Michael Jackson hit paydirt from 1979 to 1987, the time frame he released the albums “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad.”
There is something special about the number three.
The Holy Trinity.
The Chicago Bulls’ two three-peat championships in the 1990s.
Furthermore, a great film franchise often becomes a trilogy.
But are there trilogies in R&B music?
Even if there is not, some of the most iconic R&B musicians had winning streaks that stretched over at least three consecutive studio albums.
Therefore, RegalMag.com would like to honor its favorite R&B three-peats of all time.
- Boyz II Men (“Cooleyhighharmony,” “II” and “Evolution”)—Can you imagine a record label not recognizing the star power that Boyz II Men possessed? Well, Michael Bivins said Motown Records did not see his vision when he brought the four brothers from Philly in the building. But when the single “Motownphilly” dropped, Boyz II Men became a part of a new wave of R&B stars of the early 1990s that set the precedent for decades to come. On their first three albums, and soundtracks, the hit songs continued with classics like “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You” and “A Song for Mama.”
- Jodeci (“Forever My Lady,” “Diary of a Mad Band” and “The Show, The After Party, The Hotel”)—Back in 1991, the debate in the hood was who was better, Boyz II Men or Jodeci. At the time, many said that Jodeci catered to the Black audience, while Boyz II Men had more crossover/pop music, which catered to the White community. But can we just have love for both, instead of letting people pit one against each other like they did Prince and Michael Jackson the prior decade? But like Boyz II Men, Jodeci released a string of hits with their first three albums like “Stay,” “Feenin’” and “Freek’n You.”
- Maxwell (“Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite,” “Embrya” and “Now”)—When an artist’s first album is still so relevant three decades after-the-fact that it inspires an upcoming movie starring Nia Long and Larenz Tate, that artist definitely made their mark on the game. Although Maxwell’s fans wish he would release music more often, when he did release albums on a regular basis, he rarely disappointed, if ever. Maxwell was one of the reigning princes of neo soul with classic songs like “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder),” “Matrimony: Maybe You” and “This Woman’s Work.”
- D’Angelo (“Brown Sugar,” “Voodoo” and “Black Messiah”)—If Maxwell was the prince of neo soul, D’Angelo was the king. Maxwell got a movie based on his music. But when D’Angelo left too soon, his legacy was commended by former President Barack Obama. His third album “Black Messiah”, released with The Vanguard, in fact might have made him the messiah of real Black music. His hits included “Lady,” “Untitled (How Does it Feel)” and “Really Love.” What made D’Angelo especially unique is that after such great success from 1995 to 2000, he disappeared from music’s limelight for 14 years.
- R. Kelly (“Born Into the 90s,” “12 Play” and “R. Kelly”)—Criticizing the man’s personal life is fair game. But criticizing the man’s talent is hating. When R. Kelly entered the game in 1992 with Public Announcement, he blew up like a comet with hits like “Honey Love” and “Slow Dance.” When he dropped his background group, he really took off. The sophomore slump did not exist for this brother because his second album contained classics like “Bump N Grind,” “It Feels Like You’re Ready” and “Your Body’s Callin’” On his self-titled album, he continued his mastery of raunchy R&B with hits like “You Remind Me of Something,” “Step In My Room” and “(You To Be) Happy” featuring The Notorious B.I.G.
- TLC (“Ooooooohhh…On the TLC Tip,” “CrazySexyCool” and “Fanmail”)—The year 1992 was inundated with debut R&B albums from artists like R. Kelly and Public Announcement, Shai, Mary J. Blige and Silk. Nevertheless, TLC did not have a problem standing out thanks to hits like “Ain’t 2 Prud 2 Beg,” “Baby, Baby, Baby” and “What About Your Friends.” But when “Waterfalls” dropped on their sophomore album, they became the biggest girl group of all time. The good times continued to roll on their third album thanks to hits like “No Scrubs” and “Unpretty.” Unfortunately, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes died in a car accident before the release of their fourth album. But their impact on R&B history will live forever.
- Prince (“1999,” “Purple Rain” and “Around the World in a Day”)—Prince was always talented. He was always eccentric. But he was not always accepted for it. After a debacle of a performance opening for The Rolling Stones, Prince Rogers Nelson was determined that the world put some respect on his name and recognize him as royalty. He became an undoubted R&B king with “Controversy” in 1981. But the following year, he began his ascension to mega stardom with songs like “Little Red Corvette” and “1999.” When the movie and soundtrack to “Purple Rain” dropped in 1984, he was the only star who could rival Michael Jackson. And he did not stop going into 1985, dropping songs like “Raspberry Beret” and “Pop Life” on the heels of the “Purple Rain” tour.
- Marvin Gaye (“What’s Going On,” “Let’s Get it On” and “I want You”)—Very few albums are as important to pop culture as “What’s Going On.” Very few songs are as sexy as “Let’s Get it On.” And very few songs are as smooth as “After the Dance.” When music fans dig a little deeper and realize that “What’s Going On” had the title cut, “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” and “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)”, they probably cannot deny Marin Gaye’s genius. When they put on “Distant Lover,” they might realize that “Let’s Get it On” is one of the most romantic albums ever. And when they realize how many times rappers sampled tracks from “I Want You,” many realize why so many fans wanted Marvin Gaye in the 1970s.
- Stevie Wonder (“Innervisions,” “Fulfillingness’ First Finale” and “Songs in the Key of Life”)—The music genius known as Stevie Wonder did not really have a three-album run. He had a four-album run because 1972’s “Talking Book” should have made this list too. But when an artist is iconic, it is hard to narrow down any list with them on it. Wonder always had talent. But he truly became a force of nature when he took creative control of his career, producing some of the best songs of all time like “Living for the City,” “Boogie on Reggae Woman” and “Knocks Me Off My Feet.”
- Michael Jackson (“Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad”)—It seems like perfect timing that this article got published the day after the “Michael” biopic trailer dropped. Like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson became insanely popular as a child star. But it was not until adulthood that they reached their full potential. And for both, it coincided with the taking control of the creative direction of their career. Jackson was seen as a has-been until The Jacksons became adult stars with their 1978 “Destiny” album. But after he hooked up with Quincy Jones, he became the “King of Pop” thanks to some of the best songs ever like “Rock With You,” “Billie Jean” and “Man in the Mirror.”
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