The title itself suggests the ongoing formation of an identity, and throughout the album’s 19 tracks, the listener does indeed gain insight into who the album’s creator is and aspires to be.
Read moreMonica’s Debut Album ‘Miss Thang’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
Beneath her old soul and short pixie haircut—usually only sported by actually grown women—Monica was still just a kid. That kid threw a hell of a punch with her debut album though.
Read moreMasta Ace’s Debut Album ‘Take A Look Around’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
On his first album, Masta Ace delivers impressive verbal performances, waxes philosophical about living as a young Black man, and occasionally cuts loose for a little fun.
Read moreBone Thugs-N-Harmony’s ‘E. 1999 Eternal’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
The group broke through with the ‘Creepin On Ah Come Up’ EP in 1994, but ‘E. 1999 Eternal’ took them to a whole new level of success.
Read moreD-Nice’s Debut Album ‘Call Me D-Nice’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
D-Nice produced the whole of his debut LP himself, which is all the more impressive when you consider he was only 19 when it was made.
Read moreFunkadelic’s ‘Free Your Mind… And Your Ass Will Follow’ Turns 55 | Album Anniversary
Funkadelic’s second studio affair is chaotic and free-flowing in all the ways characterized by their early albums, but there’s drug-infused mayhem dripping from every feedback-laden note.
Read moreSpecial Ed’s ‘Legal’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
With his second album, the Brooklyn-bred emcee made good on the promise of his debut LP (1989’s ‘Youngest In Charge’) and improved on his strengths.
Read moreJ-Live’s ‘The Hear After’ Turns 20 | Album Anniversary
The greatest rappers tell fully fleshed-out stories and tackle serious social issues while still being entertaining. ‘The Hear After’ reinforces that J-Live checks all of these boxes.
Read moreBoogie Down Productions’ ‘Edutainment’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
Filled with both “poetry, beautifully articulated” and in-depth dissertations on history and morality, it’s another near flawless album by the BDP crew.
Read moreColdplay’s Debut Album ‘Parachutes’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Whilst worldwide success loomed on the horizon, the heart of everything Coldplay was and continues to be found here in this heady mix of evocative melody and lyrical wordplay.
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