This Day in Hip Hop & R&B History: November 13
Falling in the middle of National Hip-Hop History Month, Nov. 13 has been a launchpad for new and seasoned artists to make headlines, release iconic tracks, and shape the music…
Falling in the middle of National Hip-Hop History Month, Nov. 13 has been a launchpad for new and seasoned artists to make headlines, release iconic tracks, and shape the music landscape. Let's dive into the events that have defined this day to see why it stands out in the hip-hop and R&B scene.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
On Nov. 13, several artists released their debut albums, and others got their big break:
- 1994: Big L announced his arrival by releasing "Put It On" from his debut album, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous. It hit No. 12 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
- 2001: Ghostface Killah released his third studio album, Bulletproof Wallets, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2001: Swollen Members released their second studio album, Bad Dreams, featuring the breakthrough singles "Fuel Injected" and "Bring It Home."
- 2007: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released the compilation album T.H.U.G.S., which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2012: The Weeknd released Trilogy, his first album under a major record label. It featured the singles "Wicked Games" and "High for This" and scored No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
- 2012: Yelawolf and Travis Barker released the collaborative EP Psycho White. The EP sold over 11,000 copies in its first week and debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Cultural Milestones
Nov. 13 saw artists rewrite the cultural landscape in the hip-hop and R&B genre:
- 2012: RCA Records released I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston, a greatest hits album to commemorate the late singer. It featured 11 of her No. 1 Billboard-charting singles.
- 2022: German rapper Cro headlined the first NFL regular season in Germany ahead of kickoff.
- 2022: Nicki Minaj won the Best Hip-Hop award, and Chlöe took the Best R&B award at the 2022 Europe Music Awards in Germany.
Notable Recordings and Performances
On this date, celebrated hip-hop and R&B artists performed at famous events and shows:
- 1995: MC Hammer graced the stage for a benefit concert in Moscow in support of the "Our Home – Russia" political party.
- 2004: A Tribe Called Quest reunited to perform at the Rock the Bells Festival in Anaheim, California.
- 2015: After a long hiatus, A Tribe Called Quest reunited to perform "Can I Kick It?" on
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Nov. 13 also witnessed groundbreaking changes in the industry:
- 2004: The Wu-Tang Clan's Ol' Dirty Bastard, or ODB, died from a drug overdose, two days before his 36th birthday.
- 2019: As part of a plea deal, a Miami court sentenced Kodak Black to 46 months in federal prison for a weapons charge.
From the release of classic albums to the demise of a pioneering artist, Nov. 13 remains an eventful date in hip-hop and R&B. More notable moments await as the industry continues to evolve.
