Some of Universal Music Group's most legendary hip-hop albums will get a Marvel makeover, in a partnership between Universal Music's Urban Legends and Marvel Comics that will be released on Dec. 7.
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The special edition covers will be featured on select classic hip-hop albums' reissues with collectible options including a double color vinyl collector's variant cover that replaces the original with Marvel cover art, a statement said. The first three albums to get the Marvel touch will be 50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Trying, LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out and GZA's Liquid Swords. Iron Man will appear behind a cracked glass on 50 Cent's album, the Punisher will mimic LLCool J's stance on his cover and Iron Man fighting Maestro will appear on GZA's album.
Another collectible option will be a Deluxe Variant Cover Collector's Edition that "will sport the featured album itself housed in a gatefold LP with the variant cover printed directly on the front." The collector's edition will also include double color vinyl and a copy of the limited edition comic book that corresponds with the artwork. Each collector's editions will be limited to 3,000 copies.
The album-inspired images first appeared as comic book variants for several of Marvel's top comic titles in 2015. Now with a partnership with Urban Legends, Universal Music Group's cross-platform initiative created to curate and celebrate their urban music catalog, the images will appear in albums for super-fans to enjoy.
All three rappers currently featured are GRAMMY nominees and two, 50 Cent and LL Cool J are GRAMMY winners. 50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Trying was nominated at the 46th GRAMMY Awards for Best Rap Album. LL Cool J's title track "Mama Said Knock You Out" won Best Rap Solo Performance at the 34th GRAMMY Awards.
The albums are now available for pre-order here.
