One of the earliest recordings to emerge from the revered Native Tongues camp, Latifah’s debut LP formally signaled the arrival of a dynamic voice to be reckoned with.
Read moreLisa Stansfield’s Debut Album ‘Affection’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
Although heavy on the dance/house vibes, ‘Affection’ is, for all intents and purposes, an incredibly soulful record, a feat that many pop artists with powerful voices fail to achieve.
Read moreParliament’s ‘Gloryhallastoopid (or Pin the Tale on the Funky)’ Turns 45 | Album Anniversary
Even if George Clinton knew Parliament’s end was nigh while recording ‘Gloryhallastoopid,’ the group’s eighth studio affair doesn’t sound like a swan song.
Read moreRedman’s ‘Dare Iz A Darkside’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
Redman’s second studio affair is his most underground and uncompromising album, with music and lyrics that pulse with darkness and pain, layered in thick slabs of sludge-drenched funk.
Read morePrince’s ‘The Black Album’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
When all is said and done, ‘The Black Album’ is a mixed bag, a less consistent Prince than we had become accustomed to.
Read moreJohn Frusciante’s Debut Solo Album ‘Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
The performances on Frusciante’s debut solo album are unpolished, feeling like first-takes of ideas. But the ideas are solid and fit snugly into his songwriting canon.
Read moreMF DOOM’s ‘MM.. Food’ Turns 20 | Album Anniversary
On his fifth album, DOOM maintains his creativity both in front of and behind the boards, reinforcing his well-earned reputation as one of the most gifted rapper/producer double-threats of all time.
Read moreJohn Mayer’s ‘Battle Studies’ Turns 15 | Album Anniversary
‘Battle Studies’ is John Mayer at his most focused and finest. It’s a near perfect album, one you can listen to from start to finish with a satisfying sense of storytelling at your disposal.
Read moreDr. Dre’s ‘2001’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Relative to its famous precursor (1992’s ‘The Chronic’), the immaculately mixed ‘2001’ retains a largely Spartan aesthetic, but still feels “big” in scope and sound.
Read moreSnoop Dogg’s ‘R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece’ Turns 20 | Album Anniversary
Snoop struck sonic gold by collaborating with The Neptunes once again for his seventh studio album, most notably on the unforgettable hit single “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
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