This Day in Hip-Hop and R&B History: February 20

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 1990: Above the Law released their debut studio album, Livin' Like Hustlers. The album had two hit singles, “Untouchable” and “Murder Rap,” which both reached number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs.
• 1990: Doug Lazy released his first and only album, Doug Lazy Gettin' Crazy. It spawned the smash singles “Let It Roll,” “H.O.U.S.E.,” and “Let The Rhythm Pump,” all of which topped the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Chart. The album itself reached No. 65 on the UK Albums chart.
• 1991: At the 33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards, M.C. Hammer won Best Rap Solo Performance, Luther Vandross took home Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male, and Anita Baker won Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female. 
• 1993: Whitney Houston released “I Have Nothing,” her third single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack album. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
• 1996: Jay-Z released “Dead Presidents” as a promotional single for his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. The single charted at number four on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs.
• 1996: Houston-hailing rapper Ganksta N-I-P dropped his third album, Psychotic Genius, through Noo Trybe and Rap-A-Lot Records. With a single feature from Point Blank on “Small Town Killas,” the project peaked at No. 32 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at No. 19 on the US Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. 
• 1996: Lord Finesse released his third and final album, The Awakening, which featured guests such as MC Lyte, Kid Capri, KRS-One, and Large Professor. It peaked at No. 36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
• 2016: Drake's “Summer Sixteen” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number six on the Billboard Hot 100.

Cultural Milestones

• 1937: R&B/jazz songbird Nancy Wilson was born in Chillicothe, Ohio. She is best known for her hit single “How Glad I Am,” which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, her highest-charting position. The song also won the award for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording at the 7th Annual GRAMMY Awards. 
• 1988: Robyn Rihanna Fenty, known by her stage name, Rihanna, was born. She became an award-winning artist after signing with Def Jam Recordings in 2005.

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 1991: M.C. Hammer delivered a flawless performance of his hit single, “U Can't Touch This,” at the 33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards, leaving the crowd buzzing.
• 1991: En Vogue and Take 6 delivered a soothing rendition of the song “Who's Lovin' You” at the 33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards as part of the ceremony's opening acts.

Industry Changes and Challenges

• 1991: Despite being nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, Public Enemy boycotted the 33rd GRAMMY Awards ceremony, accusing the organizers of bias.
• 1996: Snoop Dogg, formerly known as Snoop Doggy Dogg, and his bodyguard were acquitted of murder after the jury deadlocked, resulting in a mistrial. The case was officially closed in 2024.
• 2002: A jury in Los Angeles awarded a woman $40,000 for wrongful dismissal from her job at a company owned by James Brown.
• 2014: 50 Cent left Interscope Records, citing creative freedom as the reason behind the move. The rapper signed with Caroline Records, an independent label at Capitol Music Group.
• 2022: Celebrated British DJ and music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards died of cardiac arrhythmia at the age of 31. He was the founder of the pioneering online R&B/Hip-Hop platform SB.TV, and was instrumental in launching the careers of UK artists such as Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, and Dave. 
• 2025: Jerry Butler died of Parkinson's disease at the age of 85. While best known for his work with the R&B/soul vocal group the Impressions, he also had a successful solo career, with some of his biggest hits including “He Will Break Your Heart,” “Only the Strong Survive,” and “Make It Easy on Yourself.” In 2015, he was inducted into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.