Travis Scott fans have been eagerly awaiting his fourth studio album, “UTOPIA,” for the past five years. While the album received a lukewarm score of 5.7 from authoritative music review organization Pitchfork, it still managed to become the most played album on both Apple Music and Spotify on its release day. In fact, all 19 songs from the album claimed the top 19 spots on Spotify’s US chart, highlighting the incredible influence of the Houston rapper.
After experiencing a fluctuating personal career over the past five years, Travis Scott aims to make a strong comeback with “UTOPIA.” From planned audition sessions at the Pyramids of Giza and Pompeii, to a luxurious production team and collaboration lineup, Travis is determined to reclaim his throne as the “Return of the King.”
To bring his vision of “utopia” to life, Travis Scott and his team enlisted the help of Nicke Bildstein Zaar, the founder of Berlin art studio sub, and regular collaborator with Balenciaga, as the creative director. Together, they created a limited edition magazine called “UTOPIA ZINE,” which serves as a visual essay documenting the inspirations and production process of “UTOPIA,” as well as the A24 cooperative micro-film “Circus Maximus.”
The magazine features the works of ten different artists and groups, each offering a glimpse into the grand world view presented in Travis Scott’s album. Included among these artists is South African photographer Pieter Hugo, known for his original portrayal of marginalized communities and subcultures. Berlin-based photographer Kristina Nagel, who has previously worked with fashion brands like Rick Owens and Yeezy Gap Engineered by Balenciaga, also contributed to the magazine.
Italian photographer and videographer Michele Sibiloni captured the psychedelic ambiance of “UTOPIA” using blurred lighting and landscapes. Matthew Angelo Harrison, an installation artist, incorporated relics and symbols of African-American culture in his work. Furniture and installation designer Dozie Kanu, favored by Travis Scott, showcased his unique visual language inspired by the history of the African diaspora.
Multimedia artist Jon Rafman, architectural and installation artist Liam Denhamer, digital art creator Dodleyz, and the founders of OPIOID CRISIS LOOK BOOK and NMR.CC also contributed their distinctive styles to the magazine.
“UTOPIA ZINE,” which has been released through Travis Scott’s official website, features six different cover versions, each including a CD of the album. Priced at $25, the 112-page magazine offers a deeper insight into the artistic world of “UTOPIA” and is a must-have for fans.