In celebration of Black History Month let’s take a look into the history of music to honor the Black people that both influenced us and brought us joy with their wonderful music. Here are some of my personal favorites that rocked the music industry in the 20th century:
1. Janet Jackson
The younger sister of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson is one of the best-selling artists in contemporary history. Some of her successful albums are Control, Rhythm Nation, The Velvet Rope and Unbreakable.
2. Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston was an American singer and actress whose first four albums, released between 1985 and 1992, amassed global sales in excess of 86 million copies. Some of her successful hits are “Saving All My Love For You,” “I Will Always Love You.” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
3. Prince
Prince, the American musician that achieved wide fame with the albums 1999 and Purple Rain, cemented his superstar status with No. 1 hits like “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy.” A seven-time Grammy winner, Prince had a prodigious output that included later albums like Diamonds and Pearls, The Gold Experience and Musicology.
4.Bob Marley
Bob Marley is considered one of the most influential musicians of all time, credited for popularizing reggae music around the world, he is a symbol for Jamaican culture and identity. His music is known for its powerful lyricism and inspirational messages.
5. Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder is an American musician. In the ’70s he released four outstanding albums Talking Book (1972), Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976) and created some of the most unforgettable songs in the popular music history.
6. Ray Charles
Considered one of the greatest artists of all time, Ray Charles, the blind genius, created big hits like “Unchain My Heart,” “Hit the Road Jack” and “Georgia on My Mind.” Charles never worked in only one style, in his album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music he gave soul interpretations of country music. During his lifetime Ray Charles recorded more than 60 albums and performed more than 10,000 concerts.
7. Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin, also known as “Queen of Soul,” is famous for her hits “Respect”, “Freeway of Love” and “I Say a Little Prayer.” Her natural gift and ability to sing multiple genres led her to win several Grammy Awards during her career in music. In 1997, she became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame.
8. James Brown
James Brown, the”Godfather of Soul,” is an iconic figure who lived to entertain people and bring them joy, he is the creator of amazing songs such as “I Got You(I Feel Good),” “Sex Machine,” and ” Get Offa That Thing.” His amazing voice and musical style inspired many artists. He also wrote songs like “America Is My Home,” “Black and Proud,” “Say It Loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud,” and “Don’t Be a Dropout” inspiring many generations after.
9. Ella Fitzgerald
“The Lady of Jazz,” Ella Fitzgerald was a significant contributor to the Jazz genre. In 1958 at the very first Grammy Awards, Fitzgerald made history and was the first African-American woman to win the award for best individual jazz performance and best female vocal performance. She died at the age of 79 but her influence continues to live on. Some of her singles are “Dream A Little Of Me,” “Every Time We Say Goodbye” and “Cheek To Cheek.”
Comments are closed.