In 2022, KAWS created the album cover for J-Hope’s debut solo album, Jack in the Box, combining his trademark aesthetic with J-Hope’s themes of stepping beyond expectations. The collaboration reflects a convergence of visual and musical artistry rooted in admiration and intentional design.

JAck in the Box Album Art (2022)
KAWS designed the cover featuring J-Hope being lifted out of an open box by a large hand, surrounded by X-eyes, symbolizing breaking constraints at a crossroads. J-Hope expressed deep excitement, calling KAWS one of his favorite artists and noting that this was a meaningful invitation he couldn't refuse. (2, 1)

J-Hope’s Fandom of KAWS
Long before collaborating, J-Hope collected and displayed KAWS toys and artwork in his studio and publicly shared his admiration. Their eventual partnership felt personal—not transactional—rooted in J-Hope’s longtime fandom and the mutual creative respect between artist and musician. (2)

Why It Matters
This collab stands out because it’s artist-to-artist rather than brand-driven. It transforms an album’s presentation into a piece of fine art that extends the record’s emotional and thematic depth into physical form.