R&B Revival: Top 3 R&B Albums Of the 2000s
With dance and pop currently dominating the airwaves it has become difficult to find any real musical depth on the radio. In fact, rather than provoking true emotion, most of the songs controlling the charts merely encourage mindless sing-alongs and fist-pumping.
However, as the call for a return of real music continues and artists like Adele and Beyonce enjoy great success with their recent projects while reminding fans of how sonically compelling material can sound, it seems like a great time to reflect on some shining moments in R&B music. Hence, let us take a look at the top 3 R&B albums of the last decade.
See our list of the Big 3 below:
1. Mariah Carey – The Emancipation of Mimi
Year: 2005
Producers: Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Kanye West, James Poyser, Big Jim Wright, Bryan-Michael Cox and The Neptunes
Guests: Jermaine Dupri, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell and Twista
Considered one of Mariah Carey’s best releases, The Emancipation of Mimi heralded a return to the top for the then struggling diva. The project scored three Grammys and its rerelease spawned two No. 1 singles, including the monster “We Belong Together“ which became the most successful song on the Billboard Hot 100 of the 2000-2009 decade and Carey’s biggest radio hit of all time.
2. Usher – Confessions
Year: 2004
Producers: Jermarine Dupri, Rich Harrison, Robin Thicke, Dre & Vidal, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Lil Jon and Destro Music
Guests: Ludacris and Lil Jon
Whether the success of this album was a result of his highly publicized breakup with Chili is debatable, but there’s no doubt that Confessions is Usher’s best work to date. Achieving diamond status in the U.S. and selling over 20 million copies worldwide, the record remains the top-selling R&B album post-2000. Additionally, it received high praise from critics and won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2005 ceremony.
3. Alicia Keys – The Diary of Alicia Keys
Year: 2003
Producers: Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Kerry Brothers, Dre & Vidal, Timbaland and Easy Mo Bee
Guests: Tony! Toni! Tone! and Lellow
Despite releasing several blockbuster albums throughout her career, The Diary of Alicia Keys is still considered to be Alicia Keys’ career-defining LP. Winning the Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2005 and selling almost 9 million copies worldwide, the record allowed Keys to enjoy both critical and commercial success.
— Trent
