Pusha T Album Cover Disrespects a Legend's Memory

If you're even just the slightest bit involved in social media then you've probably already heard about the new Pusha T album Daytona (created on Kanye West's label GOOD Music). The album consists of seven songs that include "Infrared," a diss track about Drake that has been making headlines, but that's not the only thing about this album that's been making headlines.

Recently it came to light that the photograph used for the album cover is actually of the late Whitney Houston's bathroom during a hard time in her life when she struggled with drug addiction and abuse. It's very visible that there are drugs on the counter and it's no secret Whitney Houston had struggled with substance abuse, especially since drugs were a contributing factor in her passing away back in 2012.

The feedback on the cover art has been pretty divided. Some have been defending Pusha T and Kayne West, even applauding them for being seemingly "edgy" and pushing the limits. Then there are others, like Houston's family and fans, that have been pretty disappointed by it and rightfully so. Whether or not Kayne and Pusha T knew they would get this kind of reaction from the public it's still extremely insensitive.

However, it's NOT "edgy" or "artistic" and instead is disrespectful to not only fans of Houston and her family, but also to those who have battled with addiction and substance abuse themselves or to those who have lost friends or family from the battle.

The Most Awarded Female Act of All Time

Just at the age of 20 Whitney Houston was discovered singing in a nightclub and was given a record deal on the spot. From then on she rose to the top and became a praised and record-breaking artist during her time with seven Grammys and over 20 nominations. Unfortunately, around 1992, she began to use cocaine, became addicted, and started abusing the substance. She was in and out of rehab, bouncing back from being sober and relapsing. Houston's battle with substance abuse was so extreme that in 2012 she passed away while cocaine was present in her system.

The connection to her death and the photograph used for the Daytona album art stems from the fact that she died in her bathroom in Beverly Hills, where drugs were listed as a contributing factor. So to use a very personal image of her life, especially a drug-filled bathroom, is incredibly in poor taste and puts down the magnitude of how serious addiction in America is and how drug abuse really damages people's lives and families.

Her legacy should be about her talent and the iconic footprint she left in the music industry, not her struggles with substance abuse. To do so dishonors her memory and all that she had accomplished in her life. Not to mention, it's very invasive and personal to use such an image for such a public exploit.

America's Battle with Addiction

Around 21.5 million people in America battle with substance abuse according to a SAMHSA 2014 survey on drug use and health. People start using drugs for all kinds of reasons: emotional distress, peer pressure, curiosity, etc. Substance abuse can have some serious ramifications on a person’s mental health, physical health, and overall well-being.

Out of that 21.5 million, only around 2.5 are able to get professional treatment. Proper treatment can be too out of reach for a lot of people by being too expensive so instead of giving Pusha T or Kanye West money by listening to the new Daytona album donate to The Center of Addiction to help bring awareness and get those who don't have the financial means for treatment.