One of the most influential albums of the 1990s, [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Red Hot Chili Peppers[/lastfm]‘ Blood Sugar Sex Magik proved to be the band’s creative and commercial breakthrough.

Recorded in an L.A. mansion in 1990, shortly after the death of founding member Hillel Slovak, Blood Sugar Sex Magik is an expansive collection of 17 cuts that run the gamut of emotions both musically and thematically.

“I Could’ve Lied” and “Breaking the Girl” are sensitive acoustic guitar driven cuts, highlighted by Anthony Kiedis’ potent lyrics about relationships come and gone. The Top 40 hit “Under the Bridge” is an equally heartfelt song of Kiedis’ experience with drug addiction.

Balancing the band’s thoughtful balladry are plenty of harder cuts, the highlights being the funky “Give It Away” and rap-propelled “The Power of Equality” (both driven by Flea’s thumping bass).

Considered as strong an influence on [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Dr. Dre[/lastfm] as on [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Limp Bizkit[/lastfm], RHCP’s fifth album peaked at #3 on the album chart, saw “Under the Bridge” hit #2 on the pop chart, won a Grammy for “Give It Away” and, since it was released in September 1991, has sold over 7 million copies.

[metrolyrics artist="Red Hot Chili Peppers" song="The Power of equality"]

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