ROUND 2: Lemonade vs. 21
Beyoncé - Lemonade (2016) Genre: Pop, hip-hop, R&B Singles: Formation, Sorry, Hold Up, Freedom, All Night Grammys: Nine nominations (including SOTY, ROTY, and AOTY), Best Music Video, Best Urban Contemporary Album RIAA Certification: 4x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: 32
Accompanied by an acclaimed hour-long film, Beyoncé's sixth album has many credits to its name: it's considered to have revived the album for pop in the streaming era, it popularized the album movie, it set a precedent for genre transcendence, it opened up doors for Black reclamation of genres that they had been pushed out of like country and rock. A concept album that explores Beyoncé's emotional journey as she deals with her husband Jay-Z's infidelity while exploring her identity as a Black woman, Lemonade is universally considered one of, if not the best album of the 2010s and the 21st century as a whole.
Adele - 21 (2011) Genre: Pop, soul, R&B Singles: Rolling in the Deep, Someone like You, Set Fire to the Rain, Rumour Has It, Turning Tables Grammys: One nomination, Best Pop Solo Peformance RIAA Certification: Diamond (14x Platinum) Rolling Stone Rank: 137
The single best-selling album of the 21st century, singer-songwriter Adele's second album was a breath of fresh air for the pop scene in which it was released; contrary to the colorful, hook-filled, sexy pop stars of the moment, Adele differentiated herself with a down-to-earth personality, soulful ballads, and golden voice. Written at the titular age during a breakup with a man 10 years her senior, 21 explores her heartbreak and inner journey towards healing, and would establish itself as an instant classic and Adele as pop royalty, helping to dismantle the contemporary image of what a female pop singer had to be.
Which album is more iconic?
Lemonade
21