5 R&B Albums That Deserve A 20th Anniversary Tour In 2023

Ok, admittedly this is a stretch, considering Bey is gearing up to hit the road in support of her 2022 Renaissance album next year, but wouldn’t it be dope for the DC alum to give the crowd more than just that signature “Crazy In Love” choreography, and really dive deep into the album for its 20^th anniversary?

We all know Mrs. Carter can sell water to a whale, but imagine the Ticketmaster kerfuffle that will undoubtedly ensue if she promised to perform her debut solo album, top to bottom? LAWD, the millennial joy in that stadium would be the stuff of legend. Now, excuse me as I practice my “Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no,” moves in the mirror.

Kelis’ best-selling album Tasty dropped in 2003, with lead single “Milkshake” bringing mainstream fans to the yard after years of the songstress killing it in R&B and alt-music circles.

While The Neptunes-produced single would undoubtedly turn the crowd on its head, the album is so much more than that, containing gems including one of the Harlem native’s best songs to date, “Millionaire” featuring Andre 3000. The dance influence that permeates much of Kelis’ work is on full display as well, making it a perfect project to bring back for today’s audience

As of late, the chef has been focused on her lifestyle and culinary brand, Bounty & Full, but hopefully she’ll take a break from slangin’ delicious goods and serve fans another cold glass of Suga Honey Iced Tea (baby!).

Alicia Keys avoided the sophomore slump with the success of The Diary Of Alicia Keys, a reflective work that contains arguably her best ballad, “If I Ain’t Got You,” as well as the Kanye West-produced classic, “You Don’t Know My Name” and the album’s final single, “Karma,” which  would surely get a crowd amped for Keys’ return to her OG material.

Keys treating fans to an updated performance of the Jermaine Paul-assisted single “Diary” would be legendary to say the least, as vocalists far and wide have counted the record as a favorite and influential performance from both artists. She’d also be able to cover fan favorites that go ignored during huge tours to make room for the hits, tracks like “Wake Up,” “So Simple,” “Feeling U, Feeling Me,” and “Samsonite Man” that would bring out every AK fan who fell in love with the cornrowed-queen from Hell’s Kitchen.

Monica dropped arguably her best album in 2003 with After The Storm, a body of work so impeccably written and impressively sung that Mo’s “So Gone” intro is still enough to make fans sit up and listen.

The album is truly a masterpiece, showcasing the Atlanta reps vocal prowess without feeling overdone or forced. Any live performance from the songstress is a gift, but hearing those Missy Elliott-penned joints in front of a live audience would be nothing short of a magnificent night of R&B for all in attendance. It would also be a great opportunity for the singer to honor the late DMX, who featured on stand-out track and fan favorite, “Don’t Gotta Go Home.” 

Even without production and features from some of the hottest in the game at the time, “Goonica” — which she’s become known as in the years since —  could undoubtedly command a stage solo with the timeless material contained on After The Storm, and U Shoulda Known Better than to doubt she could.

The men of R&B weren’t exactly silent in 2003, with Avant, Jagged Edge, Joe, Musiq Soulchild and others all dropping noteworthy albums. It was Anthony Hamilton, however, who made his entrance into the game with Comin’ From Where I’m From, a soul staple that sees itself as one of the most timeless records of its era.

In addition to capturing a crowd with his signature, soulful rasp, the southern crooner penned an album so relatable that it feels like an intimate conversation with a trusted family member, brilliantly sung by a vocalist who can command an audience with grit and authenticity.

Having toured many of his albums – with immaculate backing vocals from The Hamiltones – the singer should have little issue breaking out old favorites like “Charlene” and the album’s title track, but the real treat would be songs like “I’m A Mess,” “Lucille,” and “Since I Seen’t You” getting their just due, and if Hamilton’s VERZUZ battle against the aforementioned Musiq is any indication, a night of nothing but performances from that album would be an easy sell.

But if it doesn’t work out, at least I can say I Tried.