These R&B albums are turning 30 in 2023

It’s 2023 and we are still bopping our heads to these R&B classics released three decades ago. 

The year 1993 was a good one for the music industry.

Several big albums were released by musicians such as Tupac Shakur, David Bowie (Black Tie White Noise), Lenny Kravitz (Are You Gonna Go My Way), Snoop Dogg (Doggystyle), and Wu-Tang Clan (Enter the Wu-Tang [36 Chambers]).

The old-school R&B albums released in 1993 will give many people nostalgia. 

Here’s a look at some of the R&B albums turning 30 in 2023 and some of their biggest hits.

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Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton

The Grammy Award winner released her debut self-titled album in 1993. It produced hits such as ‘Another Sad Love Song’, ‘Breathe Again’, and ‘You Mean The World To Me’.

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Mariah Carey
Music Box

‘Music Box’ was Mariah Carey’s third studio album. The album's biggest releases were ‘Dreamlover’, ‘Hero’, and ‘Without You’

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Mary J. Blige
What's the 411? Remix

The ‘Queen of R&B’, Mary J. Blige, dropped this remix album in late 1993. The album featured collaborations with Diddy (who went by Puffy at the time), Heavy D, and Notorious B.I.G.

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Babyface
For the Cool in You

As a singer, songwriter, and record producer, Babyface has worked with a lot of A-list musicians. He has written and produced music for Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, TLC, Ariana Grande,  Beyoncé, Vanessa Williams, Justin Bieber, and Boyz II Men.

Babyface’s 1993 album, ‘For the Cool in You’, produced three R&B Top 10 songs and went on to be certified 3× Platinum.

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Janet Jackson
janet.

Janet Jackson’s fifth studio album, ‘janet.’, went straight to number one after its 18 May 1993 release. It was her third consecutive #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’ – the album’s lead single – won a Grammy for ‘Best R&B Song’.

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Xscape
Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha

Xscape’s debut album, ‘Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha’, produced hits such as ‘Just Kickin' It’ and ‘Understanding’. The album was co-produced by rapper Jermaine Dupri. He also co-wrote some of the songs on the album.

Tevin Campbell
I’m Ready

Tevin Campbell had the word jamming to ‘Can We Talk and ‘I’m Ready’. Both songs were written by Babyface and remain two of Tevin’s biggest hits to date. Babyface also wrote ‘Always in My Heart’.

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Joe
Everything

Joe introduced himself to the music industry with an epic debut album. ‘Everything’ and ‘I’m In Luv’ are the album’s standout singles.

Tony! Toni! Tone!
Sons of Soul

Tony! Toni! Toné!’s album, ‘Sons of Soul’, was a huge success. It spawned hits such as ‘If I Had No Loot’, ‘Slow Wine’, ‘Leavin’, and ‘(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow’.

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Eternal
Always & Forever

Several songs – including ‘Stay’ and ‘Save Our Love’ - from Eternal’s ‘Always & Forever’ album featured in the Top 20 in the UK.

Jodeci
Diary of a Mad Band

American R&B group Jodeci ended the year with the release of their second studio album, ‘Diary of a Mad Band’. Missy Elliott and Timbaland featured on the album. The album’s lead single, ‘Cry for You’, secured the number one spot on the R&B songs chart. ‘What About Us’ and ‘Feenin'’ were also radio hits.

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Main image credit: YouTube/ Toni Braxton ('Another Sad Love Song' music video)