Songs by Wu-tang, Alicia Keys added to Recording Registry

NASHVILLE, TENN. » Critically acclaimed debut albums by Wu-tang Clan and Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin’s Latin pop megahit “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” are among the recordings being inducted this year into the National Recording Registry.

The Library of Congress announced on Wednesday the 25 songs, albums, historical recordings and even a podcast that will be preserved as important contributions to American culture and history.

Keys’ “Songs In A Minor,” released in 2001, introduced the young New York musician to the world with her unique fusion of jazz, R&B and hip-hop and earned her five Grammy awards. With songs like “Fallin,’ ” the album has been certified as seven-times multiplatinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The Staten Island collective Wu-tang Clan, including RZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, GZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man and more, released their highly influential debut “Enter the Wu-tang (36 Chambers)” in 1993, which combined East Coast hardcore rap centered around kung fu film storylines and samples.

Other albums that were included were Linda Ronstadt’s “Canciones de Mi Padre,” a musical tribute to her Mexican-american roots, Bonnie Raitt’s Grammy-winning “Nick of Time,” A Tribe Called Quest’s “The Low End Theory” and the Cuban musical ensemble’s self-titled debut “Buena Vista Social Club,” which also inspired a film by the same name.

Photos and text from The Associated Press Alicia Keys performs at the Billboard Music Awards in Los Angeles on May 20, 2021.