Rap Legends and R&B Diva Added to National Recording Registry

A seminal album from the pioneers of alternative hip-hop, the definitive album from rap's Staten-Island-based supergroup and the work that introduced pop superstar Alicia Keys to the world, while earning her five Grammys, are among the 25 recordings to be inducted this year into the National Recording Registry.

Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, announced Wednesday that a Tribe Called Quest’s 1991 sophomore LP "The Low End Theory," the Wu-Tang Clan’s 1993 studio debut "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and Keys’ 2001 debut "Songs in A Minor" were chosen to be preserved for their historical importance.

“The National Recording Registry reflects the diverse music and voices that have shaped our nation’s history and culture through recorded sound,” Hayden said. “The national library is proud to help preserve these recordings, and we welcome the public’s input. We received about 1,000 public nominations this year for recordings to add to the registry.”

Under the terms of the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, the Librarian of Congress, with advice from the National Recording Preservation Board, selects 25 titles each year that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and are at least 10 years old.

 

There were several other notable albums joining those of the hip-hop and R&B legends on the list, including the Cuban musical ensemble's Buena Vista Social Club's self-titled debut, Bonnie Raitt’s Grammy-winning “Nick of Time," and Linda Ronstadt’s “Canciones de Mi Padre,” a musical tribute to her Mexican-American roots.

Other non-musical recordings on the list include the complete presidential speeches of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, an interview with comedian Robin Williams, WSB-Atlanta's coverage of Hank Aaron's 715th home run and radio accounts of the 9/11 attacks.

Find the entire list of this year's selections below:

National Recording Registry, 2022 Selections

(chronological order)

“Harlem Strut” — James P. Johnson (1921)

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Complete Presidential Speeches (1933-1945)

“Walking the Floor Over You” — Ernest Tubb (1941) (single)

“On a Note of Triumph” (May 8, 1945)

“Jesus Gave Me Water” — The Soul Stirrers (1950) (single)

“Ellington at Newport” — Duke Ellington (1956) (album)

“We Insist!  Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite” — Max Roach (1960) (album)

“The Christmas Song” — Nat King Cole (1961) (single)

“Tonight’s the Night” — The Shirelles (1961) (album)

 “Moon River” — Andy Williams (1962) (single)

 “In C” — Terry Riley (1968) (album)

 “It’s a Small World” — The Disneyland Boys Choir (1964) (single)

 “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” — The Four Tops (1966) (single)

 Hank Aaron’s 715th Career Home Run (April 8, 1974)

 “Bohemian Rhapsody” — Queen (1975) (single)

 “Don’t Stop Believin’” — Journey (1981) (single)

 “Canciones de Mi Padre” — Linda Ronstadt (1987) (album)

 “Nick of Time” — Bonnie Raitt (1989) (album)

 “The Low End Theory” — A Tribe Called Quest (1991) (album)

 “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” — Wu-Tang Clan (1993) (album)

 “Buena Vista Social Club” (1997) (album)

 “Livin’ La Vida Loca” — Ricky Martin (1999) (single)

 “Songs in A Minor” — Alicia Keys (2001) (album)

 WNYC broadcasts for the day of 9/11 (Sept. 11, 2001)

 “WTF with Marc Maron” (Guest: Robin Williams) (April 26, 2010)

The Digital Media Association, a member of the National Recording Preservation Board, has compiled a list of some streaming services with National Recording Registry playlists here: dima.org/national-recording-registry-2022-inductees/.