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2017-04-22
Written by Evelyn Carter
Nigeria's rich musical heritage has been beautifully showcased through its iconic album covers, which have not only reflected the country's diverse cultural influences but also served as a testament to its vibrant artistic expression. The Album Cover Bank exhibition is a celebration of this visual legacy, featuring over 70 years of music artistry from across Nigeria.
Album Cover Bank traces over 70 years of Nigeria’s album design and visual culture. We speak to Opemipo Aikomo of the Lagos-based collective wuruwuru about its industrious and culturally groundbreaking feat.
The world of music has always been a visual one, and in Nigeria, this is particularly true. From the vibrant colors of Fela Kuti's posters to the sleek designs of Wizkid's album art, Nigerian musicians have long understood the importance of presenting themselves visually on record. But while these images are often instantly recognizable, they are also ephemeral – relegated to the dustbin of history as soon as a new album is released.
Album Cover Bank seeks to change this by creating a comprehensive archive of Nigeria’s album design and visual culture. Founded in 2022, the project has already made significant inroads into the world of music, tracing over 70 years of Nigerian visual history through its painstaking research and documentation. And at the heart of it all is the Lagos-based collective wuruwuru, led by Opemipo Aikomo.
Wuruwuru Collective's approach to album cover design is one of reverence and respect for the past, combined with a keen eye on the present. By scouring vintage records, conducting interviews with musicians and designers, and even digitizing thousands of hours of footage from Nigeria's music archives, wuruwuru has built a truly unique resource that sheds light on the country's rich musical heritage.
But Album Cover Bank is more than just a repository of images – it's also an important cultural artifact in its own right. By bringing together some of Nigeria's most iconic album covers under one digital roof, the project creates a sense of continuity and connection between different eras and artists. It's an act of love, really – a testament to the enduring power of music and visual culture to transcend time.
Take Fela Kuti's 1969 album cover for his classic "Fela Ransack De Soccers", for example. The image features a striking portrait of the legendary musician, set against a bold red background that perfectly captures the intensity of his sound. This iconic design has been preserved and made available through Album Cover Bank, ensuring that generations to come can appreciate its beauty and significance.
Wuruwuru's approach to album cover design is equally impressive. Their designs are meticulously researched, drawing on a deep understanding of Nigerian visual culture and history. From the colorful patterns and symbols used by 1970s funk band Sweet Sensation to the bold typography of 1980s reggae artist E.T. Mensah, each image has been lovingly crafted to evoke its respective era and style.
And then there's the issue of cultural ownership – a complex question that gets to the heart of Album Cover Bank's mission. How do we ensure that these images are respected and preserved for future generations? For wuruwuru Collective, this is an ongoing challenge – one that requires a delicate balance between respect for the past and recognition of the present.
To achieve this balance, wuruwuru has established partnerships with museums, archives, and other cultural institutions across Nigeria. By working closely with these organizations, they can ensure that their designs are accurately represented and contextualized within the broader narrative of Nigerian visual culture.
Of course, Album Cover Bank is not without its challenges. With most of these artworks nestled in our phones, on social media platforms or tucked away in dusty archives, it's often difficult to track down the origins and context of even the most iconic designs. But through wuruwuru Collective's tireless efforts, this is slowly changing.
For Wuruwuru, the work begins with an interest in music itself – a deep love for the genres, artists, and eras that have shaped Nigeria's rich musical landscape. From there, it's a matter of tracing back the visual history of each album – scouring record stores, archives and online forums to uncover as much information as possible about its design.
The results are stunning – a vast, multimedia archive of Nigerian album cover art that is both visually striking and historically significant. And while the project is still in its early stages, it's already beginning to make a real impact on our understanding of Nigeria's visual culture.
It'll be a sad day when we stop revelling in the album covers that contribute to our visual cultures. And that day is lurking in the near future, with most of these artworks nestled in our phones, on social media platforms or tucked away in dusty archives. But for now, Album Cover Bank remains a beacon of hope – a testament to the power of music and visual culture to transcend time.
As we move forward into an increasingly digital age, it's clear that wuruwuru Collective is playing a vital role in preserving Nigeria's rich musical heritage. By documenting our album covers, they are also preserving our collective memory – a reminder of the people, places and cultures that have shaped our country's history.
And so, as we look to the future, Album Cover Bank remains an essential resource for anyone interested in Nigerian music and visual culture. Whether you're a historian, a musician, or simply someone who loves great design, there's never been a better time to explore the rich visual history of Nigeria.
With its vast archive of album covers, meticulously researched designs, and commitment to cultural preservation, Album Cover Bank is truly something special – a celebration of the power of music and visual culture to bring us together.
