The Vault: Classic Music Reviews Podcast

B. Cox and Domo review Usher's Confessions as it turns 20. After his successful third album 8701, Usher underwent a number of changes in his life including his breakup from his girlfriend Chili from TLC and he was soon to become a father. In crafting his follow up, he wished to craft an album that was a well rounded album that touched man influences: from traditional classic R&B, throwback R&B, jazz and hip-hop.He worked with all star cast of producers and writers. Among them were Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Dre & Vidal, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Lil'Jon, Just Blaze, Robin Thicke, Sean Garrett among others. He also has high profile features from the likes of Ludacris and Alicia Keys.Noted for its powerful punch, consistency and star power, the album was a monumental success. It was powered by five singles: "Yeah!" with Lil Jon and Ludacris, "Burn", "Confessions Pt. II", "My Boo" with Alicia Keys and "Caught Up". The former 4 were all #1 hits on the Billboard Top 100. The album was also boosted by fan favorite album cuts such as "Superstar", "Bad Girl", "Can You Handle It" and "Seduction" (from the expanded version. Since being released, it's been RIAA certified 14x platinum and is the best selling album by a black artist in the 21st century and is routinely discussed among fans and critics alike as both Usher's magnum opus and one of the best R&B albums of all-time.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesShatter The Standards: Reflecting On 20 Years of Usher's "Confessions"https://www.shatterthestandards.com/p/reflecting-on-20-years-of-ushersMetro UK: Usher's "Confessions" Is The Greatest R&B Album Of All Timehttps://metro.co.uk/2024/02/11/ushers-confessions-greatest-r-b-album-time-20248757/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox reviews Gang Starr's classic fourth album Hard To Earn as it turns 30. After the critical success of 1992's Daily Operation, Guru and DJ Premier took a brief hiatus to pursue individual projects. Guru launched his Jazzmatazz series and Premier became one of the most sought after producers in industry, working with the likes Jeru the Damaja, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas and KRS-One. Coming back to record their fourth, the group wanted to prove that they were versatile and wanted to show that they could stray from their jazz-sampled sensibilities on their previous album and could rock with a different sound.Heavily involved with the project was the Gang Starr Foundation, a collective that was aligned with the duo that included the likes of Jeru, the hip-hop duo Group Home, Big Shug, Freddie Foxx (Bumpy Knuckles), Afu-Ra among others. The project featured Jeru, both Lil Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker and Big Shug. Unlike Daily Operation, the album was produced under a wider variety of musical influences.The album featured two classic singles: "DWYCK" with hip-hop duo Nice & Smooth (which was supposed to be originally on Daily Operation and "Mass Appeal". The album was critically acclaimed upon release and reestablished Gang Starr as a force within hip-hop. It also served as a forerunner to a number of different albums over the next 18 months that were credited as being pivotal to the New York hip-hop scene being a power center once again in the hip-hop landscape. Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesUDiscoverMusic: "Hard To Earn": Gang Starr's Statement of Purpose https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/gang-starr-hard-to-earn-feature/Albumism: Gang Starr's 'Hard To Earn' Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospectivehttps://albumism.com/features/gang-starr-hard-to-earn-turns-25-anniversary-retrospectiveBillboard: DJ Premier talks about Gang Starr's 'Hard To Earn' 25 Years Later: "That Album, I Had A Chip On My Shoulder"https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/gang-starr-moment-of-truth-dj-premiere-interview-8501991/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox and Domo review Eminem's sophomore album The Slim Shady LP as it turns 25. The now legendary emcee was just a little know upstart white rapper from Detroit when he blew up the underground scene by tearing through the '97 Rap Olympics. Despite losing in the finals, the word was out. After recording The Slim Shady EP, the tape made its way around the circuits and found its way on the desk of Dr. Dre, who promptly signed him and to Aftermath Records. The two clicked and got to work on his album.Overseen by Dre, who also produced a couple of tracks on the album, it served the world's introduction to Eminem and what would become his famous alter-ego -- Slim Shady. In this character and slipping in between his actual persona of Marshall Mathers, he juxtaposed his rhyming with clever wordplay and "rhyme bending" to create adequate rhyme scenes. Inside of those lyrics were rife with shocking one-liners, verses and songs: topics on everything from depression, dark humor, drug use, addiction, disdain for his daughter's mother and outlandish and controversial sayings that would become the hallmark of his early career. His rhyme style made him among the elite; his topics and subject matter made him vulnerable, controversial and hated all at the same time.The album was backed by three main singles -- the two most popular being "My Name Is..." and the Dr. Dre duet "Guilty Conscience". The album was a huge success, selling almost 7 million records and would be the beginning of him being the biggest music star in the game just four years later and the greatest selling rap artist of all time.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show Notes"The Slim Shady LP" Eminem's Warning Shot at Hip-Hop https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-slim-shady-lp-eminem-album/The Ringer: Eminem has been America's Nightmare for 20 Yearshttps://www.theringer.com/music/2019/2/20/18232748/eminem-slim-shady-lp-20th-anniversaryAlbumism: Eminem's 'The Slim Shady LP' Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospectivehttps://albumism.com/features/eminem-the-slim-shady-lp-turns-20-anniversary-retrospectiveSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox is joined once again by Van Everette of The Scenario Radio Show to review 90s R&B duo Zhané's debut album Pronounced Jah-Nay as it turns 30. The two vocalists, Renee Neuville and Jean Norris, met each other while students at Temple University and while they had two different backgrounds when it came to singing, they would find a medium that would make them a cohesive act. After linking up with power players in Philly DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) and doing a showcase that caught some eyes and ears, they were taken under the tutelage of Naughty By Nature producer KayGee and were signed to Motown Records.Combining their many musical inspirations and influences, the group put out a very fun, yet mature sounding album. It was backed by their intriguing and smooth harmonies and deft songwriting over a variety of beats crossing many genres. The album was boosted three singles: the classic party jam "Hey Mr. DJ", "Groove Thing" and "Sending My Love".The album was certified platinum and things appeared to be on the up and up for the duo. However, they released only one other album, 1997's Saturday Night, to less acclaim and fanfare before splitting up. Nonetheless, they made their mark on 90s R&B with their debut which continues to be brought this day as a highlight in 1994.Check out Van Everette and The Scenario Radio Showhttps://www.thescenarioradioshow.com/Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesUDiscoverMusic: Pronounced Jah-Nay: How Zhané Made A Name For Themselveshttps://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/pronounced-jah-nay-zhane-album/Grammys: 'Pronounced Jah-Nay at 25': Zhané's Renee Neuville and Jean Norris look back at their classic R&B debut https://www.grammy.com/news/pronounced-jah-nay-25-zhanes-renee-neufville-jean-norris-look-back-their-classic-rbAlbumism: Zhané's Debut Album "Prounounced Jah-Nay" Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospectivehttps://albumism.com/features/zhane-debut-album-pronounced-jah-nay-turns-25-anniversary-retrospectiveSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In our premiere of Season 6, we welcome Van Everette from The Scenario Radio Show review Kanye West's debut classic album The College Dropout as it turns 20. After serving in the background as a producer for many of Roc-A-Fella Records best albums through the early 2000s, the Chicago-based producer took his turn as a feature act. The album was recorded over a four year period from 1999 to 2003 and is constructed during the period of many memorable moments of his life, including his near-catastrophe car accident.For his debut effort, West produced the entire album himself and also enlisted the likes of many talented artists and musicians: Jay-Z, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Luda, Freeway, Consequence, GLC, Syleena Johnson, John Legend, Miri Ben-Ari, J. Ivy and the Boys Choir of Harlem. Mixing his unique production style that was dubbed "chipmunk soul", he impressed with his depth, wittiness and more than capable rhymes and flow as he talked the rap game, life, expectations, insecurities, injustices and more.The album was backed by many notable singles including the debut "Through The Wire", the R&B collabo "All Falls Down" featuring Syleena Johnson, the moving "Jesus Walks" and his first #1 Billboard single "Slow Jamz" featuring Jamie Foxx and Twista. The album was certified 4x platinum and is noted as both the launching West's legendary recording career and also a iconic album of a new movement in the new millenium.Check out Van Everette and The Scenario Radio Showhttps://www.thescenarioradioshow.com/Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesStereogum: The College Dropout Turns 20 https://www.stereogum.com/1661202/the-college-dropout-turns-10/reviews/the-anniversary/Vibe: Kanye West's Engineer Breaks Down Kanye West's Classic -- From An Engineer's Perspectivehttps://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/kanye-west-the-college-dropout-oral-history-486239/Medium: A Love Letter to The College Dropouthttps://medium.com/@derekxu/album-review-the-college-dropout-b17714567f1eAlbumism: Kanye West's 'The College Dropout' Turns 15 | Anniversary Retrospectivehttps://albumism.com/features/kanye-west-debut-album-the-college-dropout-turns-15-anniversary-retrospectiveSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the last episode of the year, B. Cox and J.Owe give their personal rankings and honorable mentions for hip-hop and R&B albums for the 1993, 1998 and 2003. A reminder that next year, we will be moving to a seasonal format. The new season launches February 2024! Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox and J Owe look back at the late DMX's second studio album Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood as it turns 25. After setting the industry on fire during the previous year and a half and the explosive success of his debut It's Dark and Hell Is Hot earlier in the year, the Yonkers emcee was taking full advantage of his star while on fire. Less than seven months from his debut's release and about a six weeks from the release of his acting debut in the hood drama Belly, he released his sophomore album before the end of year.In a slight change from It's Dark, he employed more production from Swiss Beatz, whose production made up the majority of the album. While a few songs took a more commercial approach than those in the debut, the rest of the album lined up with what his persona and style came to embody. His lyrics were candid, personal, raw and unapologetic and his theme was a bit more spiritual as well. He collaborated with the likes of fellow Yonkers and Ruff Ryders affliates the LOX, Drag-On, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z and even rock star Marilyn Manson.The album featured his signature song "Slippin" and also "No Love 4 Me". The album debuted as #1 on the Billboard 200 and also was certified triple platinum. He became the 2nd artists to have two albums released in the same year debut as #1, the other being the late Tupac Shakur in 1996.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesThe Fader: The True Story of How "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood" was madehttps://www.thefader.com/2016/12/04/dmx-flesh-of-my-flesh-oral-history-ruff-rydersDJBooth: DMX's "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood" Is A Timeless Christmas Miraclehttps://djbooth.net/features/2018-12-22-dmx-flesh-of-my-flesh-christmas-miracle-20-year-anniversaryUDiscoverMusic: "Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood": DMX's Great Hip-Hop Disruptionhttps://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/dmx-flesh-of-my-flesh-blood-of-my-blood/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox reminisces about Jay-Z's eight album The Black Album as it turns 20. Heading into this album, it was being touted as Jay-Z last album as he was to "retire" to take up the mantle of president of Def Jam Records after the album was released. The news and fallout from it lead to a acrimonious split of the three founders and owners of Roc-A-Fella Records: Jay, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. The news of Jay-Z's impending retirement while he was still on top of his game in every aspect, raised the profile of this album to another level. Teaming up with an all-star cast of producers, it was an epic album to say goodbye: mainstays Just Blaze, Kanye West, the Neptunes, Timbaland were on board to produce songs along with newcomers 9th Wonder and the Buchanans along with industry veterans DJ Quik and Rick Rubin. Focusing on his last album, Jay-Z toed the line of lyrically exclaiming his career in review as proud veteran while simultaneously giving us his trademark varied flow and style to show he could still make a hit and be hungry. Noted in the album is a more mature and at peace vibe from Jay-Z as he celebrated and reflected. The album was boosted by three singles: "Change Clothes" feat. Pharrell Williams, "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" and "99 Problems". The anticipation and acclaimed pushed the album to triple platinum certification. It is noted along with 1996's Reasonable Doubt and 2001's The Blueprint with being Jay-Z's classic albums. The album was also supported by a documentary feature film Fade To Black, which chronicled Jay-Z's "farewell" concert at Madison Square Garden in 2004. Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAlbumism: Jay-Z 'The Black Album' Turns 20 | Album Anniversary https://albumism.com/features/jay-z-the-black-album-anniversaryGRAMMY Awards: 8 Ways Jay-Z's 'The Black Album' Changed Hip-Hophttps://www.grammy.com/news/jay-z-the-black-album-changed-rap-game-hip-hop-anniversaryAndscape: The enduring allure of Jay-Z's 'The Black Album'https://andscape.com/features/jay-z-the-black-album-anniversary/Capital Xtra: Jay-Z: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Black Albumhttps://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/jay-z/lists/the-black-album-facts/dangermouse-the-grey-album/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox and J. Owe look back at at the momentous occasion of Snoop Doggy Dogg's classic debut album Doggystyle as it turns 30. Fresh off the heels of his breakthrough performance on several tracks on Dr. Dre's The Chronic released not even a year prior, he set to set the game on fire with what was, to that point, the most highly anticipated debut for a new hip-hop artist. Working hard with Dr. Dre and a handful of fellow Death Row Records collaborators such Daz and Kurupt of Tha Dogg Pound, Lady of Rage, the DOC, RBX, Warren G and Nate Dogg, the young Long Beach emcee was looking to top all expectations bestowed upon him. In spades, he delivered. Along a three hugely successful singles in "Who Am I? (What's My Name?)", "Gin and Juice" and "Doggy Dogg World", Snoop dropped 54 minutes of G-Funk laced fire with his trademark, lazy, yet casual and sharp flow and lyrics that served as the backdrop to a growing hip-hop and pop culture phenomenon. His infectious hooks, what would be become classic and quotable bars, the outlandish and even vulgar skits and humor all made the album a a part of popular culture and lexicon and still lingers to this day. It all played a part of a dominant two-to-three years of Snoop being recognized as the hottest rapper in the game and one of the biggest stars in music. The debut numbers were unprecedented. It sold over 800K its first week and by the end of the year, it was approaching 2 million records sold. As of today, it stands as 7x RIAA platinum certified. It is widely known today as such: 1) The biggest and most anticipated debut album of any hip-hop album that exceeded such hype 2) One of the most influential albums of any genre released in the last 30 years and 3) Universally accepted as a classic, a West Coast living landmark and legacy that defined 90s West Coast hip-hop and the success of Death Row Records at its peak. Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAlbumism: Snoop Dogg's Debut Album 'Doggystyle" Turns 30 | Album Anniversary https://albumism.com/features/snoop-dogg-debut-album-doggystyle-album-anniversarySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The crew reviews A Tribe Called Quest's classic third album Midnight Marauders as it turns 30. Off the heels of their groundbreaking sophomore debut, 1991's The Low End Theory, the group rebounded to put through what many to believe to be their most cohesive work yet. After famously making the low end of bass their calling card and backdrop of the jazz sampled beats, the momentum continued with group member Q-Tip working with legendary engineer Bob Power to leave the resonant noise from their samples, creating a grittier and harder sound.Over 14 tracks, Q-Tip and Phife Dawg expertly spit and trade clever, biting and, at times, fun and hilarious bars. The album spawned two classic singles which stand out as the groups best: "Award Tour" and "Electric Relaxation", both which received heavy radio play and still are wildly popular today. 30 years later, this album is marked as a crown jewel of a trilogy of Tribe's first three albums and has been noted a keen sonic influence to the groups successors--in spirit and practiceVisit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comBuy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeSupport The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAlbumism: A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight Marauders" Turns 30 | Album Anniversary https://albumism.com/features/a-tribe-called-quest-midnight-marauders-album-anniversaryThe Daily Beat: 30 Years Ago, A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight " Changed Hip-Hophttps://www.thedailybeast.com/a-tribe-called-quests-midnight-marauders-turns-30The Grio: Symphonic Sampling: A Tribe Called Quest's 'Midnight Marauders" and Wu-Tang Clan's 'Enter the Wu-Tang"https://thegrio.com/2023/11/09/symphonic-sampling-a-tribe-called-quests-midnight-marauders-and-wu-tang-clans-enter-the-wu-tang/HipHopDX: A Tribe Called Quest Celebrates 30 Years of 'Midnight Marauders" with New Merchhttps://hiphopdx.com/news/tribe-called-quest-midnight-marauders-30th-anniversary-merchSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy