R&B Albums That Turn 20 This Year [2017]

Where were you in 1997? One thing is for sure, R&B was in a great place. From Toni Braxton dominating the Billboard Hot 100 with her smash hit “Un-Break My Heart” to Mariah Carey still impressing the world with her stellar vocals, there was a lot happening for the genre at the time. As we look back on the year 1997, we can’t help but to reminisce about all the great albums that were released. While artists like Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Usher were building their legacy, other artists including K-Ci & Jo Jo, Badu and Next were making their official debut. Take a moment to check out albums that will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2017. Erykah Badu — Baduizm [debut] Release Date: February 11 Record Label: Kedar Records Singles: “On & On,” “Next Lifetime” and “Other Side of the Game”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CPCs7vVz6s Ray J — Everything You Want [debut] Release Date: March 25 Record Label: EastWest/Warner Music Group Singles: “Let It Go” and “Everything You Want”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtugMbE7hw Zhané — Saturday Night Release Date: April 22 Record Label: Motown Singles: “Request Line,” “Crush” and “For The Longest Time”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUg0u1Ul25Y Mary J. Blige — Share My World Release Date: April 22 Record Label: MCA Singles: “Love Is All We Need,” “I Can Love You,” “Everything” and “Seven Days”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX3wwbFi_iI Miki Howard — Can't Count Me Out Release Date: May 27 Record Label: Hush Record Singles: "Something I Never Had" and "I Love Every Little Thing About You"

https://youtu.be/7mD5I6VGsYI En Vogue — EV3 Release Date: June 17 Record Label: EastWest Singles: “Don’t Let Go (Love),” “Whatever” and “Too Gone, Too Long”

https://youtu.be/mwhwGmoYv1s K-Ci & JoJo — Love Always [debut] Release Date: June 17 Record Label: Geffen Records Singles: “You Bring Me Up,” “Last Night’s Letter,” “All My Life” and “Don’t Rush (Take Love Slowly)”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXvMT_mVbqw Brownstone — Still Climbing Release Date: June 24 Record Label: MJJ Music Singles: “5 Miles to Empty” and “Kiss and Tell”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkcQtFKUF48 SWV — Release Some Tension Release Date: August 13 Record Label: RCA Records Singles: “Can We” and “Rain”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S2quCoO880 Jon B — Cool Relax Release Date: September 16 Record Label: Sony Music Entertainment Singles: “Don’t Say” and “They Don’t Know”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5pD4nBabMk Mariah Carey — Butterfly Release Date: September 16 Record Label: Columbia Singles: “Honey,” “Breakdown” and “My All”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3KOowB4k_k Usher — My Way Release Date: September 16 Record Label: LaFace Singles: “You Make Me Wanna…,” “Nice & Slow” and “My Way”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQRzrnH6_HY

Boyz II Men — Evolution Release Date: September 23 Record Label: Motown Single: "4 Seasons of Loneliness,” “A Song for Mama” and “Doin Just Fine”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tap90z44WR8 Joe — All That I Am Release Date: September 23 Record Label: Jive Single:"All the Things (Your Man Won't Do),” “Don’t Wanna Be A Player,” “The Love Scene,” “Good Girls” and “All That I Am”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVi25pSRAkc

IMX — The Journey Release Date: September 23 Record Label: MCA Singles: “I’m Not A Fool,” “Give Up the Ghost” and “Extra, Extra”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCGWvSItHJU Next — Rated Next [debut] Release Date: September 30 Record Label: Divine Mill/Arista Singles: “Butta Love,” “Too Close” and “I Still Love You”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwEZRPkAAu8 Janet Jackson — The Velvet Rope Release Date: October 7 Record Label: Virgin Singles: "Got 'til It's Gone,” “Together Again,” “I Get Lonely,” “Go Deep,” “You” and “Every Time”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtZ87C1D28o Jagged Edge — A Jagged Era Release Date: October 21 Record Label: So So Def / Columbia Singles: "The Way That You Talk,” “I Gotta Be” and “Slow Motion”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAa4kZ8Gnt4 H-Town — Ladies Edition, Woman’s World Release Date: October 28 Record Label: Relativity Records Singles: “They Like It Slow"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnrGCIpf9FM LSG — Levert.Sweat.Gill [debut] Release Date: November 11 Record Label: East West Singles: “My Body,” “Curious,” “Door #1,” and “All The Times”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cy8vpVS1Iw What were some of your favorite albums from 1997? Leave a comment below!

R&B Albums That Turn 20 This Year [2017]

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