This Day in Hip Hop & R&B History: February 11
Feb. 11 is a memorable day in history for many hip-hop and R&B fans and artists. On this day we saw a variety of GRAMMY winners, including Justin Timberlake’s “My Love” featuring T.I. and Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You.”
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Feb. 11 has featured chart-topping releases and GRAMMY milestones achieved:
- 1989: Eazy-E’s “We Want Eazy” became his first hit single to enter the U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
- 1997: Erykah Badu released her debut studio album “Baduizm,” debuting at the top spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
- 1997: Funkmaster Flex launched “The Mix Tape Volume II: 60 Minutes of Funk,” peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2003: DJ Envy debuted “The Desert Storm Mixtape: Blok Party, Vol. 1,” which later ranked in the top 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2007: Justin Timberlake’s “My Love,” featuring T.I., won the award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
- 2007: Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You” won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards. John Legend’s “Heaven” would also take home an award for the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
- 2011: Justin Bieber released “Never Say Never,” a concert film featuring his 2010 tour. It earned $73 million, becoming the highest-grossing concert film.
Cultural Milestones
This date also marks some famous birthdays and cultural milestones of R&B and hip-hop artists:
- 1974: R&B singer and songwriter D’Angelo was born in Richmond, Virginia. He would help shape and popularize the neo-soul movement through his soulful vocals that blended R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and funk.
- 1979: Brandy was born in McComb, Mississippi. She later became a celebrated R&B singer and songwriter. Her duet with Monica, “The Boy Is Mine,” won a GRAMMY for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
- 1981: Kelly Rowland was born. She was the first member of Destiny’s Child to land a hit as a solo artist with the song “Dilemma.”
- 2011: Ne-Yo appeared on “CSI: NY, ” displaying his acting prowess as a smooth hitman.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Feb. 11 a number of R&B and hip-hop artists grace the stage:
- 2024: Usher, Alicia Keys, Ludacris, Lil Jon, and H.E.R. delivered a show-stopping performance at the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show.
- 2024: The iconic Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre delivered an exhilarating performance at a Super Bowl afterparty to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Gin & Juice.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
The industry has seen iconic R&B artists passing away on this date:
- 2009: Estelle Bennett of the girl group “The Ronettes” died of colon cancer at age 67.
- 2012: Whitney Houston died from an accidental bathtub drowning at a Beverly Hills hotel. She was only 48 years old.
Hip-hop and R&B continue to entertain, inform, and educate diverse audiences, highlighting their cultural influence and contribution to society. Feb. 11 has seen Ne-Yo appear on CSI: NY and an unforgettable Super Bowl LVIII halftime show.
