This Day in Hip Hop & R&B History: September 17
Many moments from Sept. 17 have changed the hip-hop and R&B industry. This date has seen the release of multiple hits, including “Stuck In A Dream” by Lil Mosey and…
Many moments from Sept. 17 have changed the hip-hop and R&B industry. This date has seen the release of multiple hits, including "Stuck In A Dream" by Lil Mosey and Gunna in 2019. The song entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 62.
"My N***a" by YG, Jeezy, and Rich Homie Quan was also dropped on this date in 2013. This track from YG's debut album My Krazy Life reached No. 19 on the Hot 100. On the same day, Jhené Aiko released "Bed Peace," featuring American actor and comedian Childish Gambino. Despite being well-received by fans, the song didn't enter the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
On Sept. 17, a few notable albums were released:
- 1991: Mariah Carey released Emotions, her second studio album, which debuted at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Unsurprisingly, this album sold over 7 million copies worldwide.
- 1991: MC Lyte dropped her third studio album, Act Like You Know, which stood out because of the rapper's shift from hardcore hip-hop to softer, R&B-influenced hits. Some tracks, such as "Poor Georgie" and “Eyes Are the Soul," blew listeners away thanks to their impressive storytelling.
- 1991: WC and the Maad Circle dropped their debut album, Ain't a Damn Thang Changed, which explored relevant themes such as personal struggles and police brutality. This American hip-hop group disbanded in 1996 after releasing the album Curb Servin' the previous year.
Cultural Milestones
The industry saw these cultural milestones on Sept. 17:
- 1966: Barbadian-American rapper Doug E. Fresh was born. He is known for his exemplary beatboxing skills, which have earned him the moniker "The Human Beat Box."
- 1968: Lord Jamar was born in New York City. He's a member of the American hip-hop group Brand Nubian, together with rappers Grand Pupa and Sadat X.
Industry Changes and Challenges
These events from Sept. 17 have transformed the hip-hop and R&B industry:
- 2016: Coolio, a former member of WC and the Maad Circle, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of gun possession. Initially, another man claimed the weapon, but the authorities later discovered it belonged to the rapper, who died at 59 in 2022.
- 2023: Tenaya Taylor announced on Instagram that she and her then-husband, NBA champion Iman Shumpert, had decided to go their separate ways after a decade together. The two finalized their divorce in 2024 but continue co-parenting their two daughters.
After so much happened on Sept. 17, this day is unforgettable for most members of the hip-hop and R&B community.
