Liner notes
On repeat.
Thanks to Trevor (@whatdotcd) for turning me on to my9albums. Here’s my nine-album grid, and a little about why I picked each one.
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Metallica
Reload (1997)
Picking a single album from high school and before was hard, but Reload is the one that comes to mind. By the time I graduated high school, I could play almost every Metallica song on guitar, along with songs by Tool, Nirvana, and Led Zeppelin. I almost added Nirvana’s In Utero, and I had Tool’s Ænima on the list for a minute.
Listen on Spotify -
Fabolous
Ghetto Fabolous (2001)
Fabolous was probably my first favorite rapper. I used to listen to this in the golf ball picker cart when I worked at the country club in high school.
Listen on Spotify -
Jay-Z
Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life (1998)
This is the album I blasted in my first car, and it’s probably my favorite album of all time. “Money Ain’t a Thang” was my jam!
Listen on Spotify -
Kanye West
The College Dropout (2004)
I was obsessed with Kanye in college, especially his production. I saw him at Burruss Hall at Virginia Tech in 2004. He got there late, but played until they kicked him off the stage at midnight.
Listen on Spotify -
Kanye West
Graduation (2007)
Funny enough, I graduated in 2007 too. “Good Morning,” “Good Life,” “Flashing Lights,” “Homecoming”!? I blasted this album in my college apartment. Kanye gets two spots, and I almost added Watch the Throne too. That album is so good.
Listen on Spotify -
The Weeknd
House of Balloons (2011)
When I moved to NYC in 2011, I listened to all of The Weeknd’s mixtapes every day for months on repeat. I remember listening to House of Balloons on the L train, heading to the Spotify office. He’s still one of my favorite artists.
Listen on Spotify -
Kid Cudi
Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009)
For me, this is probably the album of the decade. It felt like the record that made Cudi a household name. I love it so much, and “Pursuit of Happiness” is incredible.
Listen on Spotify -
Major Lazer
Major Lazer Essentials (2018)
I love Diplo and Major Lazer, and I frequently put this on when I fly. “Lean On” and “Bubble Butt” are the best.
Listen on Spotify -
Tommy Richman
COYOTE (2024)
Tommy Richman is one of my newer favorite artists. This album is insane, and he’s really good live too.
Listen on Spotify