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It seems fitting that at the end of Black Music Month, your choice for Top R&B Album was one made by Black music’s top-selling artist of all-time. Yes, the sweet-faced child who helped his family group to international fame and grew up to be a superstar was responsible for history’s top-selling album ever and it was your choice for #1. Micheal Jackson’s record-setting, groundbreaking second solo album “Thriller” was your top choice, beating out “What’s Going On” and “Songs In The Key of Life,” in the #2 an #3 slots. The success of “Thriller,” which sold an incredible estimated 51-65 million records worldwide is unlikely to ever be duplicated, considering the huge dropoff in albums sales since technology has made it easy for people to illegally download current releases.

Released on November 30, 1982, “Thriller,” produced by Quincy Jones, was Jackon’s second solo release after his years with the Jackson 5 and The Jacksons. His solo debut “Off the Wall,” yielded the hits “Rock With You” and “Wanna Be Starting Somethin’” but “Thriller” wold prove groundbreaking in several respects. “Beat It” was the first of several iconic Jackson videos to be played on MTV, although according to several sources, Jackson was not the first Black artist played on the network. “Beat It” took off, thus paving the way for Jackson’s phenomenal career as an international icon. Jackson won a then unprecedented 8 Grammys for “Thriller,” a record that spanned multiple genres and was both a critical and commercial success. It’s impact on pop culture was so dominant that it is in the Library of Congress’ national recording registry of culturally significant recordings.

ORIGINAL TRACK LISTING FOR “THRILLER”:

1. “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” 6:02

2. “Baby Be Mine” (written by Rod Temperton) 4:20

3. “The Girl Is Mine” (performed with Paul McCartney) 3:42

4. “Thriller” (written by Temperton) 5:57

5. “Beat It” 4:17

6. “Billie Jean” 4:54

7. “Human Nature” (writtend by John Bettis, Steve Porcaro) 4:05

8. “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” (written by James Ingram, Quincy Jones) 3:58

9. “The Lady in My Life” (Temperton) 4:59

Thanks for your votes and enjoy the rest of the Black Music Month!

Your Pick for Top R&B Album? It’s a Thriller!  was originally published on blackamericaweb.com