By: Pamela Stern
February is Black History Month and the Spring Creek Sun is spotlighting Black Musical artists whose music has been influential and has made an impact in the industry. The Spring Creek Sun has compiled a list of some of the prominent artists and their accomplishments:
Prince-was a singer-songwriter, dancer, and musician, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. He was considered a guitar virtuoso and could also play several other instruments. With worldwide sales of over 150 million records, he is ranked among the best-selling music artists of all time. He was also well known for his flamboyant persona.
Aretha Franklin-is widely regarded as the Queen of Soul, she was a singer-songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. She was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, sold over 75 million records, and is also one of the best-selling musicians ever.
The Notorious B. I.G.-rapper, songwriter from Brooklyn, NY. The Notorious B.I.G. was a rapper and songwriter and is considered one of the best. His debut album was critically acclaimed.
Jay-Z- is an Americanrapper, songwriter, record executive, entrepreneur, and media proprietor who was born in Brooklyn, NY. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists. He is one of the world’s best-selling music artists.
Stevie Wonder-is am Americansinger and songwriter who is influential and one of the best-selling musicians of all time. That Girl, Gotta Have You, I Just Called to Say I Love You, Part-Time Lover and Happy Birthday are some of his chartbuster songs. He has won many awards and accolades, including 25 Grammy Awards.
Marvin Gaye– is an American singer and one of the most successful black artists. His albums have sold in millions and his success reached great heights with the 1972 song What’s Going On. The 1982 single Sexual Healing was the biggest hit of his career and was a chartbuster.
Ray Charles- is a great singer-songwriter, composer, and pianist, despite suffering blindness due to glaucoma early in his life. One of the most respected and decorated musicians of all time, he has been named as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. He pioneered the soul music genre, which remains his greatest contribution.
Louis Armstrong- Louis Armstrong was an American trumpeter and singer who played an important role in the development of jazz. He became known as a solo instrumentalist and jazz performer. Louis Armstrong is widely accepted as the embodiment of jazz.
Sam Cooke- “The King of Soul” Sam Cooke is best remembered for his hits A Change is Gonna Come, You Send Me, and A Wonderful World. He began singing gospel as a child and later joined The Soul Stirrers.
Chuck Berry- was an American singer-songwriter and is referred to as the “Father of Rock and Roll”, Berry is credited with pioneering rock and roll music. He is revered for his guitaring skills.
Quincy Jones- is regarded as one of the most popular and influential jazz musicians. As the first African-American to find success at the Academy Awards ceremony, Quincy has been a role model for a host of black musicians and songwriters.
B.B. King- Known as “The King of the Blues,” legendary musician B. B. King introduced a signature style of soloing using string bending and vibrato. His song The Thrill is Gone won him a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
Michael Jackson- “The King of Pop” was a musical entertainer whose work – both with Jackson 5 and solo – won accolades and hearts worldwide. Equally popular were his unique dance moves that created sensation and shaped future dance styles.
Jimi Hendrix- One of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century, Jimi Hendrix began playing guitar at the age of 15. As his career progressed, he became the first musician to use stereophonic phasing effects in recordings. Rolling Stone ranked him as the greatest guitarist and the sixth greatest artist of all time.
Little Richard- “The Architect of Rock and Roll” Little Richard is best known for his track Tutti Frutti, which was included in the National Recording Registry. His music was characterized by energetic piano and back beats. His songs broke all racial barriers and were equally appreciated by white and black listeners.
Isaac Hayes- known for his theme song for the TV Show “Shaft”, Hayes later has become a household name as Chef on the Comedy Channel’s South Park.
RZA-was born in Brownsville, New York. He leads the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and previously performed with Gravediggaz, under the name “The RZArector.”
James Brown- Referred to as Godfather of Soul, James Brown was a prominent figure of 20th century music. Brown influenced the development of many music genres. He was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame.
Alicia Keys– This singer-songwriter was born in New York, New York and has been active in the music industry since the mid-1990s. Her debut album was a super hit and earned her five Grammy Awards. She has sold over 40 million albums worldwide.
Tina Turner- is known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time and has had a long and successful career. Let’s Stay Together, What’s Love Got to Do with It, Private Dancer and The Best are some of her chartbuster songs.
Diana Ross- has several prestigious honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, under her belt, and is one of the most popular and influential singers of all time. In 1976, Billboard named her the Female Entertainer of the Century.
Queen Latifah- is an American musician and actress whose song U.N.I.T.Y. played a major role in raising awareness about women’s rights worldwide. Dubbed Queen of Jazz-Rap, Latifah has influenced several soul, R&B, and hip-hop artists.
Miles Davis- Jazz trumpeter and composer Miles Davis was a pioneer in the bepop and jazz fusion genres. His album Kind of Blue sold 5 million copies in the U.S. and was termed a national treasure by the House of Representatives, years later.
Toni Braxton- is a Soul and R&B sensation who initially performed with her sisters in The Braxtons. She won three of her seven Grammys with her debut album. Known for her Billboard-charters such as Un-break My Heart.
Sean Combs- was born in Harlem, and is a three-time Grammy-winning hip-hop legend Sean Combs, known to fans as Puffy, Puff Daddy, or Diddy, started off as a talent director and then launched his own record label. His debut album, was certified seven times platinum, and his song I’ll Be Missing You topped the Billboard charts.
Nat King Cole- Jazz pianist/singer Nat King Cole, father of singer Natalie Cole, is best remembered for tracks such as Too Young and Mona Lisa. With The Nat King Cole Show, he became the first African-American to host his own show.
Donna Summer-She has been called the Queen of Disco, some of her hits include: On The Radio, Hot Stuff, I Feel Love, She Works Hard For The Money, Love to Love You Baby, Last Dance and many more.
Otis Redding- is referred to as The King of Soul Otis is remembered for his track (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay. He also won two posthumous Grammys.
Luther Vandross- was an American record producer and singer-songwriter. He was regarded as one of the greatest voices in recorded history.
Chaka Khan- Ten-time Grammy-winning funk/R&B/disco artist Chaka Khan, or the Queen of Funk, was the front woman of the band Rufus. Known for her hit track I Feel for You, Khan has sold 70 million records.
Pharrell Williams- is a Rapper-singer who began his career with The Neptunes. He is known for his Academy Award-nominated song Happy from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack and his 13 Grammy wins.
Darius Rucker- Darius Rucker gained fame as the lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. He then launched a solo career, releasing Billboard-charting hits such as Wagon Wheeland, True Believers. He became the first Black American singer to win the Country Music Association New Artist Award.
Johnny Mathis- is an American singer and songwriter. Best known for his contribution to popular music, Mathis has been honored with many awards including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lou Rawls- Lou Rawls was an American singer, composer, record producer, and actor. Rawls sold over 40 million records during his illustrious career.
Lenny Kravitz- was born in New York Cityand is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist, and actor. His style incorporates elements of rock, blues, soul, R&B, funk, jazz, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, pop, folk, and ballads.
Etta James- was an American singer who performed in various genres, including blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz, and gospel. Her career started in 1954, and she gained fame with hits such as “The Wallflower”, “At Last“, “Tell Mama“, “Something’s Got a Hold on Me“, and “I’d Rather Go Blind“.
