[REWIND]
The Emancipation of Mimi along with other classic albums from 2005 turn 20.
2025 marks a milestone year for several albums that are timeless, culture-shifting, or just plain dope. UpRising celebrates projects that are ringing in their 20th birthdays
Be, Common
Topline: The streetwise poet’s first Kanye-produced classic — with two gems from Dilla — spoke to and for the people.
Run it back: “Be (Intro),” “Faithful,” “Go!,” “Testify,” “The Corner,” “The Food”
Chris Brown, Chris Brown
Topline: The kid could sing and dance, but could he run it? Years later, Breezy’s first album made that question seem silly.
Run it back: “Run It!,” “Yo (Excuse Me Miss),” “Poppin’”
Late Registration, Kanye West
Topline: The College Dropout paved the way for this classic sophomore album that balanced earnestness and irreverence over grand orchestral sounds.
Run it back: “Heard ’Em Say,” “Touch the Sky,” “We Major,” “Gone,” “Late,”
Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, Young Jeezy
Topline: Tha Snowman’s solo debut album packed heat – and gave trappers a new personal soundtrack.
Run it back: “Standing Ovation,” “And Then What,” “Trap Star,” “Go Crazy”
Rappa Ternt Sanga, T-Pain
Topline: Teddy Penderazzdown was just a regular guy who lusted for exotic dancers and bartenders — but filtered through Auto-Tune, these intrusive thoughts ushered in a new era in music.
Run it back: “I’m Sprung,” “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper)”
Tha Carter II, Lil Wayne
Topline: D’wayne Carter’s best-rapper-alive boasts gained weight on an album with more bars than Bourbon Street.
Run it back: “Tha Mobb,” “Mo Fire,” “Oh No,” “Shooter,” “Hustler Musik”
The Documentary, The Game
Topline: After years of West Coast dormancy, a Compton lyricist linked up with G-Unit and made history via a rookie album packed with sharp wordplay, fire beats, and a handful of irresistible 50 Cent hooks.
Run it back: “Dreams,” “Hate It or Love It,” “Don’t Need Your Love,” “Church for Thugs,” “Like Father, Like Son”
The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah Carey
Topline: Jermaine Dupri was still hot off his contributions to Usher’s Confessions the year prior when he linked up with Mariah to help her craft a comeback album that could stand up to her best works.
Run it back: “We Belong Together,” “Shake It Off,” “It’s Like That,” “Don’t Forget About Us”
The Massacre, 50 Cent
Topline: The encore act after Get Rich or Die Tryin’ delivered an excess of streetwise slaps with a hint of soul.
Run it back: “In My Hood,” “Ryder Music,” “Disco Inferno,” “God Gave Me Style,” “I Don’t Need ‘Em”
The Minstrel Show, Little Brother
Topline: Phonte, Big Pooh, and producer 9th Wonder didn’t sell many albums, but they nonetheless made a strong statement about mid-2000s Black culture in this sharp, soulful, incisive LP — a certified classic.
Run it back: “Not Enough,” “Lovin’ It,” “Slow it Down,” “All for You,” “Cheatin’”
The Way It Is, Keyshia Cole
Topline: This Oakland queen was sangin’ her heart out on her first album, giving the world ballads that still ring off ’til this day.
Run it back: “I Changed My Mind,” “Love,” “(I Just Want It) To Be Over,” “I Should Have Cheated”
Welcome to Jamrock, Damian Marley
Topline: Bob’s youngest son carried on tradition with a reggae album that connected the plight of Jamaica to Anyhood, U.S.A.
Run it back: “Welcome to Jamrock,” “Road to Zion,” “All Night”
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