Stripped

Released in 2002, Stripped represents Christina Aguilera's definitive break from the 'teen queen' mold. Following the massive success of her debut and the 'Lady Marmalade' collaboration, Aguilera took the reins as executive producer, enlisting Scott Storch for urban-leaning tracks and Linda Perry for more organic, soul-searching ballads. The album was famously controversial upon release, largely due to the 'Dirrty' music video and Aguilera's 'Xtina' persona, which drew heavy criticism from conservative media. Sonically, the record is a sprawling 20-track odyssey that incorporates elements of flamenco, gospel, rock, and hip-hop. While some critics at the time, including those at AllMusic and BBC Music, found the album overlong and the vocal performances occasionally excessive, it has since been re-evaluated as a landmark of feminist pop and a foundational text for the 21st-century 'empowerment' genre. It earned four Grammy nominations, winning Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for 'Beautiful,' a track that became a global anthem for the LGBTQ+ community and self-acceptance.