There are two things blog readers love: lists and grainy videos of ghetto people fighting.
I have no tolerance for the latter but I too love the former.
If you frequent Complex.com, you know they have a running column that features artists sharing their 25 favorite albums. I just stumbled upon Alicia Keys’ favorites and they’re pretty good.
But I can do better.
Allow me to share my 25 favorite albums. Honestly, the bottom half of the list probably could rotate depending on my mood. But the top 5 are definitely set in stone.
Oh, and before the Haterade drinkers assault my inbox and the comments section fussing about so-and-so not making the list, keep these things in mind:
– This is a list of my favorite albums, not what I consider the best albums, so don’t freak when Thriller or Illmatic aren’t sitting at the top. Whether these albums were the soundtrack to campus life or part of my wedding, I have a personal connection to every track. Yeah, most are far from perfect but that’s part of their charm.
– I didn’t start purchasing albums until the early ’90s, which is pretty apparent when you view the list. Some ’80s stars were shut out.
Sorry, Flav.
So take a peek into my musical psyche. And if you’d like to share your list too, feel free. I’ll publish them here.
25. Janelle Monae, The ArchAndroid (2010) – Soul In Stereo review
Singles: “Come Alive (War of the Roses),” “Tightrope,” “Cold War”
24. Lupe Fiasco, Lupe Fiasco’s Food and Liquor (2006)
Singles: “Kick, Push,” “I Gotcha,” “Daydreaming”
23. Keith Sweat, Get Up On It (1994)
Singles: “How Do You Like It?,” “When I Give My Love,” “Get Up On It”
22. Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
Singles: “SexyBack,” “My Love,” “What Goes Around…Comes Around,” “LoveStoned,” “Until The End of Time”
21. Nas, Life Is Good (2012) – Soul In Stereo review
Singles: “Nasty,” “The Don,” “Daughters,” “Cherry Wine,” “A Queens Story”
20. Erykah Badu, Baduizm (1997)
Singles: “On & On,” “Next Lifetime,” “Otherside of the Game,” “Appletree”
19. Nas, Illmatic (1994)
Singles: “Halftime,” “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” “The World Is Yours,” “Life’s a B****,” “One Love”
18. OutKast, Aquemini (1998)
Singles: “Rosa Parks,” “Skew It on the Bar-B,” “Da Art of Storytellin’ (Part 1)”
17. Mary J. Blige, Share My World (1997)
Singles: “Love Is All We Need,” “I Can Love You,” “Everything,” “Missing You,” “Seven Days”
16. Foxy Brown, Ill Na Na (1997)
Singles: “Get Me Home,” “I’ll Be”
15. Faith Evans, Faith (1995)
Singles: “You Used to Love Me,” “Soon As I Get Home,” “Ain’t Nobody,” “Come Over”
14. Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)
Singles: “The Girl Is Mine,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Something,” “Human Nature,” “PYT,” “Thriller”
13. Keith Sweat, Make It Last Forever (1987)
Singles: “I Want Her,” “Something Just Ain’t Right,” “Make It Last Forever,” “Don’t Stop Your Love”
12. The Wu-Tang Clan, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
Singles: “Protect Ya Neck,” “Method Man,” “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’,” C.R.E.A.M.,” “Can It Be All So Simple,” “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin’ ta F’ Wit”
11. Jay-Z, Vol. 2 … Hard Knock Life (1998)
Singles: “Can I Get A…,” “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” “Money, Cash, Hoes,” “N**** What, N**** Who (Originators ’99)”
10. Kanye West, The College Dropout (2004)
Singles: “Through The Wire,” “All Falls Down,” “Jesus Walks,” “The New Workout Plan”
9. Nas, I Am (1999)
Singles: “Nas Is Like,” “Hate Me Now”
8. Nicole Wray, Make It Hot (1998)
Singles: “Make It Hot,” “I Can’t See,” “Eyes Better Not Wander”
7. Missy Elliott, Supa Dupa Fly (1997)
Singles: “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” “Sock It 2 Me,” “Beep Me 911,” “Hit ‘Em Wit Da Hee (Remix)”
6. DMX, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998)
Singles: “Get At Me Dog,” “Stop Being Greedy,” “How’s It Goin’ Down (Remix),” “Ruff Ryders Anthem”
5. Jay-Z, Reasonable Doubt (1996)
Singles: “Dead Presidents,” “Ain’t No N****,” “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” “Feelin’ It”
4. Keith Sweat, Keith Sweat (1997)
Singles: “Twisted,” “Nobody,” “Just A Touch,” “Come With Me”
3. Patti LaBelle, This Christmas (1990)
Singles: “T’was Love”
2. The Notorious B.I.G., Life After Death (1997)
Singles: “Hypnotize,” Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems,” “Sky’s The Limit”
1. Kelly Price, Soul of a Woman (1998)
Singles: “Friend of Mine,” “Friend of Mine Remix,” “Secret Love,” “Secret Love Remix,” “Soul of a Woman”
Would you like to share your favorite albums too? Simply email your list to edward@soulinstereo.com, tweet me @etbowser or drop ’em off in the comments. Your albums will be featured in a future column.
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