On Feb. 2, 1977, Shakira was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. With up to 37 Top 10 singles on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, she stands as one of the most successful Latin female artists of all time. The four-time GRAMMY Award winner earned her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006 with the global smash “Hips Don’t Lie.”
Beyond Shakira’s birthday, Feb. 2 is packed with unforgettable moments that helped shape Top 40 music history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Several major artists reached new heights on Feb. 2 with influential album releases:
1987: The Psychedelic Furs released their fifth studio album, Midnight to Midnight, via Columbia Records. The album peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the band’s biggest hit, “Heartbreak Beat,” which reached No. 26 on the Hot 100.
2010: Lil Wayne dropped his seventh studio album, Rebirth, featuring guest appearances from Nicki Minaj, Eminem, and Shanell. The album peaked at No. 2 in the U.S. and produced Top 40 singles like “Prom Queen” and “Drop the World.”
Cultural Milestones
Feb. 2 has also delivered massive cultural moments that reached millions of fans worldwide:
2019: Marshmello made gaming and music history by performing a virtual concert inside Fortnite, attracting over 10 million concurrent players—the biggest in-game event at the time. The setlist included Top 40 hits like “Happier,” “Check This Out,” and “Fly.”
Photograph: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
2025: Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping hit “Not Like Us” dominated the GRAMMYs, winning five awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Meanwhile, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter claimed Album of the Year, making her the first woman in over two decades to win the honor. Other notable winners included Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, Lucky Daye, and SZA.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Some legendary live moments from Feb. 2 include:
1977: Van Halen delivered a blistering performance at the Starwood Club in Hollywood. Producer Ted Templeman, impressed by the show, returned the following night with Warner Bros. Records president Mo Ostin to offer the band a record deal.
2025: Clint Black performed at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, California, celebrating the 35th Anniversary of his Killin’ Time Tour. The country icon treated fans to classics like “Nobody’s Home” and “Better Man.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
Feb. 2 has also seen dramatic and tragic industry moments:
1973: Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer injured his hands during a San Francisco concert when a rigged piano exploded prematurely. Fortunately, the keyboard legend escaped with only a broken fingernail and minor cuts.
1979: Sid Vicious, bassist for the Sex Pistols, died at 21 from a heroin overdose. He had contributed to iconic UK Top 10 singles like “Pretty Vacant” and “God Save the Queen.” His death occurred in Greenwich Village, New York, shortly after being released on bail.
Final Note
From Shakira’s birthday to groundbreaking performances, chart-topping albums, and cultural firsts, Feb. 2 remains a powerful date in Top 40 music history, marking moments that continue to influence the sound and culture of popular music.