This Day in Hip-Hop and R&B History: June 12

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 1989: American hip-hop group Heavy D & the Boyz released their second album, Big Tyme, through Uptown Records. It reached No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
• 1990: MC Trouble dropped her second album, Gotta Get a Grip, through Motown Records. Featuring the singles “Gotta Get a Grip” and “(I Wanna) Make You Mine,” the album reached No. 94 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling over 182,000 units.
• 1990: American R&B singer Keith Sweat dropped the album I’ll Give All My Love to You. This was his second album, and it peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and went to No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
• 2001: AZ released his third album, 9 Lives, under Motown Records. The project featured guest appearances from Foxy Brown, Joe, Beanie Sigel, Amil, and Ali Vegas. It charted at No. 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard 200.
• 2007: American disc jockey and producer DJ Khaled released his second album, We the Best. It debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 2 on the Top Rap Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
• 2007: From Nothin’ to Somethin’, Fabolous’ fourth album was released. It spawned the Billboard Hot 100 charting singles “Diamonds,” “Make Me Better,” and “Baby Don’t Go,” which reached No. 83, No. 8, and No. 23, respectively. The album itself peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
• 2012: Kid Ink released his debut album, Up & Away, which featured the singles “Time of Your Life” and “Lost in the Sauce.” The album entered the Billboard 200 at No. 20, selling 20,000 copies in its first week. It also reached No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
• 2012: Waka Flocka Flame launched his second album, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family. Featuring collaborations with Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj, B.o.B., Meek Mill, and Drake, the project went to No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 1 on the Top Rap Albums chart.
• 2019: GoldLink dropped his second album, Diaspora, which had collaborations with Wizkid, Tyler, the Creator, Maleek Berry, and Khalid. It peaked at No. 77 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 40 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Cultural Milestones

• 1948: R&B and soul singer Lyn Collins was born in Dime Box, Texas. She scored her biggest hit with the James Brown-produced 1972 single “Think (About It),” which peaked at No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at No. 9 on the Hot Soul Singles chart.
• 1990: Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones was born. His most popular hits include “Yego,” “Mazishi,” and “Tuma Kitu.” He was the first Kenyan and East African to be nominated for Best International Flow at the BET Hip Hop Awards. He also won the award for Best Rap Act at the 2018 African Muzik Magazine Awards and the award for Best Hip Hop at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards.
• 1990: American music icon Mariah Carey released her eponymous debut album on Columbia Records. The album, which spawned the critically acclaimed single “Vision of Love,” entered the Billboard 200 at No. 80 and climbed to the top of the chart 36 weeks after its release. It stayed at No. 1 for 11 consecutive weeks and remains the singer’s longest stay at the top of the U.S. Albums chart.
• 1994: Don Toliver was born in Houston, Texas. He is best known for the viral hits “No Idea” and “After Party,” which peaked at No. 43 and No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. Both songs preceded the release of his debut album, Heaven or Hell (2020), which would solidify his mainstream success. The project reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and No. 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
• 2003: American rapper and media personality Trefuego was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. He came to mainstream prominence with the release of his debut single, “Extendo,” in April 2018.
• 2022: American R&B singer Jennifer Hudson won her first Tony Award for the musical A Strange Loop at the 75th Tony Awards, making her the 17th person to receive an Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar, and Tony Award and achieve elite EGOT status.

Industry Changes and Challenges

• 2015: American rapper YG was shot in the hip three times outside a recording studio in Los Angeles, California. The Compton rapper was reportedly uncooperative when interviewed by police, refusing to disclose any information about the suspect or the person who took him to the hospital following the incident.
• 2023: The trial of American rapper YNW Melly began in Florida’s Broward County courtroom. He was charged with the alleged murder of his friends and fellow rappers Christopher Thomas Jr. (also known as YNW Juvy) and Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser).