released 1974. the 'ultimate reggae album of all time', themes of fighting government oppression and uniting through music within the rastafarian culture
songs i already knew: no woman no cry
songs i liked: lively up yourself
fun facts: "Natty Dread" refers to rastafarians who embrace their natural hair and cultural heritage, rejecting societal norms and oppression. Bob Marley died aged 36 from melanoma skin cancer under his toe that was initially thought to be a soccer injury
released 2005. Commons 6th album and a ‘magnum opus’ hip hop album with Kanye, it balances broader societal issues with personal reflections
songs i already knew: none
songs i liked: the corner, chi-city
fun facts: the album is primarily produced by Kanye and the pair were friends since high school. song the corner is a screen scripture narrated by The Last Poets who are considered the godfathers of hip-hop
released 1971. an influential 1960s folk album, blue was Mitchell’s 4th album and known as a heartbreak album after reltionships with Graham Nash and James Taylor
songs i already knew: river
songs i liked: little green
facts: she heavily inspired taylor swift. after a stroke in 2015, music therapy helped joni mitchell relearn to speak and occasionally perform again
released 1992 (2022 remaster album). heavy metal / rock band formed in 1987.
songs i already knew: none
songs i liked: dirt
facts: lead singer layne staley died of an overdose of a speedball (mix of speed and heroine) age 34 part of the ‘big four of grunge’; others are nirvana, pearl jam and soundgarden
released in 1989. his debut album mixing multiple genres. inspired by led zeppelin
songs i already knew: none
songs i liked: mr cab driver, rosemary
fun facts: he self produced and played most of the instruments in the album. he played cinna in hunger games, and his daughter is actress zoe kravitz
released 2021. heartfelt r&b album telling the untold stories of women, she gets her close friends to speak about owning sexuality and female empowerment as ‘tales’ between tracks
songs i already knew: none
songs i liked: pick up your feelings
fun facts: she won the 2022 grammy award for best r&b album
released 1969. 8th album blending rock, blues and country music, statement for the end of a turbulent decade
songs i already knew: none
songs i liked: midnight rambler
fun facts: album in the 2005 grammy hall of fame. mick jagger one of the founding members whilst recording the album lead singer Brian Jones was replaced with Mick Taylor due to being unreliable and his heavy drug use, and died a month after being fired. my mum saw them in the 90s!
released 1987. their debut album but also the highest selling and most critically acclaimed. hard rock/metal genre
songs i already knew: welcome to the jungle, paradise city, sweet child o mine
songs i liked: its so easy
fun facts: members came from bands Hollywood Rose and L.A Guns to form the new fusion band. they became known as the ‘most dangerous band in the world’ fo their heavy partying and drug use. during song rocket queen featuring adriana smith, lead vocalist axl rose had sex with her in the studio during the guitar solo
