- 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/privacy28m | 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/privacy36m | 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/privacy37m | Nov 13, 2023 - Wu-Tang Clan: Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993). "The Rugged Lands of Shaolin"
The crew reviews the almighty Wu-Tang Clan and their iconic classic debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) as it turns 30. After doing what seemed the impossible to assemble a supergroup of emcees hailing from Staten Island and Brooklyn, the collective gained major notoriety with their debut single "Protect Your Neck". Word and a buzz began to grow.
The group, which was lead by creative guidance of executive producer and member RZA, drew acclaim for their unique approach to hip-hop music: Utilizing a martial arts motif gained from 70s kung-fu flicks and legends mixed with rugged street tales from the 90s New York City and a mixture of gems of knowledge and Supreme Mathematics from the Five Percent Nation (which many of the group were members), they excelled of their raw lyrical ability over dusty, yet refined soul samples with a heavy dose of hard percussion. Critics and fans all over were amazed.
The album featured the fellow singles that were noteworthy: the timeless "C.R.E.A.M (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)" and the cult classic hit "Could It Be So Simple". Supporting these singles were a strong a set of album tracks that became almost as recognizable and classic as their radio worthy counterparts. As of 2023, it is almost 4x platinum and been recognized by many publications and organizations as one of the best 20 hip-hop albums of all-time. In 2022, it was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". It is also noted as an album that was the backbone of the East Coast hip-hop renaissance of the mid 90s along with Enta Da Stage, Illmatic, Ready To Die, The Sun Rises In The East and others.
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Show Notes
The Conversation: 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" Turns 30
Albumism: Wu-Tang Clan's Debut "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
NPR (All Things Considered): Revisiting "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" 30 Years Later
https://www.npr.org/2023/11/05/1210800438/revisiting-enter-the-wu-tang-36-chambers-30-years-later
HypeBeast: RZA Announces "(36 Chambers) 30th Anniversary Shows
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy33m | Nov 6, 2023 - Black Moon: Enta Da Stage (1993). "Straight from Crooklyn...better known as Brooklyn"
B. Cox and J Owe look back at Black Moon's debut classic album Enta Da Stage as it turns 30. The Brooklyn trio made up of DJ/producer DJ Evil Dee and emcees Buckshot (fka Buckshot Shorty) and 5ft began their journey in high school, shopping around demos and looking for a deal. Impressed by the group, they signed with Nervous Records and was given the green light to record their first single "Who Got Da Props?".
Featuring smooth samples with crisp drums and impeccable cuts, the album spun tales of life in Brooklyn and with Buckshot and 5 ft expertly wordsmithing pictures that painted a dark picture for listeners and observers.
Featuring the likes of future Boot Camp Clik mates Smif-N-Wessun, Dru Ha and Havoc from an also upcoming rap group Mobb Deep, the album featured a similar motif and sound like other groundbreaking New York-based rap albums like Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, Midnight Marauders,The Sun Rises In The East, Ready to Die and Illmatic over the next 12 months that have been credited with helping to bring a focus and emphasis back to East Coast hip-hop in the midst of a dominant West Coast run.
The album, while not selling well commercially, was widely acclaimed by fans, particularly underground heads and the media alike. It is consistently listed one of the best albums in the phenomenon that was 1993 in hip hop and also noted as of the most influential hip-hop albums of the 90s.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Black Moon's 'Enta Da Stage' Turns 30
https://albumism.com/features/black-moon-debut-album-enta-da-stage-album-anniversary
Medium: 30 Years for Black Moon's 'Enta Da Stage': A Game Changer For Hip-Hop
HipHopDX: Duck Down Records Founders Buckshot ad Dru Ha Reflect 'Enta Da Stage' 25 Years Later
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy26m | Oct 23, 2023 - OutKast: Aquemini (1998). "Until They Close The Curtain..."
B. Cox and J. Owe look back at OutKast's classic third album Aquemini as it turns 25. After the success of their sophomore album, 1996's ATLiens, Andre and Big Boi both had major life events that affected their outlooks and artistry, included breakups and the start of fatherhood. Given more creative license, the group sought to take even more control of the production of their third album.
The album was largely self-produced along with contributions from Mr. DJ and their mentors Organized Noize. It featured guest appearances from Raekwon, George Clinton, fellow Dungeon Family members from Goodie Mob, Sleepy Brown, Cool Breeze, Witchdoctor, Big Rube and Erykah Badu. The album explored themes of the duality of the two emcees through their respective Zodiac signs (Big Boi's Aquarius and Andre's Gemini) and how they interpreted the same set of circumstances in everyday life. Both emcees were heavily influenced by music of their predecessors in Motwon and Stax Records as well as progressive rock and soul.
The album was backed by three singles, the most successful being the funky, yet controversial "Rosa Parks". It was praised for its intricate and cutting lyricism, storytelling and imagery along with its vivid production. The album received the coveted 5-Mic rating in The Source and has been certified double platinum, cited as the duo's best work and one of the best albums of the decade regardless of region.
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Show Notes
OutKast's "Aquemini Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/outkast-aquemini-album-anniversary
Rock & Roll Globe: 'Return of The G': OutKast's 'Aquemini' at 25
https://rockandrollglobe.com/rap/return-of-the-g-outkasts-aquemini-at-25/
Rock The Bells: OutKast's 'Aquemini' at 25: A Look Back At One of Music's Greatest Albums
https://rockthebells.com/articles/outkast-aquemini-25-year-anniversary/
Billboard: OutKast "Aquemini Is the Pinnacle of the Duo's Art
https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/outkast-aquemini-anniversary-8477481/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy31m | Oct 9, 2023 - Jay-Z: Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life (1998). Superstardom Awaits
B. Cox and Domo review Jay-Z's third album Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life as it turns 25. Looking to improve on his commercial success from Vol. 1...In My Lifetime, Jay-Z looked to bring on new producers to give his album the commercial shine without the sound being overglossed. In for this album, production wise was the likes of Swizz Beats and Timbaland to go along with mainstays DJ Premier, Irv Gotti, Erick Sermon and others. The album featured a distinct commercial sound more appropriate for his flow and style as well as the trademark gritty beats and street tracks that was a hallmark of his style from his debut.
On Vol. 2, Jay also showed how versatile his flow was, showing that he could rap four different ways on four different radio smashes. The album featured four singles: "Can I Get A..." featuring Amil and Def Jam labelmate Ja Rule, the 'Annie' sample assisted banger "Hard Knock Life", "Money, Cash, Hoes" featuring DMX and "Nigga Who, Nigga What?" featuring his mentor Big Jaz (Jaz-O). All singles saw considerable commercial success and became drivers for the album to become his best selling album to date at almost six million copies. It is credited as the album that propelled Jay-Z to becoming a hip-hop superstar and would set the table for a three year run that would solidify his status as the best rapper in the game.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Jay-Z's Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/jay-z-vol-2-hard-knock-life-album-anniversary
"Hard Knock Life": How Jay-Z Completed his Journey From Rags To Riches
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/vol-2-hard-knock-life-jay-z/
American Urban Radio Networks: Beyond A Reasonable Doubt: Jay-Z's "Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life" Turns 25
https://aurn.com/beyond-a-reasonable-doubt-jay-z-vol-2-hard-knock-life-25-years-later/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy29m | Oct 2, 2023 - Souls Of Mischief: '93 Til Infinity (1993). "This is how we chill..."
B. Cox and J.Owe look back at Oakland rap group Souls of Mischief debut album 93 Til Infinity as it turns 30. In the midst of a coastal emergence and commercial recognition in both southern California and the Bay-Area, the teenage group became major players in the Oakland underground scene. After their demos became the talk of certain rap circles and their music was circulated on the legendary "Wake Up Show" with Sway and Tech, the group secured a record deal and started working on their debut album.
As a part of the alternative hip-hop collective Heiroglyphics, the album wa entirely produced by group member A-Plus and collective members, Domino, Jay Biz, Casual and group founder Del the Funky Homosapien. Utilizing mainly jazz records from record label CTI Records, the album featured looped jazzy melodies with menacing, but smooth bass tones and snapping drums to give the album its underground feel. The four emcees (Phesto, Opio, Tajai along with A-Plus) impressed with their versatile flows, timely punchlines and skilled wordplay. In a step away from their mainstream contemporaries, the album featured every many topics such as neighborhood violence, the importance of safe sex, exploitation and hanging out.
The album featured three singles, the most popular being the classic title track that reached the Top 20 of the Hot Rap Singles and the Top 100 of the Billboard charts. While the album did not have great mainstream success, the album and the ever popular title track have risen in recognition and popularity in the three decades since its release, with many marking it as a landmark underground release and underground West Coast hip-hop classic.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Souls of Mischief Debut Album '93 Til Infinity Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/souls-of-mischief-debut-album-93-til-infinity-album-anniversary
Columbus Free Press: Bus Stile Activities: Souls of Mischief "'93 Til Infinity"
WGBH Radio: Souls Of Mischief Tajai Massey On The Lasting Power of "'93 Til Infinity"
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy27m | Sep 25, 2023 - BONUS EPISODE: September 29, 1998 (9-29-98). A Day To Go Down In History
In this bonus episode, B. Cox looks back at one of the greatest and consequential hip-hop release dates on the last 25 years: September 29, 1998. On this date, five highly anticipated hip-hop albums hit the stores: Jay-Z's Vol 2...Hard Knock Life, Outkast's Aquemini, A Tribe Called Quest's The Love Movement, Black Star's Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are... and Brand Nubian's comeback album Foundation. Each album had its reasons among fans to be highly anticipated. B. Cox looks into these reasons and what atmosphere was like trying acquire all of these releases despite them all being released the same day.
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Show Notes
OkayPlayer: September 29, 1998 Was Rap Music's Last Great Release Date
RockTheBells: RTB Rewind: The Greatest Release Day In Hip-Hop History
https://rockthebells.com/articles/sept-29-1998-greatest-release-day-in-hip-hop-history/
The Ringer: Was September 29, 1998, the Greatest Rap Album Release Day Ever?
https://www.theringer.com/music/2018/9/28/17911990/september-29-1998-greatest-rap-album-release-day
Level Man: Sept 29, 1998's Iconic Rap Albums, Ranked
Hip-Hop DX: Is September 29, 1998 Still Hip-Hop's Greatest Day?
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy22m | Sep 18, 2023 - Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). Beyond Our Wildest Dreams
B Cox reviews Lauryn Hill's classic debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as turns 25. After a a breakout classic album The Score with The Fugees and a worldwide successful tour, the singer-emcee found herself at a crossroads as she found herself not only in a new relationship with Rohan Marley, but also pregnant. During pregnancy, she took a hiatus from touring and recording and spent time writing for what would be her debut album. After giving birth to her son Zion, she began the process of putting together her album with musicians, vocalists and producers at work to help craft her vision. The album was recored partially in New York, with the rest of the album being recorded in Kingston, Jamaica at Tuff Gong studios.
Utilizing all of her talents, Hill presented the world with her version of her vision, an hour plus opus that covered all of her talents and passions: emceeing, singing, writing and producing. The fusion of sounds of hip-hop, R&B, neo-soul and reggae made for a unicorn of an album. Her themes touched on love, heartbreak, disappointment, confusion and exultation around relationships. Joining her on this album would be the company of fellow legends: guitarist Carlos Santana, Mary J. Blige, D'Angelo as well as featured artists and musicians and producers such as Che "Che Guevera" Pope, James Poyser, "Commissioner" Gordon Williams and John Legend among others.
The album featured up to six singles which became staples of the album: "Lost Ones", "Ex-Factor", "Doo Wap (That Thing)", "Everything Is Everything", "Nothing Even Matters", "For Zion". The album was an immediate commercial and critical success, becoming multiple platinum by the end of the millennium and winning five Grammys at the 1999 Grammy Awards. It is now RIAA-certified diamond and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. While it remains her only studio album, it continues to reverberate today with its legacy and it often sighted on many lists as one of the greatest music albums of all-time.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Lauryn Hill's debut album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
The Grio: The Gospel According To Lauryn Hill
The Root: The Evolution of Lauryn Hill
https://www.theroot.com/the-evolution-of-lauryn-hill-1850768001
EuroNews: How Lauryn Hill Revolutionized Hip-Hop 25 Years Ago
BET: 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" Turns 25
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy34m | Aug 28, 2023 - Tha Alkaholiks: 21 & Over (1993). "Likwit" Hip-Hop from L.A.
B. Cox reviews West Coast hip-hop trio Tha Alkaholiks debut album 21 & Over, as it turns 30. The trio, made up of emcees Tash, E-Swift and J-Ro, formed in the late 1980s and were mentored by legend King Tee. After signing to Loud/RCA, the group started recording their debut album. The album would be a compact, but power-packed 35 minute effort that introduced this eclectic, but a serious group of emcess to the hip-hop game.
The group's style, which was based around a fun-loving times filled with drinks, weed smoking and partying, was not of the slapstick or parody type of music that many thought it would be. Going more of the route of some of the West Coast contemporaries like Cypress Hill, Pharcyde and Souls of Mischief, the 'Liks' sound featured hard hitting and funky sample based beats with capable emceeing while maintaining a feel good vibe.
The album featured the likes of Field Trip, Threat, the duo Lootpack (a young MadLib and Wildchild) from Stones Throw Records, and King Tee himself. The group and King Tee produced the majority of the album with E-Swift taking charge of much of the production credits. While none of the albums three singles charted on the Hot 100, they did catch on on the Hot Rap and R&B Charts and the group would gained a cult following in the coming years among West Coast fans and eventually worldwide due to their fun-loving demeanor while displaying a high level of emceeing and beats that could get the parties rocking or heads nodding.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Tha Alkaholiks Debut Album '21 & Over' Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
Time Is Illmatic: Tha Alkaholiks: 21& Over
https://timeisillmatic.me/2017/06/02/tha-alkaholiks-21-over-august-24-1993/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy20m | Aug 21, 2023 - BONUS EPISODE: Hip-Hop Celebrating 50 Years-A Perspectiv
B. Cox pays homage to hip-hop as it turns 50 years old. For much of the year, the recognized beginning of the genre, culture and societal phenomenon called hip-hop has been celebrated, lauded and congratulated worldwide for changing the world as we see it. He goes over a brief history of hip-hop's beginnings, the different periods we've experienced over 50 years and how the music, culture and trends have change with them.
He also goes over his favorite hip-hop album by decade with some honorable mentions and also outlines the most tragic losses and deaths that hip-hop has faced each decade.
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Show Notes
Yahoo: Hip-Hop Turns 50: How a musical genre became a cultural
Vanity Fair: Fifty Years of Hip-Hop In a World That Could Not Exist Without It
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/06/hip-hop-50-years
Economic Times: Hip-Hop Turns 50: From humble beginnings in the Bronx to global fame
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy33m | Aug 15, 2023 - Toni Braxton: Toni Braxton (1993). "There Can Only Be One..."
B. Cox and Domo fondly recollect on Toni Braxton's classic self-titled debut album as it turns 30. The Maryland native, who started in an R&B group with her now famous sisters, made her name first known after her standout performances on the wildly popular Boomerang Original Soundtrack the previous year with her debut on "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" and "Give U My Heart" featuring Babyface. Signed to LaFace Records, she began recording her debut album under the tutelage of Babyface and Antonio "LA" Reid as well as a group of dedicated writer and producers in what would be the young label's biggest project yet.
The anticipation over Braxton, her smooth contralto voice with dynamic range that brought her immediate comparisons to Anita Baker, her look and the anticipation over what her debut album was overwhelming. The album was released not long after her first single "Another Sad Love Song", which reached the Top 10 of the Billboard R&B and top 100 charts. The next single, the mega ballad, "Breathe Again" was an even bigger hit, charting in the top five of both charts as well. The next two years would see the R&B radio stations littered with her singles from this album as she became superstar within the genre.
The album garnered Braxton three Grammys for Best New Artists (1993) and back to back wins for Best R&B Vocal Performance (1994, 1995). She also won two American Music Awards in 1994 and another in 1995. The album has been RIAA certified 6 times platinum and has sold 10 million copies worldwide and is credited with making Braxton a choice solo act in the R&B genre for the rest of the decade.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Toni Braxton's Eponymous Debut Album 'Toni Braxton Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/toni-braxton-eponymous-debut-album-anniversary
BET: Five Reasons Why Toni Braxton's Debut Is Still A Classic 30 Years Later
Shondaland: Classic Rewind-30 Years of 'Toni Braxton'
https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a44477970/classic-rewind-30-years-of-toni-braxton/
Toni Braxton's Debut Turns 25: Ranking All Of The Tracks
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/toni-braxton-debut-ranking-tracks-8465382/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy22m | Jul 24, 2023 - Maxwell: Embya (1998). "Drown Deep In Love..." (feat. Alise and JR of The R&B Reps)
B. Cox is joined once again by Alise and JR of the R&B Representers to reminisce on Maxwell's sophomore album Embrya as it turns 25. After amazing the music industry with his classic debut Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite just two years earlier, the prodigious soul singer linked back up with producer and musician Stuart Matthewman, just as he he had on Urban Hang Suite, looking to push the envelope stylistically than he had on his debut. In a departure of the more acoustically melody drive jazz sound of Urban Hang Suite, Embrya featured more thick bass heavy grooves with atmospheric tones and sounds to express themes of love from a spiritual perspective it. He also tapped into an "underwater" theme that inspired both the title and the sonic quality of the album.
Upon release, the album had mixed reviews with some critics praising Maxwell's artistic expression and lyrical expansion while many other critics slammed the album and questioned whether Maxwell was throwing away the recipe, style and quality which made him a star on Urban Hang Suite. Nonetheless, fans made it a commercial success as it was certified platinum, driven by the lead single "Luxury: Cococure" .
In the following years, critics softened their stance on the albums production and themes, citing the album as a forward-thinking project that was initially misunderstood, but became a early adopter in sounds and moods of "alternative" R&B acts and styles that would emerge later in the new millennium would mirror closely. It is also mentioned as his most stylistically creative album and one of his most personal albums.
Catch Alise and JR of the R&B Representers!
Web: www.rnbreps.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rnbreps
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rnbreps
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RBRepresenters
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Show Notes
Albumism: Maxwell's 'Embrya' Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/maxwell-embrya-album-anniversary
TheGrio: The life aquatic, 25 Years of Maxwell's "Embrya"
https://thegrio.com/2023/06/30/the-life-aquatic-25-years-of-maxwells-embrya/
SoulInStereo: 1998 Rewind: Maxwell's 'Embrya'
https://www.soulinstereo.com/2023/06/1998-rewind-remembering-maxwells-embrya.html
Augusta Chronicle: Maxwell Stays Timeless with Tour, ;Embrya' Reissue
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy1h 10m | Jul 17, 2023 - Tony! Toni! Tone!: Sons Of Soul (1993). The Journey Takes You There...
B. Cox reviews Tony! Toni! Tone!'s classic third album Sons of Soul as it turns 30. After their mega hit sophomore album, 1990s The Revival, the group and this album continued on its predecessors success with experimentation on their sound. Seeking different sound without a change in musical philosophy, the album featured the group's signature soul roots from Oakland, but also interpolated hip-hop drums and elements into some tracks, utilizing the Akai MPC60 and E-mu SP-1200 to create drum loops. Their main objective for this album was to pay homage to the soul acts that inspired them in a new school way with new school flavor.
The other influence in this album is the Caribbean and West Indian musical and cultural roots. The group recorded and produced a large part of the album in the Caribbean island of Trinidad at the Caribbean Sound Basin recording complex. While in Trinidad, they were exposed to many aspects of island culture, including the reggae and soca party scenes and block parties with sound systems with thousands of locals. This influenced their music and sound on a few tracks and even featured local Trinidadian artist General Grant.
The album featured five singles including the standard "Anniversary", "If I Had No Loot", "Lay Your Head On My Pillow" and the island inspired "Slow Wine". The album charted for 43 weeks on the Billboard 100 and was certified double platinum. The work was a commercial and critical success and was noted for being a bridge between hip-hop and R&B in a manner that was equally respected by both genres.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Tony! Toni! Tone!'s 'Sons Of Soul' Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/tony-toni-tone-sons-of-soul-album-anniversary
San Antonio Observer: Tony! Toni! Tone! - Sons Of Soul Turns 30
https://saobserver.com/?p=20843
TheGrio: 93 'til Infinity: A very teenage story about Tony! Toni! Tone!'s 'Sons Of Soul' Album
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy23m | Jul 10, 2023 - (BONUS EPISODE) The Red-Hot Reggae Summer of '03 feat. Kahlil Wonda of Reggae Lover Podcast
In this bonus episode, B. Cox is joined by Kahlil Wonda (Reggae Lover Podcast & Highlanda Sound System) to discuss dancehall reggae in the summer of 2003 and how several hit songs and artists happened to cross over into the American and international market to huge success. It was a phenomenon that had been on the build for almost a decade culminating in a summer 20 years ago that was heavily influenced by dancehall on the radios and in the club scene. Reggae artists and acts like Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Wayne Wonder, T.O.K. and other soca artists like Rupee and Kevin Lyttle were the all-star cast that lead the charge.
They both give personal and anecdotal reflections of that time period, the riddims that dominated the genre, the artists that benefitted the most from this explosion, how it helped and also helped the reggae music genre and ultimately what it meant for culture in the years and decades that followed after it.
Follow Kahlil Wonda, RLP and HSS
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Show Notes
Reggae Lover Podcast: Best Big Dancehall Riddims of the 2000s. From March 6, 2022.
https://redcircle.com/shows/reggae-lover/ep/bb43a2a8-b11a-4e1a-b04c-47ae6248601b
Billboard: The Diwali Riddim: Creator Steven "Lenky" Marsden Explains How a Beat Nobody Wanted Became the Sound of 20033
LA Times: Riding the reggae wave. From May 22, 2003
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-22-wk-pop22-story.html
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy1h 0m | Jun 19, 2023 - Brandy: Never Say Never (1998). The Next Level
B. Cox and Domo review Brandy's classic sophomore album Never Say Never as it turns 25. After her smash eponymous debut album helped make her a household name among R&B fans, Brandy began to diversify her portfolio as an entertainer, starring her own sitcom Moesha, the Cinderella remake and I (Still) Know What You Did Last Summer. In late 1997, she began recording her second album now linked with an upcoming producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. Jerkins along with his production and writing team of his brother Fred, Harvey Mason, Jr, Lashawn Daniels as well other writers and producers David Foster, Marc Nelson and Diane Warren among others, set to craft a new sound for the maturing Brandy.
Jerkins and his versatile production style proved to be a match for Brandy and her now mature and powerful voice and his production and writing team helped build an album that reflected Brandy's life, struggles and innermost thoughts. He also encouraged her to co-write a few of the songs, which made the project that much more candid and well rounded. The final product was something far beyond what fans or critics could dream of.
The album featured up to seven singles, most notably two #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits "The Boy Is Mine: featuring fellow R&B singer Monica and "Have You Ever?" and the top 20 hits "Angel In Disguise" and "Almost Doesn't Count". The album has been certified 4x platinum and has sold 16 million copies worldwide. It is Brandy's best-selling album to date and is recognized as her best and most influential work.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Brandy's 'Never Say Never' Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/brandy-never-say-never-album-anniversary
Vibe: Alex Vaughn Remakes "Almost Doesn't Count" for 'Never Say Never' 25th Anniversary
https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/alex-vaughn-pays-tribute-to-brandy-never-say-never-1234764027/
BET: Brandy's "Never Say Never" Was A Semi-Confessional Executed To Perfection
https://www.bet.com/article/y4e2n0/brandy-never-say-never-retrospective-25th-anniversary
The Urban Journal: Essential Albums: Brandy's "Never Say Never" At 25
https://urbjournal.com/brandy-never-say-never/
OkayPlayer: Brandy Talks 20 Years of "Never Say Never"
https://www.okayplayer.com/originals/brandy-interview-never-say-never-20-years-later-okayplayer.html
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy28m | Jun 12, 2023 - Pop Culture Corner! Menace II Society...30 Years Later
In a bonus segment of "Pop Culture Corner", B. Cox & J. Owe look back at Menace II Society as it turns 30.
The film starred Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, Jada Pinkett Smith, Charles S. Dutton and rapper MC Eiht among others, It was directed by brothers Allen and Albert Hughes. The cult classic, whose story about young black men struggling to overcome their environment, became an instant hit within the young black, urban and hip-hop communities. Featuring a raw, violent and gripping tale of hood life in Watts, the movie is referenced alongside Boyz N The Hood some of the best movies in black cinema in the 90s.
The soundtrack, featuring many artists such Ant Banks, UGK, Brand Nubian, DJ., Quik, Pete Rock & CL Smooth Spice 1 and Too $hort, featured the Billboard Top 100 singles "Trigga Gots No Heart" (Spice 1) and "Streiht Up Menace" by movie co-star MC Eiht. The soundtrack was certified platinum and is recognized as one of the best hip-hop based soundtracks of the decade.
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Show Notes
Yahoo: "Menace II Society" At 30: The racial reason the street drama was modeled after Goodfellas.
RockTheBells: Menace II Society Turns 30-6 Dope Songs From The Soundtrack
https://rockthebells.com/articles/rtb-rewind-menace-ii-society-turns-30/
'Menace II Society': The Relevance of The Gangsta Movie 30 Years Later
https://fanfare.pub/menace-ii-society-and-the-gangsta-film-30-years-later-b2c84c9d21ae
MXDWN: Life In The Hood. Looking Back at 'Menace II Society'
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy36m | May 29, 2023 - DMX: It's Dark And Hell Is Hot (1998). The Dark Man Cometh
B. Cox and J. Owe review DMX's classic debut album It's Dark And Hell It's Hot as it turns 25. After spending years in the underground and paying his dues on the scene, the late Yonkers emcee burst onto the public scene in 1997 with a string of high profile and powerful feature verses for the likes of LL Cool J, the LOX and Ma$e. Signed to Def Jam as a part of their "revival", he sought to bring a street edge back to hip-hop, which was trending fully into the commercial and corporate era.
Produced mostly by Dame Grease, but assited by the likes of Irv Gotti, PK, Swizz Beatz and Waah, the album featured dark and menacing production that was also featured anthem worthy music. Lyrically, DMX provided us a glimpse into his soul; crafting a perfect kaleidoscope of his world: street and hardcore songs, party anthems, dark and menacing tracks, candid and introspective moments as well as the occasional dose of spirituality-which would be his hallmark. While not described as lyrically adept, this combination as well his superior flow, voice and command of his audience's emotions is what made him an instant success. It featured the likes of his Yonkers compatriots The LOX, Kasino, Ma$e, Faith Evans and Ruff Ryders emcee Drag-On.
The album feature four singles: "Get At Me Dog","Stop Being Greedy", "Ruff Ryders Anthem" and "How It's Going Down" with all of them having the rare distinction of charting in the Billboard Top 100. The album was certified four times platinum and began an 18-month period where he stood on top of hip-hop as the biggest and most successful star in the game.
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Show Notes
Albumism: DMX's Debut Album "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/dmx-debut-album-its-dark-and-hell-is-hot-album-anniversary
Time: How DMX's "It's Dark And Hell Is Hot" Changed The Course of Hip-Hop Forever
https://time.com/5952926/dmx-legacy-hip-hop/
HotNewHipHop: DMX's "Its Dark and Hell Is Hot" Turns 25
https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/675227-dmx-its-dark-and-hell-is-hot
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy32m | May 16, 2023 - BONUS EPISODE: "Cards, Dominoes, Drinks & Smoke" Albums That Defined A Generation
In a bonus episode of "Cards, Dominoes, Drinks & Smoke", B. Cox muses on the albums from 1993, 1998 and 2003 that could qualify as albums that "defined a generation". On the heels of the announcement of WMX's inaugural season of the visual podcast "Iconic Records: Albums That Defined A Generation" covering the Notorious B.I.G's classic album Life After Death, he wonders if there were albums in the aforementioned year that would be deserving of it's own series chronicling how it shifted the culture for a generation.
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AllHipHop: 1993 Hip-Hop: The 10 Best Hip-Hop Albums from 20 Years Ago
https://allhiphop.com/features/1993-hip-hop-the-10-best-rap-albums-from-20-years-ago/
Complex: September 1998: Celebrating Hip-Hop's Real Golden Era
https://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/celebrating-hip-hops-real-golden-era
DefineARevolution: The Year In Hip-Hop: 2003
http://www.definearevolution.com/2016/03/the-year-in-hip-hop-2003.html
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy27m | May 1, 2023
