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January 24: A Significant Day in Hip Hop & R&B History

Jan. 24 is an important day in urban music history. This day has seen breakthrough moments in rap and the inclusion of the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. Many…

Musician Michael Jackson performs at the taping of "American Bandstands 50th...A Celebration" television special honoring the music show wearing a red leather jacket, Prince Jackson Shares Note To Michael Jackson 15 Years After Death.

Musician Michael Jackson performs at the taping of “American Bandstands 50th…A Celebration” television special honoring the music show April 20, 2002 in Pasadena, CA.

Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Jan. 24 is an important day in urban music history. This day has seen breakthrough moments in rap and the inclusion of the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. Many urban music artists were born on Jan. 24, making the day even more significant for the urban music industry as a whole. This day has also seen important recordings and performances that have undoubtedly left their mark and influence. To keep you connected to your favorite music genre, here's some interesting trivia about this day in urban music history.

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

Impress your friends and coworkers with these facts about breakthrough hits and milestones in urban music that happened on this day in history:

  • 1966: Aretha Franklin released the song "Tighten Up Your Tie, Button Up Your Jacket (Make It For The Door).” This song would appear on her ninth studio album Take It Like You Give It, which came out in 1967.
  • 1972: Michael Jackson released his solo album Got to Be There as a cassette, LP, and 8-track. The album was later remastered, rereleased, and certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. 

Cultural Milestones

Here are some important cultural milestones from Jan. 24 you should know about urban music and those who influence it:

  • 1939: Ray Stevens was born. The man was a singer-songwriter and comedian known for his genre-blending style and R&B-influenced hits.
  • 2007: Disco D, who was born David Shayman, was found dead at 26 after hanging himself in his mother and step-father's basement. He was known for producing hip-hop records and was considered a rising star in the industry.

Notable Recordings and Performances

These notable urban music recordings and performances took place on Jan. 24 and left their mark on the industry:

  • 1972: In an effort to distance herself from her "Mama Cass" persona in The Mamas & The Papas, Cass Elliot released her fourth studio album with RCA, a label that gave the artist more freedom to pursue her own sound.
  • 1976: Diana Ross's theme song from the film Mahogany, which she starred in, hits No.1 in America. The song is titled "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)."

An ongoing shift in urban music continues to shape this ever-changing genre. These important details from past Jan. 24s have left a lasting impact on the urban music industry, and we can expect to see much more to come, as this genre will continue to alter the music landscape with its growth and contributions.

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.