On Aug. 26, 2017, Kendrick Lamar’s fourth album, DMN., returned to No. 1, marking another major achievement for the acclaimed rapper. The album’s success helped cement Lamar’s place among hip-hop’s most influential artists and set the stage for his continued worldwide impact, including the later phenomenon of “Not Like Us.” Continue reading for more Top 40 history and memorable music moments from Aug. 26.
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Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
These chart achievements highlight the evolving sounds and cultural influence of popular music.
- 1975: Glen Campbell topped the Billboard Hot Country charts with “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Two weeks later, the song also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- 1995: After Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose” was featured in Batman Forever, the song climbed to No. 1 on the charts. Seal later credited the film’s director, Joel Schumacher, with helping the song reach a much wider audience.
- 2008: Solange released her sophomore studio album, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams. Featuring artists including Bilal and Lil Wayne, the album produced songs such as “Would’ve Been the One,” “I Decided,” “Valentine’s Day,” and “God Given Name.” It reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- 2016: Britney Spears released her ninth studio album, Glory, through RCA Records. The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and included “Slumber Party” and “Make Me…,” the latter featuring G-Eazy and reaching No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- 2016: De La Soul released its eighth studio album, and the ANONYMOUS NOBODY. The project featured collaborations with Jill Scott, Usher, Estelle, Snoop Dogg, David Byrne, and Damon Albarn. It reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Notable tracks included “Drawn,” “Pain,” and “Snoopies.”
- 2023: Oliver Anthony debuted at No. 1 with “Rich Men North of Richmond.” The song made history as the first single to debut at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 by an artist with no previous chart history.
Cultural Milestones
The influence of legendary musicians can be felt across generations. The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix are two artists whose work continues to shape popular music.
- 1968: The Beatles released “Hey Jude” in America. The song reached No. 1 within a month and became the year’s longest-running No. 1 hit.
- 1970: Electric Lady Studios, the recording studio commissioned by Jimi Hendrix, officially opened. The facility would later host recordings by numerous legendary musicians, including John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, and Hendrix himself.
- 1978: Frankie Valli’s “Grease” reached No. 1 on the charts. The song served as the title track for the blockbuster film Grease.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Live performances and worldwide tours have produced some of music history’s most memorable moments.
- 2007: The Rolling Stones concluded their A Bigger Bang World Tour with a show in London. The tour became the band’s highest-grossing trek at the time, earning more than $560 million.
- 2014: Kate Bush began a 22-show residency at the Eventim Apollo in London. It marked her first live performances since 1979.
- 2016: Twenty One Pilots brought their EMØTIØNAL RØADSHØW WØRLD TØUR to Little John’s Farm in Reading, England. The set included “Heathens,” “Stressed Out,” and “We Don’t Believe What’s on TV.” The tour supported the band’s 2015 album Blurryface, which debuted at No. 1 in the United States and was followed by more than 120 shows across Oceania, Europe, and North America.
- 2017: Jason Aldean performed at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia, as part of his They Don’t Know Tour. His set included “Take a Little Ride” and “The Only Way I Know,” along with more than 20 other songs. Kane Brown and Chris Young were among the supporting acts on the tour.
- 2019: Ed Sheeran concluded his two-year ÷ (Divide) Tour with a performance near his hometown in England. The 255-show trek became the highest-grossing tour at the time, earning more than $775 million.
- 2025: Shakira performed at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour. Her set included “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Monotonía,” and “Loba.” The 86-show tour generated more than $420 million, making it the highest-grossing tour by a Latin musician.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The music business has continually evolved, while artists have also faced unexpected personal and professional changes.
- 1967: During a press conference in Bangor, Wales, The Beatles discussed their decision to stop using hallucinogenic drugs and their interest in spiritual teacher Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The following day, Aug. 27, the band’s manager Brian Epstein died. The Beatles would later have a falling-out with Maharishi.
- 1987: Sonny Bono of Sonny & Cher announced plans to run for mayor of Palm Springs, California. He won the 1988 election and later went on to serve as a member of Congress.
- 2006: Taylor Hicks’ “Do I Make You Proud?” dropped from the Hot 100 after only eight weeks. At the time, its short chart run was notable for a song that had reached No. 1.
- 2009: Ellie Greenwich died in New York at age 68. Greenwich, who collaborated with her then-husband Jeff Barry, helped write major hits including the Shangri-Las’ “Leader of the Pack,” the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” and Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep – Mountain High.” She was also credited with discovering Neil Diamond.
A Day Full of Music History
From chart-topping singles and groundbreaking albums to legendary performances and unexpected career changes, Aug. 26 has produced an impressive collection of music milestones. Whether it’s Kendrick Lamar dominating the charts, The Beatles creating another classic, or artists such as Hendrix, Shakira, and Ed Sheeran making their mark, the date remains an interesting chapter in music history.