PLAYLISTS
Playlist: Music Box (Mariah’s Version)
As I detailed in the Long Island Press, it is clear that Mariah Carey’s “Music Box” album didn’t give a full picture
Journey to Freedom, Week 5: Time
1. “Time” by Mary J. Blige is essentially about the flaws of the world and how counterproductively people use their time. Mary
Playlist: Mama Patti Essentials
One cannot be a fan of R&B music and not be familiar with Patti LaBelle. Her iconic voice, her songs and her
The 19 “97” Singles of 2016
2016 year saw the return of heavy hitting Pop icons, like Britney and Beyoncé, those who had been away far too long, like JoJo and
IN 1997
Finding the Free Xone: Janet lets go on The Velvet Rope
October 7, 1997. In the fall of 1997, Janet Jackson released her most introspective album to date, aptly titled The Velvet Rope. Representing the velvet rope that separates the “VIPs” from those who “are not,” the album title symbolizes the “need to feel special” that all people have, according to Ms. Jackson. “It is this need,” she says, “that can bring out the best in us, yet the worst in us,” and “created the Velvet Rope.” With this album, Janet Jackson let the
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
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
Aretha Franklin’s ‘Sweet Passion’ Yielded Mixed Results
Very little has been written about Aretha Franklin’s 1977 album Sweet Passion. Of the three most significant written accounts of Aretha’s life, none of
The Hero That 2020 Needed: Mariah Carey
To say that the year 2020 has been a disaster would be an understatement. We’ve been living through a pandemic, fighting for our lives,
Snowflakes: A Very Toni Braxton Christmas
Toni Braxton is one of the most recognisable names and voices in R&B music. In 2001, after some turmoil with her record label and
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
Merry Christmas: The Coronation of Mariah Carey
Crowning a Monarch In 1994, Christmas as we know it was forever changed when Mariah Carey released her first Christmas album. Before 1994, the
Mariah Carey, Master of “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak”
For over three decades, Mariah Carey has cranked out record-breaking number-one hits that set towering standards and were masterclasses in vocal expertise. Besides gifting
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”
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.
On ‘8 Days of Christmas,’ Destiny’s Child Made Girl Power Festive
In 2001, Destiny’s Child were on top of the world. In May, they released their third album Survivor which had record-breaking first week sales, two
The Electrifying Aretha Franklin: Aretha’s Sophomore Album
Most people have never heard Aretha Franklin’s sophomore album, 1962’s The Electrifying Aretha Franklin. The same goes for her debut album, 1961’s Aretha With
ABOUT THE 97
THE 97 ZINE
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THE 97 ZINE, Issue 1 - "Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse"
Original price was: $14.97.$9.97Current price is: $9.97.
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THE 97 ZINE, Issue 2 - "Damita Jo"
Original price was: $14.97.$9.97Current price is: $9.97.
