PLAYLISTS
Playlist: Etta James Essentials
Etta James was one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. Beyond her signature “At Last”, she was a musical chameleon
Journey to Freedom, Week 4: Happiness
Last week’s word in Michelle Williams’ Journey to Freedom journal contest was “happiness.” For our playlist, I’ve selected five songs that always put me in
ADELE: All Her Singles, Ranked From Great to Greatest
Like Whitney, Mariah, and Céline, Adele is a one-name artist, who needs no shock value or theatrics to entertain, but simply a
A Year in Music: The Class of 2007… A Decade Later
Once again graduation season is coming to a close. Hats off to the Class of 2017, the latest crop of grads, you
IN 1997
Elicit 1997 … with Will Smith’s ‘Big Willie Style’
It’s hard to imagine that there was a time in music when Will Smith was one of the hottest rappers on the scene. Well, it actually happened; many years ago… in 1997. Though, even then, his credibility as a rapper was debatable. Undeniable was the impact of classic songs such as 1991’s “Summertime” and 1988’s “Parents Just Don’t Understand” alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, using the moniker The Fresh Prince. However, that success had long since faded and he became best known for his
Wicked: For Good – Ranking Every Song in the Soundtrack
Spoilers ahead. The album itself contains heavy spoilers if you haven’t seen the movie. The wait is over. The Wicked Witch of
Review: “West End Girl” by Lily Allen
Welcome back, Lily Allen. I mean no shade when I say this, but is it 2025 or 2007? Listening to a Lily
Through It All, Mariah Carey is Still “Here For It All”
First Listen: “Here For It All” I was stunned. Before me was an 80-foot-wide, 50-foot-tall glass window overlooking Central Park, a stage
97-Hour Review: On “eternal sunshine,” Ariana Grande proves herself
Upon the release of the lead single “yes, and?,” I wrote that Ariana Grande was selling herself short by successfully emulating her
Someone’s Favorite Daughter: A Different Type of Mariah Carey Album Ranking
It’s tiiiime again, it seems, to reevaluate my Mariah Carey album ranking. Following the release of her 16th set, many publications have done listicles ranking thee D-I-V-A’s incomparable discography. I’ll be doing it
Mariah Carey and the Catalyst of “Caution”
There comes a time in every iconic music superstar’s career when they must accept they have transitioned from icon to legend. Some do so obnoxiously, others are a little more graceful about it.
Big Purr: The Debut of Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton: The Debut It All Started With a Purr. Not quite the kind of vocal purr that Eartha Kitt famously once possessed. This purr was vastly different: vaguely androgynous, with a fry
FOR THE NOSTALGIA
Aretha Franklin’s Love All The Hurt Away
By 1981, Aretha Franklin was finding her musical footing again. The 70’s had started strong for Aretha, producing some of the most significant work
How Fame became Lady Gaga’s Monster
NOVEMBER 23, 2009 Believe it or not, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga to the world has been making her little
Cher’s ‘Living Proof’ Turns 20 – Retrospective
“The music’s no good without you baby, come back to me,” laments a haunting Cher. “The Music’s No Good Without You” is the lead
Celebrating Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Live At Fillmore West
“She was afraid she didn’t belong there,” Aretha Franklin’s producer Jerry Wexler told David Ritz in Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin. That was
Mariah Carey’s ‘Caution,’ Ranked.
CAUTION, RELEASED NOVEMBER 16, 2018 Since its release in November 2018, Mariah Carey’s fifteenth studio album Caution almost hasn’t aged. (Just like the Queen who created
Happy B’Day: Celebrating Beyoncé’s sophomore album
9/4/06: B’DAY. When she dropped her sophomore album, Beyoncé still had a lot to prove. Hot off the heels of her debut solo album, Dangerously
No Pretender: Mariah Carey’s “Dreamlover” Proved Her Passion for Hip-Hop and House
After silencing doubters and naysayers with her 1992 “MTV Unplugged” show and proving her commercial prowess when her live recording of “I’ll Be There”
The Gift: Beyoncé’s most underrated body of work
JULY 19, 2019 Beyoncé has recorded an extensive body of work over the course of her twenty plus year career in the music industry.
“Miss You Most,” Mariah Carey’s Searing Seasonal Offering
Every year, on the first of November, while children are coming down from their sugar highs and parents are recouping from hours of tricking
Miss Thang: Monica’s hit-filled debut
JULY 18, 1995 When Monica released her debut album in 1995, she was the last of the Teen R&B star trinity to release music.
Music Box: Mariah Carey’s first Diamond Moment
By 1993 Mariah Carey had established herself as the Pop “It” girl in the United States. With six #1 singles on the Billboard Hot
ABOUT THE 97
THE 97 ZINE
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THE 97 ZINE, Issue 1 - "Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse"
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THE 97 ZINE, Issue 2 - "Damita Jo"
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