Best Albums Released After a Long Hiatus
Great things come from those who wait.
1 / 13
Best Albums Released After a Long Hiatus - In pop music, one of the biggest career coolers (and sometimes killers) is to wait too long in between LPs. However, there are a number of artists — Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre and Justin Timberlake — who've defied the rule, choosing to adhere to another one: great things comes to those who wait. Here's a look at the best LPs released following an artist's 5+ year absence. (Photos from left: Interscope Records, Epic Records, RCA Records)
2 / 13
Maxwell, BLACKsummer'snight (2009) - Neo-soul veteran Maxwell waited eight years to release his third studio LP BLACKsummer'snight. And when folks wondered if the singer still commanded a loyal audience, he put wonders to rest when the album went platinum with singles like "Pretty Wings" and Bad Habits." (Photo: Columbia Records)
3 / 13
Michael Jackson, Bad (1987) - It took five years for Michael Jackson to release a follow-up to his history-making, 20 million-selling album Thriller. But when he returned to conquer the pop landscape with Bad, the King still showed he ruled — though with a smaller share (the album only sold six million copies). Even a MJ dissapointment would be any pop star's dream. (Photo: Epic Records)
4 / 13
Dr. Dre, Dr. Dre 2001 (1999) - Seven years before releasing this disc, Dre changed the face and sound of hip hop music (and Black urban culture) with 1992's triple platinum The Chronic. While the music on Dr. Dre 2001 wasn't as earth shattering, anticipation for the album helped push sales toward 6 million, showing, for Dre, it was still a G thang. (Photo: Interscope Records)
5 / 13
Sade, Lovers Rock (2000) - A singer who has one of the most loyal fanbases in R&B, Sade felt she needed an eight-year break between the releases of Love Deluxe and Lovers Rock. And when she reemerged, Sade lovers were more than willing to support, sending Lovers Rock three times platinum. (Photo: Epic Records)
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 13
Sade, Soldier of Love (2010) - Sade tested the faith of her fans more than ever when she took 10 years to follow up Lovers Rock. But, once again, Sade proved she would not disappoint and her audience approved when they sent her latest disc to platinum status. (Photo: Sony)
7 / 13
Eminem, Relapse (2009) - Eminem had a perfectly good reason for taking five years to release his LP Relapse: a bout with writer's block and battling back after an addiciton to presciption pills. Nevertheless, the hip hop music icon's LP hit the top of the pop charts and sold two million copies. (Photo: Interscope Records)
8 / 13
Whitney Houston, My Love Is Your Love (1998) - The late Queen of Pop waited eight years to put out her fourth studio album My Love Is Your Love. Within that time R&B had changed drastically. But after recruiting young production talent such as Wyclef Jean and Rodney Jerkins, Whitney stayed fresh sounding and her project went four times platinum. (Photo: Arista)
9 / 13
Tina Turner, Private Dancer (1984) - She'd left her abusive husband, Ike Turner. She'd won the right to her stage name. And it was five years after her dismal LP Love Explosion. Needless to say, with Tina beginning to age out of pop, she needed a hit. Signing to Capitol Records, the Queen of Rock and Roll saw her biggest release with Private Dancer, which sold five million copies. (Photo: Capitol Records)
10 / 13
Teena Marie, La Doña (2004) - A decade after parting with Epic Records and independently releasing her 10th studio LP Passion Play, R&B veteran Teena Marie signed to Cash Money Records. The result was the album La Doña. With guest appearances by Rick James, Gerald Levert and Al Green, the disc landed at No. 1 on the R&B charts. (Photo: Cash Money Records)
ADVERTISEMENT