September 25: A Look Back at Hip Hop & R&B History on V 101.9 WBAV
On September 25th, several significant events occurred in the world of hip-hop and R&B that have left an indelible mark on the culture. One of the notable figures born on this day is the rapper and songwriter T.I., who pioneered the trap subgenre of rap. His second album, “Trap Muzik,” released in August 2003, was a commercial success, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. Following this, his subsequent albums, including “Urban Legend,” “King,” and “T.I. vs T.I.P,” all secured the top spot on the chart. Another artist born on this date is Childish Gambino, who although primarily known as an actor, has released five studio albums, with his third one, “Awaken My Love,” peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Historically, September 25th has also seen the release of influential albums that have left a lasting impact on the music scene. In 2001, Guru released his fourth album, “Baldhead Slick & da Click,” which was well-received, peaking at No. 122 on the Billboard 200. Another significant release was in 2007 when Gorilla Zoe’s debut album, “Welcome to the Zoo,” made its mark, debuting at No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and ranking No. 3 on the Top Rap Albums chart. Fast forward to 2012, Lupe Fiasco dropped his fourth album, “Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1,” which achieved considerable success, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and receiving a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album.
In recent years, September 25th has continued to be a momentous day in music history. In 2015, Fetty Wap released his self-titled debut album, which topped both the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, featuring the hit single “Trap Queen.” 2020 also saw Machine Gun Kelly’s fifth album, “Tickets to My Downfall,” hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with Kerrang! magazine recognizing it as one of the best albums of the year.
Culturally significant moments also took place on September 25th, such as in 1964 when The Temptations recorded the iconic song “My Girl,” their first U.S. number-one single. The National Recording Registry acknowledged the song’s impact by including it in 2017 for its cultural and historical significance. Additionally, in 1993, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince’s “Boom! Shake the Room” climbed to the top of the U.K. Singles chart, showcasing the global influence of R&B and hip-hop music.
Overall, September 25th stands as a day filled with landmarks in the history of hip-hop and R&B, from the birth of influential artists to the release of albums that have shaped the music industry. The unique contributions made on this day continue to resonate within the culture and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.