I was asked what my top five must-listen R&B/Hip Hop records are. I figured I'd cross-post here because this blog is predominantly about music and lists.
1. Voodoo - D'Angelo. Okay, look. D'Lo is arguably the best neosoul singer of our time. His musicianship is incredible, and Voodoo, as an album, is one of the best examples of when an album feels
like it sounds. The music fills your head when you listen to it. And
the album came out in 2001 and still feels current; you could put any of
those songs on the radio today and people would go nuts.
2. Aaliyah
- Aaliyah. Baby Girl. I mean, I think most people who follow me
understand how much I love her, but in case there's any doubt, it's a
fucking lot, okay? Aaliyah was working with Timbaland before working
with Timbaland was cool. Her songs are catchy and empowering. They're
provocative in a subtle way (kind of like she was) and sexy as hell
without trying. There's not a thing I'd change about this album, other than the fact that it was her last.
3. Food and Liquor
- Lupe Fiasco. I have always been a rap fan, and I've always gravitated
more towards rappers who have things to say, rather than ones who are
boasting about...okay, anything. The first song I heard off this album
was Kick, Push, and I was basically like, 'Wait, this guy has an entire song about skateboarding?
I must hear more'. The lyrical content on this record is a little
staggering (same for all Lupe's records). I single this one out just
because it's the one that made me fall in love with him. But you should
probably listen to Lasers, too.
4. Mama's Gun - Erykah Badu. The first time I heard E.Badu I was at a dinner party in college (what even?) and ...& On
was playing and I basically camped out by the stereo all night and
wouldn't let anyone change the CD. I feel like Erykah has this vision in
her head of what she wants her music to look like (yes, look like) and
she gives you just enough, then keeps the rest for herself. It's like
she doesn't really want you to see it all. That probably makes no sense
to anyone but me. Mama's Gun is her best record (in my opinion) and one I still listen to often, even though it came out over 10 years ago.
5. The Evolution of Robin Thicke - Robin Thicke. When people talk about blue eyed soul, this is what they're referring to, just FYI. Robin Thicke makes good fucking music
and I feel like he doesn't get enough credit for it. All his albums are
amazing, but this one is kind of overwhelming, actually. Vocally
staggering, but the musicality and the writing are incredible, as well.
There is not a song on this album that I don't enjoy, and there are so
many lovely lyrics. This is the record that gave us Lost Without U, which is arguably one of the sexiest songs ever. People need to listen to more Robin Thicke.
Honourable Mentions (generally because they're popular enough that you've already heard them...)
The College Dropout - Kanye West
The Diary of Alicia Keys - Alicia Keys
Confessions - Usher
The Black Album - Jay-Z
II - Boyz II Men
Be - Common
Get Lifted - John Legend
Now - Maxwell
This post is archived under
aaliyah,
alicia keys,
Boyz II Men,
common,
d angelo,
erykah badu,
jay z,
john legend,
kanye west,
lupe fiasco,
maxwell,
robin thicke,
usher
