This Day in Hip Hop & R&B History: June 5
June 5 is a significant date for hip-hop and R&B for many reasons. This day has seen numerous genre-defining developments that evoke a sense of nostalgia in the hearts of…
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 23: Brian McKnight performs onstage during Celebrity Fight Night XXV on March 23, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night)
June 5 is a significant date for hip-hop and R&B for many reasons. This day has seen numerous genre-defining developments that evoke a sense of nostalgia in the hearts of many fans, including the release of classic albums and the sad loss of a future star.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
The industry has welcomed the release of several charting albums and singles on this day:
- 2001: American rapper Turk released his debut album, Young & Thuggin', on Cash Money Records. The album, produced by Mannie Fresh, peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
- 2007: American rapper Lil Wyte released his third album, The One and Only, through Hypnotize Minds/Asylum Records. It peaked at No. 46 on the Billboard 200 and No. 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2007: American R&B singer T-Pain released his second album, Epiphany, through his Nappy Boy Entertainment record label. The album, featuring such smash hits as "Buy U a Drank" and "Bartender," debuted atop the Billboard 200, also reaching No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts.
Notable Recordings and Performances
June 5 has seen the release of significant milestone recordings in the history of hip-hop and R&B music:
- 2012: American rapper Curren$y released his sixth album, The Stoned Immaculate, via Warner Bros. Records. This was his first major release on the label; it debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts.
- 2014: American hip-hop group Rich Gang released their single "Lifestyle," featuring guest appearances by rappers Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan. It reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Industry Changes and Challenges
This day has also witnessed several notable transformations and tragic moments in the lives of several hip-hop and R&B stars:
- 1969: Celebrated American R&B singer Brian McKnight was born in New York. He is best known for his 1999 hit single "Back at One" from his fifth studio album of the same title. It was his highest-charting single and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The track also entered the top ten in New Zealand and Canada.
- 1993: Music icon Mariah Carey, then 23, and Sony music executive Tommy Mottola, aged 43, tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Manhattan. The pair divorced in 1998.
- 2022: American rapper Trouble was fatally shot at the age of 34 during a home intrusion. He released two albums: his 2018 debut, Edgewood, was his only charting project on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 130.
June 5 stands out in hip-hop and R&B history for many pivotal moments. Several iconic albums and singles were released on this date, changing the landscape of popular music forever. This day also witnessed the marriage of one of the greatest singers in contemporary music and the death of a beloved rapper just when success beckoned.
