It's Ya Anniversary!

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”