Hey Young World,
This is the April 2024 edition of 1520’s Record Report, our series of monthly articles in which we recommend things we’re currently into.
We’ve picked the name Record Report in honor of Hip Hop magazine The Source, which’s album review section went under that name and, when we were growing up, told us what was worth copping and what wasn’t. In our own small way, we hope to do the same.
2004 ‘til Infinity
This year, every edition of 1520’s Record Report will include a recommendation of an album, a movie or a video game that came out 20 years ago, in 2004, a year that is very close to our hearts and whose pop culture fundamentally shaped who we (and many other Millennials) are today.
The Redeem Team (documentary)
‘The Redeem Team’ delves into the remarkable comeback of the 2008 US men’s Olympic basketball team. Led by basketball legends like Kobe, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron, this team sought redemption after their disappointing performance at the 2004 Olympics. The film chronicles their journey as they overcame doubts, fierce rivals, and personal challenges to ultimately win the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. A perfect way to get ready for the Paris Olympics.
Riku Onda - Honeybees and distant Thunder (Novel)
Set against the backdrop of a fictional piano competition in Japan, we encounter Aya, a former child prodigy, Masaru, a superstar in the making, and Jin, an unconscious disruptor in this rarefied world. Onda masterfully weaves their stories together, all the while revealing the transcendent power of friendship classical music. A truly great novel.
2004 ‘Til Infinity: Mariah Carey - The EMancipation of mimi
Looking back, this album was considered to be a comeback album. And what a comeback it was (though, to be fair, her albums before this one were good too, so maybe the narrative was unfair to begin with). ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ is very likely the best R&B album of the 21st century, and definitely one of my favourite albums of all time. Her claim was always strong, but because of this album, Mariah will forever remain top 5 dead or alive.
One Love,
Marius | 1520