On February 9, 2018, Kendrick Lamar released Black Panther: The Album, the official soundtrack to Marvel’s Black Panther. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, moving over 150,000 equivalent album units in its first week.
The album also produced two major hits—“All the Stars” and “Pray For Me”—both of which cracked the Top Five on the Billboard Hot 100 and appeared prominently in the film.
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images
But Kendrick’s milestone is just one of many reasons February 9 stands out in music history. From chart-topping albums to unforgettable performances, the date has played host to several culture-shifting moments.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
February 9 has seen the release of several albums that found major chart success across the globe:
1970: The Doors released their fifth studio album, Morrison Hotel. Featuring fan favorites like “Roadhouse Blues” and “Peace Frog,” the album peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 12 on the U.K. Albums Chart.
1985: Madonna started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart
with ‘Like A Virgin’, (a No.3 hit in the UK). It became her first No.1
on the Billboard Hot 100
1993: Paul McCartney dropped Off the Ground in the U.S., about a week after its U.K. release. The album reached No. 5 in the U.K. and No. 17 in the U.S., while also landing in the Top 10 in Australia, Spain, and Japan.
Notable Recordings and Performances
February 9 has also delivered some truly unforgettable live moments:
1964: The Beatles made history with their performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Watched by an estimated 73 million viewers, the appearance helped ignite Beatlemania in the United States. The band performed chart-toppers including “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You.”
1972: Paul McCartney and Wings played their first-ever live concert at Nottingham University in England. The surprise lunchtime performance took place at the Portland Building Ballroom and featured songs like “My Love” and “Give Ireland Back to the Irish.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
The date has also marked major shifts and losses within the music industry:
1997: Brian Connolly, lead singer of The Sweet, died at age 51 due to multiple health complications. The band scored 15 Top 40 hits in the U.K., including No. 1 singles “Blockbuster” and “Hell Raiser.”
2022: Ian McDonald, a founding member of King Crimson and Foreigner, passed away at 75 after battling cancer. With Foreigner, McDonald contributed to classic Top Five hits such as “Feels Like the First Time,” “Hot Blooded,” and “Double Vision.”
2022: Blackstone announced that Snoop Dogg had acquired the Death Row Records brand from MNRK Music Group. The label was home to Snoop’s first two albums, Doggystyle and Tha Doggfather, both of which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
From historic TV performances to genre-defining album releases, February 9 stands as a date that continues to shape and redefine Top 40 and popular music history.