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The Coup's 'Party Music' Cover Predicted 9/11 and Was Pulled Before Release

other · 2026-09-11

The Coup's fourth album, Party Music, had its release delayed from September 2001 because its cover illustrated the Twin Towers' destruction. This artwork, designed months prior, features Boots Riley and DJ Pam the Funkstress, who passed away in 2017. The photos were captured on May 15, with the final design completed three months before the tragic events. The Coup, known for their anti-capitalist stance, aimed for the cover to serve as a critique of U.S. finance. Following the attacks, the label withdrew the image, and Riley emphasized it was not intended as a violent message. The cover was later substituted with a cocktail glass. Although Party Music garnered critical praise, it did not rank among their top albums. Other bands, including Dream Theater and Jimmy Eat World, also modified their artwork after 9/11.

Fatti principali

  • The Coup's album Party Music was scheduled for September 2001 but postponed because its cover showed the Twin Towers exploding.
  • The cover art was created months before the September 11 attacks, with photos taken on May 15 and final design ready within weeks.
  • The cover featured Boots Riley with a guitar tuner (mistaken for a detonator) and DJ Pam the Funkstress holding conductor-like batons.
  • Label 75 Ark removed the image from its website and halted printing after receiving protests; owner Toni Isabella said they didn't think twice.
  • Boots Riley initially wanted to keep the cover to denounce US military and corporate terrorism but later gave in.
  • The replacement cover was an anonymous image of a cocktail glass with flames.
  • Dream Theater's Live Scenes from New York, released on September 11, 2001, was withdrawn and replaced due to its Twin Towers artwork.
  • Jimmy Eat World's Bleed American was reissued as Jimmy Eat World due to 9/11, with the original title restored in 2008.
  • Donnie Darko, released in late October 2001, was affected by bad timing due to a trailer showing a plane engine crashing.

Entità

Artisti

  • Boots Riley
  • Pam the Funkstress
  • The Notorious B.I.G.
  • Busta Rhymes
  • Jake Gyllenhaal

Istituzioni

  • The Coup
  • 75 Ark
  • Wired
  • Dream Theater
  • Jimmy Eat World

Luoghi

  • New York
  • United States
  • Manhattan

Fonti

Storie collegate