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The Fugees' Blunted on Reality Album Anniversary

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The group signed a record deal, changed their name (short for Refugees, an allusion to their Caribbean roots) and, a year later, finished recording their debut album, Blunted on Reality. 

Because of internal problems at their label, the album was not released until two years later, in 1993. When it was finally issued, Blunted on Reality made little impact on the music landscape. It was largely a collection of overproduced songs that sounded tremendously dated and, at times, downright annoying. The Fugees' concert appearances didn't add much to their reputation either. Their shows featured live instruments, but, embarrassingly, the group cavorted around the stage in color-coordinated outfits, engaging in somewhat goofy routines. Today, the group readily admits that in their youth, they were just happy to have a record deal and were doing whatever the producers told them to do. Indeed, Hill was only 16 when the album was recorded, and Jean, the eldest member, was a scant 21. 

Read more about the Fugees here.

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Atmosphere's Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs Album Anniversary

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Now touring nationally on a more regular basis (the twenty-one date Ford One Tour brought them to the East Coast for the first time), Slug was able to leave his job at a record store, as well as a second job working overnight shifts at a department store. In 1999, the Rhymesayers-owned record store, The Fifth Element, was opened in Minneapolis. In 2001, the two EPs, Ford and Lucy, were combined and released as an LP titled Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs. Originally intended as a tour-only release, it sold so well that it was later released as an official LP, making it the only Atmosphere album with producers other than Ant. In 2001, Atmosphere made three separate tours across North America and Europe. With Lucy Ford, Atmosphere also finally achieved national distribution through the independent distributor Fat Beats.

Read more about Atmosphere here.

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The Coughee Brothaz's Fadanuf Fa Erybody!! Album Anniversary

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Their first album, Fadanuf Fa Erybody!! was released on February 1, 1994 under Rap-A-Lot Records. The album is considered by Scarface to be the label's finest release.

Despite much praise, the album was a failure, reaching only #66 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Soon after, Devin would join Scarface's protege group Facemob before going solo in 1998. His ties with the Odd Squad however continued.

Read more about the Coughee Brothaz here.

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King Tee's The Triflin' Album Anniversary

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On January 26th, 1993 King Tee released The Triflin’ Album as his third studio album. The album peaked at number 95 on the US Billboard 200 and number 17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and features guest appearances from Ice Cube and Tha Alkaholiks. The success of this album is quite significant as it allowed King Tee's protégés, Tha Alkaholiks, to gain a following. It also provided a foundation for King Tee's Likwit Crew. Read more about King Tee and his career here.

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Foxy Brown's Chyna Doll Album Anniversary

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Released on January 26, 1999, Chyna Doll is Foxy Brown’s second studio album. It debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, making it the first solo female rap album to debut at number one on the chart and landing a spot in the Guinness World Records of 1999! It later became certified platinum. On this album she collaborated with many producers including Kanye West as well as guest appearances from Jay-Z and DMX. The album was a commercial success selling 173,000 copies its first week. Read more about Foxy Brown and her career here.

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The Lox's We Are The Streets Album Anniversary

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In the summer of 1999, the trio found themselves disappointed with the direction of Bad Boy, and the trio wanted to be released from their contract in order to join Ruff Ryders. The Ruff Ryders had always served as The Lox's managers and the group felt like the new label could better represent the hard-core sensibilities which they expressed in their rhymes. Bad Boy was known for its radio friendly dance hits and high priced videos, while the Lox were quickly establishing themselves as hardcore rap artists. The identities clashed — "We just needed to be with a rougher label," said Sheek Louch. "A harder label that fit our image."

The Lox tried all of the legal maneuvering available to be released from their contract with Bad Boy. However, the lawyers and conference calls did not work. At a New York rap concert, the trio sported "Let The LOX Go" T-shirts and sparked a grass roots movement to "Free The Lox." Pressure resultant from the campaign ultimately caused Bad Boy and Puff Daddy to release the trio from their contract. "We really changed the game by doing that," says Styles concerning the contractual drama. "It might take years from now, but other people are gonna do it. We made it so they don't have to be scared to speak up." “We Are The Streets” was the trio’s first album under Ruff Ryders.

Read more about the Lox here.

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Blondie's Rapture Single Anniversary

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Rapture is a song by American rock band Blondie from their fifth studio album Autoamerican. The song was released as the second and final single from Autoamerican on January 12, 1981. The single was a commercial success for the band, shipping one million copies in the United States, where it was certified Gold.

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Keith Murray's It's A Beautiful Thing Album Anniversary

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The recording of the album began during the difficult times of Murray's legal and financial troubles, along with his desire to leave the label. However, the album was unfinished when Murray went into incarceration, with the label deciding to complete and release the album despite Murray's disapproval. It was released on January 12, 1999 via Jive Records, making it his final record for the label. This is Murray’s third solo studio album. It features guest appearances from Déjà Vu, Canibus, Erick Sermon, LL Cool J, Redman and Too $hort. The album peaked at number thirty-nine on the Billboard 200 and number nine on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the US.

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Dr. Dre's The Chronic Album Anniversary

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The Chronic is Dr. Dre’s debut studio album after he had departed from hip hop group N.W.A and its label Ruthless Records. The Chronic peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and has been certified 3x Platinum with sales of 3 million copies in the United States. This led to Dr. Dre becoming one of the top ten best-selling American performing artists of 1993. The album includes both subtle and direct insults at Ruthless and its owner, former N.W.A member Eazy-E, and features many appearances from Snoop Dogg who used the album to launch his own career. Read more about Dr. Dre and his career here.

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GZA's Legend of the Liquid Sword Album Anniversary

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Released December 10th, 2002, Legend of the Liquid Sword is the fourth solo studio album by GZA, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The album is named after the kung fu film Legend of the Liquid Sword. In the songs "Did Ya Say That", and "Knock Knock", GZA focuses on the politics of record labels, and expresses his issues in dealing with record companies over artistic goals in music. Read more about GZA and his career here.

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Common's Electric Circus Album Anniversary

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Electric Circus is the fifth studio album by American rapper Common, released on December 10, 2002. An eclectic album, Electric Circus features fusions of several genres such as hip hop, pop, rock, electronic, and neo soul. The album was highly anticipated and praised by many critics for its ambitious vision. However, it was not as commercially successful as his previous album; peaking at 47 on the Billboard 200. Read more about Common and his career here.

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Redman's Muddy Waters Album Anniversary

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Released on December 10, 1996, Muddy Waters is the third studio album from Redman. The album debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming his second number one on the chart. In 1997, the album was certified gold. Read more about Redman and his career here.

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Notorious B.I.G Born Again Album Anniversary

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After his passing in 1997, Bad Boy Records and Arista Records on December 7, 1999 released Born Again as the first posthumous compilation album by the Notorious B.I.G. The album generally received mixed reviews from critics, however the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 485,000 albums sold in the first week, and was certified 2x Platinum on January 14, 2000 and has sold over 2,350,000 copies in the United States. Read more about Notorious B.I.G and his career here.

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Cam'ron Purple Haze Album Anniversary

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Released on December 7, 2004. Purple Haze is the fourth studio album by Harlem rapper Cam'ron. The release of this album was delayed several times from November 2003, the first single "Get Em Girls" was released a year prior to the actual album release. Purple Haze received generally positive reviews from music critics; debuting at number 20 on the Billboard 200 with 123,000 copies sold in its first week and later even certified gold. Read more about Cam’ron and his career here.

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J.J. Fad's Not Just A Fad Album Anniversary

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Not Just a Fad is the second studio album by the American female rap group J.J. Fad. It was released in 1990 via Ruthless Records. The album spawned three singles: "We in the House", "Gold", and "Be Good ta Me". The album was primarily produced by DJ Yella. Dr. Dre was originally going to produce the album, but he wanted to push back the sessions; J.J. Fad decided not to wait on him. Although the group never officially broke up, they have not released an album since Not Just a Fad. Read more about J.J. Fad here.

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Missy Elliott's This Is Not a Test! Album Anniversary

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On November 25th, 2003, Missy Elliott released This Is Not a Test as her fifth studio album. It was primarily produced by Timbaland, with additional production from Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart and Elliott herself. The album received generally favorable reviews from critics. The album debuted at number thirteen on the US Billboard 200, selling 183,600 copies in the first week of release. On December 17, 2003, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over one million copies in the United States. Read more about Missy Elliott and her career here.

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