This Day in Hip Hop & R&B History: December 6
Dec. 6 was a notable turning point in hip-hop and R&B history. KRS-One released the song “Sound of da Police” on this date in 1993, and Eminem dropped his first…
Dec. 6 was a notable turning point in hip-hop and R&B history. KRS-One released the song "Sound of da Police" on this date in 1993, and Eminem dropped his first greatest hits compilation in 2005. Take a trip down memory lane and discover other significant events linked to Dec. 6 in hip-hop and R&B history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Dec. 6 has seen a plethora of album releases throughout the years:
- 1994: Black Sheep released their sophomore studio album, Non-Fiction. It entered the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at No. 24 with singles such as "Without a Doubt" soaring up the charts.
- 2005: T-Pain released his debut album Rappa Ternt Sanga. It was the first record to feature an auto-tune effect and peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
- 2005: A year after dropping the Tha Carter album, Lil Wayne released the sequel album, Tha Carter II, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
- 2005: Eminem released his first greatest hits album, Curtain Call: The Hits. The chart-topping record featured a compilation of the rapper's most popular singles.
- 2011: After the dissolution of Jive Records, T-Pain released his fourth album, REVOLVEЯ. It featured cameos by Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, and Chris Brow and charted at No. 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
- 2011: Robin Thicke released his fifth studio album, Love After War. It scored No. 6 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2011: The Roots dropped their 12th album, Undun. Incorporating neo-soul and indie influences, the album entered at No. 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2013: After an eight-year hiatus, Master P dropped his 13th studio album, The Gift.
Cultural Milestones
On Dec. 6, the hottest names in the game received major accolades for their contributions to the industry:
- 1995: TLC took home the Artist of the Year trophy at the Billboard Music Awards gala held in New York.
- 2005: 50 Cent nabbed six awards, including Artist of the Year, during the Billboard Music Awards ceremony in Las Vegas.
Notable Recordings and Performances
New and seasoned artists delivered staggering performances on Dec. 6:
- 1995: Stevie Wonder joined Coolio and L.V. live on stage to perform the award-winning single "Gangsta's Paradise" at the Billboard Music Awards ceremony in New York City.
- 2015: While paying tribute to Carole King at the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, Aretha Franklin brought the house down with her rendition of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."
Industry Changes and Challenges
Dec. 6, had its share of controversies and challenges:
- 1995: Michael Jackson collapsed on stage while rehearsing for a TV special at the Beacon Theater.
- 2021: After the National Academy nominated Drake for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance, the musician turned down the GRAMMY nominations, criticizing the institution for being out of touch.
On Dec. 6, Eminem released a chart-topping album, and Lil Wayne dropped another sequel to the Tha Carter album series. An aging Aretha Franklin showed the world she still had the groove with her stirring tribute performance, while 50 Cent got six awards at the Billboard Music Awards ceremony.
