Photographer Jonathan Mannion Reveals the Original Photo Used for ‘The Black Album’ Cover

The 15th anniversary of Jay-Z’s The Black Album was celebrated across Hip-Hop this past week. With the discussion dominating social media, photographer Jonathan Mannion revealed the original photo for the cover of the album.

Many viewed the all-black cover of the album as the ending to a legendary career and for years it appeared Hov was in a t-shirt and a fitted. Mannion has blown everyone’s mind by showing the picture actually edited to look that way and the “Change Clothes” rapper was actually in a New York Jets jersey.

Mannion would detail the picture was a leftover from The Blueprint photoshoot in 2001. Check out the full image and the edit that we all came to love together below.

 

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THE ORIGINATOR. Photographed for The Blueprint in 2001. It became the actual blueprint for The Black Album. ROC chain. @waynejchrebet jersey. ? @jonathanmannion. Repost responsibly… WITH PHOTO CREDIT. When you’re able, always ask permission for ANY photographer’s work that you enjoy. We work as hard as anyone else in this industry and, humbly presented, deserve that respect.

A post shared by Jonathan Mannion (@jonathanmannion) on Nov 15, 2018 at 9:06am PST