2004 was an early year into the new millennium, showcasing how music continues to elevate and change with different eras. Hip-hop, R&B, rock, pop, and country dominated the Billboard charts and radio airwaves. For some artists, it was their year for breaking into the business; for other artists, it was closing a chapter and starting anew. So, with that in mind, let's revisit 2004 and check out these albums celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2024.
After the success of his third album, 8701, little did people know that Usher was about to drop his best-selling album to date with Confessions. While some of the album's themes focused on love and relationships, the themes weren't so much based on truths in Usher's personal life but rather in the lives of his collaborators Bryan-Michael Cox and Jermaine Dupri. In addition to Cox and Dupri, Usher worked with Lil Jon, Just Blaze, Dre & Vidal, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Some of the album's hit singles included "Burn," "My Boo," "Yeah!" and the eponymous single, which helped push Confessions to become the 21st century's best-selling album by a Black artist.
Just a year after releasing her debut album, Avril Lavigne released her sophomore album, Under My Skin. Lavigne blended elements of her alternative, grunge, and nu-metal sound, and it was evident on her tracks like "Don't Tell Me," "Nobody's Home," and "My Happy Ending." It's no wonder that Lavigne was a fan favorite on shows like MTV's Total Request Live.
Destiny Fulfilled marks the final album released by Destiny's Child, marking the end of the group but a new beginning for the members' solo careers. The trio teamed up with a number of producers, including Rodney Jerkins, Sean Garrett, Rich Harrison, 9th Wonder, Rockwilder, and more. The album included four singles such as "Lose My Breath," "Soldier," and "Cater 2 U."
After the success of his 2002 album, The Eminem Show, Eminem returned in 2004 with Encore. In a matter of ten days post-release, the rapper sold over 1.5 million copies, and it debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200. Some of the album singles included "Like Toy Soldiers" and "Just Lose It." Naturally, almost half of the songs are co-produced by frequent collaborator Dr. Dre.
Early in Kanye West's career, he was known for producing songs for rappers like Talib Kweli and Jay-Z, but he was ready to showcase to the world he was more than just a producer. West introduced himself as a rapper with his debut album, The College Dropout. It helped to jumpstart his career as the next big thing in hip-hop with hit tracks like "Through the Wire," "All Falls Down," and "Jesus Walks."
After winning the first season of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson was ready to prove that she could follow up her debut album. A year later, she released her sophomore album, Breakaway, to rave reviews. Continuing with a sound blending pop and rock elements, Clarkson's album soared across the charts with hit singles like "Because of You" and "Since U Been Gone."
Twista released his most successful album to date with his 2004 project Kamikaze. The rapper teamed up with Kanye West on production for two of his singles, "Slow Jamz" and "Overnight Celebrity." In proper West form, the production included samples from songs like Dionne Warwick's "A House Is Not A Home" and Lenny Williams' "Cause I Love You."
It was back in 2004 when Natasha Bedingfield shook up the pop scene with her debut album, Unwritten. In addition to the eponymous single, other hit tracks included "Single" and "These Words."
Two years after releasing his third solo album, 500 Degreez, Lil Wayne returned with his fourth project, Tha Carter. It was the beginning of his Carter series, named in reference to his surname. With production handled mostly by frequent collaborator Mannie Fresh, the album's top singles included "Bring It Back" and "Go DJ."
Throughout the '90s and early 2000s, Gwen Stefani was known as the lead singer of the band No Doubt. In 2004, she decided to embark on a solo career with her debut album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Stefani expanded her sound a bit, working with producers like The Neptunes, Dr. Dre, Andre 3000, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Some of the album's hit singles include "Rich Girl," "Hollaback Girl," and "Luxurious."
Brandy was ready to experiment more with her sound on her fourth album, Afrodisiac. She teamed up with producers like Kanye West, Organized Noize, and Timbaland to help bring that sound to fruition. Some of the album's hit singles include "Who Is She 2 U" and "Talk About Our Love," helping the album peak at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
After going through a slight slump in their career, Green Day was ready to make a comeback with their seventh album, American Idiot. Their alternative and punk rock sound was evident on tracks like "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "Wake Me Up When September Ends," and the eponymous single. Not only did the album become the band's best-selling first-week project, but they also won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.
Ciara had some of R&B and hip-hop's finest producers and songwriters on her debut album, Goodies. She brought a new sound to Atlanta R&B, which helped dub her as the princess of crunk&b. With singles like "1, 2 Step," "Oh," and the album title track, Ciara was poised to bring a new flair to the R&B industry.
Although James Blunt released his debut album, Back to Bedlam, in the fall of 2004, his third single, "You're Beautiful," helped push him into mainstream status. The song helped the album peak at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
Before John Legend signed to Kanye West's record label, he was known for singing hooks and playing the piano on other artists' songs. In 2004, Legend released his debut album, Get Lifted, which featured the hit singles "Used to Love U" and his Grammy Award-winning hit "Ordinary People."
Rock band U2 had one of the year's best-selling albums, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. In its first week of being released, the album sold over 800,000 copies, which also goes to show how the early 2000s was a sign of the times of having tangible copies of albums. Hit singles like "City of Blinding Lights" and "Vertigo" helped the group earn Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album.
In 2004, rapper Ludacris released his fifth studio album, The Red Light District. He teamed up with several producers, including Polow Da Don, Salaam Remi, Organized Noize, and Timbaland, as well as a number of featured artists like DMX, Nate Dogg, Sleepy Brown, and Bobby V. Ludacris is a master at making songs deemed to his haters like on "Get Back" but he also knows how to make smooth rap love songs like "Pimpin' All Over The World."
Kenny Chesney took over the country music airwaves with his album When The Sun Goes Down. The title track features Uncle Kracker, and it's the perfect song to play for a smooth line dance. Some of Chesney's other hit singles include "There Goes My Life," "I Go Back," and "The Woman With You."
Four years after releasing her debut album, neo-soul singer Jill Scott returned with her sophomore project Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2. She made sure to give fans a self-confident anthem with the lead single "Golden," encouraging people to see all the good things in their lives. However, it's Scott's slow jams that really shine with her smooth and ethereal vocal tone on tracks like "Cross My Mind" and "The Fact Is (I Need You)."
Just two years after releasing her successful debut album, Come Away With Me, Norah Jones returned with her sophomore project, Feels Like Home. With her hit lead single like "Sunrise," Jones continued her winning streak of selling over one million copies of the album in its first week of release.
After winning the third season of the singing competition show American Idol, Fantasia released her debut album, Free Yourself. She worked with some of R&B's most in-demand producers, such as Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, The Underdogs, Missy Elliott, and Jazze Pha, to name a few. Fantasia knows how to counter the ups and downs of relationships on her singles like the album title track and "Truth Is."
Rascal Flatts' third album, Feels Like Today, became one of the group's best-selling albums. The project featured four singles, including "Bless The Broken Road," "Fast Cars And Freedom," and the album title track. Feels Like Today topped both the Country Album and Billboard 200 charts.
R&B singer Lyfe Jennings gave a glimpse into his love life on his debut album, Lyfe 268-192. Jennings has the type of grit in his soulful tone that was often heard more with singers that were popular in the '70s and '80s. He added commentary before each song to help introduce the theme. The album's second single, "Must Be Nice," helped push Jennings to be on the radar for the newest sensation in R&B.
Rock band The Killers came onto the scene in 2003 with their first single, "Mr. Brightside," and released their debut album, Hot Fuss, the following summer. With their mix of alternative, punk, and new wave sound, they were able to win fans over, and Hot Fuss reached the top ten on the Billboard 200.
Joss Stone's sophomore album, Mind Body & Soul, is the perfect title for a singer known for beaming with soulful and funky musicianship. Stone was only 17 years old at the time but had a voice beyond her years. It's no wonder she was mentored and produced by soulful singer Betty Wright to help hone her sound. Some of the album's hit singles include "You Had Me" and "Spoiled."
Mya Singleton is a freelance music journalist and social strategist based in the Bay Area, with experience covering R&B and hip-hop. Her reporting has appeared in several publications including Yardbarker, The Sports Fan Journal, AXS, and Hollywood Unlocked. With a career spanning over ten years, she’s covered concerts across the West Coast and interviewed some of the entertainment industry’s leading figures including Anderson .Paak, Nonstop Da Hitman, Laurieann Gibson, and Floyd Mayweather. You can find her talking about all things music and sports on Twitter at @MyaMelody7.
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