Olaolu Slawn Lands Michael Jackson Cover Art for Upcoming Vinyl Release
Nigerian-British artist Olaolu Slawn has secured one of the most culturally significant commissions in recent music-art crossover: designing the official cover and alternative vinyl packaging for a forthcoming Michael Jackson release tied to the highly anticipated biopic Michael. The announcement, first shared by Slawn via Instagram, positions the Lagos-born, London-based creative at the intersection of legacy and contemporary Black expression.
The project forms part of a post-theatrical vinyl rollout expected after the film’s release. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, Michael is already building momentum as a defining on-screen account of the King of Pop’s life. Slawn’s artwork—titled Michael Jackson (2026)—anchors the visual identity of this special edition, translating Jackson’s enduring aura through a distinctly modern lens. In his own words, Slawn described the deeply personal milestone:
“I was asked to do THE MICHAEL JACKSON Cover /Alternative Vinyl they’re releasing after the movie. Referenced some of the artworks Michael done himself. My first oil painting had to be for the most important artist ever face, first and last time I’ll be doing that. This is probably one of the most important works I’ll do for the mean time but I’m grateful, Amen.”
Slawn framed the moment as both milestone and risk: referencing Jackson’s own lesser-known artworks, he revealed this was his first oil painting and likely his last in that medium, underscoring the weight he attaches to the commission. The piece itself, a large-scale mixed-media canvas, carries his signature raw, expressive style—a textured portrait marked by bold colour, exaggerated form, and emotional immediacy. It is a commanding 180 × 150 × 3 cm mixed-media painting on canvas, executed in acrylic, oil stick, ink, and spray paint. It features Slawn’s signature raw, textured style: a striking portrait of Jackson with a voluminous afro, bold red garment, and starry blue background. Currently represented by Saatchi Yates gallery in London (price on request), the work is already being hailed as a collector’s piece that fuses Slawn’s street-influenced, expressive aesthetic with direct nods to Jackson’s own lesser-known personal artworks.
For the 28-year-old Lagos-born, London-based artist, known for his boundary-pushing collaborations with brands like Louis Vuitton, his sold-out exhibitions, and his distinctive childlike-yet-provocative figures, this commission represents a career-defining moment. Slawn has previously created album art and visuals for artists; still, this latest commission marks a clear escalation in scale and cultural weight, aligning his work with one of the most iconic legacies in global music history.
Best known for his disruptive, street-influenced aesthetic and collaborations with brands like Louis Vuitton, Slawn has steadily expanded his cultural footprint, including prior work with artists such as 21 Savage. Still, this latest commission marks a clear escalation in scale and cultural weight, aligning his work with one of the most iconic legacies in global music history.
As the Michael film reintroduces Jackson’s story to a new generation, Slawn’s contribution ensures the visual narrative evolves alongside it, carrying forward a legacy that continues to inspire across mediums.
