On this day in hip-hop history, the Migos released their debut studio album Yung Rich Nation.

On this day in 2015, the Georgia rap trio the Migos released their debut studio album Yung Rich Nation on 300 Entertainment.  The album featured production by Zaytoven, Murda Beatz, and Honorable C.N.O.T.E. with guest appearances by Chris Brown and Young Thug.

The Deko-produced hit "One Time" reached #34 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.  Yung Rich Nation debuted at #17 on the Billboard 200 and peaked at #3 on the Rap chart.

Also on this day...

2015 - Drake released his single "Hotline Bling" on OVO Sound.

On this day in hip-hop history, Leaders of the New School released their debut album, A Future Without A Past on Elektra. 

​The rap group Leaders of the New School, which featured a young nineteen year old Busta Rhymes, released their debut album A Future Without A Past on this day in 1991 on Elektra.  Other members from the Long Island group were Charlie Brown, Dinco D, and Cut Monitor Milo.  They appeared as guests on a few singles together before the release of their debut album.

A Future Without A Past spawned a few hit singles including "Sobb Story," Case of the P.T.A.," and "The International Zone Coaster," all of which reached the top ten on the Rap chart.  The album peaked at #128 on the Billboard 200 and #53 on the R&B chart.  

Also on this day...

1996 - UGK released their third studio album Ridin' Dirty on Jive.

1996 - A Tribe Called Quest released their fourth album, Beats, Rhymes, and Life, on Jive.

2012 - Rick Ross released his fifth album God Forgives, I Don't on Def Jam.

2013 - Tech N9ne released his thirteenth album Something Else on RBC.

What's good?!  Welcome back for another free serving of gravy to get your week rolling.  This week's sample is a laid back, electric piano, 4 bar loop sample featuring a rolling 5-4 chord progression in the key of C major.  Enjoy and Get Down!

C major: G7 - F9
C major: 5 -4 (V7 - IV9)
BPM: 94

On this day in hip-hop history, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony released their third studio album, The Art of War.

​On this day in 1997, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony released their third studio album The Art of War on Ruthless Records.  The multi-platinum double album discs were titled "World War I" and "World War II" and were produced by DJ U-Neek.  

The Art of War featured a guest appearance by 2Pac on the track "Thug Luv" and contained the #1 R&B song, platinum-selling single "Look Into My Eyes."  Another single, "If I Could Teach the World" reached #3 on the Rap chart.  The album itself reached #1 on both the Billboard 200 and the R&B chart.  

Also on this day...

2016 - DJ Khaled released his ninth album Major Key on Epic.

​On this day in hip-hop history, Ice-T released his debut album Rhyme Pays on Sire.

On July 28, 1987, the first level began as today in hip-hop history, Ice-T released his debut album Rhyme Pays on Sire.  The groundbreaking album was produced entirely by Zulu Nation member Afrika Islam and was the first by a hip-hop artist to be released on the Sire and Warner Bros. labels.

Rhyme Pays set the stage for West Coast gangsta rap with tracks like "6 in the Mornin'" and others that painted the picture of violent life on the streets of Los Angeles.  The album would peak at #93 on the Billboard 200 and #26 on the R&B chart.  Rhyme Pays sold over 300,000 copies despite a lack of radio play due to its explicit lyrics.

Also on this day...

1992 - EPMD released their fourth album Business Never Personal on Def Jam.

2007 - ​The Rock The Bells Tour hits New York City. 
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On this day in hip-hop history, Fat Joe da Gangsta released his debut album Represent.

On July 27, 1993, Fat Joe da Gangsta debuted with his album Represent on Relativity.  Production of the album was done by Fat Joe's own members of D.I.T.C., including Diamond D, Lord Finesse, and Showbiz.

Represent reached #46 on the R&B chart.  The single off the album, "Flow Joe," reached #1 on the Rap chart and peaked at #89 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Guest appearances on the album featured Grand Puba of Brand Nubian, King Sun, and Kool G Rap.

Also on this day...

1993 - K7 released his debut single "Come Baby Come" on Tommy Boy.

1993 - DMG released his debut album Rigormortiz on Rap-A-Lot.

1999 - The Hot Boys released their second studio album Guerrilla Warfare on Cash Money.

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On this day in hip-hop history, Craig Mack released the hit single "Flava In Ya Ear" on Bad Boy.

​On July 26, 1994, Craig Mack kicked out his single, "Flava In Ya Ear," released on Bad Boy.  The platinum-selling hit single produced by Easy Mo Bee would be featured on Mack's debut album Project: Funk da World released that same year.

"Flave In Ya Ear" was nominated for a Grammy and reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Rap chart.  The track was remixed and featured an all-star cast of artists including LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Rampage, and the Notorious B.I.G.  This helped popularize remixing already charting tracks by adding other MCs.   

Also on this day...

1988 - Eric B. & Rakim released their sophomore album Follow The Leader on Uni.

1989 - 3rd Bass released their debut single "Steppin' to the A.M." on Def Jam.

2005 - Young Jeezy released his third album Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 on CTE/Def Jam.

2011 - Jay Rock released his debut solo album Follow Me Home on Top Dawg Records.

​On this day in hip-hop history, 2 Live Crew released The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are.

Today in hip-hop history, 1986, the 2 Live Crew released their debut album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are on Luke Skyywalker Records.  The debut album was highly controversial as the rap group shocked listeners with their unprecedented explicit lyrics of a sexual theme.  Most notably on songs like "We Want Some Pussy" and "Throw the D."

The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are was a prime example of the Miami Bass subgenre coming out of the South.  This style of hip-hop relied heavily on the bass and sub sounds provided by the drum machines of that time.

Despite all the controversy, the debut album was certified gold and sold over half a million records in the two years after its release.  It reached #128 on the Billboard 200 and #24 on the R&B chart.

Also on this day...

1989 - The Beastie Boys released their sophomore album Paul's Boutique on Capitol Records.

1995 - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony released their second studio album E. 1999 Eternal on Ruthless Records.

2006 - Pharrell Williams released his debut solo album In My Mind on his own Star Trek label.

2014 - Bobby Shmurda released his debut single "Hot N*gga" on Epic.
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​On this day in hip-hop history, Freekey Zekey released his debut album, Book of Ezekiel, on Diplomat Records.

​Dipset!  Dipset!  Dipset!

On July 24, 2007, Freekey Zekey dropped his long awaited debut album, Book of Ezekiel, on Diplomat Records.  The longtime Diplomats member's album featured fellow members Cam'ron, Juelz, Jim Jones, Hell Rell, and J.R.Writer. 

Book of Ezekiel contained a few hits, including the singles "Daddy's Back," "Hater What You Looking At," and "Like This."  The album peaked at #23 on the R&B/Hip-hop chart and #154 on the Billboard 200.

Also on this day...

2007 - Camp Lo released their third album Black Hollywood on Good Hands.

​On this day in hip-hop history, Main Source dropped their debut album, Breaking Atoms.

The three man group Main Source, released their debut album, Breaking Atoms, on Wild Pitch Records on July 23, 1991.  Toronto DJs K-Cut and Sir Scratch, along with legendary Queens producer MC Large Professor, self-produced the album and pushed hip-hop to new heights.

Breaking Atoms spawned a few classic hits, including the chart topping single "Looking at the Front Door," as well as the singles "Peace Is Not the Word to Play," and "Watch Roger Do His Thing."  The album stayed on the charts for 30 weeks and peaked at #40 on the R&B chart.

Breaking Atoms takes credit for being the first to feature the legendary MC, Nas, on the track "Live at the Barbeque." 

Also on this day...

2002 - ​Public Enemy released the album Revolverlution on Koch.