This Day in Hip Hop & R&B History: December 5
On Dec. 5, Immature dropped a new album before changing their stage name. Lil Scrappy came onto the scene, and Kendrick Lamar dazzled fans with his impressive performance. Discover more…
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On Dec. 5, Immature dropped a new album before changing their stage name. Lil Scrappy came onto the scene, and Kendrick Lamar dazzled fans with his impressive performance. Discover more significant events in hip-hop and R&B that happened on this date.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Dec. 5 marked the release of landmark albums and singles:
- 1995: Immature, now known as IMx, released their third studio album, We Got It. The classic album featured the popular singles "Lover's Groove" and "Please Don't Go."
- 1995: Spice 1 released his fourth studio album, 1990-Sick, before turning himself in to the police for illegal weapons charges. The album hit No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
- 1995: Eazy-E's record label released the single "Just tah Let U Know." It was one of the last recordings before his death and charted at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart.
- 2000: Memphis Bleek dropped his sophomore album, The Understanding. As well as topping the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, it went Gold a month later for selling over 500,000 units.
- 2000: 3LW released their eponymous self-titled debut studio album. Certified Platinum, the album featured the singles "Playas Gon' Play" and "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)."
- 2006: Eminem's Shady Records dropped Eminem Presents: The Re-Up, a compilation album featuring performances by top acts such as 50 Cent, D12, Akon, and Nate Dogg. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
- 2006: Two years after launching her debut album, Ciara released The Evolution. It became an instant hit, topping the Billboard 200 chart.
- 2006: Lil Scrappy announced his arrival with the release of Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live, his debut solo album. It scored No. 3 on the Billboard Top Rap Albums chart.
Cultural Milestones
On Dec. 5, some artists earned accolades for their cultural contributions to the industry:
- 2000: Justin Timberlake co-hosted the 11th Annual Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Destiny's Child won four awards on the night, including Artist of the Year.
- 2011: T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle premiered on VH1. Running for six seasons, the TV show provided a sneak peek into the lives of T.I., Tiny, and their six children.
Notable Recordings and Performances
On this date, top hip-hop and R&B artists captivated audiences with their mesmerizing performances:
- 2012: Rick Ross, Meek Mill, and Wale brought the house down with their masterful performances at the Fillmore Miami Beach during the Rick Ross and MMG Tour.
- 2022: Kendrick Lamar sparkled on stage with his stirring performance during The Big Steppers Tour at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
Industry Changes and Challenges
This date also marked notable changes and challenges that redefined the industry:
- 1997: Nagoya authorities arrested Carl Edward Hunter, Ray Charles' manager, on suspicion of marijuana possession.
- 1997: Toni Braxton sued LaFace/Arista Records over a breach of contract, seeking to invalidate her pact with the music label.
- 1998: Billboard changed the rules for Hot 100 rankings by allowing album cuts, previously not available as physical singles, to appear on the chart.
From landmark album releases to changes in charting rules, Dec. 5 remains significant in hip-hop and R&B history.
Bianca BarrattWriter
