Big Birthdays – Legendary Album Anniversaries: October 2025

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It’s officially October, which means we can celebrate album anniversaries. From those with big birthdays such as Nina Simone and Outkast, to younger records from Bryson Tiller and GIVĒON, this is your opportunity to delve into career-defining projects that had an October release.

1. Outkast – Stankonia (25)

Quoting that legendary line from Andre 3K – ‘The south got something to say.’. ‘Stankonia‘ is a confirmed classic in hip hop history as the Atlanta duo dropped a project to mark the turn of the millennium. The album title itself suggests a funky, out-of-this-world space age experience. It’s experimental sound challenges listeners’ ears to something new while producing some of their biggest commercial hits. ‘Ms. Jackson’, ‘B.O.B.’, and ‘So Fresh, So Clean’ are some of Outkast’s biggest-selling records to date. Even people who don’t listen to hip hop know and love these tracks, and they are truly played at every house party across the world.

It’s something to be said that this a timeless piece of work, yet still doesn’t touch my favourite Outkast album ‘Aquemini‘. These two loveable guys with southern swag have an album run that doesn’t get talked about enough: ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik‘, ‘ATLiens‘, ‘Aquemini‘, and this record. What makes the duo so iconic is their ability to approach music playfully, while still spitting thoughtful bars that set them apart from their contemporaries. The synergy yet contrasting styles of Andre and Big Boi make them a perfect pairing. 

Despite being overshadowed by the smash hits, the ‘B-side’ records here are great. ‘We Luv Deez H**z‘ and ‘Spaghetti Junction‘ are notable ones for me. This project is a frenzied, over-excited, stimulating hip hop explosion. Listen to this from front to back pronto.

Pre-order the 25th anniversary edition here.

2. Bryson Tiller – T R A P S O U L (10)

This album has aged spectacularly well, which is rare for a debut. Bryson’s first full-length effort was a huge moment in my life and solidified me as a lifelong fan. ‘Don’t‘, ‘Exchange‘, ‘Right My Wrongs‘, and ‘Sorry Not Sorry‘ are songs I could sing in my sleep. I know I’m not alone in considering this project near to my heart as it soundtracked my teenage years. Lesser-known tracks such as ‘Just Another Interlude’ and ‘Rambo‘ are stellar. Every song bleeds into the next so seamlessly, and Tiller intoxicates you from the moment you press play.

Like many fans, this album houses a nostalgic quality. It ushered in an era of Soundcloud artists jumping on these sorts of records. He undoubtably reshaped the R&B scene, incorporating a trap sound into the genre. Many critics suggest he drew inspiration from what PartyNextDoor was doing in Toronto, and made it mainstream for an American audience. 

In summary, this LP showcases a young man who’s taken inspiration from a range of different R&B legends, new and old. The beat selection is brilliant, as he lays his messy relationships bare in brutally honest lyrics. A lot of artists have since profited from the Bryson Tiller sound that this album kicked off.

3. Grace Jones – Slave To The Rhythm (40)

If you haven’t listened to this album before, buckle up and get ready to adventure in the absurd, spinning disco ball of Black liberation and sexual freedom that is Grace Jones. The most ambitious of her projects, this actress, pop star, and art muse made this project fit for nightlife in the 80s.

Jones is important to the LGBTQIA+ community; she explores identity and ditches labels. The world continues to be transfixed by her sheer magnetism. She is a larger-than-life figure, and no album personifies this better than ‘Slave To The Rhythm‘. Furthermore, from what I can glean, her Afrofuturism and disco aesthetic were all the rage in certain clubs in the eighties as she graduated to true icon status.

This concept album houses some great songs, not all of which she sings on. However, ‘Jones The Rhythm‘ and ‘The Fashion Show’ are standout tracks. If you think you’ve never heard a Grace Jones record, play the title track and I’m certain it will sound familiar to you. Her skits on this album are sure to make you smile. She’s asked, “Are you the centre of the universe, is that what you’re saying?” as she replies “Yes… yes… mhm. I’d say so… and you?“.

4. GIVĒON – When It’s All Said and Done (5)

The second EP by R&B sensation GIVĒON illustrates his unique baritone vocals, suave demeanour, lyrical honesty, and earwormy tracks to the fullest. This short but sweet project is a diamond in his discography. ‘Stuck On You‘ remains my favourite track from this artist. A collaboration with another immense talent, Snoh Aalegra, makes perfect sense and is achingly romantic. 

This record sounds like a ‘new’ classic, and its stripped-back quality gives it a timelessness. His raw, unfiltered talent is only helped by the fact that he is utterly gorgeous to look at. The instrumentation helps set the tone, as the Long Beach native presents a musical equivalent of getting wined and dined. It’s mesmerising, charming, and over far too quickly.

5. Benny the Butcher – Burden of Proof (5)

Griselda rapper Benny the Butcher stormed onto the scene with his second studio effort in 2020. Produced in its entirety by acclaimed producer Hit-Boy, this record solidified my love for Benny. Interestingly, this is the consensus among many Griselda fans that he is as talented as Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine. The comparisons are over; he is not gifted by association – he is lethal on his own.

Furthermore, he stands toe to toe with tremendous guest appearances, including Freddie Gibbs, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and of course, his Griselda co-stars. I will make the bold statement that it was probably my favourite Griselda release of 2020, or if not, definitely the one I replayed the most. Through switching things up away from grimier Daringer beats, we were allowed a more introspective Benny. Fans claim he was channeling his inner Jay-Z on this project, and I hear that. 

‘War Paint‘ has incredible verses, ‘Sly Green‘ is a must-hear, and ‘Thank God I Made It‘ is also a standout track. Despite Hit-Boy pulling out all the stops, his beats don’t overpower the Buffalo spitter as the shining star. It’s a quick listen, compact, and solidified his legacy.

6. Wizkid – Made in Lagos (5)

Despite being his fourth album, this was the moment that Wizkid slipped into certified global superstar status. Featuring a project littered with heavyweight collaborations, including Damian Marley, H.E.R., Ella Mai, and Skepta, to name a few, this LP broke records and delivered timeless tracks that I still have on repeat to this day. It’s wholesome at times, confident, mature, and reflective. He is one of the most prominent musicians from the African continent, and that’s saying something. It fed an increasing global appetite for Afrobeats, Afroswing, and Yoruba percussion.

Whether bragging about his talent or noting how God has aided him, this propelled him from Lagos to the world stage forever. This is a no-skips project for me, with some records like ‘True Love’, ‘Ginger’, and ‘Essence’ being confirmed classics. My personal favourite changes all the time, but ‘Blessed‘ featuring Damian Marley is such an uplifting anthem that I feel we need today more than ever. 

Buy the album here.

7. Ariana Grande – Positions (5)

Grande’s most sexually charged record landed in the backdrop of a chaotic COVID time, and will remind many fans of that particular moment in their lives. Hearing the pop princess muse on her heartaches whilst rejecting being babied or patronised is a liberating listen. She tells us she’s fine, working the law of attraction ‘Just like magic’ and has a newfound love and sexual awakening with her soon-to-be then husband, Dalton Gomez. Undisputedly Ari’s most erotic record, I have a feeling that this might not be the best in her catalogue, and retains a ‘You just had to be there’ quality.

Critics shocked by her sexual prowess on this record clearly haven’t been paying attention. Ariana has been sexually explicit from day one, but here she really leans into her sugar-sweet charm. I’d accept the argument that this album may be her most sonically cohesive sound, but it will never live up to ‘Sweetener‘ to me. I also think I admire her latest work, ‘eternal sunshine‘, and rank it slightly higher. Despite this, ‘Positions‘ is a well-constructed project, and her vocals are top-notch as always. Some records on this tape are key highlights in her overall catalogue. ‘pov‘ is beautiful, ‘nasty‘ is a personal favourite, and my guilty pleasure is ‘34+35‘. In summary, this is a playful, fun listen and exactly what I needed in a global pandemic!

Buy the album here.

8. Headie One – EDNA (5)

Headie One’s album debut is a project I return to regularly. This effort was a major step forward for the Tottenham rapper, introducing himself as the king of drill, and it set him up for optimum success. Laced with regret and reflection, this doesn’t sound like songs simply thrown together. Whilst not all the 20 tracks are memorable – 28 in the deluxe – the ones that did perform well morphed him into the celebrated artist he is today. For example, ‘Princess Cuts‘ was inescapable on the radio at one point, whilst ‘Parlez-Vous Anglais‘ set the U.K. rap scene alight. Side note: That is still one of Aitch’s best performances, ever. 

The album is titled after his late mother, and is the first time we hear Headie being more experimental. The MC clearly knew he had to broaden his horizons despite the success of the ‘Music x Road‘ mixtape. He speaks on grim times on the streets, but also the lifelong burdens he has to carry for the decisions he’s made and the life he’s led. He also speaks politically, caught between a life of poverty, which will always be part of him, and his new Dubai jet-setting, champagne out of golden flute lifestyle, and the emotional disparity and chasm that’s created emotionally. Some argue this debut is a bit long, but he had something to say. 

The features list exhibits the crème de la crème of UK rap from Stormzy, Young Adz, Skepta, Haile, and M Huncho, to name a few. My personal favourites include ‘Bumpy Ride‘ with M Huncho, and ‘Teach Me‘ never fails to amaze me. I also love ‘Siberia‘; however, some fans don’t like it. This is the album that made me a true fan, and he’s delivered some great projects since.

9. PJ Harvey – Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea (25)

Like many others around the world, this album got me into PJ Harvey. Whilst it’s unequivocally considered not her best work by ‘true’ fans, it’s undeniable that this ‘middle of the road’ record delivered her international acclaim. For those wanting to dip their toe into alt-rock, I think it’s a great gateway record. Admittedly, her other projects are more difficult to digest and much darker. They may hold such high artistic merit, but are inevitably not everyone’s cup of tea. 

I was not even one year old when this album came out; therefore, it’s a testament to the timelessness of the themes she covers here that I can listen to this and feel understood as an adult. ‘Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea‘ houses exceptional musicianship throughout and is perhaps her most polished work. In addition, it shows off the breadth of her talent and penmanship. If you still need convincing, this album landed Polly Jean Harvey the Mercury prize. 

The standout song on this LP is ‘Good Fortune‘. City life, fleeting affairs, escapism, and obsession – this record is urgent and passionate. PJ said about this LP –  “I want it to be my beautiful, sumptuous, lovely piece of work.“. She achieved that.

Buy the album here.

10. Nina Simone – Pastel Blues (60)

Last but by no means least, we land on the irreplaceable Nina Simone. ‘Pastel Blues‘ takes its place in the history books as a rightful classic. This blues project is powerful, poetic, and stripped back. It encompasses jazz, soul, and folk music. 

Her voice is always a thrill to listen to, and you hear her power, rage, love, lust, heartache, and passion in every note. ‘Strange Fruit‘ gives me goosebumps every single time I hear it, and breaks my heart into a million pieces. This is the cover to end all covers, and more unrestrained than I’ve ever heard it. Simone bubbles over with generational hurt. 

Once heard, never forgotten – ‘Sinnerman‘ is a song I return to frequently, and it never fails to stir up an urgent feeling. This take on this traditional African-American spiritual song is epic, as she details a man running from the judgment of God. Minimal instrumental accompaniment throughout, her simple approach makes the album far from boring. It is a deeply soulful landmark moment in her career. Plus, her piano playing is second to none. Key songs include ‘Trouble In Mind‘ and ‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out‘, which has been covered a million times since but never replicated. 

Buy the album here.

Conclusion

October may be the spookiest season, but the real magic lies in these projects. Every one of these records is a triumph for these artists and will be celebrated, debated, admired and, replayed for years to come. Happy birthday to all!

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