The music game within the last ten years has changed the world forever. From the albums that were released, new stars who were born to the stars that we lost, there isn’t enough time (or text) to write all of the major music moments. Below though, are ten moments off the top that came to mind when we attempted to start the list.
THE DAY WE LOST MICHAEL (June 25, 2009)
Every single person on this list (and probably reading this as well) has been inspired by Michael Jackson someway, somehow. When we lost the greatest entertainer ever last year, it was a shock to the world. The bright side is that his music lives on forever. Everyone from 5 year olds to senior citizens can’t help but move when they hear an MJ classic. And they’re all classics.
BEYONCE & ALL OF HER GRAMMYS (2004 & 2010)
When Beyonce went solo and gave the world Dangerously In Love, we were blown away. Who knew the front girl of Destiny’s Child was going to become the greatest entertainer of our generation. After 5 Grammys from her first album alone, the star broke the record for most wins by a female artist at this year’s show for I Am…Sasha Fierce with six Grammys.
WHEN AALIYAH PASSED (August 25, 2001)
Easily one of the most devastating days in music, Aaliyah’s death came to a shock for all of us. Totally unexpected, the singer and 8 of her friends died in a plane in 2001. Her self titled album was released a month before her death debuting at number two on the Billboard 200. After her death, the album rapidly reached number one and is arguably her best album.
THE DAY WE LOST MICHAEL (June 25, 2009)
Every single person on this list (and probably reading this as well) has been inspired by Michael Jackson someway, somehow. When we lost the greatest entertainer ever last year, it was a shock to the world. The bright side is that his music lives on forever. Everyone from 5 year olds to senior citizens can’t help but move when they hear an MJ classic. And they’re all classics.
BEYONCE & ALL OF HER GRAMMYS (2004 & 2010)
When Beyonce went solo and gave the world Dangerously In Love, we were blown away. Who knew the front girl of Destiny’s Child was going to become the greatest entertainer of our generation. After 5 Grammys from her first album alone, the star broke the record for most wins by a female artist at this year’s show for I Am…Sasha Fierce with six Grammys.
WHEN AALIYAH PASSED (August 25, 2001)
Easily one of the most devastating days in music, Aaliyah’s death came to a shock for all of us. Totally unexpected, the singer and 8 of her friends died in a plane in 2001. Her self titled album was released a month before her death debuting at number two on the Billboard 200. After her death, the album rapidly reached number one and is arguably her best album.
THE DAY WE LOST MICHAEL (June 25, 2009)
Every single person on this list (and probably reading this as well) has been inspired by Michael Jackson someway, somehow. When we lost the greatest entertainer ever last year, it was a shock to the world. The bright side is that his music lives on forever. Everyone from 5 year olds to senior citizens can’t help but move when they hear an MJ classic. And they’re all classics.
BEYONCE & ALL OF HER GRAMMYS (2004 & 2010)
When Beyonce went solo and gave the world Dangerously In Love, we were blown away. Who knew the front girl of Destiny’s Child was going to become the greatest entertainer of our generation. After 5 Grammys from her first album alone, the star broke the record for most wins by a female artist at this year’s show for I Am…Sasha Fierce with six Grammys.
WHEN AALIYAH PASSED (August 25, 2001)
Easily one of the most devastating days in music, Aaliyah’s death came to a shock for all of us. Totally unexpected, the singer and 8 of her friends died in a plane in 2001. Her self titled album was released a month before her death debuting at number two on the Billboard 200. After her death, the album rapidly reached number one and is arguably her best album.
USHER & HIS “CONFESSIONS” (March 23, 2004)
After joining forces with his fellow ATLien Ludacris on the epic hit, “Yeah,” Usher’s fourth studio album went platinum in one week. Maybe it was the controversy of the title? Did he cheat on Chilli? Does he have an illegitimate child? Who knows? But with hits like “Caught Up,” “My Boo,” and “Burn,” this was easily Usher’s best work and an instant classic.
THE LOSS OF LEFT EYE (April 25, 2002)
When word spread that Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes died in a car crash, everyone – fans, friends and colleagues – felt a huge loss. The animated singer and lyricist of TLC was in Honduras taping a documentary when she crashed her vehicle. In 2007, The Last Days of Left Eye premiered on VH1 containing the footage of her Honduras trip, her spiritual journey and her untimely death which she foreshadowed in the documentary.
THE EMANCIPATION OF MIMI (April 4, 2005)
Whether or not Mariah Carey’s tenth studio album was a comeback, it definitely worked. After the singer’s not so best work with Glitter and Charmbracelet and a 3 year hiatus, MC’s fans were rooting for her return. With the likes of “We Belong Together” and “Shake It Off,” the album was a certified success, putting Mariah back on #1 status. It was the number one selling album in 2005 and after selling ten million copies worldwide, it’s considered one of the best albums of the decade.
NIPPLEGATE (February 1, 2004)
Even though it only last 9/16 of a second, it seemed like an eternity when Janet Jackson had a “wardrobe malfunction” at Super Bowl XXXVIII’s halftime show. The MTV produced show not only caused Janet public turmoil, but it also cost CBS a $550,000 fine from the FCC. Although it was considered a mistake, eyebrows were raised because of her decorated nipple ring and the reveal happening after singing the line, “gonna have you naked by the end of this song.” The real eyebrow raiser? That Justin Timberlake – who was a vast part of Nipplegate – caught no backlash for the incident.
R. KELLY’S TRAPPED IN THE CLOSET (January 2005)
As if his sex tape & child pornography controversy wasn’t enough, R. Kelly gave the industry a music saga we’ve never seen witnessed before – Trapped In The Closet. The song featured 12 chapters of an elaborate love story/triangle featuring a cheating wife, a pastor and a midget. The mini musical was a representation of Kelly’s musical genius – which can’t be denied – but also a little bit of his weirdness. In 2007, ten more chapters were released via DVD and the IFC channel & website. In case that wasn’t enough, last year, Kelly released 15 more chapters.
ALICIA KEYS SONGS IN A MINOR (June 5, 2001)
After being signed and rejected by Columbia Records, Alicia Keys was signed to J Records by Clive Davis. With no other artist out like her, she changed the game with her honest lyrics, classical meets R&B style and those cornrow braids. In its first week it sold 236,000+ copies and has sold over 12 million copies worldwide to date. It went on to be considered this second best album of 2001 and oddly enough, only one song on the album – “Jane Doe” – was in the key of A Minor.
T-PAIN & THE REBIRTH OF AUTO TUNE (2005)
When Faheem Najm hit the scene in 2005, we just thought that he was the Florida singer who used the funny thing to change his voice and sing about strippers. But by 2007, T-Pain was a recognizable star and the certified “I brought back auto-tune” spokesman. With hits like “Buy U A Drank” and “Bartender,” he couldn’t be denied. He won his first Grammy in the collaboration hit, “Good Life,” with Kanye West in 2008. He won another Grammy this year with Jamie Foxx for his efforts on “Blame It.” Whether you like it or not, T-Pain has taken auto-tune and changed the music game forever.
