This Day in Hip-Hop and R&B History: March 27
March 27 is a remarkable date in music, having hosted some of Hip-Hop & R&B’s most important events. It marks the birthday of R&B and pop icon Mariah Carey, born in 1969. This influential musician is known for her astonishing five-octave vocal range and signature whistle register. She has sold over 220 million records during her career spanning over three decades, and Rolling Stone magazine ranked her as the fifth greatest singer of all time.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Some of Hip-Hop and R&B’s best-selling albums and singles were released on this date:
- 1984: Influential rap group Run-DMC released their groundbreaking debut self-titled album. Although it only peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard 200, many critics regard it as one of Hip-Hop’s most influential albums in history, and it has been ranked 378 on Rolling Stone’s updated 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.
- 2001: American rap legend Tupac’s seventh studio album and third posthumous release, Until the End of Time, was released. This highly anticipated album enjoyed massive commercial success, topping the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
- 2007: American R&B and pop singer Vanessa Hudgens released the single “Say OK” from her debut studio album. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 67 before peaking at No. 61 the following week.
Cultural Milestones
The Hip-Hop and R&B industry has ushered in important landmark events on March 27:
- 2001: American rapper Rasheeda released her debut studio album Dirty South, featuring the hit single “Do It.” The album reached No. 77 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2004: Music icon Prince started his Musicology Tour in Reno, Nevada, to promote his 28th studio album, Musicology. The tour was a huge commercial success, earning $87.4 million.
- 2014: Rapper MC Ren released the lead single “Rebel Music” from his canceled fifth studio album of the same name. Following the song’s positive reception, the rapper later released a remix featuring fellow rapper Ice Cube.
- 2022: The documentary film Summer of Soul, directed by Questlove of the Hip-Hop band, The Roots, won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 94th Academy Awards. The film featured never-before-seen footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, with a star-studded list of performers, including Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Mahalia Jackson.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The industry has also witnessed plenty of challenges on this date:
- 2015: Rapper Lil Durk’s manager OTF Chino, real name Uchenna Agina, was shot and killed in Chicago’s Avalon Park, aged just 24.
- 2011: Rapper, producer, and TV personality DJ Megatron died at the age of 32 after being shot while resisting robbers.
March 27 will forever be an important date in Hip-Hop and R&B, having hosted some of the most consequential moments in the development of these genres. As well as seeing the release of some of the most iconic albums of all time from genre-defining artists, it also marks many cultural moments that continue to inspire artists and fans.
