60 Famous Rap Logos That Are Iconic
Rap continues to be one of the most loved music genres in the United States. Every artist from this branch of music has found different ways to distinguish themselves. Today, we are taking a look at exemplary rap logos in history.
This industry requires an artist to be musically inclined, but they must also know to brand themselves properly. Presenting themselves to the audience matters, too.
So, if you plan on dropping your mixtape soon, you better start taking notes from the biggest names in the industry. You can source inspiration from this roundup and learn the do’s and don’ts when creating a face for your brand.
Let’s honor the legendary music logos below.
Popular rap logo designs
Wu-Tang Clan
This illustration logo has got to be one of the most recognizable insignias in music. Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop collective with members including RZA, Ghostface Killah, and the like. The group’s logo is an initial logo of the letter W. It also doubles as an illustration of a bird. This logo was created by Ronal Maurice Bean, a producer, and DJ better known as Mathematics.
NWA
From Compton, California, NWA is a rap group that boomed in the late ‘80s. The group makes use of a text-based lettermark logo to help shorten the unabbreviated version of its name. Its typography has a graffiti-like quality using a sans serif font called Mistral, which has varying line weight. You will often see the logo in red with touches of white and black to make it pop.
Run-DMC
Hailing from New York, Run-DM is a rap group. The text-based logo is characterized by a bold sans serif font. Its typography gets emphasis from the two red lines found above and underneath the group name. The font used for this design is Franklin Gothic Heavy, which gives it a bold look.
Eminem
The rapper and producer keeps it simple with an all caps typography logo. It keeps the design creative by flipping the letter E. Monochrome logos such as Eminem’s own perks. It is more adaptive than designs with different colors. Additionally, it also more comfortable to apply to single-color print collaterals such as stamps.
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill is a Latin-American rap group with a calligraphy logo. It takes inspiration from gothic calligraphy, also known as blackletter, that has ornate elements, often used for the first letter of a word. You can see how the letters C and H have more significant and detailed glyphs, resulting in an eye-catching output.
A Tribe Called Quest
Circular shapes represent harmony and unity, according to shape psychology. A Tribe Called Quest’s logo is text-based, but it is displayed to form a circle. For decoration, it adds stickmen figures that are interacting with the text. It fits the jazz-inspired collective well.
Public Enemy
With a strong focus on socially conscious music, the collective keeps its logo straightforward with an illustration of a man being aimed at with a crosshair. It uses perspective to relay an important message. In an interview, Public Enemy member Chuck D explained that “The crosshairs logo symbolized the black man in America.” The design tells the story of the group and spreads awareness of political issues.
Outkast
The brand mark of Outkast has elements influenced by heraldic design. It has a badge shape, which is something you would typically see in a coat of arms. The crown icon that sits above the logo also adds another layer of royalty.
Naughty by Nature
The Grammy-winning group has a black and white design. Its lines are inspired by chalk-drawings as seen on its jagged edges. As you look closer, you’ll notice that the letters have improper capitalization, making the design appear laidback. The design gets additional emphasis from the baseball illustration underneath it.
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys has a shape logo that is comprised of a diamond shape and a rectangle. It frames the group name, making it pop and providing a solid silhouette for the text. This rock and rap influenced band use black and white when displaying this design, but it occasionally adds red for contrast.
Discover more logo inspiration
Snoop Dogg
Fugees
The Sugarhill Gang
EPMD
Hieroglyphics
Onyx
Salt ‘N Pepa
Young Jeezy
Tupac
E-40
Delicious Vinyl
No Limit Records
Dr. Dre
Lil Nas X
Gang Starr
KMD
House of Pain
Lench Mob Records
Mantronix
Big Pun
Nicki Minaj
Megan Thee Stallion
Lil Yachty
Playboi Carti
Kodak Black
Iann Dior
Tyler, the Creator
Kanye
JayZ
Kid Cudi
Lil Uzi Vert
Travis Scott
Kendrick Lamar
21 Savage
J Cole
Polo G
Lil Baby
Pop Smoke
Future
ASAP Rocky
UGK Records
Dog Eat Dog
Wiz Khalifa
The Black Eyed Peas
Flo Rida
Rick Ross
Nas
Rod Wave
Migos
Post Malone
Conclusion
This list has shown the different ways you can use design elements to make a unique brand mark for music brands. Having a distinct brand identity will help grow your brand. It drives brand awareness and even allows you to stay on top of your listener’s minds.
If you want to get your music out there, finding your sound isn’t enough. You have to develop an identity that will stand as the face of your brand, too. Understanding how to build a strong brand identity is key to ensuring your visuals, style, and messaging resonate with your audience and reflect your musical essence.
Quickly get a custom rap logo design by running a logo design contest on DesignCrowd. The crowdsourcing platform lets you hold design contests for logos, album covers, apparel design, and other marketing collateral. Work with freelance graphic designers and expect up to 50 design bids for your project.
Or you can try the BrandCrowd rap logo maker. You can generate the logo you have in mind in minutes. Every design in the collection is customizable, empowering you with numerous ways to create a balanced design by incorporating illustrations, typography, and color schemes. Try it here.
