This Day in Hip Hop and R&B History: February 17
Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Singer Alicia Keys performs onstage at "The Pusher's Ball" to benefit the "Keep A Child Alive" charity at The Angel Orensanz Foundation Center for the Arts December 1, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Feb. 17 is a significant date in the evolution of Hip-Hop and R&B. On this date we saw Future go on an album-releasing spree, dropping his fifth studio album and his sixth a week later. Destiny’s Child released their debut album and in 2004, Alicia Keys and Mario Winans landed hit singles.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
This date marked the beginning of illustrious music careers with groundbreaking hits and chart-topping releases:
- 1969: The Temptations released their ninth album, Cloud Nine, which would peak at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 chart and earn the group its maiden Grammy Award.
- 1988: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince dropped their hit single “Parents Just Don’t Understand” from the album He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper. The song made history in 1989 by winning the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance.
- 2004: Alicia Keys released the song “If I Ain’t Got You,” which would peak at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance a year later.
- 2004: Mario Winans teamed up with P. Diddy and Enya to release “I Don’t Wanna Know,” a standout track from his album Hurt No More. The single peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks charts.
- 2004: Singer and songwriter Eamon released his debut studio album I Don’t Want You Back. The album peaked at No.7 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
- 2011: Iconic rapper Wiz Khalifa released his ninth mixtape, “Cabin Fever.” It featured Chevy Woods, Juicy J, and Big Sean and would become certified Diamond on Datpiff with over 1.5 million downloads.
- 2017: Future released his fifth studio album, Future, which would later peak at No. 1 on the weekly Billboard 200 and US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
Cultural Milestones
Feb. 17 saw top artists achieve cultural milestones with their works and contributions to the industry:
- 1990: “Ladies First” by Queen Latifah featuring Monie Love debuted on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It would become among the first women-empowerment hip-hop anthems.
- 2017: The first phase of “Starboy: Legend of the Fall World Tour” by the Weeknd began in Europe.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Feb.17 hosted electrifying performances with renowned artists taking the stage:
- 2018: R&B Hall of Fame founder Lamont Robison gave a tribute concert honoring the late Dennis Edwards for his musical work.
- 2024: R&B duo Ruff Endz performed their breakthrough hits “No More” and “Someone To Love” at the Black History Parade & Festival in Pasadena, California.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The industry experienced various challenges, with some artists getting embroiled in controversy and others passing away:
- 2014: American blues singer Henry Gray died aged 95.
- 2015: Afroman, the rapper behind the hit single “Because I Got High,” was arrested for assaulting a female fan at a show in Mississippi.
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