26 years ago today, “Heartbreaker” (feat. JAY-Z) by Mariah Carey reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was Mariah Carey’s 14th #1 hit and JAY-Z’s first-ever #1 hit on the chart.

50 years ago today, Mahogany, starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams, was released in theaters. Diana Ross convinced film director Berry Gordy to become the costume designer for the film and designed 50 outfits herself, which took her 8 months to do.

Happy 58th Birthday to the legendary Toni Braxton! 🔥

Today, 28 years ago, Janet Jackson released her magnum opus, The Velvet Rope. Her most introspective work, the concept album, fused R&B and Pop with Trip-hop, Dance, Folk, Jazz, Rock, and Techno. Ellen Von Unwerth and Mario Testino photographed her for the album’s artwork.

Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, & Brandy at their album signings, ‘90s/‘00s. 💿

30 years ago today, Mariah Carey released Daydream. 🖤 • Widespread critical acclaim, considered one of her finest albums. • #1 on the Billboard 200 for 6 weeks. • Three #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. • Certified Diamond by the RIAA. • Sold 30M+ copies worldwide.

30 years ago today, “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey became the second single and first single by a female artist to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. 🔥

45 years ago today, the King of R&B, Stevie Wonder, released his nineteenth studio album, Hotter Than July. Here is him performing one of his greatest R&B ballads, “Lately.”

On September 28th, 1976, Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire released R&B greatness. 🔥

Getting ready… to make history.

31 years ago today, Brandy released her self-titled debut album. •Reached #6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. •Received awards, including a Soul Train Award, an AMA, a Billboard Music Award, & two GRAMMY & three VMA nominations. •Certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA. •Sold over 6M+ copies WW.

You can hear the Minneapolis sound of the ’80s all over Doja Cat’s new album #Vie — inspired by the groups The Time and Vanity 6, and artists Prince and Janet Jackson. 🔥

Aaliyah and Janet Jackson were already living in 3025. 🚀

28 years ago today, Janet Jackson released “Got ‘til It’s Gone.” 🍂 • Samples Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi.” • Peaked at #3 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. • Directed by Mark Romanek, the music video was hailed as a masterpiece. • Won the Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.

Four of the most expensive music videos in music history: • “Scream” - Michael & Janet Jackson ($7M) • “Heartbreaker” - Mariah Carey feat. JAY Z ($2.5M) • “What's It Gonna Be?!” - Busta Rhymes feat. Janet Jackson ($2.4M) • “She’s A B****” - Missy Elliott ($2M+)

36 years ago today, Janet Jackson released Rhythm Nation 1814. • 7 Top 5 hits on the BB Hot 100. • 1st album to produce #1 hits in 3 separate calendar years. • Topped the BB 200 for 4 weeks. • Certified 6× Platinum by the RIAA. • Sold 12M+ copies WW. • Added to the National Recording Registry

28 years ago today, Usher released his album, My Way. 🎶 • Debuted at #15, peaked at #4 on BB 200. • Topped R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for 3 wks. • 7× Platinum, 8M+ copies sold. • “Nice & Slow” = Usher’s 1st #1 Hot 100; “You Make Me Wanna…” #1 UK. • Grammy nom for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

28 years ago today, Mariah Carey released her magnum opus, Butterfly. 🦋 • Topped Billboard 200 & charts WW. • Two #1 Hot 100 hits: “Honey” (#1 debut) & “My All” (#13th #1). • 5× Platinum, 10M+ copies sold. • Artistic peak, blending R&B & hip-hop. • 3 Grammy noms; co-wrote & co-produced all tracks.

There’s something about an up-close-and-personal album cover that radiates confidence, vulnerability, and timeless beauty.

24 years ago today, Mariah Carey released the soundtrack and her eighth studio album, Glitter. The album, which mixed dance-pop, funk, hip hop, and R&B, was a departure from her previous releases. It focused heavily on an ‘80s post-disco sound to accompany the 1983 film.

Happy 83rd Birthday to the legendary Queen of Las Vegas, the incomparable vintage Black Beauty, Ms. Lola Falana! 💃🏽

Beyoncé on her 21st Birthday card invitation circa 2002.

Happy 44th Birthday to the legendary Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter — an acclaimed vocalist, entertainer, trailblazer, visionary, and cultural trendsetter whose artistry has redefined music history. From breaking barriers to building a timeless legacy that inspires and transcends generations! 🐝✨

Happy Heavenly Birthday to a true pioneer, trendsetter, and global icon, the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson! Today, he would have turned 67. There will never be another like him, and may his legacy continue to inspire future generations. 👑

29 years ago today, Aaliyah released her sophomore studio album, One in a Million. The album debuted at #20 on the Billboard 200 and later peaked at #18, debuted at #4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and later peaked at #2, was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA, selling 8M+ copies worldwide.

27 years ago today, Lauryn Hill released her debut studio album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album was met with universal critical acclaim and became one of the most acclaimed albums of 1998. With over 20 million copies sold worldwide, it is among the best-selling albums of all time.

24 years ago today, the world lost the Princess of R&B, the beautiful and talented Aaliyah, at the age of 22. May her legacy continue to live on forever and influence the current landscape of R&B music. 🕊️

Every great album cover isn’t just art, it’s storytelling in a single frame.

Happy 67th Birthday to one of the most legendary actresses of all time, the incomparable Leo Queen herself, Angela Bassett! 🔥

7 years ago today, the world lost the legendary Queen of Soul, the incomparable Aries diva, Ms. Aretha Franklin. 🕊️

Happy 59th Birthday to one of the most legendary actresses of all time, the incomparable Halle Berry!

Today, 46 years ago, Michael Jackson released Off the Wall. Five singles were released from the album; the album produced two Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” & “Rock with You.” Off the Wall has sold 20M+ copies WW, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to The Voice — the incomparable, charismatic Leo Queen herself, Ms. Whitney Houston! Today, she would have turned 62.

Foxy Brown on the line, Cinderella-coded. Brandy and Monica overhearing each other’s calls. Toni Braxton pleading on the phone. Alicia Keys imagining the call, rehearsing every word. Phone scenes in 90s/00s music videos were pure cinematic drama.

24 years ago today, Destiny’s Child’s “Bootylicious” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is the last song by a girl group to achieve this. 💕🔥

52 years ago today, Stevie Wonder released his sixteenth studio album, Innervisions. 🔥 Innervisions is widely considered by fans, critics, and colleagues to be one of Stevie Wonder’s finest works and one of the greatest albums of all time.

This is how you know Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE could’ve existed in any era.

3 years ago today, Beyoncé released her critically acclaimed Grammy Award-winning studio album, RENAISSANCE! 🐎🪩🔥

A P-Funk/rock-inspired ACT III from Beyoncé—channeling the energy of Betty Davis on They Say I’m Different, Tina Turner in her Acid Queen era, Bootsy Collins, & Funkadelic—is something I’d love to see.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to the legendary, flamboyant funk-rock diva Betty Davis. 🕊️

The Jacksons’ cosmic futurism, Stevie Wonder’s soulful warmth, Prince’s raw minimalism, & Earth, Wind & Fire’s tribal mysticism ushered in a new era of Black music culture in the post-disco era.

32 years ago today, Poetic Justice starring Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Tyra Ferrell, Regina King, & Joe Torry, was released in theaters. - No. 1 at the box office. - Grossed $27M in the US. - Janet Jackson received Oscar & Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Song for “Again.”

Rest In Power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner 💔

42 years ago, Diana Ross, in a custom Bob Mackie jumpsuit, took to the stage live in Central Park for a benefit concert before an audience of over 450,000 people as torrential downpour ensued. “It took me a lifetime to get here, I ain’t going nowhere.”

25 years ago, Jill Scott released her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds, Vol. 1. The album was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 2001 Grammys, whereas the singles were nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2001, 2002, and 2003, and have sold 2.5M+ copies in America.

Some of the most iconic album covers of the ’90s and ’00s were captured through Albert Watson’s lens.

24 years ago today, Aaliyah released her self-titled album. The album was critically and commercially well-received upon release, charting at #2 on the Billboard 200. After her tragic passing, sales of the album increased and led it to the top of the Billboard 200, selling 13M+ copies sold WW.

32 years ago, Toni Braxton released her debut studio album, Toni Braxton. 🎶 The album topped the Billboard 200, sold $5.1M copies in the United States and $10M copies WW, and earned several awards, including three Grammy Awards and two American Music Awards.

32 years ago, Janet Jackson released “If” as the second single from the janet. album. 🔥

46 years ago, “Bad Girls” by Donna Summer reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was a massive success, peaking within the Top 10 of the charts in seven countries, and sold over two million records.