This Day in Hip-Hop and R&B History: February 2
Feb. 2 is a consequential date in hip-hop and R&B in many ways. Atlanta-born rapper T-Mo was born on this day in 1972. He was a member of the Southern…
Feb. 2 is a consequential date in hip-hop and R&B in many ways. Atlanta-born rapper T-Mo was born on this day in 1972. He was a member of the Southern rap quartet Goodie Mob, known for hits like “Cell Therapy” and “Dirty South,” which peaked at No. 39 and No. 92 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. He is also one half of Lumberjacks, which he founded alongside fellow Goodie Mob member Khujo.
T-Mo shares a birthday with OMB Peezy, who was born in 1997. His standout singles include “Lay Down,” “Porch,” and “Try Sumthin” (featuring Yhung T.O.).”
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
A couple of noteworthy hip-hop and R&B albums have been released on this day.
- 1993: Above The Law dropped their second album, Black Mafia Life, under Ruthless Records. With features from 2Pac, Eazy-E, and MC Ren, it peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard 200 and No. 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 1993: Young Black Teenagers released their second and final album, Dead Enz Kidz Doin' Lifetime Bidz. It spawned the group's biggest hit, “Tap The Bottle,” which peaked at No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at No. 6 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. The album reached No. 158 on the Billboard 200 and No. 56 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2010: Lil Wayne released his seventh album, Rebirth. It featured the singles “Prom Queen” and “Drop the World” (featuring Eminem), which reached No. 15 and No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. The project itself debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and went to No. 1 on both the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts.
- 2018: Gunna dropped his fourth mixtape, Drip Season 3. Featuring guest appearances from Lil Durk, Lil Yachty, Metro Boomin, and Nav, it peaked at No. 55 on the Billboard 200 and No. 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Cultural Milestones
Feb. 2 has witnessed various cultural milestones in R&B and hip-hop.
- 2025: Kendrick Lamar's searing diss track, “Not Like Us,” swept the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards, winning all five categories it was nominated in. They included Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.
- 2025: Beyoncé bagged her first award for Album of the Year at the GRAMMYs for Cowboy Carter. The win was historic for the star, who had been nominated for the award four times previously.
Industry Changes and Challenges
February 2 has also been marked by various difficulties in the industry over the years.
- 2007: Billy Henderson died from diabetes at the age of 67. He was a founding member of The Spinners, who are known for hits like “Then Came You” (with Dionne Warwick), “I'll Be Around,” and “The Rubberband Man.”
- 2025: R&B saxophonist Gene Barge died at the age of 98. He toured and performed with numerous prominent artists, including Ray Charles, LaVern Baker, Big Joe Turner, Chuck Willis, and the Rolling Stones.
Feb. 2 is undoubtedly one of the most iconic dates in R&B and hip-hop. From genre-defining music releases and big GRAMMY wins to the passing on of revered artists, this day has seen many unforgettable events that continue to influence these genres.
