Artists celebrating 20 Years in the Music Industry Special Anniversaries: (Became solo artist or debuted their first album in 2005) These artists are celebrating 20 years since their debut albums first came out in 2005. This is an incredible list because all of these recording artists have gone on to have major success not only in music but in television, film, and business ventures. All of them were either discovered by another recording artist or they were in a group, or just had natural born talent. All of these musicians have continued to reinvent themselves staying current with the times, taking risks in music, and expanding themselves sown different roads in their careers. One thing they all have in common they believed in themselves, they had faith, their honored their calling to become artists and musicians. They were fearless and they have made a place for themselves. I wanted to honor all of these musicians because all of them I have grown up literally with them. I saw the beginning and witnessed their careers, the milestones, maybe some pitfalls, but also saw them bounce back stronger and have determination. I have seen 6 out of 12 artists in person I have met them directly, seen them perform, or have some connection to them. I have been blessed to have witness this and I am honored to write about their 20 or 30 year anniversary in a tough, dynamic, demanding, and transformative business in the music, recording, and entertainment industries. Here’s my list of recording artist celebrating their anniversaries in 2025. Let’s go in chronological order by their debut album when it first hit stores, streaming online and made it to the radios everywhere.
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1. Number 1 is Omarion “O” Grandberry lead singer of the R&B/Pop group, B2K which stand for boys of the millennium he made his debut in 2001 with B2K in the group and his career advanced with the success and touring of the Millennium and Scream tours. He toured with Mario, Bow Wow, Chris Brown, and others. Then he reunited with his group recently 2 years ago to do it again with an all-star line-up including R&B, Pop, Hip-Hop artists. Omarion has grown in leaps and bounds as an artist. Born November 12, 1984 in Inglewood, California and raised mainly by his mother. He always was destined for success and a spot in the entertainment industry. Omarion’s career and transition to solo success was a smooth ride in terms of album sales but it was not always easy behind the scenes in terms of finding the right musical home, record label he went to a few different labels switching over until he found the right fit. He wanted more freedom as a recording artist, no restrictions, just making authentic music that came from his personal experiences, the producers he wanted to work with directly, and his own vision and foresight. Omarion will celebrate 20 years in the music industry as a solo artist his album debuted on February 22, 2005 and 23 years since his debut album with B2K. He has gone on to have success with multiple albums since then “O”, “21”, “FaceOff”, “Care Package 1, 2, AND 3”, “CP4”,,“The Awakening”, “The Kinection”, “Full Circle Sonic Book One and Two”, “SexSonics”. All of his albums have gone on for major success and collaborations. Omarion also came out with his book, “Unbothered: the power of Joy” came out last year. Omarion is currently on tour for the Millennium Tour with Trey Songz, Mario, Ying Yang Twins, Plies, Pleasure P, and Nivea right now this weekend.
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| Bobby Valentino's album debuted on Disturbing the Peace April 26th, 2005 |
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| Bobby is on tour for The Millennium Tour 20th Anniversary |
2. Robert Marcel Wilson who is that oh that’s “Bobby Valentino” born February 27th, 1980 in Jackson, Mississippi and later migrated over to Atlanta, Georgia was originally in a group called “Mista” and grew up as a child and teenager listening to R&B classics, Soul, and Oldies from “The Isley Brothers” (one of my favorites too), Jodeci, Tony, Toni, Tone. Bobby Valentino had his first record “Blackberry Molasses” with his group Mistsa that debuted in 1996. The song did receive some attention and plays on the radio but they disbanded a year later. Wilson decided to pursue a solo career and winded up on the Disturbing the Peace label with Christopher “Ludacris. Bobby Valentino debuted with “Slow Down” at Number 8 on the top 100 charts, has gone on to have hits with “Tell Me” ft Lil Wayne, “Mrs. Officer” ft Lil’ Wayne, and “Pimpin’ all over the world” ft. Ludacris, and “Anonymous” ft. Timbaland. Bobby Valentino is on tour right now celebrating his 20th anniversary and featured on the Millennium Tour.
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| Bluestars the Miami Boys, Pretty Ricky's album debuted on May 24, 2005 |
4. Quatro goes to Keyshia Cole the Oakland girl (born October 18, 1981) with the golden soulful voice. Keyshia’s talent natural born, no groups, just a young woman with a talent that’s undeniable. She was discovered and crossed paths with the late, Tupac Shakur when she was a teenager. She later went on to record a song with Tupac using a sample of his voice featured in “Play your cards right”. Then she ended up being discovered to Alicia Keys mentor and business partner, Kerry “Krucial” Brothers when she came out with her first singles, “I just want it to be over” which Alicia Keys helped produce and write the song. “I changed my mind” feat. Kanye West, “Should’ve Cheated” were hit songs. Keyshia has gone on to become a television personality, star in her own film which was on Lifetime Network telling her autobiography, “Keyshia Cole this is my story” and has appeared in “Charming”, “Why did I get married too”, and Love & Hip Hop”. Keyshia has gone on to be nominated four times by the Grammys for “Heaven Sent”, “Let it Go”, received an ASCAP award for her songwriting of her songs. Nominated for her duet with fellow R&B singer, Monica “Trust”. Also received a RIAA platinum certification Just like You”. Keyshia is going on tour for her 20th anniversary stay tuned for dates and check Ticketmaster for the her tour. visit http://www.keyshiacoleofficial.com
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| Just gotta make it debuted on July 26, 2005 summer of 05 featuring numerous hits. |
5. Number 5 goes to multiplatinum, R&B Prince (King in the making) “Trigga” Tremaine “Trey Songz” Neverson born on November 28, 1984 in St. Petersburg, VA debuted his first album, “Just Gotta Make It” on July 29, 2005 summer of 2005. Trey’s first song, “Just gotta make it” debuted on 106th and Park and MTV stations globally. His album was released featuring hit songs, “Girl Tonite”, “Gotta Go Right Now”. All of these hits made the top 100 hit songs on the Billboard charts. Trey has gone on to release 12 albums, wrote over 50 plus songs, and remember some songs have not been released or are in his musical catalogue as well. Trey has had so much success with his music also as an artist being featured on or collaborated with Jim Jones, Fabolous, Toni Braxton, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, and Drake. He continues to reinvent himself and expand himself making sure to take current with the times. He’s an incredible songwriter one thing I respect about him is he gives insight into the male point of view. From a romantic perspective and even his point of view as an artist. You can hear the incredible growth since he debuted 20 years ago. I would love to see him expand more as a recording artist, actor, and songwriter. He can teach the next generation coming up on perfecting that craft, the image as an artist.
6. Number 6 goes to Young Jeezy (Jay Wayne Jenkins) born September 28, 1977 in Columbia, South Carolina whose album debuted also summer of 2005 on July 26, 2005 “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101”. Hits included were “Soul Survivor” featuring Akon was a hit, “And then what” ft Mannie Fresh, and “My Hood”. His album debuted at Number 2 on the Top 100 Billboard Charts. I still listen to “Soul Survivor” for my own motivation when you need that boost in dark times you need that extra hit to keep you going. Jeezy has worked with one of the artist featured on this list, Rihanna on her hit song “Hard”, had a huge hit with the remix of “Love in this Club” Part 1 by Usher, “Leave You Alone” ft Ne-Yo , collaborated with R. Kelly on “Go Getta”, and he was featured on with Christina Milian on her “Say I” single for her debut album. Jeezy just announced he will also be doing a 20th Anniversary tour to celebrate his first album. Billboard just announced it yesterday on April 24, 2025 that he will be featured with a live orchestra behind him while he performs hits from his first album and others.
7. Lucky Seven goes to “Bad Gal RiRi” or I like to call her the "Billionaire Bajan Babe" discovered by both Jay-Z and his wife, Beyonce they both were put on early to Rihanna’s incredible talent born February 20, 1988 in the beautiful island of Barbados. This woman has taken her career to extreme heights . The hazel-green eyed beauty started out as a little girl singing loud and proud. Driving her neighbors crazy as she was singing around the house. She was discovered first and appeared on “All my children” in 2006 this was a great way for the R&B/Pop diva to make her way into the business realm. She has expanded fashion, the beauty, and fragrance industry. I love to tell my Rihanna story I have two stories. One I was in Italy summer 2005 on vacation and I was in a European internet café in Florence, Italy with one of my best friends (she’s a fan too). I see MTV Tres is on and I see a young girl long light brown hair with her dancers in a colorful top and jeans singing “Pon de Replay”. “Pon de Replay” debuted in July of 2005 and her first album, “Music of the Sun” came out later that summer August 29, 2005. I knew there’s something special about this girl. Her energy she had a sparkle in her eye and just this confidence exuding from her. She was a go getter just knew how to work the camera and the crowd. My second story is when I was working as an intern at Universal Music Records when I heard “Umbrella” at Island Def Jam/Roc A Fella records it was February 2007 and I heard the drums and Jay-Z spit his bars on the introduction. I knew it was a hit. There was something special in the air during that time. You can feel it she was on her way to success. She is another artist who reinvents her image, she knows who she is she won’t pigeonhole herself to just one genre. She has the insight and attitude I am going to do Pop, R&B, Soul, Rock & Roll, and Dance. She knows how to expand herself and try new things with music. She is 8 albums in and tons of collaborations with fellow labelmate, NE-YO, also Bryson Tiller, DJ Khaled, Justin Timberlake, Paul McCartney, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and many others. She has become a multi-hyphenate adding , actress, entrepreneur, mother of two sons, and fragrance muse to her resume inspiring perfumers as well. I don’t think we have seen the best I believe her best work is still coming. Fans are still in anticipation of her next 9th album. Some speculate “R”, “Rated R” and other possible names for them to title. This one is going to be one of her best she has so much to talk about. We all received a treat for her single of “Lift Me Up” was featured on the Black Panther 2 soundtrack in 2022. I think we are in for some big surprises to come. Since Rihanna's 2023 Superbowl performance all of her fans are waiting and anticipating her next album and new music we will see.
8. The Pussycat Dolls or “PCD” will celebrate their 20th anniversary in the music industry although they separated a few years later after much success. This group had some incredible talent in their group and hit songs, “Buttons”, the Buttons remix ft. Snoop Dogg, “Stickwitu”, “I don’t need a man”, “Don’t Cha”, “ frontwoman, Nicole Scherzinger had a way of giving the group that extra oomph they needed with her voice. The Pussycat Dolls originated in Las Vegas was actually a live dance performance show and later expanded into a musical group. Auditions were taken place a year prior before the group was formed and they debuted their first album and it debuted, September 12, 2005. Their first single “Don’t Cha” peaked at number 2 and was on the Billboard charts for 40 weeks that year. I remember me and my 19 year old self blasting this on my ipod this song was my anthem that year. I loved it was original and just loved every woman can own her confidence with this song. This was such a big year for music the hits were just pouring out of the studio. Front woman Nicole is now on Broadway performing on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard. The band members have gone to win Master Chef, have become parents children, marriage, have been on musical competition shows, reality shows, and are still working on their craft too.
9. Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma)-the angelic blonde from Texas who can sing absolutely anything country, pop, country rock, and gospel. One of American Idols winners in the fourth season twenty years back in 2005 and she is now a seasoned professional singer and artist. Her first album debut took place on November 14, 2005. Carrie’s has had some hits on the Billboard charts like “Jesus take the wheel”, “Before he cheats”, and “Inside your heaven”. She did a crossover album in 2015 with her fifth studio album, “Storyteller” with “Something in the water”. She has gone on to have multiplatinum albums, “Cry Pretty”, “My Gift”, “My Savior”, and “Denim & Rhinestones”. Carrie has gone on to have one of the highest grossing tours, has been featured in the Guinness World Records for successful country albums and tours. Has been honored by the Grand Ole Opry, and has been declared as one of the most successful American Idol recording artists. Make sure you tune into American Idol with her Ryan Seacrest, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan on Sundays and Monday nights on ABC check your local listings.
10. Number 10 goes to this former 15-year-old unknown singer from Tappahonnack, Virginia he was born Christopher “Chris” Maurice Brown on May 5, 1989 he has broken records written 118 songs have been featured on the top 100 Billboard charts just won a Grammy this past February 2025 finally getting the much credit he deserves 11 albums yes 11 albums with number 12 on the way sometime this year. Chris is a recording artist, dancer, graffiti artist, painter, singer, songwriter, actor, and continues to show more range as an entertainer and busincarressman. I was impressed to find out what he has been diving into other than his music career. He has continued to show that he was destined to be a musician and artist. Chris probably has close to 200 collaborations whether in studio, on radio, mixtapes, features, or on his own personal albums. Chris just did an incredible tour for the 11.11 tour and now will celebrate his 20th anniversary with Breezy Bowl this summer. Chris just putting this out there to the universe when you decide to name the 12th album I have a genius name “Ladies Welcome to Hotel CB12” then you have room 1-song 1, room 2 etc. This will take him to a whole different mature level there’s a lot he can do with that concept. The number 12 is symbolic just as 11 symbolizing completion, divinity, the number 12 symbolizing creativity, self-expression, tolerance, communication, and self-determination. There is no one who has worked so hard and been relentless with a 45 song album, remember “Heartbreak on a Full Moon”. He continues to defy the odds mixing dancehall, dance music, Afrobeats in his music especially with 11.11. We are all in for a treat with number 12. So had to make sure he was added to the list. Congratulations on 20 years in the music industry from that 15 year old kid in “Run It” to a full-fledge artist you have reached incredible heights. I am noticing with all of these artists I chose they are all having full-circle moments. It feels that way now that they have spent two decades in the business.
11. Last but certainly not least is the phoenix who rose from the ashes, the real life superman who has surprised us all with a great comeback 2024’s Netflix comedy special, Mr. Jamie Foxx. Congratulations Jamie on absolutely everything successful Oscar winning films, his standup comedy, movies, tv shows, books, even the way he has raised his beautiful and talented daughters , Corrine and Annaliese. After a medical crises that came up 2 years ago Jamie is back better, funny, introspective, and not slowing down. He is exposing it all. Jamie Congratulations on everything. From Living Color to films and multiplatinum albums. I hope we receive a new album in the future Jamie has collaborated with Kanye West, The Dream, Ne-Yo, Fabolous, and many other stars.
12. BONUS- Monica celebrating 30 years since her debut album, Miss Thang came out summer 1995 on July 18, 1995. Monica has had 8 studio albums has been featured on VH1’s “Celebrity True Crime” since 2023, “Celebrity Squares”, “Khloe & Lamar”, “The Real”, and others. Monica has gone on receive multiple Billboard Music Awards, MTV Nominations and Awards and BET Awards. Her voice continues to be like butter, silky, soulful, and sultry still to this day. So to this amazing child star who continues to evolve with music and entertainment congratulations Monica on 30 years in the game since “Miss Thang”. She’s on tour with Lil Kim, Monica, Mya, and Keri Hilson performing this weekend I am sure we can expect more dates to come on ticketmaster.com.
