It's hard to believe it's time to celebrate albums that have and are turning 10 in 2024. Is the earth spinning faster? There's no way it's been 10 years since the release of these albums. 2014 was a significantly good year in music and we can thank two genres in particular...Pop and hip-hop!
Starting with Pop, the genre took the music world by storm when there was a huge wave of pop album releases in 2014. What was amazing about this time was that for a while, Pop kind of fizzled out like flat soda. No artist was doing pop like they did during the glory era of the 2000s. There were a few hits, but a lot of misses. It's fortunate that the artists that will be highlighted took notice and did something about it.
With hip-hop, some of the artists fans listen to in heavy rotation in 2024 were cementing their spots in the music industry back in 2014. Not only that, "trap music" was slowly becoming a popular sub-genre; so, listeners were overly excited about what was to come! Let’s look at some popular albums turning 10 this year!
Five great albums turning 10 years old in 2024
The Pinkprint - Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj went through a major transformation in 2014. She ditched the costume wigs and makeup for a more natural and cleaner look. This came as a shock to a lot of her fans; however, this change was a sign that something fantastic was on the way.
That same year, she released her third studio album The Pinkprint. This album matched the energy of her new look. With songs like "Anaconda" (the album's highest charting single), "Truffle Butter" and "Feeling Myself" (feat. Beyoncé), Nicki won an American Music Award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album, and she was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album.
1989 - Taylor Swift
If one needs more convincing that Taylor Swift is a pop icon, I highly recommend listening to "1989". This album sealed the deal and Taylor Swift became one of the biggest pop stars of this generation.
Naming the album after the year she was born (used as symbolism for rebirth), 1989 shows Taylor's transition, from what fans considered country, to pop. With hits like "Bad Blood", "Wildest Dreams", "Blank Space" and the infamous "Shake It Off", this album became one of the biggest-selling albums of all time! It also got her two Grammys that year (Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year).
My Everything - Ariana Grande
Ariana survived the Sophomore Jinx with the release of "My Everything". With "Yours Truly", it was light-hearted, it was sweet, and "teeny bopper" bubbly. With "My Everything", Ariana flipped the switch and gave us a little bit of a "good girl with a little bite". With hits such as "Problem", "Break Free" and "Bang, Bang", Ariana's album saw much success at the top of the Billboard charts.
2014 Forest Hills Drive - J. Cole
If you weren't a fan of J. Cole before "2014 Forest Hills Road" was released, it's a guarantee that this album did the trick (it did it for me). Naming the album after the street address of where he grew up (which he then later purchased and turned into a free housing location for single mothers), this album was a letter to his upbringing.
From his childhood to having his first crush, the album gave us a front-row seat to how J. Cole grew up. With "Wet Dreamz", "Apparently", "Love Yourz" and "No Role Modlez", this album became one of Cole's most successful projects. Cole earned two Grammy nominations for this album, and it is now certified five-time platinum.
Frozen, The Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists
Granted, this is about Pop & Hip-Hop, but AudioPhix would be remiss if we didn't highlight the most successful charted album of 2014, the Frozen soundtrack. When it comes to Frozen, one really had to be there to witness the chokehold this movie and the soundtrack had on the nation.
Before Inside Out 2, Frozen was the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Not only was the movie amazing, but the soundtrack was also next-level. With "Do You Wanna Build A Snowman", "Love Is An Open Door", "For The First Time In Forever" and, of course, "Let It Go" remained on top of the Billboard charts for three months. What a time this was!