NEW YORK, NY – Loosely inspired by photographer Nick Knight’s 1995 editorial, and guided by his unsettling quote “The more visible they make me, the more invisible I become”, the visual aesthetics of Busy Signal’s album Parts of the Puzzle, out October 4th, examine the complex interplay of surveillance, artistry and self-exploration.
Nkosi, a St. Lucian born photographer & visual artist, used industrial environments as a stage to manipulate negative-space, creating a minimalist visual dialogue.
Shooting from a distance was key to conveying the ‘puzzle’ motif; The focus is Busy and his versatility as an artist, which the album embodies. Social media has become a virtual feeding frenzy, manipulated andmass consumed by advertisers and audiences alike; Busy reveals glimpses of his life through music. To get to know him more, the puzzle pieces are hidden within the melodies and lyrics of his songs. The contrasting typography pairs digital brutalism with various juxtaposed logos, block text and tech camouflage, reflecting a cultural obsession with personal branding in the age of the internet.
Savannah Baker & Samantha Rhodes (a powerhouse duo with clients like Rihanna ‘Savage x Fenty’, Stella McCartney, Lana Del Rey, Katy Perry, J Balvin, Jorja Smith, Kali Uchis and Sean Paul) styled the shoot with anti-surveillance inspired tech gear along with color-blocking and bold silhouettes.
Parts of The Puzzle’s photography is strikingly provocative and begs the question: how much of your authentic self must you reveal in the age of intrusion and surveillance in order to connect with your fans?
Photographer: Nkosi (Chance Nkosi Gomez)
Stylists: Savannah Baker + Samantha Rhodes
Graphic Design + Logo: Ross Palumbo
Additional Layout: Rebecca Lovinsquy
Creative Director: Stephanie Chin
Tracklist:
01. Stay So
02. One Way
03. Real Born Gallis
04. Got To Tell You
05. Balloon
06. Everywhere We Go
07. Search No More
08. Therapy
09. Girl Like You
10. Bring Back The Vibes feat. Josey Wales
11. Fat Under
12. Dolla Van
13. 100% feat. Afro B
14. Nuh Weh Nuh Safe feat. Bounty Killer
15. Starr Buxx
16. Jah Know Dawg
17. Smiling Face
Follow Busy Signal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busysignal_turf/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneBusySignal/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/busysignal_turf?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
For press inquiries or an interview with the creative team or Busy Signal, please contact: jennifer.valentin@vprecords.com
