Your favourite rappers want Emily Catherine to do their album covers

Do you appreciate artwork while also listening to your favourite rapper’s album? Emily Catherine was most likely involved with it.

Straight outta Nottingham

Based in Nottingham, UK we came across Emily's work being a fan of the rapper, Your Old Droog’s music (personal fav album - It Wasn’t Even Close). Having also built a friendship with Pharaohe Monch, the Queen's New York City rapper whose song, Simon Says is a rap classic along with UK grime favourite, Big Narstie.

With this mutual like we reached out and started off our questions by asking, what’s been her favourite album artwork done for Your Old Droog and the process behind it? ‘I think my favourite is It Wasn’t Even Close because it’s the first one we did together and it wasn’t rushed, it was all hand drawn, hand painted.’ 

Away from musicians, Emily's art also spans workshops, exhibitions and on beermats.

The trusty tools used to transform her pieces are paintbrushes, paint, ink, pencils, paper or canvas. While putting her on the spot we asked what's been her favourite artwork created and why?

That’s such a difficult question! I can’t have a single favourite, but if I was asked for a top three I’d go; All the Droog ones for the fun and creativity, Juga-Naut’s album cover for Time & Place because I got to pose him and paint him like the masters, and the giant mural I did in my city celebrating Sir Paul Smith because he thanked me for it and I love painting big. 

From this, the creative process begins. ‘It’s different every time depending on the musician if it’s a commission. But on the whole, I hand stretch paper, sketch out, paint.’ 

Your Old Droog’s album, It Wasn’t Even Close created by Emily

Musicians reaching out to artists to create their album covers via social media is a common practice. The best methods for Emily involve ‘social media and word of mouth. I like talking to people about art and music, I like honest conversation so any platform which encourages people to interact with each other means people get a better sense of my work and want to work with me.’ 

Having a unique rapport with underground rappers, we wanted to ask what other music artists Emily would like to create artwork for and why? 

Music being my main inspiration for painting, again, this is a difficult question because I’m honoured every time I get to work with a musician, but if pushed: I think De La Soul, Erykah Badu - I’d love to make work for Steve Lacey, Homeboy Sandman or Frank Ocean. But for real this could be an endless list here.

That’s definitely an impressive wishlist 👌

Get Art or Die Tryin’

Are you considering creating your own art? Emily’s advice is - ‘You don’t need anyone’s permission to call yourself an artist and begin, so begin. And there is only one rule in life, don’t be a d*ck.’ Simple and effective.

The latest technological marvel that has generated lots of discussion has been AI art. Emily gives her thoughts and opinions on it all.

Well apart from the obvious complications around copyright ethics, I actually like the emergence of AI because it really is an affordable way of getting unusual art for people who can’t afford to commission. Also, it makes what I do all the more special. Yes, we have to question HOW the images are farmed but that raises a much more complicated discussion on internet regulation and copyrighting in a postmodern society that we don’t have the knowledge or word count here to discuss fully, hahahaa! 

Life always brings up various challenges and with art that's no different, Emily shares one of her stories.

Pulling a project at a late stage because the commissioner wanted (what I later realised) was a racist symbol inside the work. I took no money and I made him sign a contract that he couldn’t release it. It made me sad and was legally complicated.

Oh no 🙈

To balance all of this out we are told the lowest and highest point(s) while creating. ‘See above! But additionally I hate it when I haven’t got the right equipment for the job, and I loathe the bit where I am in panic mode that I’m doing an awful painting until suddenly it comes good.’ There's always light at the end of the tunnel ✨ 🙌

Painting time-lapse

Artmatic

Keen to see what's next for Emily? ‘Excitingly I am embarking on a year of no commissions so I can work on my own art. I’m also working on new prints and products in my shop and overhauling my business plan. It’s been eight years since I started so I need a refresh!’

We are looking forward to seeing the next chapter from Emily’s gallery 🖼

And the final words for IndieBloom? ‘Thanks IndieBloom for giving me a platform and supporting my work! You guys are the best’ :) Nottingham stand up!

If you yourself are a music artist or want a special piece of artwork, reach out to Emily directly through her Linktree, showcasing all her arty goodness on the major social platforms (Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube). And don't forget to check out other art introduced by IndieBloom while supporting us on our Patreon 😉