Nirvana Sued For Sexually Exploiting Naked Baby On 1991 "Nevermind" Cover: Report

BY Erika Marie 5.5K Views
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Nirvana
Spencer Elden claims he's the baby in the album's artwork and accuses the group of peddling child pornography.

Another set of musicians are facing a lawsuit that we can almost guarantee they did not see coming. From 1987 to 1994, Nirvana created and shifted how the world viewed grunge rock. The Seattle-centered band would go three studio albums, all acclaimed in their own rights, including 1991's Nevermind. The album peaked at the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 chart and included singles like "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "In Bloom," "Come As You Are," and "Lithium."

It's a record that is not only remembered for its diverse musicality but its artwork that featured a naked baby in a pool swimming after a dollar bill on a fishing hook. Thirty years later, that baby is a man, and he is taking Nirvana to court over the image.

Spencer Elden has filed a lawsuit against the band, claiming that he is the four-month-old baby featured on the Nevermind cover. He alleges that he, obviously, didn't consent to his image being used but he also argues that his legal guardians didn't either. However, TMZ reports that Elden claims in court documents that the band made a promise that they would cover his genitals on the cover but that did not happen. 

He accuses Nirvana of "[failing] to protect and prevent him from being sexually exploited" and claims that he has endured "lifelong damages" as a result. Elden, in his lawsuit, calls the image child pornography and wants the band and Kurt Cobain's estate to pay him at least $150K in damages each.

Nirvana disbanded following the death of leading singer Kurt Cobain in 1994.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.