It’s Like That is a song by hip hop group Run–D.M.C. It was first released in 1983 on a cassette backed with the track “Sucker M.C.’s”. The release marked the start of Run-D.M.C.’s career and is widely regarded as ushering in a new school of hip hop artists with a street image and an abrasive, minimalist sound that marked them out from their predecessors. Both tracks were collected on the trio’s eponymous debut album in 1984.
The Untouchable is the fourth album from Houston hip hop artist Scarface. Scarface debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart for the first time in his career with the album; in addition it peaked at the top of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for two weeks, giving Scarface his second #1 album there. The effort included the smash hit single, “Smile”, featuring Tupac Shakur, released shortly after the shooting deaths of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.. It peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is the only single released by Scarface to go Gold.
Timothy Zachery Mosley was born March 10, 1972 better known by his stage name Timbaland, he is a rapper, record producer, and songwriter. Timbaland’s first full credit production work was in 1996 on Ginuwine…the Bachelor for R&B singer Ginuwine. After further work on Aaliyah’s 1996 album One in a Million and Missy Elliott’s 1997 album Supa Dupa Fly, Timbaland became a prominent producer for R&B and hip hop artists. As a rapper he initially released several albums with fellow rapper Magoo, but later released his debut solo album Tim’s Bio in 1998.
Christopher George Latore Wallace May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997, was better known by his stage names The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie or Biggie Smalls. Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. When he released his debut album Ready to Die in 1994, he became a central figure in the East Coast hip hop scene and increased New York’s visibility in the genre at a time when West Coast hip hop was dominant in the mainstream. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the growing East Coast/West Coast hip hop feud. On March 9, 1997, Wallace was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His double-disc set Life After Death, released 16 days later, it rose to No. 1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000, one of the few hip hop albums to receive this certification. Wallace was noted for his “loose, easy flow”, dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Two more albums have been released since his death. He has certified sales of 17 million units in the United States. R.I.P.Biggie Smalls.
Hard to Earn is the fourth album from the hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released in March 8, 1994 and featured the singles “Mass Appeal”, “DWYCK” and “Code of the Streets”. Musically the album is constructed around a harder, more stripped-down sound that is distinctively less melodic than the duo’s previous work. Guest appearances on the album come from Group Home, Jeru The Damaja, and Big Shug. At the time, all were part of the Gang Starr Foundation, which made the album a stepping-stone for future DJ Premier-helmed projects by Group Home and Jeru. The single “DWYCK” also featured hip hop duo Nice & Smooth. Hard to Earn is also the duo’s first album to carry the “Parental Advisory” label.
Dwight Grant better known as Beanie Sigel was born March 6, 1974 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers Jay-Z, Freeway and other former and current artists on the Roc-A-Fella roster. His stage name comes from a street in South Philadelphia, the rapper’s former stomping grounds where he worked alongside Senior Durham in wilson projects. He has sold more than two million albums worldwide.
On March 5, 2006, Three 6 Mafia became the second hip-hop group to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song with “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp” (co-written by Frayser Boy). They were also the first hip-hop artists ever to perform at the ceremony. It was the second hip hop song to win an Oscar, after Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”, from the film 8 Mile (2002). Right before presenter Queen Latifah announced that they had won, she laughed, pumped up the audience and sang the chorus from the popular song.
Maxwell Dixon better known as Grand Puba was born March 4, 1966. An emcee best known as a member of the group Brand Nubian from New Rochelle, New York. In 2009, Grand Puba released his fourth solo album, Retroactive, featuring production from hip-hop veterans like Q-Tip, Large Professor, Kid Capri as well as his fellow Brand Nubians. Puba also appeared on the heavy posse cut “Fresh” together with Cormega, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, DJ Red Alert and Parrish Smith of EPMD. On the song “Old School” by Tupac Shakur Grand Puba was sampled and used in the hook. The sample originates from Grand Puba’s verse on the song “Dedication” by Brand Nubian.
Damon Dash born May 3, 1971 also known by Dame Dash is an entrepreneur. Dash met R&B singer Aaliyah in the summer of 2000 in New York and dated her until her death on August 25, 2001. Dash was formerly Jay-Z’s manager and business partner at Roc-a-Fella Records, and in 1999, he organized a tour for Jay-Z which made $19 million. However, their relationship diminished as a result of two subsequent events. The first was when Roc-A-Fella Records was purchased by Def Jam Recordings in 2004, after which Jay-Z agreed to take a job as Def Jam’s president. In the fall of 2005, Jay-Z bought Dash out of his stake in Rocawear. In April 2014, it was announced that Dash is also involved with Blind Debit, a fingerprint payment application being developed by Dez White.
Scott Monroe Sterling better known as DJ Scott La Rock was born March 2, 1962 in The Bronx, New York. Sterling met rapper KRS-One in 1986 at Franklin Men’s Shelter where KRS resided. The pair formed Boogie Down Productions with DJ Derrick “D-Nice” Jones, a cousin of the shelter’s security guard. The group’s 1987 debut album, Criminal Minded, is considered a classic of hip-hop. Shockingly, Sterling met a violent death in 1987. Bullets ripped through the side and top of his Jeep. Sterling was hit in the neck. Critically wounded and was driven to Lincoln Hospital. He was still conscious and talking and at first it was thought that his injuries were not life-threatening. However, Sterling died in the operating room within one hour of being shot.Two men were arrested and charged with Sterling’s murder but were later acquitted at the trial. Sterling was survived by his son that was an infant when he died, Scott Sterling Jr. R.I.P DjScott La Rock.
On March 1, 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. appeared on Sway & King Tech’s Wake Up Show. 2Pac had died six months earlier and Sway asked Biggie to talk about his relationship with Pac and address some rumors that he had a hand in his death. Biggie expressed that he missed him more than most people did. Sway brought up the claim that Big stole from Pac stylistically: He replied with “He should’ve been happy for me more than anything else. He was saying I sounded like him, that’s crazy.” After the interview, Biggie freestyled for a few minutes, rapping verses from future Life After Death cuts “Long Kiss Goodnight” and “You’re Nobody. Tragically eight days later, on March 9th, Biggie was shot and killed.
The 2001 Soul Train Music Awards were held on February 28, 2001 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. The show was hosted by Queen Latifah, Mýa, and Shemar Moore. Awards: For Career Achievement, The Isley Brothers, Entertainer of the Year, “Female” Destiny’s Child. Entertainer of the Year, “Male” Jay-Z.
Welcome 2 Detroit is the February 27, 2001 debut solo album from Slum Village producer J Dilla. Welcome 2 Detroit was preceded by the 12″ single “Fuck the Police”, a cut which didn’t make the final album although it is considered to be among his best material. The album cemented J Dilla’s reputation amongst those in the know as a virtuoso beatmaker. Welcome 2 Detroit bears the name “Jay Dee” as well as “J Dilla”, and marks the first time Dilla who up until that point was still known as Jay Dee officially used the name J Dilla.
