Curtis James Jackson III AKA 50 Cent, is an American rapper, songwriter and singer. In 2000, he produced “Power of the Dollar” for Columbia Records, but days before the planned release he was shot and the album was never released. In 2002, after Jackson released the compilation album “Guess Who’s Back?” he was discovered by Eminem and signed to Shady Records, under the aegis of Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. With the aid of Eminem and Dr. Dre (who produced his first major-label album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’), Jackson became one of the world’s best-selling rappers and rose to prominence with East Coast hip hop group G-Unit. Jackson had similar commercial and critical success with his second album, “The Massacre,” which was released in 2005. He released his fifth studio album, “Animal Ambition,” in 2014 and as of 2019 is working on his sixth studio album, “Street King Immortal.” During his career, Jackson has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and won several awards, including a Grammy Award, thirteen Billboard Music Awards, six World Music Awards, three American Music Awards and four BET Awards. Rolling Stone consider “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” and “In da Club” to be in their lists of “100 Best Albums of the 2000s” and “100 Best Songs of the 2000s” at numbers 37 and 13 respectively.
Al Green was an American singer who became popular known for his soulful voice and style. “Al Green Gets Next to You” 1970 launched his first hit single, “Tired of Being Alone,” which began a streak of four straight gold singles. “Let’s Stay Together” (1972) was his first genuine hit album, climbing to number eight on the pop charts; its title track became his first number one single. While at the top of his career in the 1970s, Green became a reverend and chose to focus on gospel music. Years later, Green found a balance between his religious calling and secular music and went on to release several new albums. He bridged the gap between deep soul and smooth Philadelphia soul.
Alicia Keys, is an American musician, singer and composer. A classically-trained pianist, Keys was composing songs by age 12 and was signed at 15-years-old by Columbia Records. After disputes with the label, she signed with Arista Records, and later released her debut album, “Songs in A Minor,” with J Records in 2001. The album was critically and commercially successful, producing her first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single “Fallin'” and selling over 16 million copies worldwide. The album earned Keys five Grammy Awards in 2002. Her second album, “The Diary of Alicia Keys” (2003), was also a critical and commercial success, spawning successful singles “You Don’t Know My Name,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” and “Diary,” and selling eight million copies worldwide. The album garnered her an additional four Grammy Awards. In 2009, Keys also collaborated with Jay Z on “Empire State of Mind,” which became her fourth number-one single and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. “Girl on Fire” (2012) was her fifth Billboard 200 topping album, spawning the successful title track, and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Keys has received numerous accolades in her career, including 15 competitive Grammy Awards, 17 NAACP Image Awards, 12 ASCAP Awards, and an award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame and National Music Publishers Association. She has sold over 65 million records worldwide. Considered a musical icon, Keys was named by Billboard the top R&B artist of the 2000s decade and placed number 10 on their list of Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the past 25 Years.
Anita Baker is an American singer and songwriter, who came into the limelight with her very first album titled “Rapture” that made her a household name across America. Baker is one of the few artists whose first four albums sold in excess of million copies and remains one of the icons of the R&B genre. Baker decided to take a break in order to bring up her sons and got back to work after a long hiatus, however her stature as an icon was cemented when her comeback album became a big hit. She is regarded as one of the most popular singers of soulful romantic ballads during the height of the quiet storm period of contemporary R&B in the 1980s. Baker has won eight Grammy Awards till date.
Aretha Franklin was an American singer and known as the “Queen of Soul.” A gifted singer and pianist, Franklin released several popular singles, many of which are now considered classics. In 1987, she became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2008 she won her 18th Grammy Award, making her one of the most honored artists in Grammy history. Franklin was known for such hits as “Respect,” “Freeway of Love” and “I Say a Little Prayer.”
Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson both have careers as songwriters and as performers, with the former seemingly more important than the latter until the mid-’80s. The two met in 1964 and scored their first songwriting hit in 1966 with Ray Charles’ recording of their “Let’s Go Get Stoned.” After a period at Scepter Records, they moved to Motown, where they wrote hits for the duo of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” and “You’re All I Need to Get By.” When Diana Ross left the Supremes for a solo career, Ashford & Simpson wrote “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand” for her. As performers, Ashford & Simpson’s best-known duets are “Solid” (1984) and “Found a Cure” (1979). The duo were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. They are also recipients of The Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award, ASCAP Founders Award, and the Grammy Trustee Award.
Kenneth Brian Edmonds AKA Babyface, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He has written and produced over 26 number-one R&B hits throughout his career, and has won 11 Grammy Awards. As a singer, his own recordings helped rejuvenate the R&B tradition of the smooth, sensitive, urban crooner and made him a staple of urban contemporary radio. Some of his hits include R&B chart smashes “It’s No Crime” and “Whip Appeal” on his solo album, “Tender Lover.” The album also went double platinum. He was ranked number 20 on NME’s 50 Of The Greatest Producers Ever list.
Barry White was an American singer, composer and singer-songwriter who enjoyed huge cross-sectional popularity. The winner of two Grammy awards, White took to music since an early age. He started off as a significant part of various small independent groups and labels in Los Angeles. His biggest success as a solo artist in the 1970s and became a pioneering force in disco music. About 109 of his albums reached the gold status, of which 41 attained the platinum status. In his career, he is reported to have recorded sales of 100 million records. White was known for his deep sultry voice and hits like “I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby,” “Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up,” “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” and “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything.”
B.B. King AKA Riley B. King was an American guitarist and singer, who was a principal figure in the development of blues and from whose style leading popular musicians drew inspiration. In 1951, King made a hit record of “Three O’Clock Blues,” and began what became a lifetime of nearly continuous touring throughout the country and later the world. He often played 300 or more one-night stands a year with his 13-piece band. Some of his hits include “Woke Up This Morning” (1953), “Every Day I Have the Blues,” and “Sweet Sixteen”—enhanced his popularity. In 1964, in Chicago, he recorded the album “Live at the Regal,” and his 1969 recording “The Thrill Is Gone” won him 15 Grammy Awards. By the late 1960s, rock guitarists were acknowledging his influence and priority.
Bell Biv DeVoe AKA BBD, is an American music group formed from members of the New Edition, consisting of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe. They are best known for their debut album, the multi-platinum selling “Poison,” a benchmark in the new jack swing movement of the 1990s that combined elements of traditional soul and R&B with hip hop. Two singles from the album, “Poison” and “Do Me!”, both reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990.
Beyoncé is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. She recorded her first solo album, “Dangerously in Love” (2003), which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. It also featured the Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles “Crazy in Love” and “Baby Boy.” Following the disbandment of Destiny’s Child in 2006, she released her second solo album, “B’Day,” which contained the US number-one single “Irreplaceable,” as well as the UK number-one singles “Déjà Vu” and “Beautiful Liar.” Her third album, “I Am… Sasha Fierce” (2008) earned a record-setting six Grammy Awards in 2010. It spawned the UK number-one single “If I Were a Boy” and the US number-one single “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” Beyoncé received widespread critical acclaim for her albums, “Beyoncé“ (2013) and “Lemonade” (2016); the latter became the world’s best-selling album of 2016. She became the first and only music act in Billboard 200 chart history to debut at number one with their first six solo studio albums. In 2018, she released “Everything Is Love,” a collaborative album with her husband, Jay-Z. She is one of the world’s best-selling music artists, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. Beyoncé is the most nominated woman in the Grammy Award’s history, with a total of 24 wins. She is also the most awarded artist at the MTV Video Music Awards, with 24 wins, including the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. In 2014, she became the highest-paid Black musician in history and was listed among Time’s 100 most influential people in the world for a second year in a row. Forbes ranked her as the most powerful female in entertainment on their 2015 and 2017 lists, and in 2016, she occupied the sixth place for Time’s Person of the Year.
Christopher Lee Rios AKA Big Pun (short for Big Punisher), was an American rapper. Emerging from the underground hip hop scene in The Bronx borough of New York City in the early 1990s, he came to prominence during the latter half of the decade for his work with Fat Joe and the Terror Squad. Pun’s lyrics are notable for their technical efficiency, having minimal pauses to take a breath, heavy use of alliteration as well as internal and multi-syllabic rhyming schemes. He is frequently cited as one of the best MCs of all time. In 1997, he signed with Loud Records as a solo artist, and released his Grammy-nominated debut studio album “Capital Punishment” in April 1998 to critical acclaim and commercial success, peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200 and becoming the first solo hip hop record by a Latino artist to go Platinum.
Christopher George Latore Wallace AKA “Biggie Smalls,” “The Notorious B.I.G,” or “Biggie,” was an American rapper and considered amongst the greatest and most influential rappers ever. At the time when West Coast hip hop was dominating the mainstream, his debut album “Ready to Die” became a huge success. He was noted for his loose and easy flow, dark and semi-autobiographical lyrics, and storytelling abilities which focused on crime and hardship.
Billie Holiday AKA Elinore Harris AKA Lady Day, was an American jazz singer, one of the greatest from the 1930s to the 1950s. In 1933, Holiday made her first recordings, with Benny Goodman and others. Two years later a series of recordings with Teddy Wilson and members of Count Basie’s band brought her wider recognition and launched her career as the leading jazz singer of her time.
Bo Diddley AKA Ellas Bates, and later Ellas McDaniel is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was one of the most influential performers of rock music’s early period. Diddley scored few hit records but was one of rock’s most influential artists for his own beat: chink-a-chink-chink, ca-chink-chink. That syncopated beat had surfaced in a few big-band rhythm-and-blues charts of the 1940s, but Diddley stripped it down and beefed it up. He made it, with its obvious African roots, one of the irresistible dance sounds in rock and roll. It was appropriated by fellow 1950s rockers (Johnny Otis’s “Willie and the Hand Jive” [1958]), 1960s garage bands (the Strangeloves’ “I Want Candy” [1965]), and budding superstars (the Rolling Stones’ version of Buddy Holly’s Diddley-influenced “Not Fade Away” [1964]). For all that, Diddley hit the pop charts just five times and the Top 20 only once (even though his 1955 debut single, “Bo Diddley,” backed with “I’m a Man,” was number one on the rhythm-and-blues charts).
Bob Marley started his career as part of the band The Wailers, known for hits like “Simmer Down,” “Rude Boy,” as well as cult albums like “Catch a Fire,” and “Soul Revolution.” Once the band members went their own ways, Marley found new artists to collaborate with and continued releasing albums under the name Bob Marley and The Wailers. His first album, under this name, was “Live!” after which he went on to produce records like “Rastaman Vibration,” “Kaya,” “Exodus,” and “Babylon by Bus.” His album “Rastaman Vibration” was a record-breaking one and solidified his reputation as a peace-loving humanitarian. This singer was known for his staunch faith in the “Rastafari Movement,” which was reflected in the tracks he produced. To this day, Marley is synonymous with reggae.
Bobby Brown is an American singer and performer who started with group, New Edition. The band’s first album, “Candy Girl,” made them a teenage sensation. He exited the band eight years later to go solo and scored a hit with “Don’t Be Cruel.” The album dominated the Billboard Hot 100, and was one of the best-selling albums of the decade and won for him a couple of American Music Awards. Brown helped to popularize new jack swing, a blend of soul, funk, and hip-hop sounds with raps and melodious verses. His new sound appealed to pop music lovers and was responsible for keeping alive the new jack swing pioneered by Ted Riley.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony is an American rap group, which consisted of rappers Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Flesh-n-Bone. Their EP included their breakout hit single “Thuggish Ruggish Bone.” In 1995, the group released its second album, “E. 1999 Eternal,” which included hits “1st of tha Month” and “East 1999.” Their hit song “Tha Crossroads,” a tribute to then-recently deceased Eazy-E, won a Grammy Award. Bone Thugs is the only group that has worked with 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Eazy-E, and Big Pun while they were still alive. The editors of About.com ranked them #12 on their list of the “25 Best Rap Groups of All Time” and MTV called them “the most melodic hip-hop group of all time.”
Boyz II Men is an American R&B and hip hop vocal group best known for their emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. The group consisted of Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris and Michael McCary. They are currently a trio composed of baritone Nathan Morris alongside tenors Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman. During the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet scoring hits like “I’ll Make Love to You” and becoming only the third artists ever (after The Beatles and Elvis Presley) to replace themselves at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. These achievements were enough to earn Boyz II Men recognition as Billboard magazine’s biggest boy band during the period of 1987 to 2012.
Trevor George Smith Jr. AKA Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, musician, singer, record producer and record executive. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after NFL and CFL wide receiver George “Buster” Rhymes. He is known for his outlandish style and fashion sense as well as his intricate and high-speed rhyming technique. He has released nine studio albums, with the first being the 1996 platinum-selling album “The Coming.” His list of hit singles include “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check,” “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” “Dangerous.” “Turn It Up” (Remix)/”Fire It Up,” “Gimme Some More,” “What’s It Gonna Be?” “Pass the Courvoisier, Part II,” “I Know What You Want” and “Touch It.” He has received 11 Grammy Award nominations for his work.
Chaka Khan is an American recording artist, whose career spans more than five decades, she has won a total of ten Grammys. She has also been named the 65th most successful dance artist of all time by Billboard magazine. Early in her career, she performed with various bands and later joined a group named Rufus. The group won their first Grammy award a year later and a few years later she made her debut as a solo artist, and released her first self-titled album. She then released several other albums over the years, including “Echoes of an Era,” “The Woman I Am” and “Funk This.”
Charlie Parker was a Grammy Award–winning jazz saxophonist who, with Dizzy Gillespie, invented the musical style called bop or bebop. From 1935 to 1939, he played the Missouri nightclub scene with local jazz and blues bands. In 1945, he led his own group while performing with Dizzy Gillespie on the side. Together they invented bebop.
Christopher “Chris” Brown is an American R&B singer and entertainer who gave the music world hits like “Run It!” “Kiss Kiss” and “Forever.” His self-titled debut album “Chris Brown” was released in 2005 which became a huge commercial success and sold three million copies worldwide. He followed up the success of his album with “The Up Close and Personal Tour” giving more than 30 performances all over the country. Brown has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Throughout his career, Brown has won several awards, including a Grammy Award, 15 BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, and six Soul Train Music Awards. According to Billboard, Brown has the seventh most Billboard Hot 100 entries.
Chuck Berry is considered by many as the “father of rock ‘n’ roll.” He began producing hits in the 1950s, including “Johnny B. Goode” in 1958 and had his first No. 1 hit in 1972 with “My Ding-a-Ling.” Berry’s lyrics and distinctive sounds led him to become one of the most influential figures in the history of rock music.
Count Basie was a pianist, who played vaudeville before eventually forming his own big band and helping to define the era of swing with hits like “One O’Clock Jump” and “Blue Skies.” In 1958, Basie became the first African American male recipient of a Grammy Award. One of jazz music’s all-time greats, he won many other Grammys throughout his career and worked with many artists, including Joe Williams and Ella Fitzgerald.
Curtis Mayfield is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and entrepreneur who helped to create Chicago-based soul music during the 1960s and 1970s. Beginning with his earliest songs—such as “Gypsy Woman” (1961), “It’s All Right” (1963), “Keep On Pushing” (1964), and “People Get Ready” (1965)—as a lead vocalist of the Impressions, he wrote inspirational, humanistic pieces concerned with African American uplift. His compositions became standards for artists as varied as Rod Stewart, Bob Marley, and Brian Hyland.
David Ruffin was an American soul singer who rose to fame as one of the lead singers of the Temptations. Ruffin began writing songs when he was a teenager. He sang in Memphis talent shows before eventually signing with Motown Records and joining the Temptations. With Ruffin at the helm, the Temptations hit it big with such songs as “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” As a solo artist, Ruffin found occasional success and was eventually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Destiny’s Child was an American girl group whose final and best-known line-up comprised Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The group began their musical career as Girl’s Tyme, formed in 1990 in Houston, Texas. After years of limited success, the quartet comprising Knowles, Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett were signed in 1997 to Columbia Records as Destiny’s Child. The group was launched into mainstream recognition following the release of their best-selling second album, “The Writing’s on the Wall” (1999), which contained the number-one singles “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Say My Name.” The other big hits include “Independent Women,” “Survivor” and “Bootylicious,” “Lose My Breath” and “Soldier.” Destiny’s Child has sold more than sixty million records worldwide to date. Billboard magazine ranks the group as one of the greatest musical trios of all time, the ninth most successful artist/band of the 2000s, placed the group 68th in its All-Time Hot 100 Artists list in 2008 and in December 2016, the magazine ranked them as the 90th most successful dance club artist of all-time. The group was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, winning twice for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and once for Best R&B Song.
Diana Ross is American pop and soul singer, who began singing with friends as a teenager, and eventually formed the groundbreaking 1960s trio the Supremes, going on to have hits like “Come See About Me” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Ross left for a solo career in 1969, later reaching No. 1 with hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Love Hangover.” She also starred and sang in such films as “Lady Sings the Blues” and “The Wiz.”
Dinah Washington AKA Ruth Lee Jones, was an American blues singer noted for her excellent voice control and unique gospel-influenced delivery. Between 1949 to 1955, her recordings were among the Top 10 hits of the rhythm-and-blues charts.
Dionne Warwick is an American pop and R&B singer whose soulful sound earned her widespread appeal. She is perhaps best known for her collaborations with such high-profile artists as Burt Bacharach and Barry Manilow. She is known for hit songs, including “Walk on By” and “I Say a Little Prayer.” In 2012, Warwick celebrated her 50th anniversary in the music business with the album “Now.”
Dizzy Gillespie was born John Birks Gillespie and was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who was one of the seminal figures of the bebop movement. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Gillespie played in a number of bands, including those led by Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Earl Hines, Duke Ellington, and Billy Eckstine.
Earl Simmons AKA DMX,(File Photo)
Donny Hathaway was an R&B singer, who achieved his greatest commercial success as Roberta Flack’s duet partner of choice. Hathaway first worked behind the scenes as a producer, arranger, songwriter, and session pianist/keyboardist. He supported the likes of Aretha Franklin, Jerry Butler, and the Staple Singers, among many others, and joined the Mayfield Singers, a studio backing group that supported Curtis Mayfield’s Impressions. Hathaway soon became a house producer at Mayfield’s Curtom label, and in 1969 cut his first single, a duet with June Conquest called “I Thank You Baby.” He is known for his smooth, gospel-inflected voice and for duet hits with Flack such as “Where Is the Love?” and “The Closer I Get to You.”
Andre Romelle Young AKA Dr. Dre has been referred to as Godfather of the American hip hop industry. He made his mark with the influential gangsta rap group, N.W.A., which gave him his first major success. He co-founded Death Row Records and later Aftermath Entertainment of which he is the current CEO. Dre’s natural musical talent helped him become a leading pioneer of rap music, his two solo albums, “The Chronic” and “2001” were highly successful. He introduced to the world G-funk style of music that became an instant rage. He is behind some of rap’s biggest icons which include Snoop Dogg, Eminem and 50 Cent. Undoubtedly, he can be credited as the most influential producer of the hip-hop history.
Drake is a Canadian rapper, singer and songwriter, who has emerged as one of the best rappers in recent times. He began his musical journey with a number of self-released mixtapes. He released an EP titled “So Far Gone” and went on to release four studio albums, “Thank Me Later,” “Take Care,” “Nothing Was the Same” and “Views.” His songs are marked by his egotistical lyrics, often dealing with his personal experiences and relationships with women. Among the world’s best-selling music artists with over 170 million records sold, Drake is ranked as the world’s highest-certified digital singles artist by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Drake also holds several Billboard chart records; he has the most charted songs among solo artists in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, the most simultaneously charted Hot 100 songs in a single week, the most time on the Hot 100, and the most Hot 100 debuts in a week. He also has the most number one singles on the Hot Rap Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Rhythmic Charts. Drake has also won four Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, twenty-seven Billboard Music Awards and three Juno Awards.
Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50-year career. He created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in Western music. Ellington’s fame rose to the rafters in the 1940s when he composed several masterworks, including “Concerto for Cootie,” “Cotton Tail” and “Ko-Ko.” Some of his most popular songs included “It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “Prelude to a Kiss,” “Solitude” and “Satin Doll.”
Eric Lynn Wright AKA Eazy-E, was an American rapper also referred to as “The Godfather of Gangsta rap” by his fans. He was a popular solo performer who also performed in the hip hop group N.W.A. He was known for his unique style of delivery, over-the-top lyrics, and raw sex appeal. Deeply influenced by contemporary funk groups, rappers and comedians, he went on to develop his own unique style that made him much popular among the masses.
El DeBarge is an American singer known for his falsetto voice, and was the lead singer of the ’80s R&B sibling group, DeBarge throughout their career, appearing on the hits “All This Love,” “Love Me in a Special Way,” “Who’s Holding Donna Now,” and “Rhythm of the Night.” After leaving the group in 1985, he launched his solo career in 1986 with a self-titled debut album that featured the number three hit “Who’s Johnny?,” featured in the film “Short Circuit.”
Ella Fitzgerald AKA Ella Jane Fitzgerald, is an American jazz singer, who became world famous for the wide range and rarity of her voice. She became an international legend during a career that spanned some six decades. From 1956 to 1964, she recorded a 19-volume series of “songbooks,” in which she interpreted nearly 250 outstanding songs by Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, and Johnny Mercer. This material, combined with the best jazz instrumental support, clearly demonstrated Fitzgerald’s remarkable interpretative skills.
Erykah Badu is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Her first album, “Baduizm,” was a big hit, establishing her as a popular star by the age of twenty-five. Since then, she has produced seven more albums. Among her seven albums, one is a live performance and another, “ICON: The Best of Erykah Badu” is a compilation of her hit songs. For her songs, she has received numerous awards and nominations, making her one of the icons of her time.
The Four Tops were an American vocal group that was one of Motown’s most popular acts in the 1960s. The members included Renaldo (“Obie”) Benson, Abdul (“Duke”) Fakir, Lawrence Payton and Levi Stubbs. Under the stewardship of Motown’s premier songwriting and producing team, Holland-Dozier-Holland (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland), the Four Tops became consistent hit makers, registering their first hit, “Baby I Need Your Loving,” in 1964. “I Can’t Help Myself” (number one on the pop and rhythm-and-blues charts in the United States) and “It’s the Same Old Song” followed in 1965, establishing the group’s signature sound. The group left Motown in 1972 when the label relocated to California but returning for another five-year stint with the company in the mid-1980s, the group’s original lineup continued to tour and record together throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The Four Tops were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader and the mastermind of the Parliament/Funkadelic collective during the 1970s. Recording both as Parliament and Funkadelic, the group revolutionized R&B during the 70s, twisting soul music into funk by adding influences from several late 60s acid heroes: Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and Sly Stone. The Parliament/Funkadelic machine ruled Black music during the 70s, capturing over 40 R&B hit singles (including three number ones) and recording three platinum albums.
George Duke was an accomplished keyboardist, producer, arranger, bandleader and composer. He was successful in both popular music and jazz. Throughout the early 70s, Duke recorded multiple albums and by the late 70s, he was also producing projects for jazz, pop, and Brazilian artists including Raul de Souza, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and A Taste of Honey, whose single “Sukiyaki” hit the top spot on the pop, adult contemporary and R&B charts, and went multi-platinum. Duke became a producer of note, going on to score hits with Jeffrey Osbourne (“Stay with Me Tonight,” “On the Wings of Love”) and Deniece Williams (“Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Do What You Feel”) and worked with countless other artists. A well-known hit is the Clarke/Duke Project recording (with bassist Stanley Clarke) that netted his own number Top 20 crossover hit, “Sweet Baby” (number 19 Pop, number 6 R&B).
O’Shea Jackson AKA Ice Cube is a rapper, who along with fellow rappers Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, DJ Yella and MC Ren, rocketed to fame in the late 1980s as a member of the hard-hitting gangsta rap group, N.W.A. After breaking off on his own in ’89, Cube had a successful recording career as a solo rap artist. His albums “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted” and “Death Certificate” both have attained platinum certification in the United States, while also being classed as defining albums of the 1990s. Much of his musical output has contained harsh socio-political commentary and storytelling, which has earned him several accolades from multiple publications and artists, often cited as an influence and one of the best rappers of all time.
Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician known as a pioneer figure of soul music, whose recordings have influenced the development of such musical genres as disco, rap, and urban-contemporary. He is known for his baritone voice and best remembered for his compelling sound track for the 1971 film “Shaft” with the title song, “Theme from Shaft,” becoming a number one hit and earned Hayes an Academy Award for best original song. Hayes reached his greatest popularity in the late 1960s and 1970s, placing (1969–76) 10 consecutive albums on the American pop and rhythm and blues charts.
Jermaine Lamarr Cole AKA J. Cole is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and record executive. Cole initially gained recognition as a rapper following the release of his debut mixtape, “The Come Up,” in early 2007. Cole released his debut studio album, “Cole World: The Sideline Story,” in 2011. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, and was soon certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His next two releases, 2013’s “Born Sinner” and 2014’s “2014 Forest Hills Drive,” received mostly positive reviews from critics and both were certified platinum in the United States. The latter earned him his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album. In 2016, he released his fourth album, “4 Your Eyez Only,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, and was later certified platinum. His fifth album, “KOD,” was released in 2018, and also debuted atop the Billboard 200, marking his fifth number one album.
Jackie Wilson was a dynamic and powerful soul singer during the 1950s and ’60s who successfully crossed over from rhythm and blues to pop music. He successfully crossed over from the rhythm-and-blues charts to pop music, paving the way for a generation of African American performers. Wilson first gained fame with the group Billy Ward and his Dominoes, which he joined in 1953. He became a solo act in 1957. His first major hit, “Lonely Teardrops,” was released in 1958. More successful songs soon followed, including “Night” in 1960, “Baby Workout” in 1963 and “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” in 1967. Wilson collapsed on stage in 1975 and spent remainder of his life in a coma. He died in New Jersey in 1984, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
James Brown is known as the “Godfather of Soul,” and was a prolific singer, songwriter and bandleader, as well as one of the most iconic figures in funk and soul music. James Brown worked his way to the top of the funk and R&B music earning the moniker “The Godfather of Soul.” His unique vocal and musical style has influenced many artists. Brown was also known for his turbulent personal life, as well as his social activism, heard in songs like “America is My Home,” “Black and Proud” and advocating the benefits of education to school children.
Janet Jackson is an American singer-songwriter, actor, and dancer. She is an international icon who has created a stir in the music industry with a series of musically innovative, socially conscious, and sexually provocative records. Though she started as a pop artist, Jackson has infused elements of rhythm and blues, funk, disco, rap, and industrial beats, which gave her crossover success in popular music. In her illustrious music career, which has spewed over 11 studio albums and eight world tours, Jackson has sold more than 100 million records with two of her albums finding a place in Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums list. The albums were also included in the “Definitive 200” list published by “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.” She has become a major role model for music aficionados and enthusiasts across the country.
Shawn Corey Carter AKA Jay-Z (stylized as JAY-Z), is an American rapper, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and record executive. He is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. He first began his musical career after founding the record label Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995, and subsequently released his debut studio album “Reasonable Doubt” in 1996. The album was released to widespread critical success, and solidified his standing in the music industry. He has gone on to release twelve additional albums, which have all attained generally positive critical reception and commercial success, including “The Blueprint” (2001) and “The Black Album” (2003). Jay-Z is one of the world’s best-selling music artists, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. He has won a total of 22 Grammy Awards, the most by a rapper, and holds the record for the most number-one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200, with 14. He has been ranked by Billboard and fellow music publication Rolling Stone as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In 2017, he became the first rapper to be honored into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and in 2018, received the commemorative “Salute to Industry Icons” award at the 60th Grammy Awards.
Jill Scott is an American singer and songwriter, whose 2000 debut, “Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1,” went platinum, and the follow-ups “Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2” (2004) and “The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3” (2007) both achieved gold status. After a four-year hiatus from music, Scott released her fourth album, “The Light of the Sun,” in 2011. In 2015, she released her fifth album, “Woman.”
Jimi Hendrix was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, who delighted audiences in the 1960s with his outrageous electric guitar playing skills and his experimental sound. He learned to play guitar as a teenager and grew up to become a rock legend, who excited audiences in the 1960s with his innovative electric guitar playing. One of his most memorable performances was at Woodstock in 1969, where he performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
John Coltrane was a saxophonist and composer, working with famed musicians/bandleaders Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis during the 1940s and 1950s. Coltrane turned the jazz world on its head with technically, innovative playing skills, which can be heard on “Giant Steps,” “My Favorite Things” and “A Love Supreme,” among others.
Johnny Mathis is an American singer, who scored his first No. 1 hit with “Chances Are” in 1957, and became known for his distinct rendition of popular Christmas songs. The year 2016 marked his 60th anniversary as a recording artist. Mathis is known for his suave ballads, which helped him survive the dominance of rock in popular music, and his signature style propelled him to stardom across generations.
Kanye West is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. West released his debut album “The College Dropout” in 2004 to critical and commercial success, and founded the record label GOOD Music. He went on to experiment with a variety of musical genres on subsequent acclaimed studio albums, including “Late Registration” (2005), “Graduation” (2007), and the polarizing but influential “808s & Heartbreak” (2008). Released in 2010, West’s fifth album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” was the most critically acclaimed album of the 2010s, being hailed by critics as the best album of the decade. He has since succeeded the album with “Yeezus” (2013), “The Life of Pablo” (2016), “Ye” (2018), and the Christian album “Jesus Is King” (2019), as well as full-length collaborations “Watch the Throne” (2011) and “Kids See Ghosts” (2018) with Jay-Z and Kid Cudi respectively. West is among the most critically acclaimed musicians of the 21st century. His music has spanned a broad range of styles, incorporating an eclectic range of influences including hip hop, soul, baroque pop, electro, indie rock, synth-pop, industrial, and gospel.
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is regarded by many critics and contemporaries as one of the most important and influential rappers of his generation, and as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Lamar’s major label debut album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” was released in 2012 by TDE, Aftermath, and Interscope Records to critical acclaim. It debuted at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was later certified platinum by the RIAA. The record contained the top 40 singles “Swimming Pools (Drank),” “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” and “Poetic Justice.” His critically acclaimed third album “To Pimp a Butterfly” (2015) incorporated elements of funk, soul, jazz, and spoken word. It debuted atop the charts in the U.S. and the UK, and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 58th ceremony. In 2016, Lamar released “Untitled Unmastered,” a collection of unreleased demos that originated during the recording sessions for “To Pimp a Butterfly.” He released his fourth album, “Damn,” in 2017 to further acclaim; its lead single “Humble” topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, while the album itself became the first non-classical and non-jazz album to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music.
Lawrence “Kris” Parker AKA KRS-One, and Teacha, is an American rapper and occasional producer, who rose to prominence as part of the hip hop music group Boogie Down Productions, which he formed with DJ Scott La Rock in the mid-1980s. He is best known for his top hits, “Sound of da Police,” “Love’s gonna get’cha (material love)” and “My Philosophy.” Boogie Down Productions received numerous awards and critical acclaim in their early years.
Lauryn Hill is an American singer, songwriter and rapper, known for being a member of Fugees, and for her solo album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” which won many awards and broke several sales records. Hill rose to prominence with her African-American and Caribbean music influences, her rapping and singing, and her rendition of the hit “Killing Me Softly.” “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” received critical acclaim showcasing a representation of life and relationships and locating a contemporary voice within the neo soul genre. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and has sold approximately eight million copies.
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. AKA Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record executive. His career began in 1996, at the age of 13, when he was discovered by Birdman and joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label. Lil Wayne’s solo debut album “Tha Block Is Hot” (1999) was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He reached higher popularity with his fourth album “Tha Carter” (2004), as well as with his appearance on the song “Soldier” with Destiny’s Child that same year. The album was followed by “Tha Carter II” (2005), as well as several mixtapes and collaborations throughout 2006 and 2007. Lil Wayne gained more prominence with his sixth album “Tha Carter III” (2008), which became his most successful album to date, with first-week sales of over one million copies in the US. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and included successful singles “Lollipop,” “A Milli” and “Got Money.” Lil Wayne has sold over 100 million records worldwide, including more than 15 million albums and 37 million digital tracks in the United States, making him one of the world’s best-selling music artists. He has won five Grammy Awards, 11 BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards and eight NAACP Image Awards. On September 27, 2012, he became the first male artist to surpass Elvis Presley with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100, with 109 songs.
Lionel Richie is an American singer who is known for hits such as “Hello,” “Truly,” “Three Times A Lady,” and “Say You, Say Me.” He initially forged a successful career with the Commodores and then went on to have a successful solo career. A Grammy Award-recipient, Richie is considered one of the most successful singer-songwriters of the 20th century, with most of his songs peaking on important music charts. In his music career, he has collaborated with a number of musicians and singers including Diana Ross, Enrique Iglesias, Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney.
Little Richard is a singer and performer known for his flamboyant performances and hit songs from the mid-1950s, which were defining moments in the development of rock ‘n’ roll. With his croons, wails and screams, he turned songs like “Tutti-Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally” into huge hits and influenced such bands as the Beatles.
James Todd Smith AKA LL Cool J, which stands for “Ladies Love Cool James” is a ground-breaking hip-hop artist, double-Grammy winner and most celebrated for popularizing hip-hop music all across the globe. He signed with Def Jam Recordings, and largely responsible for its success. He continued his relationship with the company for 23 years, producing 13 albums in the process. Some of his big hits include “I Can’t Live Without My Radio,” “Rock the Bells,” “I Need Love” and “Hey Lover.”
Louis Armstrong AKA “Satchmo,” “Pops” and, later, “Ambassador Satch,” was an all-star virtuoso, who came to prominence in the 1920s, influencing countless musicians with both his daring trumpet style and unique vocals. The jazz trumpeter, bandleader and singer is known for songs like “What a Wonderful World,” “Hello, Dolly,” “Star Dust” and “La Vie En Rose.”
Christopher Brian Bridges AKA Ludacris is an American rapper. Along with fellow Atlanta-based rappers Big Boi and André 3000 of OutKast, Ludacris was one of the first and most influential “Dirty South” rappers to achieve mainstream success during the early 2000s. After a brief stint as a DJ, he released his first album “Incognegro” in 1999, followed by “Back for the First Time” also in 2000, which contained the singles “Southern Hospitality” and “What’s Your Fantasy.” In 2001, he released “Word of Mouf,” followed by “Chicken-n-Beer” in 2003 and “The Red Light District” in 2004. He took a more serious approach with his next two albums, “Release Therapy” (2006), and “Theater of the Mind” (2008). His next record, “Battle of the Sexes,” was released in 2010 and featured the tone of his previous albums. “Ludaversal” was released on March 31, 2015. In 2014, Ludacris was featured in Forbes list titled “Hip-Hop Cash Kings,” as he earned $8 million.
Luther Vandross was an American singer-songwriter as well as record producer. Throughout his career, he mostly served as a background vocalist for numerous artists including Judy Collins, Bette Midler, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, David Bowie and Donna Summer. He had also served as the lead singer of the group named Change. His popular albums include “The Glow of Love,” “Never Too Much,” “Busy Body,” “The Night I Fell in Love,” “Never Let Me Go” and “Your Secret Love.’” He was also the voice behind iconic singles, such as “Any Love,” “Never Too Much,” “For You to Love,” “I Can Make It Better,” “Here and Now,” “The Closer I Get to You,” “The Best Things in Life Are Free” and “Endless Love.” He has sold over 35 million records worldwide during his career and won eight Grammy Awards, five Soul Train Music Awards, including a special honor, and nine American Music Awards. The most iconic song of his career, “Dance with My Father,” was a huge hit among the masses at the time of its release and to date.
Mariah Carey is regarded as one of the most prominent singers and songwriters of the 21st century. During a career spanning across 20 years, she has established her name as a vocal virtuoso with a five-octave vocal range and has the ability to hit notes even beyond the 7th octave, which can even shatter glass. Her use of melisma and the whistle range have continued to awe and inspire artists since the last two decades. Her body of work includes song writing, singing, and production, not to mention the introduction of new sounds with each album. Her music styles range from Motown soul to R&B to Hip Hop and Pop. She is known for hits such as “Hero,” “Without You,” “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Fantasy,” “Always Be My Baby,” and “One Sweet Day” to name a few.
Marvin Gaye was an R&B singer who gave to the music world super hits like “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” gave a specific shape to the Motown Records. He redefined the way soul music was created during the 1970s. The highly talented musician had been blessed with a golden voice and an uncanny sense of songwriting. He is known for such classics such as “Hitch Hike,” “Dancing in the Street,” “Pride and Joy,” “What’s Going On,” “Let’s Get It On,” “Got to Give It Up,” and “Sexual Healing.”
Mary J. Blige is an American musician and singer-songwriter. She started her career as a background singer in the late 1980s, and a few years later, in 1992, she launched her music career with her debut album, “What’s the 411?” She has released 13 studio albums and has garnered immense international success with eight of her albums honored as multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Blige has won 9 Grammy Awards and has achieved 22 nominations. Known as the “Queen of hip-hop soul,” she has redefined the genre and has inspired a new wave of artists, who have entered the industry to follow in her footsteps.
Percy Robert Miller AKA Master P, is an American rapper. He is the founder of the record label No Limit Records, which was relaunched as New No Limit Records through Universal Records and Koch Records, then again as Guttar Music Entertainment, and currently, No Limit Forever Records. Miller initially gained fame in the mid-1990s with the success of his hip hop music group TRU as well as his fifth solo rap album “Ice Cream Man,” which contained his first single “Mr. Ice Cream Man.” He gained further popularity in 1997 after the success of his platinum single “Make ‘Em Say Uhh!” In total, Miller has gone on to release 15 studio albums. In 2009, Forbes estimated Miller’s net worth at nearly $700 million, which put him as the third-richest figure in hip hop at the time.
Michael Jackson was an American singer and performer widely held as one of the most successful entertainers of all time. While his distinctive sound and style has been of great influence to numerous hip hop, post-disco, contemporary R&B, pop, and rock artists, it was his angelic dance style that continues to be one of the popular styles of dance. A music aficionado and enthusiast, Jackson changed the way people looked on at music and created a never-ending craze with his chartbusters and best-sellers. He gave pop and rock its life and blood and wrote chapters in the history of music that would long live for centuries to come. A music propeller in the truest sense, it was his outstanding gift and prodigious talent that made him a sensation globally. His countless awards and honorific titles, such as “King of Pop” and “Artist” of the: Decade, Generation, Century and Millennium are a glaring testimony to his enthralling musical career.
Migos is an American hip hop group composed of three rappers known by their stage names Takeoff, Offset and Quavo. Migos released their commercial debut single “Versace” in 2013, taken from their mixtape “Y.R.N.” (Young Rich Niggas). They have gone on to release several more singles, including “Fight Night” (2014), “Look at My Dab” (2015), and their four Billboard Hot 100 top 10 entries “Bad and Boujee” (featuring Lil Uzi Vert) (2016), peaking at number one, “MotorSport” (with Nicki Minaj and Cardi B) (2017), peaking at six, “Stir Fry” (2017), peaking at eight, and “Walk It Talk It” (featuring Drake) (2018), peaking at ten.
Instrumental in the development of jazz, Miles Davis is considered one of the top musicians of his era. Throughout his life, he was at the helm of a changing concept of jazz. Winner of eight Grammy awards, Davis was a major force in the jazz world, as both a trumpet player and a bandleader.
Minnie Riperton was an American singer known for her incredible five-octave vocal range and scored her greatest commercial success with the chart-topping pop ballad “Lovin’ You.” The single made Riperton a household name, and subsequent LPs like 1975’s “Adventures in Paradise” and 1977’s “Stay in Love” maintained her popularity with soul fans.
Muddy Waters AKA McKinley Morganfield was an American blues guitarist and singer, who played a major role in creating the post-World War II electric blues. His music, much of which he composed, included lyrics that were mournful and sensual. In the process, Waters became the foremost exponent of modern Chicago blues.
Nancy Wilson was a jazz singer who crossed over into the pop and adult contemporary markets. She is best known as a jazz performer, renowned for her work alongside figures including Cannonball Adderley and George Shearing. Wilson made numerous albums, many of them properly categorized as pop and R&B outings, and toured extensively, appearing with everyone from Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan to Ruth Brown and LaVern Baker.
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones AKA Nas, is an American rapper and songwriter. The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas has released eight consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums and has sold over 30 million records worldwide. He is also an entrepreneur through his own record label; he serves as associate publisher of Mass Appeal magazine and the co-founder of Mass Appeal Records. His musical career began in 1991, as a featured artist on Main Source’s “Live at the Barbeque.” His debut album “Illmatic” received universal acclaim from both critics and the hip hop community and is frequently ranked as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. His follow-up “It Was Written” debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, stayed on top for four consecutive weeks, went Double Platinum in two months, and made Nas internationally known. His 11th studio album, “Life Is Good” was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.
Nat King Cole was an American musician who first came to prominence as a jazz pianist. He’s known for his baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres. In 1956, Cole became the first African American performer to host a variety television series, and for many White families, he was the first Black man welcomed into their living rooms each night. He’s best known for his singles like “The Christmas Song,” “Mona Lisa” and “Nature Boy.”
Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. AKA Nelly, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter. Nelly embarked on his music career with Midwest hip hop group St. Lunatics in 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in the year 2000, with his debut album “Country Grammar,” of which the featured title-track and the single “Ride wit Me” were top ten hits. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and went on to peak at number one. “Country Grammar” is Nelly’s best-selling album to date, selling over 8.4 million copies in the United States. His following album, Nellyville, produced the number-one hits “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma” (featuring Kelly Rowland). Other singles included “Work It” (featuring Justin Timberlake), “Air Force Ones” (featuring Murphy Lee and St. Lunatics), “Pimp Juice” and “#1.”
New Edition’s early success made them forerunners of two generations of teen pop. The group’s members consisted of Ricky Bell, Johnny Gill, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe and Ralph Tresvant. As the group matured, they began to lay the groundwork for the fusion of hip-hop and R&B known as new jack swing. The group is known for a wide range of hits that include “Candy Girl,” which was a smash, topping the R&B charts, and scored another pop hit with “Cool It Now.” Later hits include “Mr. Telephone Man,” and “Can You Stand the Rain.”
Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty AKA Nicki Minaj is an American rapper and singer. She gained public recognition after releasing the mixtapes “Playtime Is Over” (2007), “Sucka Free” (2008), and “Beam Me Up Scotty” (2009). Minaj released her first studio album, “Pink Friday” (2010), which peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 and was ultimately certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her second album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” was released in 2012 and debuted at number one in several countries. Early in her career, Minaj was known for her colorful costumes and wigs. Her rapping is distinctive for its fast flow and the use of alter egos and accents, primarily British cockney. Minaj was the first female artist included on MTV’s annual Hottest MC List. In 2016, Minaj was included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. As a lead artist, she has earned multiple top-ten entries on the Billboard Hot 100: “Super Bass” in 2011, “Starships” in 2012, “Bang Bang” and “Anaconda,” both in 2014, “MotorSport” in 2017, and “Chun-Li” in 2018. She has accumulated the most Billboard Hot 100 entries among women of all genres. Minaj has broken other records including the most top 10 hits among women on the Billboard R&B Hip-Hop Airplay chart. Minaj has been called one of the most influential female rap artists of all time and has often been dubbed as the “Queen of Rap.”
Nina Simone was a jazz, blues and folk music singer in the 1950s and ’60s, later enjoying a career resurgence in the ’80s. Performing in night clubs, she turned her interest to jazz, blues and folk music and released her first album in 1957, scoring a Top 20 hit with the track “I Loves You Porgy.” In the ‘60s, Simone expanded her repertory in exemplary fashion while becoming identified as a leading voice of the Civil Rights Movement known for tunes like “Mississippi Goddam,” “Young, Gifted and Black” and “Four Women.”
N.W.A which stands for “Niggaz Wit Attitudes” was an American hip hop group from Compton, California made up of group members: Arabian Prince, MC Ren, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, DJ Yella and Dr. Dre. They were among the earliest and most significant popularizers and controversial figures of “gangsta rap” and are widely considered one of the greatest and most influential groups in the history of hip hop music. They were known for their deep hatred of the police system, which has sparked much controversy over the years. They released their first compilation album as a group in 1987 called “N.W.A. and the Posse” which peaked at #39 on Billboard magazine’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Otis Redding is an American singer-songwriter and considered one of the greatest soul stylists of the 1960s. Some of his hits include “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now)” (1965), “Respect” (1965), “Satisfaction” (1966), “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)” (1966).
Outkast is an American hip hop duo formed in 1992 in East Point, Georgia, composed of Atlanta-based rappers André “André 3000” Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton. The duo achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, helping to popularize Southern hip hop while experimenting with diverse genres such as funk, psychedelia, jazz, and techno. Outkast released their debut album “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” in 1994, which gained popularity after the single “Player’s Ball” reached number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. With successive releases including “ATLiens” and “Aquemini,” the duo further developed their sound, experimenting with a variety of styles and achieving commercial success. In 2000, Outkast released the critically acclaimed “Stankonia,” which included the singles “Ms. Jackson” and “B.O.B.” In September 2003, the duo released the double album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below,” which featured the number one singles “Hey Ya!” and “The Way You Move.” The album won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Patti LaBelle is a Grammy award-winning singer, actress and author who made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. In her five decades of career in the music, she has numerous hits as a singer for the band, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles and as a solo singer. It was her song, “Lady Marmalade” that actually established her position as a classic singer. The song peaked at the number 1 status on the Billboard Hot 100. After years of her involvement with a band, she disbanded to start her solo career in 1977. She came up with several albums, each of which exposed her brimming talent and skills and recorded her total sales of over 50 million records. For her outstanding musical abilities, she has been inducted into various Halls of fame, including the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Apollo Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.
Prince Rogers Nelson AKA Prince, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist widely regarded as the pioneer of Minneapolis sound. Famous for his flamboyance, powerful voice, and eclectic behavior, he boasted a career that spanned four long decades, a rarity in the music world where success is fickle. With worldwide sales of 100 million records, he is counted amongst the best-selling artists of all time. His highly sexualized lyrics, creative compositions, and incorporation of elements of funk, dance, and rock music made him stand out from others of his generation. Rolling Stone ranked Prince at number 27 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Robert Sylvester Kelly AKA R. Kelly is an American singer and one of the best-selling music artists in the United States and the most successful R&B male artist of the 1990s. A multi-faceted personality, Kelly is a singer-songwriter and record producer, who has written, produced, and remixed many songs, several of which became chartbusters, earning him the nickname “King of R&B.” Blessed with a distinctive voice, Kelly has his own innovative style of singing and rapping which distinguishes him from other contemporary musicians. He is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time and has been credited with redefining musical genres, such as R&B and hip hop.
Rakim is an American rapper who is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential MCs. Rakim is also one-half of the celebrated hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim whose complex lyricism boosted the hip hop genre to new heights. A master exponent of the art, he is placed on the same pedestal as some of the greatest luminaries of rap music such as Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, LL Cool J, Melle Mel, Chuck D, and Kool G Rap. During his heydays beginning 2006, he was featured on virtually every list of all-time great MCs.
Ray Charles was a legendary musician who pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s. Often called the “Father of Soul,” Charles combined blues, gospel and jazz to create groundbreaking hits such as “Unchain My Heart,” “Hit the Road Jack” and “Georgia on My Mind.” A blind genius, he is considered one of the greatest artists of all time.
Roberta Cleopatra Flack is an American singer and pianist. Her number 1 singles “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and “Where Is the Love,” made her a much sought-after singer in the 1970s and 1980s. She is the first and the only solo singer to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year on two consecutive years. She scored several hits from the 1970s till the 1990s. She also has several chart-topping duets with Donny Hathaway including “Where Is the Love,” “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love.”
Sade is a singer who made an impact in music in the 1980s with her sultry, soul-inspired songs like “Smooth Operator.” In the early 1980s, she signed with Epic Records and recorded her first album, “Diamond Life,” in 1984. The album won Sade a Best New Artist Grammy, and her subsequent multi-platinum albums established her as a top-selling soul and pop artist. Sade is widely considered a musical influence, and her contributions to music have made her a global figure in popular culture for over two decades. She has been credited as one of the most successful British female artists in history. Her services to music were also recognized with an award of the Officer of the Order of the British Empire chivalry honour in 2002, and later the rank of the Commander of the same order in 2017.
Scarface is a famous American rapper, known for his eloquent lyrics, used in albums like “Mr. Scarface Is Back,” “My Homies,” “The Untouchable,” and “The Last of a Dying Breed.” His lyrics have won him several accolades. This impressive rap artist is also a significant member of Geto Boys, a rap group known for their disputable lyrics that deal with issues like necrophilia and psychoticism. He is the only Geto Boys rapper who has produced solo albums, apart from singing for the group. All his albums have been declared to be either Gold or Platinum records by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He is also known for having collaborated with other rap stars including, Li’l Wayne, Eminem, Ice Cube, and Drake, amongst others.
Known as the “King of Motown,” Smokey Robinson founded the R&B group The Miracles, which delivered 37 Top 40 hits for Motown Records. Robinson is second to only Berry Gordy in the founding of Motown. A prolific songwriter, he is credited with 4,000 songs and 37 Top 40 hits, including “Tears of a Clown,” “Tracks of My Tears” and “Love Machine.” Robinson also served as vice president of Motown Records, writing and producing hits for groups such as The Temptations (“My Girl”) and Mary Wells (“My Guy”).
Stevie Wonder is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is considered to be one of the most creative musical performers of the 20th century. Blind from birth, he was a child prodigy, and became a skilled musician by the age of eight. After signing a contract with a Motown label, he was renamed “Little Stevie Wonder” and made his recording debut at the age of 12. Subsequently, he emerged as an able artist with his hit single “Fingertips.” Wonder had numerous hits and several chartbusters, including “I Was Made to Love Her,” “For Once in My Life,” “Superstition,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” “Living for the City,” ‘I Wish,’ and “Sir Duke” and countless others. The 1980s saw Wonder scoring his biggest hits, where he attained an unprecedented level of fame which led to increased album sales, high-profile collaborations, and television appearances. He has 25 ‘Grammy Awards’ to his name —the most ever by a solo artist and is considered among the best-selling artists of all time.
The Supremes were an American pop-soul vocal group whose popularity with a broad audience made its members among the most successful performers of the 1960s and the flagship act of Motown Records. The principal members of the group were Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong. Not only were the Supremes the Motown label’s primary crossover act, they also helped change the public image of African Americans during the civil rights era. They’re known hit singles like “Baby Love” and “Come See About Me” (both 1964) sounded modern, upwardly mobile, and stylishly sensual in a way that appealed equally to adults and teens of all persuasions. They’re known for hit singles like “Baby Love” and “Come See About Me.”
Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. AKA T.I. and Tip (often stylized as TIP or T.I.P.), is an American rapper, actor, songwriter, producer and record executive. Harris has released ten studio albums, with seven of them reaching the top five of the US Billboard 200 chart. Throughout his career, Harris has also released several highly successful singles, including Billboard Hot 100 number one hits “Whatever You Like” and “Live Your Life,” the later replaced the former atop the chart and helped Harris join a select group of artists to replace themselves at number one and simultaneously occupy the top two positions . Harris is also known as one of the artists who popularized the hip hop subgenre trap music, along with Jeezy and Gucci Mane.
Teddy Riley is an American singer and performer who started with group, New Edition. The acknowledged “King of New Jack Swing,” producer/songwriter, Riley’s list of platinum-laced credits includes Guy, the Winans, Joe, Johnny Kemp, Blackstreet, Keith Sweat, Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Hi-Five, and Al B. Sure among many others. Along with Neo Soul style of singers such as Marvin Gaye, he has had a seminal influence on gospel and R&B music, which became more open to using rap and sound effects in their recordings.
The Temptations were the definitive vocal group of the 1960s. They tackled both lush pop and politically charged funk with equal flair, and weathered a steady stream of changes in personnel and consumer tastes with rare dignity and grace. Their known for hits such as “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” the first in a series of 37 career Top Ten hits, their signature song “My Girl,” “It’s Growing,” “Since I Lost My Baby,” “Don’t Look Back,” and “My Baby.”
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye AKA The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actor and record producer. The Weeknd released his debut album “Kiss Land” and followed it up with his most critically acclaimed album to date “Beauty Behind the Madness” (2015), which became his first Billboard 200 number-one album and featured the Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills.” The Weeknd also became the first artist to simultaneously hold the top three positions on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart with “Can’t Feel My Face,” “Earned It,” and “The Hills.” At the 56th Grammy Awards, “Beauty Behind the Madness” won Best Urban Contemporary Album and was nominated for Album of the Year. A year after the release of the album, The Weeknd released his third album “Starboy” (2016) which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit “Starboy.” His debut EP “My Dear Melancholy” (2018) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The Weeknd has won three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, 9 Billboard Music Awards, 9 Juno Awards, and has been nominated for an Academy Award. “The Hills” was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Tina Turner began performing with musician Ike Turner in the 1950s. They became known as the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, achieving popular acclaim for their live performances and recordings like the top 5 hit “Proud Mary,” until Tina left in the 1970s. Following a slow start to her solo career, Turner achieved massive success with her 1984 album “Private Dancer.” She went on to deliver more chart-topping albums and hit singles and was elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
Toni Braxton began her professional career singing alongside her sisters and later as a solo artist with a song on the soundtrack for “Boomerang.” The following year, she released her debut self-titled album, garnering wide acclaim for singles like “You Mean the World to Me” and “Breathe Again.” She later scored a mega hit with “Un-Break My Heart,” included on her second studio album, “Secrets.” “The Heat” (2000), which opened at #2 on the Billboard 200 and included the U.S. #2 hit single “He Wasn’t Man Enough.”
Tupac Shakur AKA 2Pac, was a highly successful rapper and actor known for his violent and shocking lyrics that earned him many fans as well as critics. His solo debut “2Pacalypse Now” which generated considerable controversy due to the violent nature of its lyrics and became very popular primarily due to this very reason. He is considered by many as one of the most significant rappers of all time. Much of his work has been noted for addressing contemporary social issues that plagued inner cities, and he is considered a symbol of resistance and activism against inequality.
Usher is an American singer and songwriter and one of the best-selling music artists of the contemporary era. He has sold a total of 23.8 million albums and 38.2 million digital songs in the United States alone. His worldwide sales till date stand at over 75 million records. Having released a total of eight studio albums till date, Usher has won numerous awards throughout his career, which include eighteen Billboard Music Awards and eight Grammy awards. His latest album “Had II Love” was released in 2016. Like most of his previous works, it was a huge success commercially. It stood at number five on the Billboard 200.
Whitney Houston was an American singer, actress, model, and producer and considered one of the world’s most successful female entertainers of all time. Her debut album would not only become her best-selling studio album to date, but would earn her a Grammy, thrusting her into super-pop-stardom, followed by a string of Hollywood film features and production efforts. Throughout her career, she released seven studio albums and three movie soundtrack albums, winning her various awards. Her powerful voice, spirit, and beauty redefined the image of a soul artist.
Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in the New York City originally composed of rapper-producer RZA and rappers GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa. An important act in the East Coast and hardcore hip hop styles, Wu-Tang Clan are regarded as one of the most influential hip hop groups of all time. Their 1993 debut album, “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers),” is considered one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. Wu-Tang Clan has released four gold and platinum studio albums.
Robyn Rihanna Fenty AKA Rihanna is a Barbadian singer and songwriter, who has been recognized for embracing various musical styles and reinventing her image throughout her career. She earned significant recognition following the release of her first two studio albums “Music of the Sun” (2005) and “A Girl like Me” (2006), both of which were influenced by Caribbean music and peaked within the top ten of the US Billboard 200 chart. Rihanna’s third studio album, “Good Girl Gone Bad” (2007), incorporated more elements of dance-pop and catapulted her to greater stardom, establishing her status as a sex symbol and a leading figure in the music industry. Its international chart-topping single “Umbrella” earned Rihanna her first Grammy Award, winning Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Having sold over 250 million records, Rihanna is one of the world’s best-selling music artists. She has earned 14 number-one singles and 31 top-ten singles in the US, and 30 top-ten entries in the UK. Her accolades include nine Grammy Awards, 13 American Music Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, and six Guinness World Records.
Wynton Learson Marsalis is an American virtuoso trumpeter, composer, teacher, and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He signed with Columbia, and recorded his first album as a leader in the early 80s. In 1982, Marsalis formed his own quintet and recorded his first classical album; he was immediately ranked as one of the top classical trumpeters of all time. He has played with many notable musicians and musical artists over the years.
Run-D.M.C. are responsible for laying the groundwork for the sound and style hip-hop with members Jason Mizell, Darryl McDaniels, and Joseph Simmons. As the first hardcore rap outfit, the trio set the sound and style for the next decade of rap in general. In 1983, Run-D.M.C. released their first single, “It’s Like That”/”Sucker M.C.’s,” on Profile Records. It was the first “new school” hip-hop recording and “It’s Like That” became a Top 20 R&B hit, as did the group’s second single, “Hard Times”/”Jam Master Jay.” Two other hit R&B singles followed in early 1984 — “Rock Box” and “30 Days.” By the time of their second album, “King of Rock, Run-D.M.C.,” they had become the most popular and influential rappers in America. Run D.M.C. is responsible for breaking down the barriers between rock & roll and rap, rapping over heavy metal records and thick, dense drum loops.
Salt-N-Pepa is an all-female groundbreaking hip-hop group made up of members Salt (Cheryl James), Pepa (Sandra Denton), and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper). Their known for their single “Push It” which hit number one in three countries and became a Top Ten or Top Twenty hit in various other countries. Their debut album “Hot, Cool & Vicious” sold more than a million copies worldwide, making them the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status. Their fourth album “Very Necessary” sold over seven million copies worldwide making it the highest-selling album by a female rap act in history.
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. AKA Snoop Dogg is an American rapper whose career began in 1992 when he was discovered by Dr. Dre and featured on Dre’s solo debut, “Deep Cover” and then on Dre’s solo debut album, “The Chronic.” Snoop Dogg is one of the most iconic figures to emerge from the early-’90s G-funk era. He has sold over 23 million albums in the United States and 35 million albums worldwide. After the popularity of gangsta rap waned in the late ’90s, he proved himself to be a masterful chameleon in the hip-hop world, riding his pot-loving image in various directions that helped buoy his career into the 21st century.
Aaliyah Dana Haughton AKA Aaliyah was an American singer, who gained recognition at a young age. At the age of 12, she signed with Jive Records and her uncle Barry Hankerson’s Blackground Records. Hankerson introduced her to R. Kelly, who became her mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number.” The album sold 3 million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Aaliyah worked with record producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott for her second album, “One in a Million,” which sold 3 million copies in the United States and more than 8 million copies worldwide. In 2000, Aaliyah appeared in her first film, “Romeo Must Die” and contributed to the film’s soundtrack, which spawned the single “Try Again.” The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 solely on airplay, making Aaliyah the first artist in Billboard history to achieve this goal. “Try Again” also earned Aaliyah a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocalist. After completing “Romeo Must Die,” Aaliyah filmed her role in “Queen of the Damned,” and released her self-titled third and final studio album in 2001.
