Jeezy's album cover, which he released last week, takes a minimalist approach to the often-gaudy undertaking: over a black background rests the outline of a shield, and inside of that, a triangle, with an eye inside. Though it seems like those symbols -- particularly the eye -- fit the theme of the project, which is called Seen It All, they also had plenty of people stirring up chatter about the Illuminati. Because that's what always happens, apparently.

"Lemme says this, first and foremost: Do not get art and creativity confused with ignorance," the rapper recently told Power 99 in Philadelphia. "I am a hardworking, God-fearing man. I have no idea what an Illuminati is, and really don’t give a damn, 'cause it has nothing to do with me."

Instead, he says the art reflects the direction of the album. "I just wanted to do something different and something bigger and that was my vision," he continued. "It’s kinda like a dark album so I just wanted it to have that mystique about it. Something you wanted to keep as a collector’s edition."

He also referenced Tupac's album cover for The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, which featured an illustration of the late rapper being crucified. Like 'Pac, Jizzle wanted to go against the grain and what people may have expected from a rap album cover (he also spoke to MTV News about 'Pac influence on the album from a music standpoint last month).

Besides, he says, what really matters is the music.

“I’ll tell you this: The album cover is whatever, but when you open that album and play that album, then we ain’t gon' have this conversation. Cause that music is A1.”

Seen It All hits stores September 2.