Darryl Daniel, a renowned illustrator better known as Joe Cool, has passed away at the age of 56, per nytimes.com. Daniel’s sister, Diondra, confirmed his death, while his cousin, rap icon Snoop Dogg, acknowledged the loss on social media Monday. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Daniel rose to fame as the creative force behind the iconic cover art for Snoop Dogg’s groundbreaking 1993 album Doggystyle. His distinctive style, characterised by vibrant colours, bold lettering, and playful canine imagery, became synonymous with the West Coast G-Funk era and helped define the visual aesthetic of 90s hip-hop.
Born on January 2, 1968, in Torrance, California, Daniel discovered his artistic talents early in life. He honed his skills by creating graffiti tags for friends and drawing inspiration from diverse sources, including comic book legend Stan Lee and funk album artist Overton Loyd.
Daniel’s life took a remarkable turn when, while incarcerated, he received a call from Snoop Dogg asking him to design the Doggystyle cover. Initially skeptical, Daniel emerged from prison to find his cousin on the cusp of stardom. Despite battling cocaine addiction, Daniel seized the opportunity, creating artwork that would become instantly recognisable worldwide.
Following the album’s success, Daniel’s career flourished. He toured internationally with Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound, and his artistic talents were sought after by major brands like Adidas and Supreme. He continued to collaborate with Snoop Dogg on subsequent album covers and expanded his repertoire to include children’s book illustration.
Daniel’s journey was not without struggles, but he found sobriety in 2003 and became an advocate for addiction recovery. In 2015, he donated artwork to Safe Refuge, a sober living facility in Long Beach, demonstrating his commitment to supporting others facing similar challenges.
As the hip-hop community mourns the loss of this visionary artist, his distinctive style and resilient spirit will continue to inspire future generations of artists and fans alike.
- Featured image: Darryl Daniel, known as Joe Cool/Joe Cool
