This Day in Hip-Hop and R&B History: March 4

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 1997: Soul Assassins released their debut album, Muggs Presents... The Soul Assassins, Chapter I, through Columbia Records. It peaked at No. 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at No. 20 on the Billboard 200. 
• 2003: 50 Cent released the hit single "21 Questions" featuring Nate Dogg from his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin.' The song, which was certified four-times Platinum, peaked at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Hot Rap Songs charts.
• 2003: Fabolous released his second album, Sweet Dreams, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles “Can't Let You Go” and “Into You.” It reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. 
• 2003: Lil' Kim released her third album, La Bella Mafia, on Atlantic Records. The project debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, with 166,000 copies sold in its first week. It also reached No. 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. 
• 2003: Choppa dropped his second album, Straight from the N.O. It reached No. 17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 54 on the Billboard 200. 
• 2013: Ciara's "Body Party" premiered via Billboard.com as the lead single of her self-titled fifth album. The single peaked at No.6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs weekly chart.
• 2014: Ashanti released her sixth studio album, Braveheart. The album reached No. 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and debuted at No.10 on the Billboard 200 chart.
• 2016: Kendrick Lamar dropped Untitled Unmastered, a compilation album featuring untitled tracks. The album reached No.1 on the US Billboard 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Rap Albums, and Top Tastemaker Albums charts.
• 2016: 2 Chainz released his third album, ColleGrove, through Def Jam Records and his The Real University label. It peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. 
• 2022: DaBaby and YoungBoy Never Broke Again released the collaborative mixtape, BETTER THAN YOU. Supported by the singles “Bestie,” “Neighborhood Superstar,” and “Hit,” it peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
• 2022: King Von released his second album, What It Means to Be King. Featuring guest appearances from Lil Durk, G Herbo, Moneybagg Yo, 21 Savage, and Fivio Foreign, it reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
• 2024: "It's A Wrap" by Mariah Carey debuted at No.24 on the Hot R&B Songs charts, with critics ranking it among Carey's best 100 songs.

Cultural Milestones

• 1974: People Magazine published its first issue. Since then, this publication has featured stories and interviews with iconic hip-hop and R&B artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Beyoncé. 
• 2000: Ginuwine's 100% Ginuwine won Best Male R&B/Soul Album. Mary J. Blige's Mary won Best Female R&B/Soul Album at the 14th Annual Soul Train Music Awards. 
• 2004: Pimp My Ride debuted on MTV. It was a reality TV show hosted by Xzibit. The show propelled his career and helped the rapper become a celebrated media personality.
• 2016: Shakira debuted in the feature animation film, Zootopia, voicing the character Gazelle and contributing to the film's soundtrack with her song "Try Everything."
• 2017: National Day Calendar and Drum Corps International founded Marching Music Day to honor artists across genres. Beyoncé, OutKast, and Normani have celebrated the event with marching band performances of their hits.

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 2000: Sisqo delivered a thrilling performance of his hit single "Thong Song" at the 14th Annual Soul Train Music Awards. Destiny's Child performed "Say My Name," and Mary J. Blige sang "Your Child" at the same event.
• 2023: Ice Cube headlined the Legends of the West concert in Kent, Washington, which featured icons such as Tha Dogg Pound, Xzibit, and Kurupt.

Industry Changes and Challenges

• 1968: The Temptations members Eddie Kendricks and Otis Williams were involved in an icy car crash near Somerset, Pennsylvania. Both singers were hospitalized for their injuries.
• 1979: Randy Jackson, one of The Jackson Five, broke both legs in a car crash and almost died when a nurse accidentally injected him with methadone.
• 2010: Ron Banks died of a heart attack at the age of 58. He was a founding member and lead vocalist of the Detroit R&B vocal group The Dramatics, known for hits such as “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,” “Me and Mrs. Jones,” and “In the Rain.”
• 2020: Barbara Martin of the legendary Motown group, The Supremes, died aged 76.