10 Albums That Are Turning 10 in 2023

It has been 10 years since 2013, and many impactful albums are turning 10 years old. I was 10 years old in 2013 and a lot of these albums impacted my childhood and taste in music. The early 2010s were the moment for pop, EDM, and hip-hop. Many artists had their big break in 2013. I wanted to highlight a few albums that have or will be turning 10 this year.

1.) Nothing Was The Same – Drake

Aubrey Graham, also known as Drake, released his third studio album Nothing Was The Same on September 24, 2013. The Toronto native gives us perspective on his upbringing. He uses Majid Jordan, Jay-Z, Sampha, Ellie Goulding, Jimmy Smith, and others to strengthen his craft. The most familiar songs of the album are: “Started From The Bottom,” “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” “All Me,” “Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2,” and “From Time.” The rapper is at an all-time high career with his latest album Her Loss, and he is going on tour (It’s All A Blur) with his co-performer 21 Savage. They will be performing here in Houston at the Toyota Center, originally on June 21st and the 22nd, it has now been pushed back to September 17th and 18th.

2.) Yours Truly – Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande‘s debut album Yours Truly was released on August 30, 2013. She shows the world that her talent goes beyond acting. This album took off for her music career as she stepped out of the role Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon show Victorious. Some of the most recognizable songs of the album are “The Way,” “Baby I,” “Honeymoon Avenue,” and “Right There.” Six albums later, the singer has recently gotten married to Dalton Gomez. She has taken a break from singing to pursue the role of Glinda in the movie Wicked which will release in December of 2024.

3.) AM – Arctic Monkeys

English rock band Arctic Monkeys released their fifth studio album AM. The indie rock album came out on September 9, 2013. The two-year break after their fourth studio album Suck It and See only created more success for the band. AM was classic for rock in the 2010s. The most recognizable songs off of the album are: “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” “I Wanna Be Yours,” and “Do I Wanna Know?” In October 2022, they released their seventh album called The Car.

4.) Pure Heroine – Lorde

The 16-year-old, Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, also known as Lorde, had the world in her hands and one of the Billboard top ten songs “Royals” on the charts for 23 weeks straight. The song comes from her debut album, Pure Heroine, released on September 27, 2013. It had an impact on the alternative genre and arguably, “the Tumblr era.” The most recognizable songs off of the Auckland native’s album are: “Tennis Court,” “Ribs,” “Team,” and “White Teeth Teens.” 10 years later, the 26-year-old has had two other studio albums, Melodrama and Solar Power.

5.) Born Sinner – J. Cole

Jermaine Cole, also known as J. Cole, released his second studio album Born Sinner on June 18, 2013. The Fayetteville native put his name in the conversation of hip-hop artists of the 2010s. The known songs of Born Sinner are: “Crooked Smile,” “She Knows,” “Power Trip,” “Let Nas Down,” “Forbidden Fruit,” and “Born Sinner.” Five albums later, the Dreamville Fest founder is on the cover of the video game NBA 2K23, has pursued his professional basketball career in Rwanda and Canada, and is still one of the greats of hip-hop. He previously had his festival in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 1st and 2nd, 2023.

6.) True – Avicii

The Swedish DJ, Tim Berling, also known as Avicii, gained recognition with his debut album True. The album was released on September 13, 2013. He featured Aloe Blacc on “Wake Me Up,” Dan Tyminski on “Hey Brother,” and Nile Rogers on “Lay Me Down.” 2013 was a movement for house/EDM music with DJs like Avicii, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Zedd, and Swedish House Mafia. Unfortunately, Avicii passed away on April 20th, 2018. Avicii Arena, originally known as Stockholm Globe Arena, has been renamed after the DJ in 2021 to commemorate his life. Tim Berling’s music still lives on.

7.) PRISM – Katy Perry

The pop star released her fourth studio album PRISM on October 18, 2013. Perry’s thought process for this album was little bit darker and more serious than her previous albums. Songs that are heavily recognized from this album are “Roar,” “Dark Horse,” “Birthday,” “Unconditionally,” and “International Smile.” 10 years later, the “Queen of Camp” has a daughter with Orlando Bloom named Daisy. She has been a judge for American Idol and still makes iconic music that finds its way to the pop charts.

8.) Magna Carta Holy Grail – JAY-Z

Shawn Carter, also known as “JAY-Z,” released his 12th studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail on July 4, 2013. After his collaboration album, Watch The Throne, with Kanye West in 2011, he was nowhere near done spitting rhymes. Jay-Z brings in a lot of talent and samples with this album like Justin Timberlake, Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, and more. Jay-Z sneaks in some 90s classic lyrics from Nirvana‘s Smells Like Teen Spirit for his song “Holy Grail.” R.E.M‘s “Losing My Religion” lyrics are also featured in his song “Heaven.” 10 years later, Jay-Z released a collaboration album with his wife, Beyoncé, Everything Is Love and a solo studio album called 4:44. He also became the first billionaire rapper back in 2019.

9.) Paramore – Paramore

The alternative rock band released their self-titled album, Paramore on April 5, 2013. Songs that are the most known off the album would be “Still Into You,” “Now,” “Daydreaming,” and “Ain’t It Fun.” 10 years later, Hayley Williams’s vocals still run chills through spines with Paramore’s recent album This is Why, which was released on February 10, 2023. The band is currently on tour and will be here in Houston performing at the Toyota Center on July 11th, 2023 with Foals and The Linda Lindas.

10.) Bangerz – Miley Cyrus

The last album on the list is certainly not the least. Miley Cyrus released her fourth studio album Bangerz on September 30, 2013. Cyrus was seen as having “gone rogue” with this album and was heavily criticized for her desire to break out of her Hannah Montana role and heavy breakup with ex-husband Liam Hemsworth. This album shaped Cyrus and opened up different types of music genres, fans, and respect. Bangerz’s most notable songs are: “We Can’t Stop,” “Wrecking Ball,” and “Adore You.” 10 years later, the 30-year-old rock star is seen as Miley Cyrus herself, and not Billy Ray Cyrus‘s daughter or Hannah Montana. She has recently released her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation, on March 10, 2023.