Kanye West’s 808′s & Heartbreak

Kanye West by Willy Vanderperre

Kanye West has the number one album in the world in “808′s & Heartbreak.” Well-deserved. Not only is he one of the more talented, highly creative, open-minded people that we have had the opportunity to work with, but the man does not stop. Ever.

Kanye West by Willy Vanderperre

Base lended a helping hand with 808′s by art directing the photos that appear in the album and all promotional materials. Working from references that Kanye provided, namely that of film “American Psycho,” we sought out photographer Willy Vanderperre, known most recently for his work on the Jil Sander campaign, to shoot a series of images that would depart from the visual language of hip hop. The photos, elegant and minimal, reinforce the strong statement that Kanye has made with the album itself.