The Best No Limit Album Covers Circa '97-'99

No Limit's finest album covers.

Master P - With the glamour of the Olympics, the world's best athletes are getting a taste of the celebrity lifestyle, but there are quite a few celebs that could have gone for the gold. Our list of would-be celebrity Olympians starts with Master P, whose basketball skills earned him two NBA contracts before he ditched the ball for the mic.  (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

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Before He Was in ICDC Ads - From 1996-2000, Master P took over hip hop with No Limit Records in a way that seemed about as unstoppable as the tank that was used as its logo. Let's look back at the album covers that best represented the peak of that era. (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

TRU – Tru 2 Da Game (1997) - TRU stood for The Real Untouchables, and judging by how scary this cover was, it might have literally lived up to that moniker, as no one would want to wake up in the middle of the night and see that album cover. To its credit, though, the album did manage to go double platinum. (Photo: No Limit Records)  

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TRU – Tru 2 Da Game (1997) - TRU stood for The Real Untouchables, and judging by how scary this cover was, it might have literally lived up to that moniker, as no one would want to wake up in the middle of the night and see that album cover. To its credit, though, the album did manage to go double platinum. (Photo: No Limit Records)  

Young Bleed – My Balls and My Word (1998) - If you've watched Scarface, then you know that the title of this album comes from the movie. Young Bleed probably ranks pretty low on the memorable No Limit artist list, but the album visuals alone are pretty arresting. You've got Young Bleed next to pet tigers ascending a staircase to a mansion.The image could symbolize that he's achieved success and is going to his new home out of the hood or he's died and gone to heaven.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Young Bleed – My Balls and My Word (1998) - If you've watched Scarface, then you know that the title of this album comes from the movie. Young Bleed probably ranks pretty low on the memorable No Limit artist list, but the album visuals alone are pretty arresting. You've got Young Bleed next to pet tigers ascending a staircase to a mansion.The image could symbolize that he's achieved success and is going to his new home out of the hood or he's died and gone to heaven.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

Mia X – Mama Drama (1998) - Mia X was the first lady of No Limit (Mercedes was probably the second lady, but we digress) and it was evident by this album cover that she could bring the pain on the mic just like any one of her brethren. What's especially cool about this album cover is that Mia is decked out like a mob boss n her own right. Whereas most female artists at the time would use sex appeal to garner interest, Mia refrained from doing just that and managed to go gold. (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Mia X – Mama Drama (1998) - Mia X was the first lady of No Limit (Mercedes was probably the second lady, but we digress) and it was evident by this album cover that she could bring the pain on the mic just like any one of her brethren. What's especially cool about this album cover is that Mia is decked out like a mob boss n her own right. Whereas most female artists at the time would use sex appeal to garner interest, Mia refrained from doing just that and managed to go gold. (Photo: No Limit Records)

Snoop Dogg – Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told (1998) - The significance behind this album is that it was Snoop's first post-Death Row album. The very public fallout between Snoop and Suge Knight led the Cali emcee to search out a new record label, eventually signing with No Limit, who were at the top of their game at the time. It was also Master P's first veteran signing and one of the few acts not from New Orleans to arrive on the label. Fans should note that this was the first album that Snoop released as Snoop Dogg and not Snoop Doggy Dogg, as he was initially known.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Snoop Dogg – Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told (1998) - The significance behind this album is that it was Snoop's first post-Death Row album. The very public fallout between Snoop and Suge Knight led the Cali emcee to search out a new record label, eventually signing with No Limit, who were at the top of their game at the time. It was also Master P's first veteran signing and one of the few acts not from New Orleans to arrive on the label. Fans should note that this was the first album that Snoop released as Snoop Dogg and not Snoop Doggy Dogg, as he was initially known.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Mystikal – Ghetto Fabulous (1998) - Before Fabolous had Ghetto Fabolous, Mystikal had Ghetto Fabulous. This was Mystikal's last album on No Limit, before he would go on to release Let's Get Ready and reach commercial success. So why is this album relevant? Consider it a major stepping stone for Mystikal. It was certified platinum and ensured that his name had an audience. Plus, the title track features Charlie Wilson and Snoop Dogg long before the two were on stage together at the BET Awards. (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Mystikal – Ghetto Fabulous (1998) - Before Fabolous had Ghetto Fabolous, Mystikal had Ghetto Fabulous. This was Mystikal's last album on No Limit, before he would go on to release Let's Get Ready and reach commercial success. So why is this album relevant? Consider it a major stepping stone for Mystikal. It was certified platinum and ensured that his name had an audience. Plus, the title track features Charlie Wilson and Snoop Dogg long before the two were on stage together at the BET Awards. (Photo: No Limit Records)

Kane and Abel – Am I My Brother's Keeper (1998) - Before The Clipse, Kane and Abel were the premiere brother group from the South that specialized in hustler music. This album cover has it all: matching shirts, cigars, stacks of money, phone calls and big sunglasses. These two clearly look serious about their business.(Photo: No Limit Records)

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Kane and Abel – Am I My Brother's Keeper (1998) - Before The Clipse, Kane and Abel were the premiere brother group from the South that specialized in hustler music. This album cover has it all: matching shirts, cigars, stacks of money, phone calls and big sunglasses. These two clearly look serious about their business.(Photo: No Limit Records)

Silkk the Shocker – Charge It 2 da Game (1998) - It's hard to tell what it is that Silk is charging to the game, but in an ideal world, he's taking potential business partners on an expensive lunch and his No Limit company card is there to absorb the cost. This album featurd the hit single "It Ain't My Fault," which is likely what he said to Master P when the bill came back. (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Silkk the Shocker – Charge It 2 da Game (1998) - It's hard to tell what it is that Silk is charging to the game, but in an ideal world, he's taking potential business partners on an expensive lunch and his No Limit company card is there to absorb the cost. This album featurd the hit single "It Ain't My Fault," which is likely what he said to Master P when the bill came back. (Photo: No Limit Records)

Master P – MP da Last Don (1998) - This may not have been Master P's best album per se, but there's a lot of significance in what it represents. First off, it was intended to be a "retirement" album (at the time, several artists had talked of leaving the game largely due to the East Coast/West Coast beef). Second, it's a double disc album – a feat that, at the time, was something only two other artists had accomplished: Biggie and 2Pac. So while we're not saying Master P intentionally put out a double disc album with the intention of being remembered in the same vein as those two, it undoubtedly may have been a factor at some point. Another interesting fact is that a successful TV movie series entitled The Last Don had aired in 1997, which P might have been trying to capitalize off of. Lastly, this album cover might be one of the most definitive Master P album covers eve...

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Master P – MP da Last Don (1998) - This may not have been Master P's best album per se, but there's a lot of significance in what it represents. First off, it was intended to be a "retirement" album (at the time, several artists had talked of leaving the game largely due to the East Coast/West Coast beef). Second, it's a double disc album – a feat that, at the time, was something only two other artists had accomplished: Biggie and 2Pac. So while we're not saying Master P intentionally put out a double disc album with the intention of being remembered in the same vein as those two, it undoubtedly may have been a factor at some point. Another interesting fact is that a successful TV movie series entitled The Last Don had aired in 1997, which P might have been trying to capitalize off of. Lastly, this album cover might be one of the most definitive Master P album covers eve...

C-Murder – Bossalinie (1999) - C-Murder looks comparable to his brother P on this album cover if you look at it next to MP Da Last Don. Prior to his legal issues, it was assumed C-Murder was next in line to blow up, hence the title Bossalinie. (Photo: No Limit Records)

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C-Murder – Bossalinie (1999) - C-Murder looks comparable to his brother P on this album cover if you look at it next to MP Da Last Don. Prior to his legal issues, it was assumed C-Murder was next in line to blow up, hence the title Bossalinie. (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Snoop Dogg – No Limit Top Dogg (1999) - This album was a return to form in some ways for Snoop. For one, the album cover ditched the signature blinged-out look that came with all No Limit albums (including Snoop's last one). It also featured collaborations with artists that were in Snoop's lane, including Dr. Dre. Led by the single "Trick Please," it helped kick start the next chapter of the West Coast movement at the time. Remember, The Chronic 2001 was released the same year, heping to reignite his career as well as Dre's.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Snoop Dogg – No Limit Top Dogg (1999) - This album was a return to form in some ways for Snoop. For one, the album cover ditched the signature blinged-out look that came with all No Limit albums (including Snoop's last one). It also featured collaborations with artists that were in Snoop's lane, including Dr. Dre. Led by the single "Trick Please," it helped kick start the next chapter of the West Coast movement at the time. Remember, The Chronic 2001 was released the same year, heping to reignite his career as well as Dre's.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

Fiend – Street Life (1999) - Dude really had a medieval sword go through his name on the album cover. To Fiend's credit, he did have a pretty hot single with "Mr. Whomp Whomp," though it never quite caught on the way it should have. (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Fiend – Street Life (1999) - Dude really had a medieval sword go through his name on the album cover. To Fiend's credit, he did have a pretty hot single with "Mr. Whomp Whomp," though it never quite caught on the way it should have. (Photo: No Limit Records)

Lil Italy – On Top of da World (1999) - Yes, his rap moniker is Lil Italy. And yes, he has a globe that's vaguely reminiscent of the one seen in the movie Scarface situated in back of a Rolls Royce on the cover. How any of these things connect to the country of Italy or whether Lil Italy actually owns either of those things are all up for speculation, but it was albums like this that were released around the time No Limit 's popularity began to fade.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Lil Italy – On Top of da World (1999) - Yes, his rap moniker is Lil Italy. And yes, he has a globe that's vaguely reminiscent of the one seen in the movie Scarface situated in back of a Rolls Royce on the cover. How any of these things connect to the country of Italy or whether Lil Italy actually owns either of those things are all up for speculation, but it was albums like this that were released around the time No Limit 's popularity began to fade.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

Mercedes – Rear End (1999) - This album cover and title kind of speak for itself. Whereas her fellow No Limit soldier Mia X chose to look like a mafiosa, Mercedes chose to go the more archetypical route by advertising her body in a bathing suit on her cover. We figure the cover also helped to sell a few cars in the process. (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Mercedes – Rear End (1999) - This album cover and title kind of speak for itself. Whereas her fellow No Limit soldier Mia X chose to look like a mafiosa, Mercedes chose to go the more archetypical route by advertising her body in a bathing suit on her cover. We figure the cover also helped to sell a few cars in the process. (Photo: No Limit Records)

TRU – Da Crime Family - Once again, an album cover that pretty much embodies what No Limit was about – blunt mafia references, outlandish suits and big sunglasses. To their credit, they look fairly professional and successful.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

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TRU – Da Crime Family - Once again, an album cover that pretty much embodies what No Limit was about – blunt mafia references, outlandish suits and big sunglasses. To their credit, they look fairly professional and successful.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

Master P – Only God Can Judge Me (1999) - So after Master P decided not to retire, he returned with this 23 track album titled like a 2Pac song. This was one of the few No Limit album covers in which the artist didn't have their face or body on the cover.  (Photo: No Limit Records)

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Master P – Only God Can Judge Me (1999) - So after Master P decided not to retire, he returned with this 23 track album titled like a 2Pac song. This was one of the few No Limit album covers in which the artist didn't have their face or body on the cover.  (Photo: No Limit Records)