Ghetto Blaster 

This album cover for The Crusader’s 1984 release “Ghetto Blaster” features the artwork of African American artist Ernie Barnes. The painting titled “The Maestro”, was created in 1983 and then later adapted for The Crusader’s album cover design, similar to the inception of Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You” album cover. Barnes was known for his distinctive style that blended figurative abstraction with rhythmic-like compositions that would often depict scenes of African American life and culture. The artwork for “Ghetto Blaster” captures that dynamic energy and emotional depth that Barnes illustrates, providing a fitting visual before the listener even listens to the first song of the album, inviting them into that environment.