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- Little Richard (1932-2020) Little Richard’s 1955 single Tutti Frutti was one of the very first tracks by a Black artist to break through racial barriers and succeed with white American audiences, as well as being successful in the UK.
- Chuck Berry (1926-2017) Hits like Johnny B Goode, Maybellene and Roll Over Beethoven practically invented rock’n’roll, ensuring Chuck Berry would be forever remembered as one of the most influential Black musicians of all time.
- James Brown (1933-2006) The Godfather Of Soul, aka Soul Brother No.1 and The Minister Of The New New Super Heavy Funk – if you listen to hit songs like Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine and Get Up Offa That Thing, the energy, excitement and passion within James Brown’s vocals is spectacular, and the music world has a lot to thank him for.
- Ray Charles (1930-2004) Brother Ray was a giant. Blind from childhood, the singer and piano player cut a swathe through rhythm’n’blues music in the 50s, was a founding father of soul and a pioneer as an African-American musician singing country music.
- Aretha Franklin
- Prince
- Whitney Houston
- Michael Jackson
- Rihanna
- Marvin Gaye
- Beyoncé
- Jimi Hendrix
- Mariah Carey
- Stevie Wonder
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After a ground-shaking career of musical achievements, Aretha Franklinbecame known as the Queen of Soul. She started performing in front of her church at an early age. Her voice captivated listeners and ushered in the combination of soul-stopping music and defiance against injustice, and her undeniable vocal range helped her to release her first go...
America’s most dazzling R&B icon arguably belongs to Prince Rogers Nelson, better known as Prince. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother a vocalist, which introduced him to the music lifestyle at an early age. Prince taught himself to play numerous instruments, eventually signing with Warner Records. His success afterward was greatly attrib...
Sometimes called The Voice, Whitney Houston’s career had many record-breaking accomplishments, including several chart-topping singles, multi-Platinum albums, and Grammy awards. Gospel music served as a primary influence in her music until she caught the eyes of Clive Davis, who immediately signed her to Artista Records. Her second album, Whitney, ...
Like many other singers on this list, Michael Jackson’s deliverance of top hits and signature performances landed him the title of royalty: the King of Pop. His early career began with his family’s music group, the Jackson 5, as the lead vocalist, then he embarked on a solo career that pushed out Thriller, pop music’s top-selling album ever. That a...
Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in the Barbados parish of Saint Michael, Rihannagrew up making music under the influence of her Caribbean roots. It would not be long until her vocals and upbeat tempos would break out into the pop scene. She eventually released her debut album, Music of the Sun, in 2006, leading with the hit dance single “Pon de Replay.” H...
American singer and songwriter Marvin Gayebrought authenticity, softness, and silkiness to the pop-R&B scene. As his career progressed, he combined his spiritual influence with his taste for secular themes. He resisted the blues path and ventured down into R&B and Motown with hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” t...
As another dominant female force in pop music, Beyoncé, born Beyoncé Knowles, had natural talent. By the time she was seven, she was already a performer and local child prodigy, winning singing and dance competitions. Later on, she began her music career with an all-female pop group Destiny’s Child. Through the ’90s, Destiny’s Child released hit si...
American electric guitarist legend Jimi Hendrixis one of the most influential musicians and performers in the rock genre. Soon after receiving his first acoustic guitar from his father, he started a music group called The Velvetones. He would later switch to more duos and trios, finding success with each one. Through the 1960s and the 1970s, he rel...
Known for her skillful whistle register, Mariah Carey’smile-long list of achievements has made her one of the best-selling female artists ever to grace the music industry. She grew up with a musical influence since her mother was an opera singer herself. Her big break came when a record producer listened to her demo tape, where he signed her to Son...
Stevland Hardaway Judkins, or Stevie Wonderas we all know him, became one of America’s most iconic and prominent musicians in jazz, R&B, soul, funk, and many other genres. Blind from a very young age, he did not let this impairment stop him from performing in his church choir or mastering multiple instruments as a child. His undeniable talent caugh...
Learn about the musical achievements and influences of 28 black singers from Aretha Franklin to Rihanna. Discover how they redefined genres, spoke against injustice, and graced their respective stages with soul, R&B, pop, and rock.
Jun 25, 2020 · A list of 50 Black musicians and singers who influenced American music genres from blues to hip hop, based on their influence, body of work and cultural impact. See who made the cut and who are the honorable mentions.
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- Luedji Luna. Afro-Brazillian singer/songwriter Luedji Luna incorporates powerful imagery and the sound of her home to make music that is unique and unapologetically Black.
- Benjamin Wright Jr. Even if you’ve never heard of the “King of Strings,” you’ve definitely heard Benjamin Wright Jr.’ s writing, from the famous string line in the opening of Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” to the horn arrangement from Earth Wind and Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland,” (the latter of which you can listen to him discuss in the video below).
- Larry Levan. Larry Levan undoubtedly took DJing to a level of superstardom and helped create what club music is today. As the DJ at Paradise Garage in Manhattan from 1978-1987, he would remix influential hits from gospel and reggae to soul and rock, and sustain dance marathons that would last all night.
- Honey Dijon. Though she is based in New York and Berlin, DJ and producer Honey Dijon is a product of Southside Chicago, which you can hear in her sound.
- Muddy Waters. Muddy Waters - Baby Please Don't Go. McKinley Morganfield - known professionally as Muddy Waters - was a crucial figure in the post-war blues scene.
- Chuck Berry. Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode (Live 1958) St Louis-born Berry took rhythm and blues and made it palatable for white teenagers. Starting with Maybellene in 1955, Berry unleashed a string of hits that defined rock 'n' roll.
- Bob Marley. Bob Marley & The Wailers - No Woman, No Cry (Live At The Rainbow 4th June 1977) Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley to me and you) considered to be one of the pioneers of reggae music.
- James Brown. Sexmachine James Brown 1971. The Godfather Of Soul. The Hardest Working Man In Show Business. Mr Dynamite. Whatever you call James Brown, you cannot deny his influence on 20th Century music.
Feb 22, 2022 · The Stanford Daily's music beat writers recommend Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Nicki Minaj and Tyler, the Creator as some of the most influential Black artists in the 21st century. Read their reviews and learn about their impact on rap, pop and hip-hop culture.
Feb 13, 2019 · Explore the landmarks and artists who shaped black music across genres and decades, from W.C. Handy to Beyoncé. See photos, videos, and essays on the influential events and songs that changed the world.
