Which albums are turning 25 in 2023?

As an artist who has only released one solo album throughout her career and still stays booked for shows, it says a lot about Lauryn Hill’s artistry and quality of music that stands the test of time. Her album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill garnered three singles, including “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Ex-Factor.” The album still remains the best-selling album by a female MC and the first album by a female rapper to be diamond-certified. 

Kid Rock's fourth album Devil Without a Cause, was a breakthrough project that helped push his superstar status into high gear. His rap-metal style shined bright on singles like "Welcome 2 the Party (Ode 2 the Old School)," "Bawitdaba," and "Cowboy." Devil Without a Cause helped Rock come into his own as an artist and became a diamond-selling success. 

During the 1995 Source Awards, Outkast caused quite a stir when they accepted the award for New Artist of the Year and got booed by people in the audience. During the acceptance speech, André 3000 made sure to let everyone know, "The South got something to say," which, in retrospect, seems like he was foreshadowing Atlanta's hip-hop dominance. Since then, Outkast is often regarded as one of the best acts in hip-hop. The duo’s 1998 album Aquemini became one of their most respected works with singles like “Da Art of Storytellin’ (Pt.1)” and “Rosa Parks.”

Fatboy Slim’s sophomore album You’ve Come a Long Way Baby helped push his star to more mainstream status. Part of that feat was due to electronic and dance-heavy singles like “The Rockafeller Skank,” “Praise You,” and “Right Here, Right Now.” Not only did the album become a multiplatinum-selling success, but Slim was able to expand his reach across a number of international markets. 

By the time Whitney Houston released My Love Is Your Love, eight years had passed since her previous album, I’m Your Baby Tonight. Although she did use the time between both albums to contribute to movie soundtracks and ante up her acting career. My Love Is Your Love garnered five singles including “Heartbreak Hotel” and the Rodney Jerkins-produced track “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay.” 

Alanis Morissette has always had a unique style of blending elements of pop, alternative rock, and electronica that fit perfectly with her emotive-driven lyrics–a tactic that is seemingly inspiring to artists of today. Those genres were evident on her fourth album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, let by the hit single “Thank U.” With other singles like “Joining You” and “So Pure,” Morissette earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. 

In the mid-90s, DMX was buzzing as a rising MC, thanks to collaborations alongside The Lox and LL Cool J. His debut album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot featured four singles including “Get At Me Dog” and the Swizz Beats-produced track “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem.” The album became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard 200 chart, and DMX made sure fans knew his iconic line, "That's how Ruff Ryders roll!"

Madonna’s seventh album Ray of Light, helped reestablish her icon status in the pop world. The album was filled with electronic and techno-pop elements that were evident in songs like "The Power of Good-Bye," "Little Star," and "Ray of Light." Surprisingly, the album helped earn Madonna her first Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Album. 

By the time Brandy released her sophomore album Never Say Never, she was coming into her own as a young woman ready to elevate her artistry even further. This time around, she enlisted producer and songwriter Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins to work with her on the majority of the album. Brandy released six singles, including the Diane Warren-penned hit “Have You Ever” and the smash duet alongside Monica “The Boy Is Mine.” Never Say Never peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. 

Cher dominated the Billboard Dance charts with her 22nd album Believe. She brought her love for disco and techno on singles like “Strong Enough,” “All or Nothing,” and the eponymous lead single. The album helped usher in use of auto-tune, an audio effect that was fairly new at the time. 

In the ‘90s, R&B groups were much more prominent than they are today. One of the things that always stood out is that each group had a distinct sound, and Dru Hill was no different. The group’s harmonies shined heavily on their sophomore album Enter the Dru. The album garnered four singles, including “These Are The Times” and their highest-charting hit “How Deep Is Your Love.” Enter the Dru had everything between ballads, bedroom jams, and dance records that R&B fans love. 

In November 1998, Beck fused psychedelic folk with lo-fi and rock on his sixth studio album, Mutations. With hit singles such as “Tropicalia” and “Cold Brains,” Mutations became a top 20 hit on the Billboard 200 chart. The success of the album helped Beck earn a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance. 

On Jay-Z’s third album, Vol 2… Hard Knock Life, the rapper enlisted a number of producers to help push his sound, including Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri, Irv Gotti, and Swizz Beatz. With singles like “Can I Get A…,” “Jigga What, Jigga Who,” and the Annie-inspired track “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” the album became a massive success and is often regarded as one of Jay’s best projects.

In the late ‘90s, boy bands started taking over the pop world, and 98 Degrees was adding to the action. The band’s sophomore album 98 Degrees and Rising garnered four singles including “I Do (Cherish You)” and their smash hit “Because of You.”

The late ‘90s showcased just how much hip-hop evolved over the years and rapper Juvenile was easily part of the genre’s elevation. At the time, Juvenile was a member of the rap group Hot Boys alongside B.G., Turk, and Lil Wayne. However, he still released solo works, including his third album 400 Degreez. While it remains his best-selling solo album, it was in part due to his single “Back That Thang Up." Even 25 years later, the track still makes people gravitate to the dance floor. 

In 1998, Elliott Smith released his fourth studio album, XO which featured the singles “Waltz #2 (XO)” and “Baby Britain.” Between the piano chords and guitar strings laced across the album, Smith brings easy listening and smooth pop ballads to the forefront. 

R&B singer Monica always had a voice that seemed quite mature beyond her years that sometimes it’s hard to believe she was only 18 years old when she released her sophomore album, The Boy Is Mine. In addition to the eponymous duet alongside Brandy, the album also featured singles “Angel of Mine" and the Jermaine Dupri-produced hit “The First Night." Monica’s sophomore album became a top ten hit on the Billboard 200 chart.  

Electronic duo Air released their debut album Moon Safari, led by the hit single “Sexy Boy.” The duo’s style of mixing space-age pop with psychedelic sounds makes for easy listening that could take fans' minds' to another realm. The chill and laidback vibes on singles like “All I Need” and “Kelly Watch the Stars” helped Moon Safari receive rave reviews from critics. 

Big Pun was first heard by mainstream audiences when he was featured on Fat Joe’s sophomore album Jealous One’s Envy. Pun eventually linked his own record deal and released his debut album Capital Punishment. He enlisted a number of featured artists including Wyclef Jean, Noreaga, Busta Rhymes, Black Thought, and more. The album garnered three singles, including the top 40 hit “Still Not A Player,” featuring R&B crooner Joe. Capital Punishment earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album and became a top-five hit on the Billboard 200 chart. 

In the ‘90s, the city of Atlanta was proving to be a place making its mark on the hip-hop world, and Goodie Mob was a founding group of the Dirty South sound. Working with producers like Mr. DJ and Organized Noize, Goodie Mob released their sophomore album Still Standing.The album was laced with funk and soul elements that put southern hip-hop culture on the radar of many fans. With singles like “They Don’t Dance No Mo'” and “Black Ice (Sky High),” the album was a top ten hit on the Billboard 200 chart.