"I'm the cocky breed/ I'm dope like poppy seed/" - Jay-Z
On this day in 1941, soul legend Otis Redding was born in Georgia. His contributions to soul music are epic, but he also still retains a meaningful hip-hop presence. He's been sampled by and for artists such as (EDIT: How could I forget? Kanye also sampled Otis for his Late Registration track 'Gone' featuring Cam'ron...Thanks DJ Raida! A S&E post is in order...soon...) Nas ('Affirmative Action'), Ghostface ('Fish'), Originoo Gunn Clappaz ('Gunn Clapp'), Big Daddy Kane ('Nuff Respect'), De La Soul, Al Tariq, MC Shan (soon to be mentioned...), Public Enemy, Das EFX, Marley Marl, EPMD ('The Steve Martin'), Grand Puba, Geto Boys and many more... Redding and his band passed away in a '67 plane crash. He was only 26 years old. R.I.P.
On this day in 1965, Shawn Moltke was born. Scratching your head? That's MC Shan, Queens' representative voice (along with the Juice Crew) during the hip-hop Bridge Wars.
On this day in 1967, the James Brown song 'Cold Sweat' rose to the top of the R&B charts, maintaining its position for three weeks. The song was later sampled for some classic songs: 'Welcome to the Terrordome' & 'How to Kill a Radio Consultant' by Public Enemy, 'Jackin for Beats' by Ice Cube and 'What's the Word?' by Chubb Rock. Other artists to sample the song are DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, UTFO, Terminator X, King T and several others. R.I.P. The Godfather of Soul.
On this day in 1972, 'Back Stabbers' by The O'Jays hit the top of the R&B charts. The track was later flipped on different songs by Grand Puba, Together Brothers, Detroit's Most Wanted and Junior MAFIA, all of whom retained the title of the original song, or at least a variant ('Back Stabbers', 'Backstabber', 'Back Stabber'...). The song was also sampled by WC & the Maad Circle, Babu and Angie Stone. R.I.P. William Powell and Eddie Lavert's son Gerald.
On this day in 1977, rapper Soulja Slim (b. James Tapp, Jr.) of No Limit fame was born in N'awlins, Louisiana. Slim was tragically gunned down in 2003 on his way to a concert. R.I.P.
On this day in 1985, Chicago rapper Young Berg a.k.a. Ice Berg was born. His album comes out next month.
On this day in 1995, the jaw-dropping hit 'Gangsta's Paradise' by Coolio (feat. L.V.) from the Dangerous Minds soundtrack hit the top of the Billboard charts. The song earned Coolio the Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance.
On this day in 1996, President Bill Clinton presented Rosa Parks with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given by the U.S. executive branch.
Also on this day in 1996, R&B group BLACKstreet released their second album, 'Another Level.' It featured the smash hit 'No Diggity' featuring the one and only Dr. Dre.
On this day in 1999, Aerosmith reunited with Run-D.M.C. to perform the classic rap/rock collaboration 'Walk This Way' at the MTV Video Music Awards. R.I.P. Jam Master Jay.
On this day in 2001, shamed (by dog owners at least) footballer Michael Vick made his NFL debut in San Francisco.
On this day in 2003, OutKast pals Andre 3000 and Big Boi divided and conquered the industry by simultaneously releasing their own individual singles: 'Hey Ya!' and 'The Way You Move.' The two singles carried the album (Speakerboxxx/The Love Below) to achieve diamond status, going 11 times platinum. The album won the Album of the Year award at the 2004 Grammys.
Also on this day in 2003, Beyonce released her single 'Baby Boy' featuring Sean Paul. The song soon hit the top of the R&B singles charts, staying up there for 5 straight weeks. Interestingly enough, the track usurped Pharrell and boyfriend Jay-Z's collab 'Frontin'. Even more interesting: the track on the charts before 'Frontin' was 'Crazy in Love' by Bey' and Jay. I guess it's safe to say that Jay-once owned the summer of '03.
On this day in 2005, U2 performed their epic 'One' with the R&B songstress Mary J. Blige at Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast. R.I.P. To those we lost...
On this day in 2007, YOU HAD A GREAT DAY!
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