Black History Month has just recently come to a close, making this a perfect time to reflect on the incredible black artists that changed music- and in the most wonderfully extreme cases, the world.
Each artist on this list deserves much more recognition than what I’m going to give them here, but the bigger point of this list is to simply recognize and remember, far beyond the short month of February.
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson’s legacy hangs over blues music in a way that will never be forgotten. Johnson is most recognized in the blues community, but his legend is immensely fortified by the old recordings he left behind. These are considered the “emotional apex of the music itself.” Johnson’s poorly documented life and death enhance the old suspicion that Johnson sold his soul to the devil for musical success. You can hear him sing about it in his “Cross Road Blues.”
Louis Armstrong
Armstrong was a multi-talented artist, beginning with his being the first major soloist to emerge in jazz. Over time, he only became more widely recognized and appreciated, breaking barriers in the film industry and creating hits for 30 years. In 1972, a year after his death, Armstrong received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award.
Billie Holiday
Billie was reportedly the first black jazz singer to be supported by a white orchestra- changing the form of live music in the 30’s. Her most famous song was “Strange Fruit, on the horrible lynchings in the South.
Sam Cooke
Some consider Sam Cooke to be the most important soul singer in history- some even have him labeled as the inventor of the genre. He was undeniably soul’s most popular performer in both the white and black community, and was among the first black composers/performers to get into the business side of music. He founded a record label and a publishing company- but this business crossover never interrupted his engagement in civil rights issues.
Ray Charles
Ray Charles further developed soul music by genre-bending, adding in forms of 50s R&B, Gospel, blues, and later on, even country, to his music. Blind by the age of 6, and losing his both of his parents by the time he was a teenager, Charles had gone through more than any kid should, but his talent was never compromised- on the contrary, he seemed to work even harder.
James Brown
James Brown is the figure most responsible for turning soul music into funk, and eventually initiating rock n’ roll. Brown’s sound was not the only piece of him that was influential- his liver performances were the most exhilarating of it’s time.
The Supremes
The Supreme’s Spotify bio calls the group “the black performers who were most successful at infiltrating the tastes and televisions of middle America.” Fans question whether this group was more soul or pop- but at this point, who cares? This girl group worked tirelessly to become influential and unforgettable. Mission accomplished.
The Temptations
Between 1964 and 1972, only the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were bigger on the pop singles charts than the Temptations. Their smooth harmonies and perfectly-in-sync footwork helped them to become one of Motown’s most iconic acts.
Aretha Franklin
Aretha had an astonishing run of late 60’s hits, merging soul, gospel, and pop music. She was put down countless times for being black, and being a woman, but once she opened her mouth to sing she was unstoppable.
Little Richard
Little Richard will go down in history as one of the rock n’ roll greats. His electric voice sent shivers down spines and his pounding piano playing sent feet onto the dance floor quicker than any other- and that scream! The perfected, effortless scream that influenced so many rock groups following him, might be one of his biggest accomplishments.
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye knew how to write to top the charts, but with a sound as smooth and seductive as his, he probably would have made it far even without trying so hard. Gaye dipped his toe into just about every genre you can think of. As the 1970s approached, Gaye grappled with social protest on What’s Going On, which became one of his most popular albums.
Stevie Wonder
This R&B genius came up with some of the most vibrant music you’ve ever heard. Nearly every song he recorded in his prime sounded light and positive, even if he was talking about serious racial and social issues.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston was a total pop sensation, influencing huge stars like Mariah Carey and Jennifer Hutson. Her accomplishments as a hit-maker are numbered through the roof, and almost unmatched by any other pop vocalist.
Prince
Prince might be most well-known for his appearance; he’s obviously a pop/rock fashion icon, but his hard work as an artist must be recognized. Prince is one of the biggest rock n’ roll stars who influenced the future of pop music. Prince racked up more gold or platinum certified albums in the fifteen years between 1979 and 1996 than any other artist.
Jimi Hendrix
The late Jimi Hendrix is regarded as the best guitar player in rock history. Rolling Stone magazine ranks him as the greatest guitarist of all time and the sixth greatest musician of all time. Early in his career, Hendricks played some back-up in the studio and was straight-jacketed by management, but this didn’t stop him. Jimi went solo in New York, and from there went to London where he started the Jimi Hendricks experience. Amazingly, Hendrix would only record three full studio albums in his lifetime, but nevertheless, he was and always will be recognized as a rock hero and guitar god.
Bob Marley
Reggae’s most iconic figure, Bob Marley was the first Jamaican artist to achieve international stardom. Marley sang about day-to-day struggles in a way that gave people hope and brought them together in a revolutionary way. His songs have touched hearts all around the world, and has influenced generations of artists.
Snoop Dogg
Snoop emerged from the early “90s G-funk era,” as Spotify calls it, and went from hardcore gangsta rap to one of the most loved figures in pop culture, involving himself with artists of all difference genres, sports, and television. His lyrics highlighted the realistic violence of the 90s, and his consistent honesty in every way he presents himself has carried him for almost 25 years now as one of the most important rappers to come out of the era.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Brooklyn Street hustler turned hip-hop king of the East Coast, Biggie knew how to candidly express the growing culture of violence. Biggie was a gifted story-teller, and it’s unfortunate to wonder how much more he could have accomplished if his life was not taken too soon, by the violence he spoke of in his music.
Ms. Lauryn Hill
A highly praised songwriter, rapper, and producer, Lauryn Hill integrated so many different sounds into one on her first solo album, the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Her songs were just as creative as they were catchy, and empowered listeners and artists alike, causing her to remain a black icon of the 90s.
Jay Z
Jay-Z built up his own empire being a rapper turned producer turned businessman- Jay-Z has truly done it all. After his debut in the late 90s, he began a chart run of a dozen number one albums over the span of two decades, and he shows no signs of slowing down- on the contrary, he continues to put out music, collaborations and grow his business projects.
Missy Elliott
The cultural impact that Missy Elliott has had is incomparable to any other rap artist of the 2000’s. She is one of the strongest female forces in the industry, and is to be given credit for the breakthrough of artists like Aaliyah and Tweet, and performers like Alison Stoner. She’s all about empowering females and stays relevant through producing and collaborations.
Kanye West
Kanye West is undeniably one of the most famous artists of the past two decades- even disregarding his marriage to Kim Kardashian. Kanye began with making beats in Chicago and became a worldwide hitmaker (and a bit egotistical, but hey, that’s Kanye).
Rihanna
This native islander did not see global stardom in her future as a child, simply because of geography. Then NSYNC’s producer went to vacation in Barbados and discovered little Rihana. Rihanna has had 11 hit singles from her first in 2005 to 2017, and in the meantime also became the classiest entrepreneur music and fashion has ever fused.
Gary Clark Jr
Gary Clark Jr emerged in the early 2010s, and since, has carried on as the great hope of modern electric blues. He writes about emotional stories of growing up in the black south, and has become more prominent over the past few years with the Grammy-winning release of his album This Land.
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae was brought up in a fairly low-income home, determined to turn her life upside down and become a star. She has had an incredible music career, one of her biggest projects being her Dirty Computer visual album which speaks on sexuality, gender, and race issues. She is constantly speaking out and acting on the issues we face in society, and became a widely recognized actress at the same time, always playing empowering female roles.
Andra Day
Andra Day is an old soul when it comes to music, naturally drawn to jazz and soul sounds with a mix of R&B. Looking up to artists like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, it’s no wonder all of her songs are powerful and inspiring. In 2016, Day was given the "Powerhouse" award during the Women in Music ceremony.
Leon Bridges
Speaking of old souls in music, Leon Bridges is basically today’s Otis Redding. He is an active performer and collaborator, as well as a Top Ten, multiple Grammy-nominated artist, and should be thanked for refusing to let the sounds of the 50s and 60s die out.
Beyonce
Does she even need an explanation? Beyonce Giselle Knowles started out in Destiny’s Child, writing empowering songs like “Survivor” and “Independent Women, Pt 1,” then eventually breaking solo to become the “Queen B.” She never lost her sense of powerful femininity and and continued to release songs that were female-forward and encouraging to women everywhere- “Formation,” “Single Ladies,” and “Run the World (Girls)” barely scrapes the surface of the positive influence Beyonce has had throughout her career.