Releasing one good album deserves high praise, releasing two good albums, shows consistency in an artists work, but releasing three good albums in a row is how you build a legendary discography not many artists can claim they have. Here’s our list of the some of the best 3 album runs the music industry has to offer:
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Kendrick Lamar
Just a small part of Kendrick’s impeccable discography, Kendrick Lamar’s three album run from good kid m.a.a.d city, To Pimp A Butterfly and DAMN, is the true pinnacle of an elite run in the Hip-hop world. Kendrick’s widely regarded layered lyricism with some of the best storytelling in the business, alongside his psychological introspection brings another feeling to an album that turns it from generational into an all-time classic. Paired up with some of the most unique West Coast hip-hop production, all around it makes Kendrick’s music a must listen no matter the time and place. Yes, that includes Toronto too.
Radiohead
Radiohead’s famous three album run is one you wouldn’t want to forget, as they are one of the few bands to achieve a run of this quality. It demonstrates Radiohead’s peak and their refusal to continue to repeat itself through their projects OK Computer, Kid-A, and Amnesiac. Throughout the three projects we see an incredible mixture of rock and electronic sound, then added in throughout the next two projects jazz-like sounds making Kid-A almost sound like a classical rock album. Amnesiac has a bit of a funny story in it, as it’s actually filled with leftover songs from Kid-A, however it’s almost like you’re exploring the same world through a different photographic lens. The change in perspective is visible through sound creating what is one of the most prolific three album runs out there.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s three album run consisting of 4, Beyoncé and Lemonade is one of revolutionary feats. Not only does she revolutionize herself by prioritizing her own artistry over the same EDM trending sound for pop music, deciding to lean into her own R&B / soul and funk influences on her first album of the trio in 4. Her self titled album, Beyoncé revolutionized the entire music industry with its surprise release and visuals that accompanied it. The innovative rollout and themes of motherhood, feminism and self-identity were ones rarely seen addressed by artists of her status into an electronic soulful but altogether experimental pop album. Lastly Lemonade, which is widely regarded as her best record, elevated the game onto a new level with genres spanning the course from country all the way to blues, soul and even gospel. It sorted through feelings of betrayal, family history and cultural identity.
Kanye West
Kanye West’s trilogy of albums spanning through The College Dropout, Late Registration and Graduation is often regarded as one of hip-hop’s greatest three album stretches and trilogies. It’s a run that showcases Kanye’s development from producer into rapper and then into a 21st century icon in the music industry. Through the first two albums, Kanye’s exploration of soulful rap takes a different perspective than what other rappers had in their narratives, standing out to the new listeners. Come Late Registration, Kanye began incorporating more gospel illustrated orchestra pieces into his music resulting in a more richer and cinematic sound. On Graduation we see Kanye evolve his game with larger production, electronic sounds and brighter melodies creating this fun vibe that turned him into a pop-cultural force. The album’s clash with 50 Cent’s Curtis showcased the world’s shift from enjoying gangster rap into a more melodic and experimental style.
The Beatles
A three album run that evidently changed what an album could be, The Beatles were the innovators for what a perfect discography could be. Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is a run that can only be described as perfect, taking them from being the world’s biggest pop act into groundbreaking, history-making artists across the world. Rubber Soul showcased their growth outside of pop music, influenced by a distinct folk-rock and soulful sound they transcended their past projects with layered introspective songwriting. Revolver took their artistic ambition to a whole new level, experimenting with tape loops, reverse recording and automatic double tracking that created a sound never seen before in the world of music, especially mainstream pop. Building off that, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is one of the few albums that is widely considered to be a complete artistic experience, redefining the possibilities of music influencing countless amounts of artists across different genres.
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