Today marks the anniversary of several important events that shaped hip-hop and R&B history.

January 8, 2018: Kendrick Lamar Took The Stage For The College Football Playoff National Championship Halftime Show

The 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship introduced a halftime show for the first time, with Kendrick Lamar headlining the moment. During his performance, he ran through “DNA.,” “ELEMENT.,” and “HUMBLE.,” and also performed what was, at the time, his brand-new single with SZA, “All the Stars.”

While the performance was widely praised, there was still another football-related stage Kendrick would go on to perform at that was just a little bigger.

January 8, 2024: 21 Savage Releases A Trailer For A Movie That Never Comes Out

One of the biggest mind f**ks of all time has to be that Sinbad movie we all swore existed when we were kids, but actually never did (I think it was called Shazam). Our only saving grace is that we were young as hell when that whole thing went down.

That said, I’m definitely old enough to remember when 21 Savage dropped the official trailer for his “movie” American Dream: The 21 Savage Story, starring Donald Glover and Caleb McLaughlin (yeah, Lucas from Stranger Things). Turns out, the whole thing was just a brilliant marketing ploy for his American Dream album.

And honestly? It worked perfectly — because the album went straight to #1 on the Billboard 200.

3. January 8, 1999: DMX’s …And Then There Was X Hits #1 on the Billboard Charts

One of the lesser-known truths about DMX is that his albums have always sold well. …And Then There Was X is a perfect example. On this day, the album — powered by the massive “Party Up” — landed at #1 on the Billboard charts. Long live X.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.