Z. JONES
What would happen if David Bowie decided to drop a rap album?
Research
This is how I see it. To develop this project I conceptualised a whole research about rap culture, David Bowie and the decade of the 80’s. This lead me to come up with a story:
Story
David Bowie, a man who fell to earth, decided to get in touch with his human side. After hanging out with Outcast, Soul Chef, A Tribe Called Quest, Bowie started feeling connected to the culture of the streets. With those who are not satisfied, who talk about love, life, and are there fo each other in an unbreakable community.
Process
To develop this album, I generated imagery of Bowie, merging his essence with an edgier side of him. After strong editing, I moved to the naming.
Naming
David Robert Jones is Bowie’s birth name, and since he’s getting in touch with his human side on this album I merged Z. (from ziggy, he’s persona) with “Jones” as a show of his humanity (while keeping his essence)
Logo
The typographical logo is inspired by the black lettering famous in rap albums on the 80’s, giving it a Bowie twist.
Symbology
The rest of the imagery is a metaphorical expression on how jewellery holds a lot of one’s energy. Several legends like the Evil eye necklace, the rosary, etc. confirm the cultural weight of jewellery, making this a piece of his identity in humanity. Chains are jewels are often seen in the rap culture, representing financial success, a visual rebellion against generational poverty, and a tradition.
The vinyls as planets are a little reminder that he’s still Bowie, and with him as a human his connection to space is his music.
Deliverables
This album holds a story, a vinyl, a CD, a CD booklet, typographical logotypes and underground promotional campaign.
Process
To develop this album, I generated imagery of Bowie, merging his essence with an edgier side of him. After strong editing, I moved to the naming.
Naming
David Robert Jones is Bowie’s birth name, and since he’s getting in touch with his human side on this album I merged Z. (from ziggy, he’s persona) with “Jones” as a show of his humanity (while keeping his essence)
Logo
The typographical logo is inspired by the black lettering famous in rap albums on the 80’s, giving it a Bowie twist.
Symbology
The rest of the imagery is a metaphorical expression on how jewellery holds a lot of one’s energy. Several legends like the Evil eye necklace, the rosary, etc. confirm the cultural weight of jewellery, making this a piece of his identity in humanity. Chains are jewels are often seen in the rap culture, representing financial success, a visual rebellion against generational poverty, and a tradition.
The vinyls as planets are a little reminder that he’s still Bowie, and with him as a human his connection to space is his music.
Deliverables
This album holds a story, a vinyl, a CD, a CD booklet, typographical logotypes and underground promotional campaign.
Z. JONES
What would happen if David Bowie decided to drop a rap album?
Research
This is how I see it. To develop this project I conceptualised a whole research about rap culture, David Bowie and the decade of the 80’s. This lead me to come up with a story:
Story
David Bowie, a man who fell to earth, decided to get in touch with his human side. After hanging out with Outcast, Soul Chef, A Tribe Called Quest, Bowie started feeling connected to the culture of the streets. With those who are not satisfied, who talk about love, life, and are there fo each other in an unbreakable community.
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