This Day in Hip-Hop and R&B History: February 28
From breakthrough hits and extraordinary performances to cultural milestones and tragic incidents, Feb. 28 is a notable date in Hip-Hop and R&B history. It has seen celebrated musicians release hits…
NEW YORK – AUGUST 14: Flo Rida performs at Rockefeller Center on August 14, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty ImagesFrom breakthrough hits and extraordinary performances to cultural milestones and tragic incidents, Feb. 28 is a notable date in Hip-Hop and R&B history. It has seen celebrated musicians release hits of the year or drop their debut albums. Here are unforgettable moments that make Feb. 28 worth remembering.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Feb. 28 saw new and veteran artists achieve various milestones with their hit singles and albums:
- 2004: The College Dropout by Kanye West debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
- 2004: Usher's "Yeah!" featuring Ludacris reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, starting a 12-week run at No. 1.
- 2006: Released on Feb. 28, Ne-Yo's debut album, In My Own Words, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.
- 2009: Flo Rida's "Right Round," featuring Kesha, peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, starting a six-week run at the top.
Cultural Milestones
Discover cultural milestones achieved by various Hip-Hop and R&B artists on this date:
- 1975: The live album Together for the First Time by Bobby "Blue" Bland and B.B. King was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
- 1984: Michael Jackson swept the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, winning eight awards, including Thriller for Album of the Year and "Beat It" for Record of the Year. "Billie Jean" won Jackson Best R&B Vocal Performance.
- 1996: Stevie Wonder received the Grammy Lifetime Award at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, honoring his contributions to the recording industry.
- 1996: Poverty's Paradise by Naughty by Nature won Best Rap Album at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards.
Notable Recordings and Performances
On this date, various artists graced the stage to deliver memorable performances:
- 1996: Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey performed the chart-topping hit single "One Sweet Day" at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards. The performance was the opening act at the ceremony.
- 1996: Whitney Houston performed a gospel medley with CeCe Winans and Shirley Caesar, singing "Count on Me," "I Surrender All," and "Heaven" at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Feb. 28 is also associated with tragic incidents and controversial events:
- 1977: R&B singer and songwriter Ray Charles was attacked on stage during a concert for disadvantaged youth at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.
- 1997: Marion “Suge” Knight got a nine-year sentence for violating his probation.
- 2012: Malaysia's government canceled Erykah Badu's concert because of her Allah tattoos.
Hip-Hop and R&B fans will forever remember Feb. 28. Top artists made their mark by winning prestigious awards for their musical achievements.
