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For decades, there's always been special kinds of artists who have been able to blow music fans away with how incredible their music was right out of the gate. Sometimes a killer debut album launches an artist on a career path to super stardom, and other times their debut effort remains their only good piece of work. It's impossible to narrow down the best debut albums of all time into a list under 20, but I did it anyways!
Madonna, "Madonna" (1983)![]()
Madonna's self-titled debut album succeeded in introducing the most important female voice in the history of pop. Hate her or lover her, Madonna has set the path for most pop girls who followed after her.
Top Track(s): Borderline, Holiday, Everybody
Whitney Houston, "Whitney Houston" (1985)![]()
Whitney gaves us genre diversity on her self-titled debut album, from steamy r&b to bubble-pop. But this was only the beginning for the 21-year-old star in the making. But the impact of her debut had a hand in changing what we wanted from pop for the next decade.
Top Track(s): You Give Good Love, Saving All My Love, Greatest Love of All, How Will I Know
Mary J. Blige, "What's The 411" (1992)![]()
Mary J. Blige's debut album earned her the undisputed title "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul." The album showed Blige was as tough as a rapper but still smooth and sweet, serving inviting but rugged songs. This album was just as much as important in its own right as some of the greatest debut hip hop albums, laying the groundwork for women like Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé.
Top Tracks: Reminisce, Real Love
Notorious B.I.G, "Ready To Die" (1994)![]()
Biggie came out of the gate with a masterpiece with his debut album, "Ready to Die." His debut wasn't just an incredible album for hip-hop, it is one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever released. The album is raw and honest, about real-life struggles which clicked with the masses.
Top Tracks: Things Done Changed, Juicy, Big Poppa
Daft Punk, "Homework" (1997)![]()
Daft Punk's debut "Homework" was an album that helped changed the pre-EDM electronic crossover landscape from trashy eurodance to something of substance while putting French house on the map. The album remains one of the best house albums ever released and still gets people dancing in the club to this day.
Top Tracks: Da Funk, Around The World
Lauryn Hill, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" (1998)![]()
If an artist is going to release one solo studio album in their almost 25 year career, they can only hope it will be as good as "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." Lauryn Hill’s only studio effort post-Fugees is so good that it’s kept her as an in-demand touring artist today. The album perfectly fused R&B, soul, reggae and hip hop, having sold 8x platinum in the US and 7x platinum in Canada.
Top Tracks: Ex Factor, Doo Wop (That Thing), To Zion
The Killers, "Hot Fuss" (2004)![]()
The Killers'"Hot Fuss" was the best album they've ever released and took them from the Vegas strip to the top 40 with a series of smash singles. When the band released their debut effort in 2004, the retro synth rock sounds mixed with dark and dirty tales from Las Vegas were refreshing and exciting.
Top Tracks: Mr. Brightside, Somebody Told Me, All These Things That I've Done
Kanye West, "The College Dropout" (2004)![]()
He was already a Hall of Fame-worthy beatmaker - but Kanye West wanted to rap, and in 2004 debuted with one of the best hip-hop albums released. The result was hip-hop like no one had heard it before: riotous gospel, wild boudoir music and tear-jerkers. This was the beginning of a huge career for Kanye and will always have a faithful fanbase because of this album.
Top Tracks: All Falls Down, Through The Wire, Jesus Walks, Slow Jamz, Workout Plan
M.I.A.,"Arular" (2005)![]()
M.I.A.'s debut album Arular was a rioting protest conducted over ironically rickety beats. The production, by M.I.A. and Diplo, commanded the spotlight with a sound like no one heard before, creating a brilliant piece of work.
Top Tracks: Galang, Bucky Done Gun
Lady Gaga, "The Fame" (2008)![]()
By mid 2009, not even a year after her debut, Gaga was a force to be reckoned with. Her debut was a game-charger, making dark dance-pop the dominant sound of the charts. It's no surprised Rolling Stone named this album as the top debut album of all time. Not only did she change the pop music game, she put her own mark on pop culture and changed pop's fashion as we knew it.
Top Tracks: LoveGame, Paparazzi, Beautful Dirty Rich, Pokerface, Summerboy
Kendrick Lamar, "good kid, mAAd city" (2012)![]()
Kendrick Lamar’s debut album "good kid mAAd city" from 2012 quickly turned the young Compton rapper into the biggest up and coming name in hip-hop that year. From start to finish, this is one of the best rap albums in years and a true throwback in terms of sound, themes and honesty. It will be interesting to see if he can top this album in the years to come.
Top Tracks: Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, Swimming Pools (Drank), m.A.A.d. City
What's your favorite debut album, ONTD?
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