– blkcory
Well it’s my birthday again, which means it is now my turn to try and celebrate a birthday in a pandemic. However, it also means that it’s that time of year where everyone can take a moment to acknowledge the amount of entertainment I add to their lives. A lot of that entertainment comes from me sharing some of the music I come across. Although I’m not celebrating things with everyone like I normally do, music is something I can still share. In honour of this (unofficial) holiday, here’s a list of some of the albums that have previously dropped during the week of my arrival (March 4th).
Dj Khaled – Victory (March 1st, 2010)
Yeah fam, Khaled on here because All I Do Is Win… as in that song was on this album. So was Put Your Hands Up. This man had Usher sing the hook on a track with Ross, Jeezy, Weezy and Drake. This kind of stuff was unheard of until Khaled did it. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you just weren’t outside. This was an era man. Those times had people who don’t sip anything, walking around with double cups looking mad fraudulent.
Raekwon – Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang (March 7th, 2011)
Every time I’m asked who my favourite Wu-Tang member is I struggle to decide between Ghostface, Method Man and Raekwon. My answer changes depending on the day/year and in 2011 my pick would have been The Chef. This guy had Rock N Roll, Rich & Black and Molasses on the same album like it was regular. That’s a legend right there.
50 Cent – The Massacre (March 3rd, 2004)
Ay man its 50! It’s not Get Rich or Die Tryin’ but The Massacre might be the next best thing. In My Hood, Candyshop, Get In My Car, Ski Mask Way, Disco Inferno, Just A Lil Bit, Hate It Or Love It (G-Unit Remix)…do I need to say anything else? 50 in his prime dropped in the first week of March fam. Watch how you talk to us March babies, 50 was the soundtrack to our birthday celebrations.
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (March 3rd, 2010)
When this album first came out, I knew the Gorillaz for Clint Eastwood, Feel Good Inc. and music videos that had cartoon characters in them that weren’t the Prozzäk guys. Essentially, I didn’t really give them too much of a chance or lock in on their music. However, as I got older, I learned to appreciate this album. It has elements of so many genres of music and keep you guessing on what’s coming next. It’s experimental, risk-taking and adventurous all in one. Kind of like life if you get out your comfort zone.
Rick Ross – Mastermind (March 3rd, 2014)
Hold up, let me put on my Ross cape on right quick. This album had me already with the pink filtered artwork. Ross always has a memorable presence on a track and he has one of the best ears for beats in hip-hop. I’m not taking that back. You can’t listen to Mafia Music III and tell me otherwise. Well you can, but I won’t listen to you.
Jay Whiss – Peace of Mind (March 3rd, 2020)
Even my fellow Canadians are moving mad during the first week of March. I was late on it, but Jay Whiss put out a solid project last year. Nice to see other rappers getting the chance to showcase the talent we’ve got on this side of the U.S. border. Last few weeks, I’ve really had Please and Valet in rotation. Big ups to Jay Whiss yo.
Megan Thee Stallion – Suga (March 6th, 2020)
Listen, if Suga didn’t make this woman a household name, I don’t know what did. If you don’t play her music, your girl does and that’s a fact. So to all the mandem, if your girl called you a “bottom feeder”, this is what brought us to this point.
Trina – Da Baddest B***h (March 7th, 2000)
If you like Meg, thank Trina for paving the way. Trina’s a legend whether you subscribe to her music or not. She might be one of the most critical pieces to black women feeling comfortable reclaiming their sexuality in hip-hop. Of course the are other artists that contributed to this shift but from front to back, Da Baddest B***h was unapologetic in its delivery of the message that women should also be able to express their sexual freedom.
Jhene Aiko – Chilombo (March 3rd, 2020)
If I’m being fully transparent here, sometimes I feel like Jhene Aiko is the female version Future. What I mean by that is I’ve noticed that a lot of her music tends to blame her partner for all the issues in her relationships and she doesn’t necessarily take accountability for any of her potential contributions to things going bad… With all that said, toxic music is enjoyable, the album is Grammy nominated and P*$$y Fairy‘s fire, I can’t lie.
Khalid – American Teen (March 3rd, 2017)
Shout out to my brudda Nobes on this one, he’s the one that really put me on this. This album was a vibe man. If you’ve ever taken an L with a shorty back in high school, then this album is relatable. Really sounds like a teenager reflecting on adolescence and going through the highs and lows of it. If you’re an R&B fan that doesn’t mind a bit of pop mixed in there, I think this album is still worth a listen years later.
Lil Uzi Vert – Eternal Atake (March 3rd, 2020)
I wouldn’t say I’m Uzi’s target audience but that doesn’t mean I can’t rate the whole black rockstar energy he moving with. When Uzi drops, the man sells records and it’s never something light. That’s another big stepper who dropped an album in March. I could stop here but there’s still more music to discuss. This list ain’t over.
Kendrick Lamar – untitled unmastered. (March 4th, 2016)
Whether these were leftover tracks that didn’t make To Pimp A Butterfly or not, this guy still finds a way to pack his project with content that makes you reflect on the world. Kendrick was and is still one of the best emcees of our time. I wouldn’t say this project is necessarily birthday energy but when you’re ready to tap in well produced music (big ups to Swizz Beatz son Egypt for being a part of that) with a message, Kendrick doesn’t fail.
Fabolous – Street Dreams (March 4th, 2003)
Fab, Street Dreams, are you crazy? On the day I was born? You starting to get the picture? This guy gave us tracks like Damn, Call Me, Why Wouldn’t I, Keepin’ It Gangsta (Remix) and two versions of Into You (one with Ashanti and one with Tamia) one one album. You thought I was going to just sit there and ignore these tracks? Stop playin man.
2 Chainz & Lil’ Wayne – Collegrove (March 4th, 2016)
Was there a Chainz and Wayne album that dropped on your birthday? Didn’t think so. Just like there’s only one me, there’s only one Collegrove. In 2016 I enjoyed my day by listening to inspirational bars like:
“She like the Benz with the fins on it
She like the Benz with the lens on it
She like the Benz with the rims on it
And my turbo got them twins on ’em
All of my partners got bandz on ’em
So tell me what the f*ck you sayin’ huh?”
I still don’t own a benz or a porsche but guess what, you still can’t tell me nothing. Real ones unite on March 4th fam.
Bas – Too High To Riot (March 4th, 2016)
This is hands down my favourite album to drop on my birthday. Bas has lowkey become my favourite rapper from Dreamville. I thought he was nice ever since Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. II but this album right here is his best work. I connected with this album on a personal level and it helped me get through some rough times. For songs like Too High To Riot, Dopamine, Live For and Penthouse, Bas, thank you.
Evanescence – Fallen (March 4th, 2003)
I’ll be honest, I haven’t listened to this album at all but the fact that anything with Bring Me To Life on it dropped on the day of my arrival is a true miracle. I still remember when this song premiered for the Daredevil movie soundtrack (cause I’m that old now)…”WAKE ME UP (WAKE ME UP INSIDE), CAN’T WAKE UP (WAKE ME UP INSIDE), SAVE MEEEEE”… I’ll stop now before the people I know outside stop rating me.
As you can see, some of the best artists know when to drop that fire fam. A lot of your favourite rapper’s favourite rappers are on this list you know? March 4th nahmean. It’s Fab, it’s Chainz, it’s Bas and better believe, it’s me.
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