Pen & Pixel

Last updated

Pen & Pixel Graphics, Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustryGraphic design
Founded1992;31 years ago (1992) in Houston, Texas, United States
Founders
  • Aaron Brauch
  • Shawn Brauch
Defunct2003 (2003)
FateDissolved
HeadquartersHouston, Texas, United States
ServicesComputer graphics and design
Website penandpixel.com (archived)

Pen & Pixel Graphics, Inc., was an American graphic design firm based in Houston, Texas that specialized in musical album covers, especially for gangsta rap artists in the Southern United States. For a long time, it was the house design firm for No Limit Records, Cash Money Records, and Suave House Records.

Contents

History

The company was started in 1992 by brothers Aaron and Shawn Brauch. The Brauch brothers and their staff worked with over 8,000 clients and completed 19,180 [1] album covers before the company closed its doors in 2003. [2] The brothers cited peer-to-peer file sharing website Napster and the September 11 attacks as reasons for the close; artists were reluctant to fly to Houston to view artwork that listeners would be unlikely to see. [3] [4]

The album covers Pen & Pixel produced have been described as "gaudy" [3] and "outrageous". [5] Common themes included bullets, cars, drugs, fire, gems, money, women, and other examples of wealth and riches. [3] [4] Pen & Pixel would fulfill client requests for custom album covers, with sketches of the album cover being drawn based on the concepts requested. These sketches would then be scanned by a computer, which would generate a list of items needed for the cover, such as cars and diamonds. Photos would then be taken of these items from different angles, so the same item could be reused in the future. [1] Pen & Pixel apparently refused to produce possibly political covers. [6] [7]

In 2020, Pen & Pixel came out of retirement to design the cover art for 21 Savage and Metro Boomin's Savage Mode II . [8] The artwork is in their signature design, "heavily" inspired by those of Cash Money and No Limit and is a nod to the "bling rap" album covers of the 1990s. [9] [10] [11]

CD covers

Related Research Articles

<i>On Top of the World</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Eightball & MJG

On Top of the World is the third studio album by American hip hop duo Eightball & MJG. The album was released on October 31, 1995, by Suave House Records and Relativity Records. West-coast artists E-40 and Mac Mall both make appearances on this album, along with Big Mike – a one-time member of Geto Boys. Nuckle Heads, a newly formed group of 2 female rappers on Suave House, debut on this album. South Circle also make an appearance here. Former 1 of the Girls member Nina Creque also appears on the album.

<i>CrazyNDaLazDayz</i> 1999 studio album by Tear da Club Up Thugs

CrazyNDaLazDayz is the only studio album by American hip hop trio Tear da Club Up Thugs, consisting of DJ Paul, Lord Infamous and Juicy J from Three 6 Mafia. It was released on February 2, 1999, via Relativity and DJ Paul & Juicy J’s Hypnotize Minds. Recording sessions took place at Cotton Row Recording Studio and Hypnotize Minds Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. It features guest appearances from the Hot Boys, the Big Tymers, Crucial Conflict, Hussein Fatal, Spice 1, The Kaze, Too $hort and Twista. The album spawned two singles: "Push 'Em Off" and "Hypnotize Cash Money". The latter peaked at #74 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at #64 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonny Digital</span> American record producer, rapper, and DJ

Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke, better known by his stage name Sonny Digital, is an American record producer, rapper, and DJ. He rose to prominence after producing YC's hit single "Racks" in 2011. He is best known for his production on ILoveMakonnen's "I Dont Sell Molly No More" and "Tuesday" featuring Drake, Future's single "Same Damn Time", 50 Cent's "I'm the Man" and 2 Chainz's "Birthday Song", as well as the XXL Freshman Cyphers for 2017 and 2018. He has worked with multiple hip-hop artists, such as Future, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Drake, Chief Keef, 50 Cent, and more.

Leland Tyler Wayne, known professionally as Metro Boomin, is an American record producer, record executive, and DJ. He is known for his dark production style and its influence on modern hip hop and trap and is widely considered one of the greatest producers in rap music today. He is also notable in the music industry for his producer tags "If Young Metro don't trust you, I'm gon' shoot you", “Metro!” and "Metro Boomin want some more, nigga", respectively spoken by frequent collaborators Future and Young Thug; additional collaborators include Kanye West, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Drake, 21 Savage, Nav, and Gucci Mane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21 Savage</span> US-based rapper (born 1992)

Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, known professionally as 21 Savage, is an English-born rapper. A British citizen, he has resided in the United States since childhood.

<i>Savage Mode</i> 2016 EP by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin

Savage Mode is a collaborative extended play by British-born America-based rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on July 15, 2016. It features a sole guest appearance by American rapper Future. The EP was self-released. The EP received acclaim from critics, with Rolling Stone including it in its list of the 40 Best Rap Albums of 2016. A sequel album, Savage Mode II, was released on October 2, 2020 to further acclaim.

"X" is a song written and performed by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin featuring fellow Atlanta-based rapper Future. Produced by its lead performers, it was released on July 14, 2016 as the lead single from the their collaborative extended play, Savage Mode (2016). The song was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21 Savage discography</span>

The discography of Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage consists of two studio albums, three collaborative albums, two mixtapes, three extended plays, and 31 singles.

"No Heart" is a song recorded by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on October 19, 2016, by Epic Records and serves as the second single from their collaborative extended play Savage Mode. The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Not All Heroes Wear Capes</i> 2018 studio album by Metro Boomin

Not All Heroes Wear Capes is the debut studio album by American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released by Boominati Worldwide and Republic Records on November 2, 2018. The album features guest appearances from Gucci Mane, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Swae Lee, Rich Brian, Gunna, Young Thug, Wizkid, J. Balvin, Offset, Kodak Black, and Drake. The deluxe edition of the album was released, consisting of the instrumental versions of all songs from the standard edition on November 6, 2018. The album is the first part of a trilogy, with the second part being its sequel, Metro's second studio album, Heroes & Villains, which was released on December 2, 2022.

<i>Issa Album</i> 2017 studio album by 21 Savage

Issa Album is the debut studio album by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage. It was released on July 7, 2017, through Slaughter Gang and distributed by Epic Records. The album features production from frequent collaborator Metro Boomin, alongside Southside, Pi'erre Bourne, Zaytoven, Wheezy, DJ Mustard and 21 Savage himself. It succeeds 21 Savage's collaborative EP with Metro Boomin, Savage Mode (2016).

<i>Without Warning</i> (album) 2017 studio album by 21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin

Without Warning is a collaborative studio album by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage, American rapper Offset, and American record producer Metro Boomin. The album was released on October 31, 2017, by Slaughter Gang, Epic Records, Capitol Records, Motown, Quality Control Music, Boominati Worldwide, and Republic Records. It features guest appearances from Travis Scott and Quavo. Meanwhile, the album's production was handled primarily by Metro Boomin, alongside Bijan Amir, Cubeatz, Dre Moon, and Southside. Without Warning peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200, and received generally positive reviews from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ric Flair Drip</span> 2017 single by Offset and Metro Boomin

"Ric Flair Drip" is a song by American rapper Offset and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was included on their collaborative studio album with 21 Savage, Without Warning (2017). Upon the album's release, it charted at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100. After its release as the lead single, and a subsequent music video starring Ric Flair himself, it rose to number 13, becoming both Metro Boomin and Offset's highest-charting song as lead artists at the time, until the release of Savage and Metro's "Runnin", which would peak at number 9. It is prominently featured in the WWE 2K19 soundtrack, particularly in the "Ric Flair Collector's Edition" version of the game. The song has amassed over 1.2 billion streams on Spotify, making it the 271st most played song ever on the streaming service. It is also the second most streamed song of all time on Spotify's influential RapCaviar playlist. The song has been credited for popularizing the term "drip", a slang expression denoting one's fashionability and excess swagger.

<i>Double or Nothing</i> (Big Sean and Metro Boomin album) 2017 studio album by Big Sean and Metro Boomin

Double or Nothing is a collaborative studio album by American rapper Big Sean and American record producer Metro Boomin. The album was released on December 8, 2017, by GOOD Music, Def Jam Recordings, Republic Records, Universal Music Group and Boominati Worldwide. It features guest appearances from Travis Scott, 2 Chainz, 21 Savage, Kash Doll, Young Thug, and Swae Lee. The album's production was handled primarily by Metro Boomin, alongside Earlly Mac, Pi'erre Bourne and Southside.

<i>Savage Mode II</i> 2020 album by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin

Savage Mode II is a collaborative studio album by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on October 2, 2020, and was previewed through a trailer with narration by Morgan Freeman. The album serves as a sequel to the duo's extended play Savage Mode (2016). It features guest appearances by Drake, Young Thug, and Savage's cousin Young Nudy. On October 19, 2020, a chopped and screwed version of the album was released by OG Ron C and Slim K.

"Glock in My Lap" is a song by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin, from their collaborative studio album Savage Mode II (2020). The song was produced by Metro Boomin, Southside and Honorable C.N.O.T.E.

"Mr. Right Now" is a song by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin from their collaborative album Savage Mode II. It features Canadian rapper Drake, who garnered attention for his verse in which he alludes to dating singer SZA. The R&B-esque ballad marks the fourth collaboration between 21 Savage and Drake. The song was sent to US urban radio on October 13, 2020, as the dual lead single from the album, alongside "Runnin".

"My Dawg" is a song by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin, released on October 2, 2020, as the tenth track off their collaborative album Savage Mode II. In the song, 21 Savage raps about his British origins, which is also reflected in the track's video.

"Runnin" is a song by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on October 2, 2020, as the opening track from their collaborative album Savage Mode II. The "haunting" song samples Diana Ross' 1976 song "I Thought It Took a Little Time", with 21 Savage delivering lethal threats to his enemies in a casual fashion. The official video sees 21 take a victory lap through the streets of his hometown, celebrating his Grammy award for "A Lot". It was serviced to US rhythmic radio on October 13, 2020, together with "Mr. Right Now" as the dual lead singles from the album. Debuting and peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, it is Metro Boomin's highest charting song as a lead artist; it was also 21 Savage's highest charting song as a lead artist until the release of "My Life" with J. Cole and Morray, which debuted and peaked at number two.

"Umbrella" is a song by American record producer Metro Boomin, Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage and American rapper Young Nudy, from Metro's second studio album Heroes & Villains (2022). It was produced by Metro Boomin and David X Eli.

References

  1. 1 2 Noisey. "Defining the Visual Style of Southern Hip Hop - Noisey Design (Episode 1)". Vice Media. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2020– via Youtube.
  2. ↑ Julie, Grob. "Special Collections- Librarian". www.uh.edu/. University of Houston. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 Mebane, William. "Letter of Recommendation: Pen & Pixel". nytimes. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Kakaire, Christine. "Strictly abiding by a "more-is-more" philosophy, the Brauch brothers shaped the visual aesthetic of Southern hip-hop's flashiest era". RedBullmusicacademy. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  5. ↑ Howard, Jacinta. "THE BEST PEN & PIXEL RAP COVERS". theboombox. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  6. ↑ Friedman, Skinny. "An Ode to Pen & Pixel Album Covers". Vice. Vice media. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  7. ↑ Jenkins, Sacha; Wilson, Elliot; Mao, Jeff; Alvarez, Gabe; Rollins, Brent (March 25, 2014). Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists. St. Martin's Publishing Group. p. 169. ISBN   978-1466866973 . Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  8. ↑ Metro Boomin (confirmed account) [@MetroBoomin] (September 30, 2020). "Shoutout Pen & Pixel for coming out of retirement to do 1 more cover #legendary" (Tweet). Retrieved October 1, 2020– via Twitter.
  9. ↑ Findlay, Mitch (September 29, 2020). "Metro Boomin & 21 Savage Unveil "Savage Mode 2" Cover". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 1, 2020. Although Pen & Pixel was commissioned to do the Savage Mode ll cover, the cover that was released for the album is not an official Pen & Pixel cover, but instead inspired by a cover Pen & Pixel did for 21 Savage that was scrapped due to deadline issues.
  10. ↑ Ivey, Justin (September 29, 2020). "21 Savage & Metro Boomin's 'Savage Mode 2' Cover Art Channels Classic Cash Money & No Limit Albums". HipHopDX . Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  11. ↑ Harper, Rosario (September 29, 2020). "21 Savage + Metro Boomin Reveal Cash Money Records-Inspired Savage Mode II Album Cover". SOHH . Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  12. ↑ Pen and pixel Retrieved 3 June 2023
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.