The music featured on the Bay Area emcee’s second album reveals that it deserved to be judged on its own merits, rather than through the prism of those openly hostile to hip-hop culture.
Read moreKool G Rap & DJ Polo’s ‘Live and Let Die’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
Even though Kool G Rap & DJ Polo’s third and final album was unfairly shafted by election year politics back in 1992, its influence persists decades later.
Read moreThe Pharcyde’s Debut Album ‘Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
The L.A. quartet’s inaugural LP conveys a feeling of unrestrained exuberance that hasn’t been found in hip-hop music before or since its 1992 arrival.
Read moreEarth, Wind & Fire’s ‘All ‘N All’ Turns 45 | Album Anniversary
The late great Maurice White’s musical vision is still as clear and relevant as ever, as evidenced by the timelessness of ‘All ‘N All’ and its overall synergy.
Read more‘Beats & Lyrics (Industry Hip-Hop Compilation: Issue One)’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Amidst the wave of jiggy and flossy material flooding the market at the time, ‘Beats & Lyrics’ was a welcome reminder of the rewarding underground hip-hop that could be found if one searched for it.
Read moreChaka Khan’s Eponymous 1982 Album ‘Chaka Khan’ Turns 40 | Album Anniversary
‘Chaka Khan’ is a testament to its creator’s inventive concentration and a glorious bridge between the “old” and (then) “new” elements in black music.
Read moreErykah Badu’s ‘Live’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Erykah Badu is an artist everyone needs to experience in person at least once. Until such time as you can, ‘Live’ is required listening.
Read moreIce Cube’s ‘The Predator’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
The third album that Ice Cube released during the period from 1990 to 1992, ‘The Predator’ reinforced his penchant for delivering ambitious and fresh commentary.
Read more‘The Bodyguard’ Soundtrack Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
Largely panned by film critics, ‘The Bodyguard’ proved to be a commercial triumph, as did its soundtrack, largely due to Houston’s star power and vocal brilliance.
Read moreThe ‘Saturday Night Fever’ Soundtrack Turns 45 | Album Anniversary
Despite the backlash that the disco genre and culture was met with in the late ‘70s, the brilliance of ‘Saturday Night Fever’ is perennial.
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