On this date in 1996, the Recording Industry Association of America tallied up the sales of Nas‘ debut album, Illmatic, granting the album gold status less than two years after it’s highly anticipated release. Visit streaming.thesource.com for more information By the time of this certification, Esco was already prepped to drop his sophomore LP, It […]
On this date over a quarter century ago, Chris Martin bka the legendary DJ Premier and Keith Elam bka the Guru (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal) put together Gang Starr’s second and possibly most memorable album, Step Into The Arena. The duo were one of the first groups signed the the newly formed Chysalis/EMI label after […]
On this date in 1998, Sheek Louch, Styles P and Jadakiss, who are better known as the rap trio The L.O.X.(Living Off Experience), dropped their debut album on then-Puff Daddy’s steadily growing Bad Boy label. Following in the footsteps of artists like Craig Mack and Notorious B.I.G., the Yonkers collective had to go the extra […]
On this date in 1995, Steele and Tek aka Smif N Wessun of the legendary Boot Camp Clik release their debut album Dah Shinin’ on the ultra-indie imprint, Wreck Records. Visit streaming.thesource.com for more information This was also the sophomore effort of the Boot Camp Clik, which exposed the skills of more of the artists […]
On this date in 1980, the monumental rap record known eternally as “Rapper’s Delight”, which was performed by the Sugarhill Gang, reached Billboard’s Top 40, an unprecedented accomplishment for Hip Hop. Visit streaming.thesource.com for more information Big Bank Hank, Wonder Mike and Master Gee, along with Sugarhill Records’ head honcho Sylvia Robinson, created a song […]
On this date in 1998, Earl “DMX” Simmons dropped his sophomore release, Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood on the Def Jam/Ruff Ryders imprint. Less than a year following his debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, X put out one of his most celebrates releases that shipped gold in its first […]
On this date in 1999, rap phenomenon DMX released his third studio effort entitled And Then There Was X on the Def Jam/Ruff Ryders imprint. With production from the likes of Harlem trendsetter Dame Grease, Swizz Beatz and of course the Ruff Ryders’ generals Dee and Waah, this timeless classic went five time platinum within […]
On this date in 2000, West Coast rap giant Snoop Dogg released his fifth full length studio album entitled ‘The Last Meal’, which was released on Master P’s Dirty South, independent powerhouse, No Limit Records, as well as the first album on Snoop’s Doggystyle Records. Yhis album was released during the “dog days” of Death […]
On this day in Hip Hop history Virginia Beach’s own Clipse released the sophomoric LP Hell Hath No Fury. Coming a whole four years after their celebrated, chart-topping debut Lord Willin’, Hell Hath No Fury did everything but disappoint. Produced exclusively by fellow Virginia Beach natives, The Neptunes, this album builds on Clipse’s unique take on mafioso rap culture. The […]
On this day in Hip Hop history one of rap musics most iconic and recognizable figures, Snoop Doggy Dogg, began his illustrious career releasing his debut LP Doggystyle. With his only prior features coming on Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, Doggystyle gave a full introduction to an already well liked and familiar character. Visit streaming.thesource.com for more information Produced […]
On this day in Hip Hop history Wu-Tang Clan releases their third studio LP The W. As the follow up to the immensely successful Wu-Tang Forever, this album fell a little short of its predecessors success but continued in growing the Wu’s legacy as a whole. Visit streaming.thesource.com for more information At the time of the album’s […]
On this day in Hip Hop history independent underground legend MF DOOM released his fifth studio album, second under the name MF DOOM, MM…FOOD. Riddled with metaphors comparing the rap game to a fine dinning experience, MM…FOOD is another notch on DOOM’s belt of eclectic hit albums. Visit streaming.thesource.com for more information As the well awaited follow-up […]
On this day in Hip Hop history Method Man released his debut solo LP Tical. Sticking to RZA‘s plan on industry domination, Method was the first to roll out his solo LP after the ridiculous success group debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). In the early years of the Wu, Method Man had grown become the public face […]
On this day in Hip Hop history Brooklyn’s own Jay-Z released he would-be retirement album The Black Album. Although there was virtually no pause between The Black Album and new Jay-Z music (collaboration albums with both R. Kelly and Linkin Park were released the following year), this album is easily the greatest retirement project of all time. Visit streaming.thesource.com […]
On this day in Hip Hop history the prolific Wu-Tang Clan took the first steps of one the most powerful careers to date by releasing their debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). With a martial arts title and righteously murderous lyrics, this may be one of the most ferocious and raw debuts Hip Hop has ever seen. […]
On this day in Hip Hop history A Tribe Called Quest Released their third studio album Midnight Marauders. As the group’s most popular work, this album marked the height of Hip Hop’s Afrocentric/hippie movement. Visit streaming.thesource.com for more information Aside from content, this album’s cover is it’s most distinctive quality. It features a full frontal portrait of […]
On this day in Hip Hop history Jungle Brothers released their debut LP Straight Out the Jungle. As the first project of the illustrious Native Tongues collective, other members include De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and Black Sheep, this album opened the door for a new type of conscious rap. With their Afrocentric influence […]
On this day in Hip Hop history one of Atlanta’s oldest collectives, Goodie Mob, stepped on the scene with their hit debut Soul Food. As the second release by Georgia’s own Dungeon Family collective, Soul Food confirmed that the South truly had something to say. Visit streaming.thesource.com for more information In the early 90’s, southern Hip Hop’s […]
On this day in Hip Hop history veteran MC Rakim released his debut solo LP The 18th Letter. Coming off of the infamous split of Eric B & Rakim and a five year hiatus, this album was surprisingly thorough and left no room to doubt Rakim’s resilience in the ever-changing Hip Hop world. Visit streaming.thesource.com for […]
On this day in film history Hype Williams‘ 1998 masterpiece Belly was released in theaters. Starring New York legends Nas and DMX, Belly follows the life and times of Tommy Bunds (DMX) and Sincere (Nas). The two get by as run-of-the-mill professional criminals ducking and dodging their way to their idea of a better life. […]
