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04/05/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Pharrell Williams was born” April 5, 1973

Pharrell Williams was born April 5, 1973, He is a singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo the Neptunes, producing soul, hip hop and R&B music. He is also the lead vocalist and drummer of rock, funk, and hip hop band N*E*R*D, which he formed with Hugo and childhood friend Shay Haley. He released his first single “Frontin’” in 2003 and followed up with his debut solo album In My Mind in 2006. His second album, Girl, was released on March 3, 2014. As part of the Neptunes, Williams has produced numerous hit singles for various recording artists. Williams has earned eleven Grammy Awards including two with the Neptunes. He currently owns a media venture that encompasses entertainment, music, fashion, and art called i am OTHER, a multimedia creative collective and record label that serves as an umbrella for all of Pharrell Williams’ endeavors, including Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream apparel, Billionaire Girls Club, textile company Bionic Yarn and a dedicated YouTube channel launched in 2012. 

04/04/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Big Pun released Yeeeah Baby” April 4, 2000

Yeeeah Baby is the second solo and final studio album by rapper Big Pun. In the wake of Big Pun’s death in February 2000, it was released in April of the same year as planned, peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 charts selling 179,000 units during the week it was released and subsequently was certified gold. Fat Joe, Pun’s close friend and mentor, is the executive producer of the album. Struggling with obesity, Pun experienced breathing problems throughout the album’s recording process, slowing down his iconic flow. He died at 28 years of age, just two months before the album’s release. R.I.P. Big Pun.

04/03/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Wayne-Frosty Freeze-Frost of The Rock Steady Crew died” April 3, 2008

Wayne “Frosty Freeze” Frost was born December 4, 1963. He was also known as The Freeze To Please, he was an old school hip hop b-boy known as a member of the second generation of the hip hop/breakdancing group, Rock Steady Crew. As a member of The Rock Steady Crew, he was known for his comedic, acrobatic and inventive style. His trademark move is known as, “dead man drop” a move that he created accidentally by attempting a poorly executed backflip and landing on his back. His talents with The Rock Steady Crew were featured in movies such as Flashdance, Wild Style, Style Wars and The Freshest Kids and also appeared on the cover of The Village Voice in 1981. He was featured in early hip hop music videos such as Afrika Bambaataa and The Soulsonic Force’s “Planet Rock” and Malcolm McLaren’s “Buffalo Gals”. In 2004, he along with several other members of The Rock Steady Crew were honored at the VH-1 Hip Hop Honors. Frosty Freeze lived in New York City, regularly making appearances at many hip-hop events throughout the New York metropolitan area. He was hit with an undisclosed illness during early 2008, went on life support on March 27, and died on April 3, 2008. R.I.P Frosty Freeze. 

04/02/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Prince Paul was born” April 2, 1967

Paul Edward Huston, born April 2, 1967 better known by his stage name Prince Paul, is a disc jockey, record producer and recording artist from Amityville, New York. Paul began his career as a DJ for Stetsasonic. Since then he has worked on albums by Boogie Down Productions, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane and 3rd Bass, among others. Major recognition for Prince Paul came when he produced De La Soul’s debut album 3 Feet High and Rising in 1989, in which he pioneered new approaches to hip hop production, mixing and sampling, as well as by adding comedy sketches. In 1994, he returned to rapping, joining RZA and Frukwan in Gravediggaz, a project that debuted with 6 Feet Deep. His first solo album, Psychoanalysis: What Is It?, came out in 1997, followed by a second album, A Prince Among Thieves, in 1999. Later that year Prince Paul formed Handsome Boy Modeling School with Dan the Automator and they released the album So…How’s Your Girl?.

04/01/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Public Enemy released Yo! Bum Rush The Show” April 1, 1987

Yo! Bum Rush the Show is the debut studio album from hip hop group Public Enemy, released in April 1987 on Def Jam Recordings. Yo! Bum Rush the Show features a sample-heavy sound by production team The Bomb Squad. The album peaked at number 125 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart and at number 28 on the Top Black Albums chart. In 2003, the album was ranked number 497 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

03/30/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Onyx released Bacdafucup” March 30, 1993

Bacdafucup is the debut album from hardcore rap group Onyx. The album featured their breakout single “Slam” which received heavy airplay on both radio and television, leading the song to reach #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Bacdafucup was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 25, 1993. The album is broken down track-by-track by Onyx in Brian Coleman’s book. In addition to Slam, two other singles made it to the charts, “Throw Ya Gunz” and “Shiftee”. Shiftee was covered by punk-rock group Mindless Self Indulgence. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source’s 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time. Listen to Bacdafucup above.

03/29/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper” March 29, 1988

He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper is the second studio album by hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. It was the first double album in hip hop music, in its original vinyl incarnation. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album triple platinum on February 1, 1995 and is the duo’s most successful album. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source magazine’s 100 Best Rap Albums. 

03/28/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Big L released Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous” March 28, 1995

Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous is the debut album from hip hop artist Big L, released March 28, 1995 on Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place primarily at Powerplay Studios in Queens, New York from 1993 to 1994. Production was handled by Buckwild, Craig Boogie, Kid Capri, Lord Finesse, and Showbiz. After being discovered by Lord Finesse in 1990, Big L signed a deal with Columbia Records, and he started to work on the album. The album debuted at number 149 on the US Billboard 200 and number 22 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, but did not chart internationally. Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous spawned three singles: “Put It On”, “M.V.P.”, and “No Endz, No Skinz”, the first two both peaked within the top 25 on the US Hot Rap Tracks and Hot Dance Singles Sales. Upon its release, the album received average reviews from music critics, earning praise for Big L’s lyrics, but not for the production. As of August 2000, the album has sold 200,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

03/27/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Run-D.M.C. released the album Run-D.M.C.” March 27, 1984

Run–D.M.C. is the debut studio album from hip hop group Run–D.M.C.. Produced in 1984, it was considered groundbreaking for its time, presenting a harder, more aggressive form of hip hop. The album’s sparse beats and aggressive rhymes were in sharp contrast with the light, funky sound that was popular in hip hop at the time. With the album, the group has been regarded by music writers as pioneering the movement of new school hip hop of the early 1980s. The album was reissued as a “Deluxe Edition” in 2005 with four bonus tracks.

03/26/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Busta Rhymes released The Coming” March 26, 1996

The Coming is the debut album by rapper Busta Rhymes, released on March 26, 1996 by Elektra Records. Recording sessions for The Coming began in late 1994, and concluded in early 1995 at various recording studios. The Coming features rapping from Def Squad members Redman and Keith Murray as well as a guest appearance from Q-Tip and singing from Zhané and different future Flipmode Squad members. One notable song on the album is “Keep It Movin” which features Busta’s former group Leaders of the New School, and it would mark the last time they would ever make a song together. It has production from many famed producers and production teams such as DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee and The Ummah.The Coming was a critical and commercial success for Busta Rhymes. It reached #6 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1996 and has since received a platinum certification from RIAA.

03/25/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “The Notorious B.I.G.’s Life After Death was released” March 25, 1997

The Notorious B.I.G.’s second and final studio album Life After Death was released March 25, 1997 on Bad Boy Records. A double album, it was released posthumously following his death on March 9, 1997. It features collaborations with guest artists such as 112, Jay-Z, Lil’ Kim, Mase, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Too $hort, Angela Winbush, D.M.C. of Run-D.M.C., R. Kelly, The LOX, and Puff Daddy. Life After Death exhibits The Notorious B.I.G. further delving into the mafioso rap subgenre. The album acts as a sequel to his debut Ready to Die and picks up where the last song “Suicidal Thoughts” ends. The album was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 1998, including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance for its first single “Hypnotize” and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for its second single “Mo Money Mo Problems”. Life After Death has been considered by music writers as a landmark in hip hop music. In 2003, the album was ranked number 483 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. R.I.P Notorious B.I.G. 

03/24/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Arrested Development released 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of” March 24, 1992

3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of is the debut album by hip hop group Arrested Development, released in 1992. The album’s chart success was the beginning of the popularization of Southern hip hop. 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of stood in stark contrast to the gangsta rap that ruled the hip hop charts in 1992 in its focus on spirituality, peace and love. It was voted as the best album of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll. The album’s title refers to the length of time it took Arrested Development to get a record contract.

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