suburbannature Posted October 6 Posted October 6 To some, Black music is limited to Hip-Hop and R&B, but history shows that our contributions extend to all genres and, more often than not, can be cited as the genesis of most (if not all) of the music we hear on the airwaves today. Black music is not in any way constrained by style, execution, or genre. Yes, we agree. We could have simply chosen 100 albums from the last 10 years. There are myriad ways to acknowledge our mastery of sound, and we are constantly recreating music in our own way. That being said, our list's determining factors include musical excellence and innovation, societal impact, critical acclaim, sustained resonance, and influence. Commercial success was a consideration in our assessments, but it ended up weighing lightly on our final decisions. Music is an art and a science, a wave and a way of life, more feeling than a charting. Thus, the albums that have defined the beauty of Black music over the past 50 years cannot be quantified by sheer numbers. In chronological order, these 50 albums hold a special meaning and place in Black culture, whether due to their revolutionary content, groundbreaking musicality, ability to move the crowd, or historical impact. Cultural pride and creative brilliance awaits. — Preezy Brown https://www.vibe.com/lists/greatest-black-albums/mothership-connection-parliament-1975/ Chronologically (put some atrl faves in bold): Parliament - Mothership Connection (1975) Marvin Gaye - I Want You (1976) Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life (1976) Donna Summer - Bad Girls (1979) Chic - Risque (1979) Betty Carter - The Audience of Betty Carter (1980) Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982) Tina Turner - Private Dancer (1984) Prince and the Revolution - Purple Rain (1984) Sade - Diamond Life (1984) Anita Baker - Rapture (1986) Run D.M.C. - Raising Hell (1986) N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton (1988) Queen Latifah - All Hail the Queen (1989) Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet (1990) Dr. Dre - The Panic (1992) Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993) A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders (1993) Jodeci - Diary of a Mad Band (1993) Mary J. Blige - My Life (1994) Nas - Illmatic (1994) TLC - CrazySexyCool (1994) D'Angelo - Brown Sugar (1995) Various Artists - Waiting to Exhale (1995) 2Pac - All Eyez on Me (1996) Fugees - The Score (1996) Lil' Kim - Hard Core (1996) Erykah Badu - Baduizm (1997) The Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death (1997) Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation - God's Property (1997) Missy Elliot - Supa Dupa Fly (1997) Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998) OutKast - Aquemini (1998) Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor (2001) N.E.R.D. - In Search of... (2001) Jay-Z - The Blueprint (2001) 50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Trying (2003) Usher - Confessions (2004) Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of Mimi (2005) Kanye West - Late Registration (2005) Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor (2006) Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday (2010) Drake - Take Care (2010) Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, m.A.A.d City (2012) Frank Ocean - Channel Orange (2012) Beyoncé - BEYONCÉ (2013) Solange - A Seat at the Table (2016) Migos - Culture (2017) SZA - Ctrl (2017) Write-ups for atrl faves: Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Quote Mariah Carey has one of the most technically proficient voices in music and has had no problem displaying it fully throughout her heavily revered discography. That being said, with 2005's The Emancipation of Mimi, the elusive chanteuse was truly in her bag, tapping into a level of vocal performance we hadn't heard since the critically- acclaimed Daydream, with all the swag and soul of 1997's Butterfly... The project — which earned the diva three Grammy Awards and made its Billboard 200 debut at #1—was thee R&B soundtrack of the year, scoring our lives more than any of her contemporaries' releases. This spoke volumes, as talented peers ranging from Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans to then-rookies Rihanna and Chris Brown all dropped within the same calendar year. It was Carey's tenth studio album, however, that truly took hold of the culture, the zeitgeist, and quite frankly, the world, thanks to smash single, "We Belong Together." A brilliant ballad and one of Carey and producer Jermaine Dupri's best collaborative works, the song permeated culture from weddings to reunions, proms to post-party kickbacks. It even left the then-inescapable "Trapped in the Closet" phenom in the dust thanks to its relatable lyrics, moving instrumentation, and the vocal prowess of the track's heartbroken protagonist. To reduce the beauty of this album to just "We Belong Together," however, would be an epic disservice. Standouts like "Mine Again," "Circles," "I Wish You Knew," and "Joy Ride" satisfied the R&B fiends looking for that signature Mariah power and tone, while bops like "Shake It Off," "Say Somethin'," "Get Your Number," "One And Only," and the phenomenal "Stay The Night" provided the score for dancefloor antics and jovial car rides with your crew. The timeless production of the record ensures that today's listeners are just as impressed almost two decades after its release. The Emancipation of Mimi continues to reign within Mariah's stacked catalog as one of her greatest efforts, and a shining example of the beauty of Black music. — Jessica "Compton" Bennett RN - Janet Quote If 1986's Control was Janet Jackson's coming-of-age album, then her 1990 record-breaking set Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 was the singer's proof of social consciousness. Showing herself as more than a sweetheart, Jackson used her light-as-a-feather vocals to tackle heavy topics, from homelessness and hunger to racial inequality, substance abuse, and beyond. The album puts Jackson front and center—a pony-tailed general, leading her unisex squadron as they pledge allegiance to their vision of a better world through songs and interludes. The fearless Jackson's contemporaries had to have been shaking in their boots. Sure, Whitney Houston and Madonna were stars, but somewhere between the edginess of Jackson's look, the concept of her album, and the coolness of it all–this was Janet's moment, and undeniably so. The single "Rhythm Nation" captures it all–a perfect synergy of planetary peace anthem plus pop star polish. As she charged through genres, Jackson kept a foot in at least one of those worlds, if not both. She produced her fourth studio album, alongside longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Guitar strings growl on "Black Cat," and new jack swing takes over on "Love Will Never Do (Without You)." Jackson is poised in pop dreamgirl fashion on "Miss You Much" and "Escapade." And along with singles "Rhythm Nation," "Alright," and "Come Back to Me," all seven songs found their way into coveted high spots on Billboard's charts. That said, Rhythm Nation 1814 was big and took the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart in 1990. From a massive tour to unforgettable choreography, the album helped catapult Jackson to icon status as a dancer, an entertainer, and a star who would use her voice and distinguish herself from being her brothers' adorable little sister. — Melanie J. Sims Self-Titled - Beyoncé Quote Beyoncé changed the game when her self-titled album dropped. That year, she gave the middle finger to every traditional method for album rollouts—from dropping singles and teasing cover art to doing press and unveiling a release date to boost anticipation. With Beyoncé, she completely shifted the landscape of music industry releases and caused the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) to formally move the music release day from Tuesday to Friday. While the internet was still buzzing and reeling over the explosive winter finale of Scandal's third season, Beyoncé secretly released her fifth studio album on iTunes without warning. To top it off, the LP was her first visual album and pop culture conversations would never be the same. Garnering a frenzied 1.2 million tweets within its first 12 hours, Bey's fifth studio album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became the fastest-selling album in iTunes history. It dissected topics like monogamy, sexism, and unfair beauty standards, Beyoncé led the listener on a sonic saga of epic proportions. In the three years after 4, Bey secretly created a masterpiece that featured work from Frank Ocean and Drake with production from The-Dream, Pharrell, Ryan Tedder, and more. Despite Columbia Records pushing "XO" and "Drunk In Love" as the album's lead singles, it was the latter that topped the Billboard Hot 100 and sparked an uptick in radio airplay. Then came "Partition," the "Flawless" remix with Nicki Minaj, and "7/11" from the extended edition. Beyoncé ultimately won three of the five Grammys it was up for: Best Surround Sound Album, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Performance. From a cultural standpoint, Beyoncé is one of the most impactful albums made by a Black woman who became a force and changed the music industry forever. — Mya Abraham Pink Friday - Nicki Quote Nicki Minaj's 2010 debut album Pink Friday still stands as a groundbreaking work exemplifying the resiliency, creativity, and influence of Black women in Hip-Hop. The album not only solidified Minaj as a force to be reckoned with, but also highlighted the power and diversity of her voice. The Queens native broke barriers and challenged stereotypes all while asserting her place in a male-dominated genre. On Pink Friday, Minaj commanded the attention as she introduced fans to larger-than-life personas, playful alter-egos and rapid-fire delivery. With her ear-wormy lyrics, catchy hooks, clever wordplay, and infectious energy — the album has remained a standout in Minaj's impressive discography. Singles like "Super Bass" and "Moment 4 Life" featuring Drake, were huge successes for the album and showed her versatility and lyrical prowess. Other tracks like "Fly" featuring Rihanna, "Right Thru Me," and "Blazin" showed Minaj's vocal ability. Introspective moments happen on "Save Me" and "Dear Old Nicki," where she opens up about her personal struggles and journey to success. The LP demonstrated Minaj's ability to cross genres and appeal to a diverse audience — which ultimately helped expand the boundaries of Hip-Hop and open up new possibilities for artists to experiment with different styles. As a top MC, Nicki Minaj's impact on music cannot be denied. The much-copied icon carved out a space for herself in a genre that once marginalized female voices. Pink Friday not only celebrated Minaj's individual artistry but also served as a testament to the strength of Black women. The Grammy-nominated album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and eventually peaked at No. 1, defining Minaj's popularity and impact. Pink Friday went on to become certified triple-Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold over 4,000,000 copies worldwide. Additionally, her debut album earned her the honor and flex of becoming the first female solo artist to have seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously. Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday success, sound, and her eccentric style inspired a whole generation of Black women music artists. Her bold and unapologetic approach to her artistry encouraged others to be authentic, regardless of industry expectations and supposed limitations. — Amber Corrine 5 2 1
suburbannature Posted October 6 Author Posted October 6 3 minutes ago, BrattyBottom said: Pink Friday? I am not a Nicki fan pull up in the Sri Lanka, what? but they make a strong case for its influence. 1 5
Afterglow Posted October 6 Posted October 6 5 minutes ago, BrattyBottom said: Pink Friday? Don't bring BS in here, this is about black people and their contributions to pop and music in general. Pink Friday was and still is a huge moment in hip hop and pop and is historic. It was monumental in closing the gap between hip hop and pop as well. 8 1
BrattyBottom Posted October 6 Posted October 6 3 minutes ago, Afterglow said: Don't bring BS in here, this is about black people and their contributions to pop and music in general. Pink Friday was and still is a huge moment in hip hop and pop and is historic. It was monumental in closing the gap between hip hop and pop as well. It's literally the only album on this list that sticks out like a sore thumb. If that album didn't exist we wouldn't have the pink wig clowns and the world would be peaceful. 3 1 1
Gorjesspazze9 Posted October 6 Posted October 6 Rhythm Nation… it's when you could tell New Jack Swing was about to dominate the early 90's You could hear it's influence on pop music even up to the Late 90's-2000's Max Martin era. 3
Click Clack Posted October 6 Posted October 6 why am i seeing cardi's dirty ass fans in here? she's not on the list 2 7
LegaMyth Posted October 6 Posted October 6 Although Nicki gets on my last nerve, she deserves this spot.
BrattyBottom Posted October 6 Posted October 6 9 minutes ago, Click Clack said: why am i seeing cardi's dirty ass fans in here? she's not on the list What was said about dirty fans? This is an accurate depiction of 95% of barbs. You really don't want to go there love 🤭 4
Doogle Posted October 6 Posted October 6 (edited) Nicki is evil embodied in 2024 but you are delusional if you think PF had no impact. An amazing, influential album Also LOVE to see self titled still getting her flowers in a post Lemonade society. Same with TEOM, the best comeback of all time Edited October 6 by Doogle
Lloyd Minaj Posted October 6 Posted October 6 23 minutes ago, BrattyBottom said: It's literally the only album on this list that sticks out like a sore thumb. If that album didn't exist we wouldn't have the pink wig clowns and the world would be peaceful. Get a grip
iHype. Posted October 6 Posted October 6 Those albums this century were definitely pretty much all iconic albums esp within the black community for black listeners & black artists.
Wicked Posted October 6 Posted October 6 The list is mostly great but there's a lot missing. The entire 'lyrical' underground rap scene was birthed from one album and it's not here lol 3
Devin Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life (1976) Donna Summer - Bad Girls (1979) Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982) Tina Turner - Private Dancer (1984) Prince and the Revolution - Purple Rain (1984) Sade - Diamond Life (1984) Anita Baker - Rapture (1986) Run D.M.C. - Raising Hell (1986) N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton (1988) Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet (1990) Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36C) (1993) A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders (1993) Jodeci - Diary of a Mad Band (1993) Mary J. Blige - My Life (1994) Nas - Illmatic (1994) TLC - CrazySexyCool (1994) D'Angelo - Brown Sugar (1995) Various Artists - Waiting to Exhale (1995) 2Pac - All Eyez on Me (1996) Fugees - The Score (1996) Lil' Kim - Hard Core (1996) Erykah Badu - Baduizm (1997) The Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death (1997) Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998) Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor (2001) Jay-Z - The Blueprint (2001) 50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Trying (2003) Usher - Confessions (2004) Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of Mimi (2005) Kanye West - Late Registration (2005) Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor (2006) Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday (2010) Drake - Take Care (2010) Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, m.A.A.d City (2012) Frank Ocean - Channel Orange (2012) Beyoncé - BEYONCÉ (2013) Solange - A Seat at the Table (2016) Migos - Culture (2017) SZA - Ctrl (2017) all this black EXCELLENCE 2
Wicked Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Queen Latifah's pick should've been Black Reign which is a top 3 femcee hip hop album, but the fact Betty Carter (vocal icon) is even here is a damn miracle, her live album is a family heirloom it's essential! I guess you take what you get
Apolonio ₃₄ Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Lil' Kim, Queen Latifah, Nicki and Missy being the only rap girlies
KennethPettyGang Posted October 7 Posted October 7 47 minutes ago, Click Clack said: why am i seeing cardi's dirty ass fans in here? she's not on the list I mean she isn't black
Elusive Chanteuse Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Good list but the obession with Frank Ocean is too much. He can't sing 2 1 1
Katamari Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Salt n Pepa were the first global female rappers i think they deserved tbh
TiaTamera Posted October 7 Posted October 7 1 hour ago, BrattyBottom said: Pink Friday? The success of Pink Friday is what opened the doors for other female rappers to be signers why wouldn't it be there? Too bad BMUS wasn't her debut album. It's her best work to date.
BrattyBottom Posted October 7 Posted October 7 (edited) 9 minutes ago, TiaTamera said: The success of Pink Friday is what opened the doors for other female rappers to be signers why wouldn't it be there? Too bad BMUS wasn't her debut album. It's her best work to date. You are very wrong. Female rappers have been singing since the 80s. Lauryn Hill is RIGHT THERE and her ONE album will always be considered more impactful than Pink Friday or any other Nicki-related mess. Edited October 7 by BrattyBottom
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