This Day in Hip-Hop and R&B History: April 21

Big Sean and Ariana Grande perform on stage

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

April 21 is a monumental date in Hip-Hop and R&B for numerous reasons. This day has been heralded by many remarkable events and cultural moments that have had far-reaching impacts on these genres. One industry icon who commemorates their birthday on this day is the Los Angeles rapper DUBB, who was born in 1987. Among the most prolific artists of his generation, he has released over a dozen mixtapes and collaborated with many industry titans, including Nipsey Hussle, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, The Game, Eric Bellinger, and Cali Swag District.

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

This day marks the release anniversary of many chart-topping hip-hop and R&B albums and singles:

1992: Acclaimed American hip-hop group the Beastie Boys dropped their third album, Check Your Head, through Grand Royal and Capitol Records. The album peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and No. 37 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
1992: Kid Frost released his second album, East Side Story, which featured collaborations with A.L.T., Boo-Yah T.R.I.B.E., and MC Eiht. It spawned the minor hit, “No Sunshine,” which peaked at No. 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at No. 20 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. The album itself reached No. 73 on the Billboard 200 and No. 54 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
1998: West Coast hip-hop duo Allfrumtha I released their debut album, AllFrumTha I, featuring guest appearances by Ice Cube, Boo Kapone, Mack 10, Road Dawgs, and Soultre, among others. The album peaked at No. 168 on the Billboard 200 and No. 32 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
1998: R&B/pop superstar Mariah Carey released the single “My All” from her sixth album, Butterfly. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her thirteenth number one on the chart. It also performed well in the UK, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.
1998: Mya dropped her eponymously titled debut album through University Music Entertainment and Interscope Records. With features from Silkk the Shocker, Missy Elliott, and Sisqo, it peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
1998: Sacramento rapper Marvaless released his third album, Fearless, which featured guest performances from Doonie Baby, Steady Mobb'n, Lil Ric, and Lil' Bruce. The album debuted at No. 24 on the Heatseekers Albums chart and at No. 43 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
2017: Australian rapper Allday released his second album, Speeding, which featured the singles “In Motion” and “Raceway.” The project peaked at No. 6 on the ARIA chart.
2015: American rapper Yelawolf released his third album, Love Story, which he produced alongside Eminem, WLPWR, and Malay. The record debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Rap Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
2023: South Korean rapper Agust D from BTS dropped his debut album, D-Day, which spawned the singles “People Pt. 2” and “Haegeum.” It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and topped the US Billboard Top Rap Albums. Rolling Stone ranked it No. 60 on its “The 100 Best Albums of 2023” list.
2023: Post Malone released his debut compilation album, The Diamond Collection, which featured guest appearances from 21 Savage, Swae Lee, Ty Dolla Sign, and Quavo. The album charted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and went to No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
2023: YoungBoy Never Broke Again launched his sixth album, Don't Try This at Home. The project entered the Billboard 200 at No. 5, amassing 60,000 album equivalents in its first week. It also went straight to No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming his eighth number-one on the chart.

Cultural Milestones

This day has seen various hip-hop and R&B artists attain important cultural and career milestones:

1999: South Korean rapper Choi Hyun-suk was born. His debut single album, The First Step: Chapter One, released in August 2020, debuted at No. 1 on the Gaon Albums chart and has sold over 250,000 copies.
2009: American rapper Rick Ross released his critically acclaimed third album, Deeper Than Rap. It featured guest appearances from Nas, Foxy Brown, Avery Storm, John Legend, and Ne-Yo, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and reached No. 3 on the Top Rap Albums chart.
2014: Big Sean made history by becoming the first rapper to perform at the White House. During the Easter weekend celebration, he joined Ariana Grande to sing their collaboration, "Right There."

Industry Changes and Challenges

April 21 has seen many controversial events and challenging moments in the hip-hop and R&B scene:

2004: Music icon Michael Jackson was indicted on child molestation charges and scheduled to take a plea the following week. The prosecution also considered charging the music legend with conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
2004: R&B singer Jennifer Hudson was voted off season three of American Idol, finishing her run in seventh place. The soon-to-be music icon famously performed a rendition of Barry Manilow's "Weekend in New England" during the show.
2008: R&B/soul singer Al Wilson died of kidney failure at the age of 68. He is perhaps best remembered for his recording of “Show and Tell,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. His other noteworthy records include the 1968 single “The Snake,” which reached No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the 1974 minor hit “Touch and Go,” which peaked at No. 57.
2016: Music legend Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose at the age of 57. The Minnesota doctor who prescribed an illegal opioid to the star would pay a $30,000 settlement after being charged for writing an illegal prescription.

April 21 will forever be a memorable date for Hip-Hop and R&B. This day has not only hosted some of Hip-Hop and R&B's most groundbreaking music releases but also seen top artists reach important milestones in their careers.

Big Sean Prince Rick Ross This Day In History

Bianca BarrattWriter