On this day in Hip-Hop history, T.I. released his third studio album Urban Legend.

On this day in 2004, T.I. released his third studio album Urban Legend on Atlantic.  The album featured production from DJ Toomp, the Neptunes, Lil Jon, Jazze Pha, Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz, and others.  Notable guests featured on the album were Lil' Kim, Mannie Fresh, Lil Wayne, Nelly, B.G., and Pharrell. 

Urban Legend spawned a few hit singles including the lead single "Bring Em Out," which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100; "U Don't Know Me," which reached #4 on the Rap chart and #23 on the Billboard Hot 100; and "ASAP," which was certified gold and peaked at #14 on the Rap charts.  The album reached #7 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum.

Also on this day...

1994 - 2Pac was shot 5 times and robbed in the lobby of Quad Studios.

1999 - Rakim released his second solo album The Master on Universal.

2004 - Nas released his seventh studio album Street's Disciple on Columbia.

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Mary J Blige released her second studio album My Life.

On this day in 1994, Mary J Blige released her second studio album My Life on Uptown Records.  The album mostly featured production from Sean "Puffy" Combs and Mary J cowrote fourteen of the album's tracks.  

The second set from the R&B singer spawned the six hit singles "Be Happy," which was the lead single and reached #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the R&B chart; "I'm Goin' Down," which peaked at #70 on the Hot 100; "Mary Jane (All Night Long)," "You Bring Me Joy," which reached #57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #29 on the R&B chart; "I Love You," and the title track "My Life."

My Life debuted at #9 on the Billboard 200 and peaked at #7 on the same chart.  The album debuted at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.  It would spend 46 weeks on the Billboard 200 and 84 weeks on the R&B charts.  It sold over 200,00 copies its first week and was certified multi-platinum in 1995.

This day in Birthdays...

The Game (1979) - ​American rapper, record producer, and actor. 

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Rawkus Records released the compilation Lyricist Lounge 2.

On this day in 2000, Rawkus Records released the second installment in their Lyricist Lounge album series, Lyricist Lounge 2.  The compilation album featured production from J Dilla, Madlib, Scott Storch, Hi-Tek, Nottz, the Alchemist, Rockwilder, DJ Mighty Mi, DJ Roddy Rod, DJ Premier, Erick Sermon, and Guru of Gang Starr.  

Artists featured on the album included Erick Sermon, Beanie Sigel, Q-Tip, Mos Def, Dilated Peoples, Royce da 5'9", Redman, dead prez, M.O.P., Kool G Rap, Saukrates, Ghostface Killah, Macy Gray, the Big L, the Notorious B.I.G., and more.

Lyricist Lounge 2 spawned the hits "Get Up," which reached #9 on the Rap chart; "Ms. Fat Booty 2," which peaked at #15 on the Billboard Rap chart; and "Oh No," which featured Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, and Nate Dogg and reached #1 on the Rap chart.  The album peaked at #33 on the Billboard 200 and reached #7 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

Also on this day...

2006 - Clipse released their second studio album Hell Hath No Fury on Jive.

This day in Birthdays...

Styles P (1974) - American rapper, author, and entrepreneur from New York.  Member of the Hip-Hop group The Lox.  A founder of D-Block Records.

​On this day in Hip-Hop history, Ludacris released his third album Word of Mouf.

On this day in 2001, Ludacris released his third album Word of Mouf on Disturbing tha Peace.  The album featured production from Jazze Pha, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Organized Noize, Bangladesh, Jook, Paul King, and KLC.  Guest artists featured on the album included Nate Dogg, Sleepy Brown, Mystikal, I-20, Twista, Three 6 Mafia, Jagged Edge, Jermaine Dupri, Fate Wilson, Keon Bryce, 4-Ize, and Chimere.

Word of Mouf spawned the smash hits "Rollout (My Business)," which was nominated for a Grammy; "Area Codes," "Saturday (Oooh, Oooh)," and "Move," which peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The album reached #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart and peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200.  It sold over 281,000 copies its first week.  It has since sold over 3 million copies and is certified multi-platinum.  The album earned a nomination at the 45th Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album.

Also on this day...

2008 - ​Soulja Boy Tellem released the single "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" on Interscope.

This day in Birthdays...

Kool DJ Red Alert (1956) - American disc jockey from Harlem, New York.  A founding father in Hip-Hop.

On this day in Hip-Hop history, 2Pac released his fourth posthumous album Better Dayz.

On this day in 2002, 2Pac released his eighth studio album and fourth posthumous album, Better Dayz on Interscope.  It was the third album released without the artist's creative input and the last double album released by 2Pac.  The two-disc set featured material recorded for Death Row between 1994 and 1996.

Better Dayz spawned the two hit singles "Still Ballin'," which reached #31 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart; and "Thugz Mansion," which peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The album debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200.  It sold over 366,00 copies its first week and was certified multi-platinum in 2014.

Also on this day...

1991 - D-Nice released his second and final album To Tha Rescue on Jive.

1996 - Dr. Dre released the compilation Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath on Aftermath.

2002 - The Roots released their fifth studio album Phrenology on MCA.

2003 -  Soulja Slim was shot and killed.

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Will Smith released his debut solo album Big Willie Style.

On this day in 1997, Will Smith released his debut solo studio album Big Willie Style on Columbia.  The album featured production mostly from Poke & Tone of the Trackmasters, as well as some from L.E.S. and DJ Jazzy Jeff.  Notable guest artists featured on the album included Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes from TLC, Camp Lo, and Cameo, along with Nas as a guest writer.

The album included the five hit singles "Men in Black," which was featured in the film Men in Black and won a Grammy; "Just Cruisin'," which reached #56 on the Billboard Hot 100; "Gettin' Jiggy wit It," which was certified multi-platinum and won a Grammy; "Just the Two of Us," which featured a sample from Bill Withers and peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100; and "Miami," which reached #17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Big Willie Style peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200.  It reached #1 on the R&B chart.  The album stayed on the charts for ninety-nine weeks.  It was certified nine times platinum in the US.

​Also on this day...

1987 - Run-D.M.C. released the single "Christmas in Hollis" on A&M.

1997 - Priority Records released the compilation In the Beginning... There Was Rap.

2014 - Nelly's reality show Nellyville premiered on BET.

​On this day in Hip-Hop history, RZA, as Bobby Digital, released Bobby Digital in Stereo.

On this day in 1998, RZA, as Bobby Digital, released the album Bobby Digital in Stereo on Gee Street Records.  The album featured production from RZA, King Tech, and Inspectah Deck.  

​Notable guest artists featured on the album included fellow Wu-Tang members Method Man, Masta Killa, Ghostface Killah, ODB, and U-God, as well as Ras Kass, Doc Doom, Timbo King, Tekitha, and the Force MD's.

Bobby Digital in Stereo peaked at #3 on the R&B charts.  It reached #16 on the Billboard 200.  The album was certified gold.

​Also on this day...

1982 - The Sugarhill Gang released their sophomore album 8 Wonder on Sugar Hill.

1992 - Wreckx-N-Effect released their second album Hard or Smooth on MCA Records.

1992 - Kool G Rap & DJ Polo released their third and final album together, Live and Let Die, on Cold Chillin'.

1992 - The Pharcyde released their debut album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde on Delicious Vinyl.

2008 - Kanye West released his fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak on Def Jam.

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Snoop Doggy Dogg released his debut solo album Doggystyle.

On this day in 1993, Snoop Doggy Dogg released his debut solo album Doggystyle on Death Row.  The album was produced entirely by Dr. Dre.  Notable guest artists featured on the album were Daz Dillinger, David Ruffin Jr., the Dramatics, Nanci Fletcher, the Lady of Rage, Ricky Harris, Lil' Malik, Hug, Warren G, Nate Dogg, Jewell, Tony Green, RBX, and the D.O.C.

The G-funk classic album spawned the smash hit singles "Gin and Juice," which was nominated for a Grammy; "Doggy Dogg World," which reached #46 on the Billboard Hot 100; and "What's My Name?," which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Doggystyle debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for seventy-four weeks.  It is certified multi-platinum and sold nearly one million copies in its first week. 

​Also on this day...

1993 - Del the Funky Homosapien released his second solo studio album No Need For Alarm on Elektra.

1999 - Nas released his fourth album Nastradamus on Columbia.

2004 - The Diplomats released their second studio album Diplomatic Immunity 2 on Diplomat.

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Slick Rick released his third album Behind Bars.

On this day in 1994, Slick Rick released his third album Behind Bars on Def Jam.  The album featured production from Pete Rock, Vance Wright, Large Professor, Easy Mo Bee, and Warren G.  Notable guest artists featured on the album were Doug E. Fresh, Nice & Smooth, and Warren G.

Behind Bars spawned two hit singles: "Behind Bars," which reached #12 on the Rap chart and "Sittin' In My Car," which peaked at #11 on the Rap chart.  The album reached #51 on the Billboard 200.  It reached #11 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

Also on this day...

1994 - Redman released his sophomore album Dare Iz a Darkside on Def Jam.

2010 - Kanye West released his sixth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy on Roc-A-Fella.