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This Day in Black History: Sept. 6, 1980

On Sept. 6, 1980, Diana Ross’ "Upside Down," written by Chic brain trust Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, would begin a four-week run in the number-one position on Billboard's Hot 100.

On Sept. 6, 1980, Diana Ross' international hit "Upside Down" made a dramatic leap on the Billboard's Hot 100 to the coveted number-one spot.

The Motown song held down the position for four weeks, topped a number of international charts and continued on to become one of Ross' biggest hits.

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of the band Chic co-wrote "Upside Down" and took a more personal approach when collaborating with the iconic performer, according to an interview the duo gave in 2011.

"Diana Ross was the first big star we ever worked with and we took it very seriously," said Rodgers. "This was the first time in her life somebody cared about who she was."

Rodgers and Edwards reportedly spent several days interviewing Ross to best represent the singer while making the song.

Since 1980, many contemporary acts, like Destiny's Child, Salt-N-Pepa, Missy Elliot and MC Lyte, have covered or sampled "Upside Down."

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(Photo: Rob Verhorst/Redferns)

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