Queen Latifah’s fourth studio LP found the rap veteran raising her scepter while the wants of hip-hop and the music industry at large shifted rapidly beneath her feet.
Read moreSade’s ‘Stronger Than Pride’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
‘Stronger Than Pride’ is the band’s clarified statement of identity, a jazz-soul deconstruction entirely devoid of late ‘80s bluster. Nothing else was like it.
Read moreLenny Kravitz’s ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
For his third studio affair, Kravitz melted down classic rock and soul of the ‘60s and ‘70s to forge invigorated ear candy for the masses.
Read moreAaliyah’s ‘I Care 4 U’ Turns 20 | Album Anniversary
Despite the injustice of vita interruptus, eventually one album has to be Aaliyah’s last. ‘I Care 4 U’ is as soft and loving a place as any to take a deep breath, and let her rest.
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 moreKaren Clark Sheard’s Debut Solo Album ‘Finally Karen’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Sheard’s debut solo album revealed her artistic vitality while propelling her family’s musical legacy into a new phase of relevance and renown.
Read moreChaka Khan’s ‘Funk This’ Turns 15 | Album Anniversary
For Khan’s eleventh studio affair, the organic grime and loose grooves of Rufus’ primordial ‘70s work meets contemporary R&B of the 2000s.
Read moreCommon’s ‘Finding Forever’ Turns 15 | Anniversary Retrospective
Greeted with a lukewarm critical reception upon its release, Common’s seventh studio affair warrants reevaluation within the broader context of the Chicago emcee’s prolific discography.
Read moreAlexander O’Neal’s ‘Hearsay’ Turns 35 | Anniversary Retrospective
A quintessential R&B work in the era between post-boogie and New Jack Swing, ‘Hearsay’ weaves a day-in-the-life narrative through a concept album that examines love, trust, and heartbreak.
Read moreMissy Elliott’s Debut Album ‘Supa Dupa Fly’ Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
A careful synthesis of cutting-edge R&B and hip-hop, ‘Supa Dupa Fly’ started a game of follow-the-leader, clearing a path to make the way easier for Eminem, Ludacris, and Nicki Minaj, among others.
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