What are some albums you can think of that were particularly risk taking in terms of sound or marketability for an artist?

 

I'll start! Kali Uchis' sophomore album after her breakthrough debut 'Isolation', being a full latin pop album in Spanish. This coming after her more R&B and soulful debut album. Kali expressed countless times how Geffen did not plan to promote Sin Miedo. Luckily the album was able to score a massive hit "telepatia". I think Kali was very daring to do something completely unexpected and out of the ordinary for Sin Miedo and it truly showcased her versatility.

Rihanna with Rated R 

 

 

IYKYK

 

 

Right at the peak of her career as well 

Erotica

Rated R

 

45 minutes ago, ronisia said:

Rated R

 

Like A Prayer

Erotica

Ray Of Light

American Life

Madame X

 

Impossible Princess

 

BEYONCÉ 

 

Ultraviolence

 

Blackout

 

Rated R

 

BIONIC

 

SHE WOLF

 

RATED R

Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz

Lorde risked losing her fans - and risked her fans' health - with Solar Power  

2 hours ago, ontherocks said:

 

 

 

 

Mi Reflejo, Stripped  and B2B

The original version of Goodbye Lullaby if Avril was actually able to release what she wanted. RCA completely changed it.

 

 She was for sure trying to go in a more serious Stripped adult routine. 

3 hours ago, ontherocks said:

 

Cold Case Love, Firebomb, Russian Roulette, The Last Song etc affirm this. (Especially considering what she was dealing with at the time) so I don't get the use of this?

 

OT:

 

 

 

 

 

Shakira was always a balladist-rockhead but with this one she went full commercial diva-pop ***** and experimented with electro and R&B

 

Cupcakke releasing an album with only a couple dirty rap songs was a risk considering her image at the time.