This Day in Hip Hop & R&B History: July 14
July 14 has set the scene for noteworthy events that have shaped the hip-hop and R&B genres. Tiny Harris, member of R&B group Xscape and rapper T.I.’s wife, and Taboo,…
July 14 has set the scene for noteworthy events that have shaped the hip-hop and R&B genres. Tiny Harris, member of R&B group Xscape and rapper T.I.'s wife, and Taboo, an American hip-hop star and member of Black Eyed Peas, commemorate their birthdays on this date. Let's explore more facts about this day in history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several artists have reached notable milestones in their careers on July 14.
- 1992: Too Short dropped his seventh studio album Shorty the Pimp. It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart in August and sold 82,000 copies in the first week. In September 1992, the Recording Industry Association of America awarded the collection a Gold certification.
- 1998: The Beastie Boys released their fifth studio album, Hello Nasty. It sat at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for two weeks and sold a mind-blowing 681,000 copies in the first week of its release. The album also bagged two GRAMMYs.
- 1998: R&B legend Monica released her second studio album, The Boy Is Mine, which debuted at No. 2 on the Top R&B Albums chart. Its lead single was “The Boy Is Mine,” the singer's duet with Brandy. The song topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks and became the best-selling hit in the U.S. in 1998.
- 1999: Destiny's Child released their second studio album, The Writing's on the Wall, in Japan. In the U.S., they dropped the collection on July 27. It reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard 200, but singles such as “Say My Name” and “Bills, Bills, Bills” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Notable Recordings and Performances
July 14 has seen several hip-hop stars perform around the world.
- 2001: The Essential Festival in London began on this day, featuring artists such as Ice-T. The New Jersey native is known for his role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, one of the longest-running TV series. Ice-T has also hosted several programs, including Ice-T's Rap School.
- 2012: Korean-American rapper and dancer Jay Park brought the house down at the MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia. He made history as the first artist of Asian origin to close the show. Other notable artists that performed at the concert included American pop icon Justin Bieber and South Korean girl group KARA.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Several tragic events unfolded on July 14 and broke the hearts of many hip-hop and R&B enthusiasts.
- 1990: Hip-hop dancer Troy “Trouble T-Roy” Dixon was on tour with Heavy D & The Boyz in Indianapolis when he accidentally fell from about two stories while horsing around. Unfortunately, he died the following day on July 15.
- 2020: The Associated Press shared that four people were charged with the murder of American rapper Pop Smoke, whose life was tragically cut short during a home invasion in February 2020. Prior to his death, the hip-hop star had released several hit singles, including “Dior” and “Welcome to the Party.”
July 14 has experienced many unforgettable moments. From album releases and earth-shattering performances to fatal accidents and arrests, this day has a special place in hip-hop and R&B history.
