Intro
Few artists can (or want to?) match the prolific pace of Lil B. The Bay Area–based enigma has dropped more than 30 mixtapes in the past two years, a feat that simply cannot be overlooked or even explained. And with each genre-bending release comes an equally off-kilter piece of art work.
While some are clearly sloppy messes that were thrown together on MS Paint, others recall the madness of the Pen & Pixel era. We're talking loads of embossed and glistening fonts, golden dice, and, usually, a heroic image of the Based God.
Whatever you think of his music or his art choices, there is no denying the unstoppable hustle of Lil B. And as we search for clues to unravel the mystery that is Lil B's psyche, these covers would seem to be as good a clue as any. Just as Rembrandt's 90 self-portraits formed a visual autobiography of the Dutch master, so do Lil B's 32 mixtape and album covers provide a peek into the mind of the Based God. With that, let's take a closer look at his finest and/or most absurd CD covers—all the way from 2009's I'm Thraxx through this past April's Trapped In BasedWorld.
Written by Andrew Martin (@Andrew_J_Martin)
I'm Thraxx (2009)
I'm Thraxx (2009)
Complex Says: Considering the fact that "thraxx" means "extreme," this one probably could have been a bit more outrageous. Props on the Rolling Stones reference, though.
6 Kiss (2009)
6 Kiss (2009)
Complex Says: Why Lil B stopped making gaudy illustrated covers like this is beyond us.
Paint Rare "Red" Album (2010)
Paint Rare "Red" Album (2010)
Complex Says: Lil B gets his Bob Ross on.
Pretty Boy Bitch (2010)
Pretty Boy Bitch (2010)
Complex Says: Even pretty boy bitches love Spongebob Squarepants.
Dior Paint (2010)
Dior Paint (2010)
Complex Says: Put this in an art gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and watch it sell for like $3,000.
Black Ken (2010)
Black Ken (2010)
Complex Says: Coming soon: Based God Barbie!
Roses Exodus "The Rare Yellow Album" (2010)
Roses Exodus "The Rare Yellow Album" (2010)
Complex Says: So rare he's not even there.
Everything Based (2010)
Everything Based (2010)
Complex Says: Lil B must really love that picture because he used the same shot on Pretty Boy Bitch.
Blue Flame (2010)
Blue Flame (2010)
Complex Says: This Pen & Pixel homage has everything you could ever love (or hate?) about those old No Limit and Cash Money album covers.
Rain In England (2010)
Rain In England (2010)
Complex Says: The hand placement, though. Out. Of. Control.
MF Based (2010)
MF Based (2010)
Complex Says: Is this the moment when we all started recognizing him as the deity of the Based World?
Gold Dust Mixtape (2010)
Gold Dust Mixtape (2010)
Complex Says: This one's for every WWE fan out there wondering who the Based God used to root for. Hint: Gold Dust.
Where Did The Sun Go? (2010)
Where Did The Sun Go? (2010)
Complex Says: Is the Based God really just the Bay Area's answer to the god Ganesh?
Red Flame (2010)
Red Flame (2010)
Complex Says: Racks on Jason Vorhees masks on racks.
Evil Red Flame (2010)
Evil Red Flame (2010)
Complex Says: Basically the same thing as the original Red Flame artwork, only a lil' bit darker. Still, it gives us one more chance to ponder his love of bling-laden collages.
Mmmmm...Christmas (2010)
Mmmmm...Christmas (2010)
Complex Says: Thank you Based Kris Kringle.
Angels Exodus (2011)
Angels Exodus (2011)
Complex Says: Lil B died for your (his?) sins.
Red Flame: Devil Music Edition (2011)
Red Flame: Devil Music Edition (2011)
Complex Says: Ed Hardy would be proud.
Illusions of Grandeur (2011)
Illusions of Grandeur (2011)
Complex Says: What's this?! A legit and actually kind of ill piece of art? Yup. And is that him in drag? As Queen Elizabeth? Yup.
Bitch Mob: Respect Da Bitch (2011)
Bitch Mob: Respect Da Bitch (2011)
Complex Says: The flat-out most ridiculous take on the classic Death Row portrait—in the best way possible.
I'm Gay (I'm Happy) (2011)
I'm Gay (I'm Happy) (2011)
Complex Says: Easily Lil B's best cover to date, if only because it reminds us to listen to Marvin Gaye's I Want You and, later, Camp Lo's Uptown Saturday Night.
I Forgive You (2011)
I Forgive You (2011)
Complex Says: In which Lil B makes it clear he's down with the Illuminati. Or something. Anyway, we forgive him.
Black Flame (2011)
Black Flame (2011)
Complex Says: Lil B loves bees. A lot. Maybe too much. Did he inspire the term "Beez in the trap?"
The Silent President (2011)
The Silent President (2011)
Complex Says: Still watching the throne? Nah, son. Watch The Based God.
The BasedGod Velli(2011)
The BasedGod Velli (2011)
Complex Says: What do you think made 2pac roll over in his grave more? This album cover or the whole hologram thing?
Gold House (2011)
Gold House (2011)
Complex Says: Embossed has to be this dude's favorite Photoshop effect right?
Blue Eyes (2011)
Blue Eyes (2011)
Complex Says: As rare as it gets.
White Flame (2012)
White Flame (2012)
Complex Says: Guns! Explosions! Tanks! And it's actually completely appropriate—Lil B remixed Chief Keef's "Bang Bang" on here. Note: it's also an homage to Soulja Slim.
God's Father (2012)
God's Father (2012)
Complex Says: How do we know Lil B is one of the most revolutionary artists in music? Because he says so.
#1 Bitch (2012)
#1 Bitch (2012)
Complex Says: What more can he say?
The Basedprint 2 (2012)
The Basedprint 2 (2012)
Complex Says: This would actually be pretty solid if it wasn't for the terrible font. And if there actually was a first volume of The Basedprint.
Trapped In Basedworld (2012)
Trapped In Basedworld (2012)
Complex Says: More Death Row imagery—or is Lil B a fan of Wayne County and the Electric Chairs? Google that.