Collaborating with famed NASA illustrator B . E . Johnson , Adams brought Chuck D ' s idea to life with his partner , Steve Carr , co-founder of The Drawing Board at Def Jam . In doing so , they created a resonant depiction of a planet engulfed in chaos and conflict . " This was one of the projects that I felt very fortunate to be a part of ,” recalls Adams . “ We were still learning how to do computer design at this time , so there was a lot of trial and error .” Despite the challenges , Adams and his team succeeded in delivering an album cover that transcended the boundaries of Hip-Hop culture . " The more time passes , the more amazed I am that we got it right ,” says Adams . “ At the time , we were just excited for the opportunity to work with them .”
LL Cool J : Mama Said Knock You Out ( 1991 )
LL Cool J ' s album Mama Said Knock You Out marked a pivotal moment in the rapper ' s career , solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of Hip-Hop . Speaking on the process behind its album cover , Adams recalls the artistic hunger he shared with LL Cool J . He notes , “ LL was young , he was hungry , and so were we . We had so many projects coming out with Def Jam that we were forced to adapt very quickly ." Beyond the studio , Adams had personal ties to LL Cool J . “ I ’ ve known LL since he was 16 , and I remember hearing his early tapes and being blown away . Adam Horovitz from the Beastie Boys and I would go over to Rick Rubin ’ s NYU dorm in the early 1980s and listen to all of the cassettes that he had . I remember doing sketches while Adam and Rick were listening and hearing LL Cool J ’ s earliest records . My career and his career hadn ’ t really blossomed yet , but I knew he had something special .” In the wake of
74 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Spring May / June 2024 2024