In 2002, KAWS created the cover art for Cherie’s self-titled album on Ape Sounds, NIGO’s music label. The release featured a “peel slowly and see” sticker over the cover image, allowing the listener to remove the KAWS mask layer and reveal Cherie’s face underneath.

The Peel-and-Reveal Album Art

The design nods to Andy Warhol’s Velvet Underground & Nico banana cover in its interactive approach. Packaged with a slipcase and poster, the CD becomes more than music packaging—it’s a collectible art object. The overlay features KAWS’s skull-mask motif, while the reveal underneath presents Cherie’s portrait in full color (2, 3).

Why It Matters

This project captures an early 2000s moment when street art, music, and collectible culture intersected. KAWS translated his visual identity into physical media, turning a simple CD into an art experience. Today, sealed copies with the sticker intact remain highly sought after by collectors.