Pen & Pixel
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Graphic design, Album artwork |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Aaron Brauch, Shawn Brauch |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Fate | Ceased operations |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Aaron Brauch, Shawn Brauch |
| Products | Album cover artwork |
Pen & Pixel Graphics, Inc. was a Houston, Texas–based American graphic design company renowned for creating album artwork, particularly for Southern United States gangsta rap musicians. The firm was the chief creative partner for labels such as No Limit Records, Cash Money Records, and Suave House Records.
History
Established in 1992 by siblings Aaron and Shawn Brauch, Pen & Pixel collaborated with more than 8,000 clients and produced a total of 19,180 album covers prior to ceasing operations in 2003. The Brauch brothers cited the proliferation of peer-to-peer file sharing through platforms like Napster and the aftermath of the September 11 attacks—which discouraged artists from traveling to Houston for artwork approvals—as key reasons for their closure.
Pen & Pixel’s designs were distinguished by an ostentatious, more-is-more maximalist aesthetic, often incorporating imagery such as bullets, luxury cars, narcotics, flames, precious gems, cash, and women—icons representing affluence and extravagance. Their creative process involved drafting initial concepts that were digitized to compile inventories of elements like vehicles and diamonds; these items were then photographed from various perspectives for repeated use. The company notably avoided political-themed covers (with the exception of their inaugural project on Willie D's I'm Goin' Out Lika Soldier) and declined controversial proposals such as one submitted by Insane Clown Posse.
In 2020, Pen & Pixel briefly reemerged from retirement to craft cover art for Savage Mode II by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin. This design paid tribute to their iconic style inspired by the glittering bling-rap visuals popularized by Cash Money and No Limit during the 1990s. However, due to tight deadlines, the final released cover served as an homage rather than an official Pen & Pixel creation.
1992
1993
1994
1995
- Hillwood by SPM
- Mystic Stylez by Three 6 Mafia
- Sailin' Da South by E.S.G.
- On Top of the World by Eightball & MJG
1996
- The Shocker by Silkk the Shocker
- 3 'n the Mornin' (Part Two) by DJ Screw
- Chapter 1: The End by Three 6 Mafia
1997
- Tru 2 da Game by TRU
- Stackin Chips by 3X Krazy
- I'm Bout It by various artists
- Solja Rags by Juvenile
- Ghetto D by Master P
- Get It How U Live! by the Hot Boys
- Chapter 2: World Domination by Three 6 Mafia
- Unpredictable by Mystikal
- No More Glory by MJG
- Lyrics of a Pimp by Eightball & MJG
- How You Luv That by Big Tymer$
1998
- Make 'Em Say Uhh! (single) by Master P
- Charge It 2 da Game by Silkk the Shocker
- Hustle Town by SPM
- Life or Death by C-Murder
- Give It 2 'Em Raw by Soulja Slim
- Lost by Eightball
- MP da Last Don by Master P
- Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told by Snoop Dogg
- Angel Dust by Indo G
- How You Luv That Vol. 2 by Big Tymer$
- Mean Green featuring various artists
- Ghetto Organized by the Gambino Family
- 400 Degreez by Juvenile
- Da Good da Bad & da Ugly by the Geto Boys
- Ghetto Fabulous by Mystikal
- Power Moves: The Table by SPM
1999
- Made Man by Silkk the Shocker
- CrazyNDaLazDayz from Tear da Club Up Thugs
- Da Next Level by Mr. Serv-On
- Shinin' n' Grindin' by E.S.G.
- Chopper City in the Ghetto from B.G.
- First Come, First Served by Dr. Dooom
- Rear End performed by Mercedes
- Bigger & Blacker by comedian Chris Rock
- Da Crime Family from the group TRU
- Guerrilla Warfare by the Hot Boys
- Ghetty Green by Project Pat
- Only God Can Judge Me performed by Master P
- Tha Block Is Hot from Lil Wayne
- The 3rd Wish: To Rock the World by SPM
- Tha G-Code from Juvenile
2000
- City Under Siege by E.S.G.
- I Got That Work from Big Tymers
- When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1 by Three 6 Mafia
- The Leprechaun from Lil' Flip
- Matthew performed by Kool Keith
- Soundtrack: Baller Blockin' featuring various artists
- Let's Get Ready from Mystikal
- Space Age 4 Eva performed by Eightball & MJG
- Ghetto Postage from Master P
- Time Is Money performed by SPM
- Lights Out from Lil Wayne
2001
- My World, My Way by Silkk the Shocker
- Project English performed by Juvenile
- Soundtrack: Choices: The Album from Three 6 Mafia
- Bang or Ball performed by Mack 10
- Album: Never Change: The Pain and Glory Album, credited to SPM
- Tarantula from Mystikal
2002
- Album: 500 Degreez, performed by Lil Wayne
2003
- Album: Let 'Em Burn, created by the group Hot Boys
- Soundtrack: Da Unbreakables, from Three 6 Mafia
- Album: Terrorist Threats, performed by the group Westside Connection
2020
References
Notes
Sources
External links
- Archived official site (as of March 4, 2000)
- Company records maintained by the University of Houston