- Common: Be (2005). Coming Home Is Always GOOD
B. Cox reviews Common's classic sixth album Be as it turns 20. In light of the commercial failure and mixed critical reviews, Common found some common ground in aligning with fellow Chicago hip-hop royalty Kanye West and his GOOD Music imprint on Geffen Record. A former pupil of No. ID, who produced the majority of Common's second and third albums (Resurrection and One Day It'll All Make Sense, respectively), West proved to be a good match to get Common back on tracks and back to his hip-hop roots in the Windy City.
Largely solely produced by West (with minor assists from J. Dilla, James Poyser and Karriem Riggins), Common showcased in depth lyricism marked by poignant stories about life in Chicago and themes of the streets, love, feminism, ambition and knowledge of self. Joined by collaborators such as The Last Poets, John Mayer along with label mate John Legend and West himself, the album was a well layered effort that served towards Common's strengths.
The album featured many singles, highlighted by "The Corner", "Go!" and "Testify". The album was Common's 2nd album to be certified gold and is often thought to be his "comeback album". It is also regarded along with Like Water For Chocolate as his best work.
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Show Notes
OkayPlayer: Common's 'Be' Getting 20th Anniversary Re-Release with 11 New Tracks
https://www.okayplayer.com/common-be-20th-anniversary
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS4E176 - 25m - May 19, 2025 - Common: Like Water For Chocolate. The Souls of Black Folks
B. Cox returns with a look back at Common's landmark fourth album, Like Water For Chocolate as it turns 25.
After his breakthrough sophomore album 1994's Resurrection and his acclaimed third album 1997's One Day It'll All Make Sense, the Chicago emcee picked up his roots and moved to New York City and linked up with Questlove, The Roots and other creatives who were working within the Electric Lady Studios. There he collaborated with the aforementioned, D'Angelo, super producer DJ Premier, musicians such as keyboardist James Poyser, famed bass player Pino Palladino and horn legend Roy Hargrove among others. The catalyst for this collaboration, however, came from producer Jay Dee (bka J Dilla) who produced the lion's share of the album's tracks.
The album was widely acclaimed up on release. It is has been RIAA certified gold and is considered along with 2005's BE as is his best work.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Common's "Like Water For Chocolate" Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/common-like-water-for-chocolate-album-anniversary#google_vignette
Stereogum: 'Like Water For Chocolate' Turns 20
https://www.stereogum.com/2077724/common-like-water-for-chocolate-review/reviews/the-anniversary/
Grammy | Q&A: Common Tells Stories Behind 'Like Water For Chocolate'
https://www.grammy.com/news/qa-common-tells-stories-behind-water-chocolate-its-20th-anniversary
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS7E175 - 34m - Apr 1, 2025 - The Game: The Documentary (2005). Based on A True Compton Story
As we open 2025 to continue Season 7, B. Cox reviews The Game's debut album The Documentary as it turns 20. After coming up with a rough upbringing which led him to gang life, the drug game and shooting that left him in a coma, the Compton native embarked on a journey to become a rap star, studying the classic albums of his youth and adolescence as a blueprint to pattern himself after. After he got started and released mixtapes on Get Low Records with Bay area star, JT the Bigga Figga, he was discovered by Dr. Dre who signed him to Aftermath and he was placed with G-Unit Records and partnered with 50 Cent.
His debut album was a costly experiement, but one that was destined to make a mark. An all-star cast of producers (Dre, Timbaland, Just Blaze, Scott Storch, Kanye West, Hi-Tek, Eminem, Mark Elizondo and more) laced his freshman effort with a fresh sound for a West Coast Emcee. Paired with Game's flow and reality rap bars that spoke of his hard knock life, ambitions and dreams, it made for a true soundtrack of what the new West Coast hip-hop scene would like in this era.
The album was boosted several successal chart topping signals, most notably "How We Do", "Hate It Or Love It" (both featuring 50 Cent) and the Kanye West produced "Dreams". In total 5 singles all saw at least some success with the best charging the album towards a double platinum effort within two years. It has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and is recognized by many as The Game's best work and a notable album in the 21st century West Coast hip-hop scene.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS7E170 - 28m - Jan 20, 2025 - Back To The Vault...Vol. 1
In the long awaited premiere of Season 7, B. Cox kicks things off by going "Back To the Vault" and looking back 25 and 30 years to four original album reviews covered in the first season: 1994's Notorious B.I.G.'s debut classic Ready to Die and Scarface's classic third album The Diary as well as 1999's Mos Def's (nka Yasiin Bey) Black On Both Sides and Pharoahe Monch's Internal Affairs. He looks to see what, if anything has changed his opinion about these albums and how their standing in the game is now as opposed to our first look five years ago.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS7 - 36m - Nov 14, 2024 - Da Brat: Funkdafied (1994). A Platinum Plaque Fit For A Lady.
In our Season 6 finale, B. Cox is joined by Mac from MacTasticTV to review Chicago lady emcee Da Brat's debut album Funkdafied as it turns 30. Hailing from the west side of "The Chi", Da Brat got her chance at a deal when she won a Chicago rap contest and met the teen group Kriss Kross, who were signed to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def record label based in Atlanta. At the urging of the group, Dupri listened to her music and signed her to a deal.
The debut album, produced entirely by Dupri, is packed with funk based beats driven by heavy bass lines and punctuated by Da Brat's sharp witted rhymes and barbs on record. The short album was carried by two popular radio singles: The title track "Funkdafied" featuring Dupri and "Give It To You".
The public took to Da Brat and what she had to offer. The album went platinum making her the first solo female emcee to achieve that feat, setting the stage for the rest of the decade and other female counterparts who would follow in her footsteps. It is also the first major rap album from a rap artist from Chicago that broke into mainstream success.
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Show Notes
Medium: Revisiting Da Brat's Groundbreaking 'Funkdafied'
https://medium.com/micro-chop/revisiting-da-brats-groundbreaking-funkdafied-3d618b603dcb
Albumism: Celebrating 30 Years of Da Brat's Debut Album 'Funkdafied'
https://albumism.com/anniversaries/da-brat-funkdafied
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E168 - 34m - Jul 2, 2024 - Bone Thugs N Harmony: Creepin On Ah Come Up (1994). The Last Disciples of Eazy
B. Cox is joined by Mac of MactasticTV to review Bone Thugs N Harmony's debut EP Creepin On Ah Come Up as it turns 30.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E167 - 42m - Jun 11, 2024 - Jeru The Damaja: The Sun Rises In The East (1994).
B Cox reviews Jeru The Damaja's classic debut album The Sun Rises In The East As It Turns 30.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E166 - 22m - May 21, 2024 - OutKast's Southernplayaisticadillacmuzik Turns 30
B. Cox reflects on OutKast's classic debut album Southernplayaisticadillacmuzik turning 30 in the aftermath of the passing of Rico Wade, Dungeon Family leader and 1/3 of the production trio Organized Noize, which produced the album in full. He also examines how OutKast's emergence in the Atlanta rap changed the scene of the city and the region forever and also how the industry and the audience nationwide would pay attention to what "the South had to say"
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E165 - 21m - Apr 22, 2024 - Nas's Illmatic (1994) Turns 30 (feat. TROY Podcast)
B. Cox is joined once again by Miguel and Christina of TROY Podcast to discuss Nas's iconic debut album Illmatic turning 30. They discuss its standing among hip-hop's all-time great albums, how it affected Nas's career in the aftermath, some of the most memorable bars and their favorite songs.
To listen to our 2019 review of Illmatic at 25, please listen here!
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E7 - 50m - Apr 15, 2024 - Pop Culture Corner! Above The Rim (1994) at 30
B. Cox is joined by special guests Christina & Miguel of TROY (They Reminisce Over You) Podcast to discuss the cult-classic basketball film Above The Rim as it turns 30. Written by Barry Michael Cooper and the late director Jeff Pollack, the film starred the likes of Duane Martin, Leon, the late Tupac Shakur, Marlon Wayans and the late Bernie Mac among others in a tale a high school basketball star who is caught between two worlds and must make the best choice for his future. The film became a cult classic and also served a launching pad for many of the stars in to continued success in film and television.
The trio also discuss the critically acclaimed motion picture soundtrack released on Death Row Records. It featured artists such as Shakur, Warren G, the late Nate Dogg, SWV, 2 II None, Naughty By Nature, Al B. Sure, H-Town, Tha Dogg Pound and Lady of Rage among many more. The soundtrack was also wildly commercially successful, becoming double platinum certified and being recognized as one of the best black and urban film soundtracks of the 90s.
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Show Notes
SPIN: Above The Rim at 30: Warren G Talks About making Hip-Hop Best Film Soundtrack
Medium: Above The Rim: A 30-Year Old Classic Basketball Movie That Continues To Captivate Audiences
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E6 - 54m - Mar 25, 2024 - Usher: Confessions (2004). Lightning In a Bottle
B. Cox and Domo review Usher's Confessions as it turns 20. After his successful third album 8701, Usher underwent a number of changes in his life including his breakup from his girlfriend Chili from TLC and he was soon to become a father. In crafting his follow up, he wished to craft an album that was a well rounded album that touched man influences: from traditional classic R&B, throwback R&B, jazz and hip-hop.
He worked with all star cast of producers and writers. Among them were Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Dre & Vidal, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Lil'Jon, Just Blaze, Robin Thicke, Sean Garrett among others. He also has high profile features from the likes of Ludacris and Alicia Keys.
Noted for its powerful punch, consistency and star power, the album was a monumental success. It was powered by five singles: "Yeah!" with Lil Jon and Ludacris, "Burn", "Confessions Pt. II", "My Boo" with Alicia Keys and "Caught Up". The former 4 were all #1 hits on the Billboard Top 100. The album was also boosted by fan favorite album cuts such as "Superstar", "Bad Girl", "Can You Handle It" and "Seduction" (from the expanded version.
Since being released, it's been RIAA certified 14x platinum and is the best selling album by a black artist in the 21st century and is routinely discussed among fans and critics alike as both Usher's magnum opus and one of the best R&B albums of all-time.
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Show Notes
Shatter The Standards: Reflecting On 20 Years of Usher's "Confessions"
https://www.shatterthestandards.com/p/reflecting-on-20-years-of-ushers
Metro UK: Usher's "Confessions" Is The Greatest R&B Album Of All Time
https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/11/ushers-confessions-greatest-r-b-album-time-20248757/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E5 - 29m - Mar 18, 2024 - Gang Starr: Hard To Earn (1994). Operation Mass Appeal
B. Cox reviews Gang Starr's classic fourth album Hard To Earn as it turns 30. After the critical success of 1992's Daily Operation, Guru and DJ Premier took a brief hiatus to pursue individual projects. Guru launched his Jazzmatazz series and Premier became one of the most sought after producers in industry, working with the likes Jeru the Damaja, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas and KRS-One. Coming back to record their fourth, the group wanted to prove that they were versatile and wanted to show that they could stray from their jazz-sampled sensibilities on their previous album and could rock with a different sound.
Heavily involved with the project was the Gang Starr Foundation, a collective that was aligned with the duo that included the likes of Jeru, the hip-hop duo Group Home, Big Shug, Freddie Foxx (Bumpy Knuckles), Afu-Ra among others. The project featured Jeru, both Lil Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker and Big Shug. Unlike Daily Operation, the album was produced under a wider variety of musical influences.
The album featured two classic singles: "DWYCK" with hip-hop duo Nice & Smooth (which was supposed to be originally on Daily Operation and "Mass Appeal". The album was critically acclaimed upon release and reestablished Gang Starr as a force within hip-hop. It also served as a forerunner to a number of different albums over the next 18 months that were credited as being pivotal to the New York hip-hop scene being a power center once again in the hip-hop landscape.
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Show Notes
UDiscoverMusic: "Hard To Earn": Gang Starr's Statement of Purpose
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/gang-starr-hard-to-earn-feature/
Albumism: Gang Starr's 'Hard To Earn' Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/gang-starr-hard-to-earn-turns-25-anniversary-retrospective
Billboard: DJ Premier talks about Gang Starr's 'Hard To Earn' 25 Years Later: "That Album, I Had A Chip On My Shoulder"
https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/gang-starr-moment-of-truth-dj-premiere-interview-8501991/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E4 - 25m - Mar 4, 2024 - Eminem: The Slim Shady LP (1999). The Age of Slim Shady Begins
B. Cox and Domo review Eminem's sophomore album The Slim Shady LP as it turns 25. The now legendary emcee was just a little know upstart white rapper from Detroit when he blew up the underground scene by tearing through the '97 Rap Olympics. Despite losing in the finals, the word was out. After recording The Slim Shady EP, the tape made its way around the circuits and found its way on the desk of Dr. Dre, who promptly signed him and to Aftermath Records. The two clicked and got to work on his album.
Overseen by Dre, who also produced a couple of tracks on the album, it served the world's introduction to Eminem and what would become his famous alter-ego -- Slim Shady. In this character and slipping in between his actual persona of Marshall Mathers, he juxtaposed his rhyming with clever wordplay and "rhyme bending" to create adequate rhyme scenes. Inside of those lyrics were rife with shocking one-liners, verses and songs: topics on everything from depression, dark humor, drug use, addiction, disdain for his daughter's mother and outlandish and controversial sayings that would become the hallmark of his early career. His rhyme style made him among the elite; his topics and subject matter made him vulnerable, controversial and hated all at the same time.
The album was backed by three main singles -- the two most popular being "My Name Is..." and the Dr. Dre duet "Guilty Conscience". The album was a huge success, selling almost 7 million records and would be the beginning of him being the biggest music star in the game just four years later and the greatest selling rap artist of all time.
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Show Notes
"The Slim Shady LP" Eminem's Warning Shot at Hip-Hop
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-slim-shady-lp-eminem-album/
The Ringer: Eminem has been America's Nightmare for 20 Years
https://www.theringer.com/music/2019/2/20/18232748/eminem-slim-shady-lp-20th-anniversary
Albumism: Eminem's 'The Slim Shady LP' Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/eminem-the-slim-shady-lp-turns-20-anniversary-retrospective
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E160 - 31m - Feb 19, 2024 - Zhané: Pronounced Jah-Nay (1994). "Gonna Make You Move & Groove"
B. Cox is joined once again by Van Everette of The Scenario Radio Show to review 90s R&B duo Zhané's debut album Pronounced Jah-Nay as it turns 30. The two vocalists, Renee Neuville and Jean Norris, met each other while students at Temple University and while they had two different backgrounds when it came to singing, they would find a medium that would make them a cohesive act. After linking up with power players in Philly DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) and doing a showcase that caught some eyes and ears, they were taken under the tutelage of Naughty By Nature producer KayGee and were signed to Motown Records.
Combining their many musical inspirations and influences, the group put out a very fun, yet mature sounding album. It was backed by their intriguing and smooth harmonies and deft songwriting over a variety of beats crossing many genres. The album was boosted three singles: the classic party jam "Hey Mr. DJ", "Groove Thing" and "Sending My Love".
The album was certified platinum and things appeared to be on the up and up for the duo. However, they released only one other album, 1997's Saturday Night, to less acclaim and fanfare before splitting up. Nonetheless, they made their mark on 90s R&B with their debut which continues to be brought this day as a highlight in 1994.
Check out Van Everette and The Scenario Radio Show
https://www.thescenarioradioshow.com/
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Show Notes
UDiscoverMusic: Pronounced Jah-Nay: How Zhané Made A Name For Themselves
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/pronounced-jah-nay-zhane-album/
Grammys: 'Pronounced Jah-Nay at 25': Zhané's Renee Neuville and Jean Norris look back at their classic R&B debut
Albumism: Zhané's Debut Album "Prounounced Jah-Nay" Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E159 - 30m - Feb 12, 2024 - Kanye West-The College Dropout: A Birth Within "The Dynasty"
In our premiere of Season 6, we welcome Van Everette from The Scenario Radio Show review Kanye West's debut classic album The College Dropout as it turns 20. After serving in the background as a producer for many of Roc-A-Fella Records best albums through the early 2000s, the Chicago-based producer took his turn as a feature act. The album was recorded over a four year period from 1999 to 2003 and is constructed during the period of many memorable moments of his life, including his near-catastrophe car accident.
For his debut effort, West produced the entire album himself and also enlisted the likes of many talented artists and musicians: Jay-Z, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Luda, Freeway, Consequence, GLC, Syleena Johnson, John Legend, Miri Ben-Ari, J. Ivy and the Boys Choir of Harlem. Mixing his unique production style that was dubbed "chipmunk soul", he impressed with his depth, wittiness and more than capable rhymes and flow as he talked the rap game, life, expectations, insecurities, injustices and more.
The album was backed by many notable singles including the debut "Through The Wire", the R&B collabo "All Falls Down" featuring Syleena Johnson, the moving "Jesus Walks" and his first #1 Billboard single "Slow Jamz" featuring Jamie Foxx and Twista. The album was certified 4x platinum and is noted as both the launching West's legendary recording career and also a iconic album of a new movement in the new millenium.
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https://www.thescenarioradioshow.com/
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Show Notes
Stereogum: The College Dropout Turns 20
https://www.stereogum.com/1661202/the-college-dropout-turns-10/reviews/the-anniversary/
Vibe: Kanye West's Engineer Breaks Down Kanye West's Classic -- From An Engineer's Perspective
https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/kanye-west-the-college-dropout-oral-history-486239/
Medium: A Love Letter to The College Dropout
https://medium.com/@derekxu/album-review-the-college-dropout-b17714567f1e
Albumism: Kanye West's 'The College Dropout' Turns 15 | Anniversary Retrospective
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS6E158 - 55m - Feb 5, 2024 - 2023 Year End Review: '93, 98 & '03 Rankings
In the last episode of the year, B. Cox and J.Owe give their personal rankings and honorable mentions for hip-hop and R&B albums for the 1993, 1998 and 2003.
A reminder that next year, we will be moving to a seasonal format. The new season launches February 2024!
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE157 - 20m - Dec 26, 2023 - DMX: Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998). The Era of X
B. Cox and J Owe look back at the late DMX's second studio album Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood as it turns 25. After setting the industry on fire during the previous year and a half and the explosive success of his debut It's Dark and Hell Is Hot earlier in the year, the Yonkers emcee was taking full advantage of his star while on fire. Less than seven months from his debut's release and about a six weeks from the release of his acting debut in the hood drama Belly, he released his sophomore album before the end of year.
In a slight change from It's Dark, he employed more production from Swiss Beatz, whose production made up the majority of the album. While a few songs took a more commercial approach than those in the debut, the rest of the album lined up with what his persona and style came to embody. His lyrics were candid, personal, raw and unapologetic and his theme was a bit more spiritual as well. He collaborated with the likes of fellow Yonkers and Ruff Ryders affliates the LOX, Drag-On, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z and even rock star Marilyn Manson.
The album featured his signature song "Slippin" and also "No Love 4 Me". The album debuted as #1 on the Billboard 200 and also was certified triple platinum. He became the 2nd artists to have two albums released in the same year debut as #1, the other being the late Tupac Shakur in 1996.
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Show Notes
The Fader: The True Story of How "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood" was made
https://www.thefader.com/2016/12/04/dmx-flesh-of-my-flesh-oral-history-ruff-ryders
DJBooth: DMX's "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood" Is A Timeless Christmas Miracle
https://djbooth.net/features/2018-12-22-dmx-flesh-of-my-flesh-christmas-miracle-20-year-anniversary
UDiscoverMusic: "Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood": DMX's Great Hip-Hop Disruption
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/dmx-flesh-of-my-flesh-blood-of-my-blood/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE156 - 26m - Dec 18, 2023 - Jay-Z: The Black Album (2003). "On that note, I'm leavin' after this song"
B. Cox reminisces about Jay-Z's eight album The Black Album as it turns 20. Heading into this album, it was being touted as Jay-Z last album as he was to "retire" to take up the mantle of president of Def Jam Records after the album was released. The news and fallout from it lead to a acrimonious split of the three founders and owners of Roc-A-Fella Records: Jay, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. The news of Jay-Z's impending retirement while he was still on top of his game in every aspect, raised the profile of this album to another level.
Teaming up with an all-star cast of producers, it was an epic album to say goodbye: mainstays Just Blaze, Kanye West, the Neptunes, Timbaland were on board to produce songs along with newcomers 9th Wonder and the Buchanans along with industry veterans DJ Quik and Rick Rubin. Focusing on his last album, Jay-Z toed the line of lyrically exclaiming his career in review as proud veteran while simultaneously giving us his trademark varied flow and style to show he could still make a hit and be hungry. Noted in the album is a more mature and at peace vibe from Jay-Z as he celebrated and reflected.
The album was boosted by three singles: "Change Clothes" feat. Pharrell Williams, "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" and "99 Problems". The anticipation and acclaimed pushed the album to triple platinum certification. It is noted along with 1996's Reasonable Doubt and 2001's The Blueprint with being Jay-Z's classic albums. The album was also supported by a documentary feature film Fade To Black, which chronicled Jay-Z's "farewell" concert at Madison Square Garden in 2004.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Jay-Z 'The Black Album' Turns 20 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/jay-z-the-black-album-anniversary
GRAMMY Awards: 8 Ways Jay-Z's 'The Black Album' Changed Hip-Hop
https://www.grammy.com/news/jay-z-the-black-album-changed-rap-game-hip-hop-anniversary
Andscape: The enduring allure of Jay-Z's 'The Black Album'
https://andscape.com/features/jay-z-the-black-album-anniversary/
Capital Xtra: Jay-Z: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Black Album
https://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/jay-z/lists/the-black-album-facts/dangermouse-the-grey-album/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE155 - 28m - Nov 27, 2023 - Snoop Doggy Dogg: Doggystyle (1993). It's More Than Hype...
B. Cox and J. Owe look back at at the momentous occasion of Snoop Doggy Dogg's classic debut album Doggystyle as it turns 30. Fresh off the heels of his breakthrough performance on several tracks on Dr. Dre's The Chronic released not even a year prior, he set to set the game on fire with what was, to that point, the most highly anticipated debut for a new hip-hop artist. Working hard with Dr. Dre and a handful of fellow Death Row Records collaborators such Daz and Kurupt of Tha Dogg Pound, Lady of Rage, the DOC, RBX, Warren G and Nate Dogg, the young Long Beach emcee was looking to top all expectations bestowed upon him.
In spades, he delivered. Along a three hugely successful singles in "Who Am I? (What's My Name?)", "Gin and Juice" and "Doggy Dogg World", Snoop dropped 54 minutes of G-Funk laced fire with his trademark, lazy, yet casual and sharp flow and lyrics that served as the backdrop to a growing hip-hop and pop culture phenomenon. His infectious hooks, what would be become classic and quotable bars, the outlandish and even vulgar skits and humor all made the album a a part of popular culture and lexicon and still lingers to this day. It all played a part of a dominant two-to-three years of Snoop being recognized as the hottest rapper in the game and one of the biggest stars in music.
The debut numbers were unprecedented. It sold over 800K its first week and by the end of the year, it was approaching 2 million records sold. As of today, it stands as 7x RIAA platinum certified. It is widely known today as such: 1) The biggest and most anticipated debut album of any hip-hop album that exceeded such hype 2) One of the most influential albums of any genre released in the last 30 years and 3) Universally accepted as a classic, a West Coast living landmark and legacy that defined 90s West Coast hip-hop and the success of Death Row Records at its peak.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Snoop Dogg's Debut Album 'Doggystyle" Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/snoop-dogg-debut-album-doggystyle-album-anniversary
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE154 - 36m - Nov 20, 2023 - A Tribe Called Quest: Midnight Marauders (1993). "Linden Boulevard Represent, Represent..."
The crew reviews A Tribe Called Quest's classic third album Midnight Marauders as it turns 30. Off the heels of their groundbreaking sophomore debut, 1991's The Low End Theory, the group rebounded to put through what many to believe to be their most cohesive work yet. After famously making the low end of bass their calling card and backdrop of the jazz sampled beats, the momentum continued with group member Q-Tip working with legendary engineer Bob Power to leave the resonant noise from their samples, creating a grittier and harder sound.
Over 14 tracks, Q-Tip and Phife Dawg expertly spit and trade clever, biting and, at times, fun and hilarious bars. The album spawned two classic singles which stand out as the groups best: "Award Tour" and "Electric Relaxation", both which received heavy radio play and still are wildly popular today. 30 years later, this album is marked as a crown jewel of a trilogy of Tribe's first three albums and has been noted a keen sonic influence to the groups successors--in spirit and practice
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Show Notes
Albumism: A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight Marauders" Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/a-tribe-called-quest-midnight-marauders-album-anniversary
The Daily Beat: 30 Years Ago, A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight " Changed Hip-Hop
https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-tribe-called-quests-midnight-marauders-turns-30
The Grio: Symphonic Sampling: A Tribe Called Quest's 'Midnight Marauders" and Wu-Tang Clan's 'Enter the Wu-Tang"
HipHopDX: A Tribe Called Quest Celebrates 30 Years of 'Midnight Marauders" with New Merch
https://hiphopdx.com/news/tribe-called-quest-midnight-marauders-30th-anniversary-merch
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE153 - 37m - Nov 13, 2023
