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

1. January 10, 2021: Lady Gaga Denounces R. Kelly Publicly

If you ran a poll asking who the most canceled individual in American history is, R. Kelly would be near the very top.

It wasn’t just regular people like me turning their backs on him — collaborators were doing it too. On this day in 2013, Lady Gaga made a major statement by pulling her collaboration with R. Kelly, “Do What U Want,” from streaming services and publicly voicing her support for his accusers. That move mattered, and at the time, it was a huge deal.

2. January 10, 2024: Usher Released “Yeah.”

You really had to be there when USHER dropped “Yeah.” The king of smooth R&B unexpectedly linked up with Lil Jon and Ludacris and turned in an Atlanta-flavored, bass-knocking club record that caused absolute chaos. I’m talking packed dance floors and women wiping butt sweat off strangers when that beat dropped.

Pulled from Confessions, the song — which I personally cannot stand — still went #1 on the Billboard charts and has since become the most-streamed track in Usher’s insanely legendary catalog. Love it or hate it, that record was unavoidable.

3. January 10, 2025: “Not Like Us” Becomes First Diss Track With One Billion Streams

Am I surprised by the success of “Not Like Us?” Not even a little. We live in an era where public mudslinging has become prime entertainment. What did catch me off guard, though, was just how far a song built around outright calling someone a pedophile managed to travel.

Beyond the nuclear-grade accusations, it’s simply undeniable: the beat knocks, the hook sticks, and the quotables pile up fast. Strip it down to impact, replay value, and sheer cultural shockwaves, and it’s hard to argue against it. This IS the greatest diss record ever made.

4. January 10, 2020: Future & Drake Dropped “Life Is Good”

Can someone pass me a tissue? This one genuinely hurt to write.

On this day in 2020, Drake and Future, once-close collaborators, reunited to drop what I still think is their greatest moment together: “Life Is Good.” The record is flawless, two distinct moods stitched together, a vintage Drake verse, and a beat that feels destined for longevity. The music video only seals the deal, placing both artists in an alternate reality where they clock in as everyday workers, somehow making the whole thing even cooler.

Will I lose sleep over the idea that Drake and Kendrick Lamar may never share a track again? Not really. But the end of Drake and Future collaborations? That one actually stings.

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.