This Day in Hip-Hop and R&B History: April 1
April 1 has been the backdrop to some memorable moments in R&B and Hip-Hop history. One of the industry’s hottest artists, American rapper and singer Kid Ink, commemorates his birthdate…
April 1 has been the backdrop to some memorable moments in R&B and Hip-Hop history. One of the industry's hottest artists, American rapper and singer Kid Ink, commemorates his birthdate on this day. The Los Angeles-born Hip-Hop artist, born in 1986, is best known for hits "Show Me" with Chris Brown, which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "Body Language" featuring Usher and Tinashe, which peaked at No. 72 on the same chart.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
This day marks the release of some of hip-hop and R&B's biggest-selling albums and singles:
- 2014: East Coast rap duo Mobb Deep released their eighth studio album, The Infamous Mobb Deep. Featuring guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Juicy J, Bun B, and French Montana, it debuted at No. 49 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2017: American rapper Young Dolph dropped his second studio album, Bulletproof, featuring production by acclaimed Hip-Hop producers Metro Boomin, Zaytoven, and Rasool Diaz. It peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard 200 and No. 19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2020: Black Entertainment Television Award-winning rapper DaBaby released the single "Find My Way" from his second studio album, Blame It On Baby. The song reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted in several countries, including the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Cultural Milestones
This date is the anniversary of some culture-defining moments in hip-hop and R&B history:
- 1989: Pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A (Niggaz Wit Attitudez) scored their first charting single when the song "Gangsta Gangsta" debuted at No. 91 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
- 1995: West Coast rap legend Tupac Shakur's third studio album Me Against the World debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 while the rapper was serving time in prison for sexual abuse. It remained at the top of the chart for four consecutive weeks and is regarded as one of the rapper's best albums.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The hip-hop and R&B industry has witnessed controversies and challenges on this day:
- 1984: Motown Legend Marvin Gaye was fatally shot by his father just a day before his 45th birthday following an altercation. His most successful song, "Sexual Healing," from his 17th and final studio album Midnight Love won the singer two awards at the 25th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Instrumental Performance and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
- 2021: American R&B singer Quindon Tarver died in a car accident in Dallas, Texas, aged 38. The talented singer was best known for his covers of "When Doves Cry," originally written and performed by Prince, and "Everybody's Free" by Rozalla.
April 1 is a day that will forever be etched in the memories of Hip-Hop and R&B fans. This date has seen influential releases in these genres and career milestones for top artists that have altered the course of popular music history.
