This week in music history, The Doors released their first album, The Day of The Doors, and 50 years later, the landmark release gave the band its own official day in Los Angeles. All that is great, but unless you were alive 50 years ago to know what that album and band meant to music goers, the milestone isn’t all that memorable. Fortunately, there’s a big slate of other classic albums that are celebrating notable anniversaries in 2017. So we lined up a whopping list of 50 projects to celebrate this year.
Turning 30
Criminal Minded by Boogie Down Productions and KRS-One
Released: March 3, 1987
Bigger and Deffer by LL Cool J
Released: May 29, 1987
Bad by Michael Jackson
Released: August 31, 1987
Turning 25
Mecca and the Soul Brother by Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Released: June 9, 1992
Whut? Thee Album by Redman
Released: October 6, 1992
Can I Borrow a Dollar? by Common
Released: October 6, 1992
The Love Symbol Album by Prince and The New Power Generation
Released: October 13, 1992
The Predator by Ice Cube
Released: November 17, 1992
The Chronic by Dr. Dre
Released: December 15, 1992
Turning 20
Baduizm by Erykah Badu
Released: February 11, 1997
The Untouchable by Scarface
Released: March 11, 1997
Life After Death by The Notorious B.I.G.
Released: March 25, 1997
Wu-Tang Forever by Wu-Tang Clan
Released: June 3, 1997
The War Report by Capone-N-Noreaga
Released: June 17, 1997
The Carnival by Wyclef Jean
Released: June 24, 1997
No Way Out by Puff Daddy & The Family
Released: July 1, 1997
Supa Dupa Fly by Missy Elliott
Released: July 15, 1997
The Art of War by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Released: July 29, 1997
Butterfly by Mariah Carey
Released: September 16, 1997
The Velvet Rope by Janet Jackson
Released: October 7, 1997
Harlem World by Ma$e
Released: October 28, 1997
Ghetto D by Master P
Released: September 2, 1997
When Disaster Strikes… by Busta Rhymes
Released: September 16, 1997
One Day It’ll All Make Sense by Common
Released: September 30, 1997
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 by Jay Z
Released: November 4, 1997
Big Willie Style by Will Smith
Released: November 25, 1997
Slim Shady by Eminem
Released: December 16, 1997
Turning 15
Come Home With Me by Cam’Ron
Released: May 14, 2002
Lord Willin’ by Clipse
Released: August 20, 2002
The Lost Tapes by Nas
Released: September 23, 2002
The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse by Jay Z
Released: November 12, 2002
Under Construction by Missy Elliott
Released: November 12, 2002
Phrenology by The Roots
Released: November 26, 2002
Paid Tha Cost To Be Da Bo$$ by Snoop Dogg
Released: November 26, 2002
“8-Mile” Soundtrack
Released: October 29, 2002
Turning 10
Finding Forever by Common
Released: July 31, 2007
Underground Kingz by UGK
Released: August 7, 2007
Graduation by Kanye West
Released: September 11, 2007
American Gangster by Jay Z
Released: November 6, 2007
The Cool by Lupe Fiasco
Released: December 18, 2007
Turning 5
Rich Forever by Rick Ross
Released: January 6, 2012
Habits & Contradictions by ScHoolboy Q
Released: January 14, 2012
R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
Released: May 15, 2012
Cancer 4 Cure by EL-P
Released: May 22, 2012
1999 by Joey Bada$$
Released: June 12, 2012
Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
Released: July 10, 2012
Life is Good by Nas
Released: July 13, 2012
God Forgives, I Don’t by Rick Ross
Released: July 30, 2012
Detroit by Big Sean
Released: September 5, 2012
good kid, m.A.A.D city by Kendrick Lamar
Released: October 22, 2012
Jesus Piece by Game
Released: December 11, 2012