This Day in Hip Hop & R&B History: October 16
Oct. 16 is a date that has seen album releases, awards ceremonies, and other significant moments that have impacted the hip-hop and R&B genres. Sugar Pie DeSanto was born on…
Oct. 16 is a date that has seen album releases, awards ceremonies, and other significant moments that have impacted the hip-hop and R&B genres. Sugar Pie DeSanto was born on this day in 1935 in New York. She began her music career as a teenager in San Francisco, where she entertained crowds in clubs. One of her most popular singles, "I Want to Know," peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Hot R&B chart.
Also on this day, Drake released "Make Me Proud," which featured Nicki Minaj. The track reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Some major albums have been released on Oct. 16:
- 1990: Run-D.M.C. launched their Back From Hell album. Some tracks, such as "What's It All About" and "Kick the Frama Lama Lama," were praised for their notable instrumentals. However, the album wasn't as well-received as Run-D.M.C.'s previous releases — some critics thought it lacked authenticity.
- 2015: Joe Budden released All Love Lost, his seventh studio album. Fans and critics lauded its introspective content and its diverse themes, which included love, fatherhood, and mental health. This album peaked at No. 6 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and debuted at No. 29 on the Billboard 200.
- 2020: Black Thought dropped Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane & Able. Its initial release date was July 31, 2020, but the artist postponed launching the project due to the death of his creative partner and friend, Malik B. While some fans were blown away by this album's lyrical content and innovative production, others praised its relevance since it covered themes such as environmental issues and police brutality.
Cultural Milestones
Oct. 16 is remembered for hosting the following cultural events:
- 2004: The Beastie Boys performed at the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans, Louisiana. This festival is held annually at City Park to acknowledge the city's rich cultural heritage and provide a platform for local and international artists.
- 2018: The BET Hip Hop Awards, which typically celebrate achievements by African American artists, were held at the Fillmore Miami Beach in Florida. Cardi B took home four awards, while many others, including Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and DJ Khaled, also won prizes. Lil Wayne bagged the coveted I Am Hip Hop Award for his contributions and impact on the hip-hop genre.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The hip-hop and R&B community has witnessed some tragic deaths and the arrests of various artists on Oct. 16:
- 2010: Micheal "Eyedea" Larsen's mother found him dead in his apartment in St. Paul, Minnesota. According to the Ramsey County medical examiner, he died from an accidental overdose. During his lifetime, he released multiple albums and EPs, such as Duluth Is the Truth and First Born.
- 2023: It was reported that Tekashi 6ix9ine had been arrested in Samaná in the Dominican Republic after allegedly assaulting two music producers, Nelson Alfonso Hilario García and Cristian Anthony Rojas. He was taken into custody while in the same country again in January 2024 on charges of domestic violence.
After witnessing birthdays, album and song releases, award events, deaths, and other notable moments, Oct. 16 has certainly left an imprint on the hip-hop and R&B industry.
