These 21 Black Musicians Have Changed Music Forever
Black musicians have long been an essential part of the American music scene. From jazz to hip-hop, these artists have helped shape the sound of popular music.
This blog post will look at 21 black musicians who changed music forever. These artists are responsible for some of the most iconic songs and albums in history, and their influence is still felt today.
Whether you’re a jazz, soul, funk, or hip-hop fan, there’s no doubt that these musicians have significantly impacted the world of music. So without further ado, let’s get started!
21: TINA TURNER
If there’s one word to describe Tina Turner, it’s legendary. A true music industry icon, Turner is the Queen of Rock’ n’ Roll.
She has entertained audiences for over 50 years and left a lasting impression on them. Turner is known for her high-energy live performances.
She has released some of the most popular songs in history, including “Proud Mary” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
She is also a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and her influence has helped shape the sound of popular music.
20: MARVIN GAYE
The 20th century saw the success of Marvin Gaye as one of the most popular musicians of all time. Gaye’s impact is still felt today as a true icon of soul music.
He was known for his smooth vocal style and ability to write catchy melodies. Gaye’s most popular songs include “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Let’s Get It On.”
His music has also been credited with influencing the sound of popular music.
19: ELLA FITZGERALD
Among jazz’s golden age’s most influential musicians, Ella Fitzgerald is undoubtedly one of the best.
Born in 1917, she started touring with the famous Chick Webb Orchestra before going solo and becoming one of America’s first female vocalists.
During Ella’s fifty-year career — in which she worked with Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and others — she influenced singers like Lady Gaga and many others.
18: BIG JOE TURNER
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 18, 1911, Joseph Vernon Turner Jr. was nicknamed “Big Joe” at an early age due to his large frame.
He began his musical career as a vaudeville performer in the 1920s and soon transitioned to recording music.
His greatest fame came from his rock-and-roll recordings in the 1950s, particularly “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” but his career as a performer endured from the 1920s into the 1980s.
Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
17: SAM COOKE
One of the most popular and influential singers of the 20th century, Sam Cooke, is known as the “King of Soul.”
Cooke was a talented vocalist and songwriter with a string of hits in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of his most famous songs include “You Send Me,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” and “Wonderful World.”
Cooke was also a Grammy and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee and has been credited with helping shape the sound of popular music.
16: CHARLIE PARKER
Charlie Parker was one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.
Parker was a talented saxophonist and composer who helped pioneer the bebop jazz style.
He is also credited with helping to shape the sound of popular music. Parker’s most popular songs include “Now’s the Time” and “Ko-Ko.”
He is also a Grammy and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee.
15: NINA SIMONE
Nina Simone was a singer, songwriter, and pianist who was a major force in the Civil Rights Movement.
Simone was a talented musician who used her platform to speak out against injustice. Some of her most popular songs include “Mississippi Goddam” and “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black.”
She is also a Grammy and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, and she has been credited with helping to shape the sound of popular music.
14: BILLIE HOLIDAY
Billie Holiday was one of the most influential jazz singers of the 20th century. Holiday was a unique vocalist who had a significant impact on the development of jazz.
Her famous songs include “Strange Fruit” and “God Bless the Child.” She is also a Grammy and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, and she has been credited with helping to shape the sound of popular music.
13: GRANDMASTER FLASH
Grandmaster Flash was a hip-hop music pioneer, and his work in the genre helped create an entire generation.
The Message is one of the most influential hip-hop tracks ever made, not just because it contains some incredible rapping but also for its innovative use of sound effects and drum programming.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when Grandmaster Flash began making music; however, we know he started in 1970 with “The Party,” which became an underground hit throughout New York City’s rap community after being released on obscure vinyl single (and now CD).
His work as a DJ helped establish many elements that would later become part of seminal records by other well-known artists such as Afrika Bambaataa, Sugarhill Gang, and Kurtis Blow.
12: GEORGE CLINTON
George Clinton is a singer, songwriter, and producer best known for his work with the Parliament-Funkadelic collective.
Clinton’s unique brand of funk has influenced many other genres of music, and he is considered one of the most influential figures in popular music.
His most famous songs include “Flash Light” and “One Nation Under a Groove.” He is also a Grammy and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee.
11: ARETHA FRANKLIN
Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 25, 1942. She is the daughter of Rev. C.L. Franklin, a prominent Baptist minister, and civil rights activist.
As a child, Franklin sang in her father’s church choir and also began studying classical piano. In 1960, she signed with Columbia Records and released her debut album, Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo.
Franklin’s biggest hit song was “Respect,” which was released in 1967 and became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement.
The song was written by Otis Redding, and Franklin’s version became more popular than his. She went on to record many other successful songs, including “Think” (1968), “Chain of Fools” (1967), “I Say a Little Prayer” (1968), and “Freeway of Love” (1985).
Franklin won numerous awards throughout her career, including 18 Grammy Awards (the most ever won by a woman) and induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1987, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
She has been credited with helping to shape the sound of popular music and has been hailed as one of the greatest singers of all time. Franklin died on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76.
10: MICHAEL JACKSON
Few artists have had as profound an impact on American music as Michael Jackson.
A singer, songwriter, and dancer of unparalleled talent, Jackson broke down barriers for black musicians and revolutionized the sound of pop music.
His unique style — a blend of R&B, soul, and disco — paved the way for a new generation of black artists who dominated the American music scene in the 1980s and 1990s.
Jackson’s career was hugely successful, with hits like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” cementing his status as one of the greatest entertainers in the world.
He is a Grammy and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, and his influence can still be heard in the work of today’s biggest stars.
Michael Jackson was a true pioneer in the world of popular music, and his legacy will continue to shape the sound of American music for years to come.
9: CHUCK BERRY
Black musicians have always been at the forefront of the American music scene, innovating and paving the way for others to follow.
One such musician is Chuck Berry, who is widely considered to be one of the most influential musicians of all time.
His hits like Johnny B Goode, Maybellene, and Roll Over Beethoven invented rock ’n’ roll. Musicians like David Hess and Bruce Springsteen picked up an axe and started writing songs as a result of his guitar playing.
A number of legendary musicians have covered his songs, including the Grateful Dead, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, and David Bowie.
There’s no denying that Chuck Berry’s impact on music is truly undeniable.
8: PRINCE
The American music scene would not be the same without Black musicians like Prince.
As one of the most influential Black musicians of the 1980s, Prince’s incredible falsetto, flamboyant personality, and unbelievable performances had a massive impact on the music scene.
With tracks such as Purple Rain, 1999, Raspberry Beret, and When Doves Cry, he seamlessly blended genres from pop to funk to soul to rock to R&B.
As a result of his diverse range of musical talent, Prince is considered one of the most versatile and innovative artists the world has ever seen.
Not only did he pioneer several genres of music himself, but his influence can also be heard in genres that he didn’t create, like hip-hop. Black musicians like Prince have made immeasurable contributions to the American music scene.
His legacy will continue to shape and define the sound of American music for years to come.
7: MILES DAVIS
Miles Davis was an incredible trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who changed the course of jazz music.
He was a pioneer of bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, and jazz fusion. Black musicians such as Davis were essential in shaping the American music scene, and he continues to inspire musicians today.
In terms of jazz, Miles Davis has always been at the forefront.
In his early years, he collaborated with some of the founders of bebop, such as Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie. Still, he constantly challenged his audience’s expectations.
Miles Davis released his Miles Davis Quintet album on August 17, 1959, which would go on to be called “Kind of Blue.”
The album was recorded in two sessions on March 2 and April 22 at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio in New York City.
Miles Davis Quintet featured Miles Davis on trumpet, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley on alto saxophone, John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Bill Evans on piano, Paul Chambers on double bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums.
It is considered one of the greatest albums of all time and is credited with popularizing the modal jazz style.
His other records, such as 1970s Bitches Brew, helped birth the fusion genre. Hip-hop legends like Madlib and The Notorious B.I.G. sampled him.
At the same time, singers such as John Legend and Damon Albarn have emphasized Davis’ influence and inspiration. Miles Davis is the perfect place to start if you're exploring jazz music.
6: LOUIS ARMSTRONG
As one of the most influential musicians in the 20th century, Louis Armstrong had a great deal of influence.
His unique playing style and extraordinary vocal abilities set him apart from other musicians of his time, and he inspired generations of musicians to come.
He was an important figure in the development of jazz music, and his Contributions to the genre are still felt today.
His mastery of the trumpet and his distinctive voice helped to define what jazz would become, and he remains one of the most revered musicians in history.
While many Black musicians have been overshadowed by their white counterparts, Louis Armstrong’s legacy continues to shine bright. He was a pioneer, and his influence is still felt in music today.
5: STEVIE WONDER
Stevie Wonder is a musical genius and one of the most successful Black musicians.
He has achieved massive success in the pop and R&B worlds, and his influence can be heard in today’s music.
Among his hits are “Superstition,” “Living for the City,” and “I Wish.” Stevie Wonder is a truly exceptional musician.
Despite losing his eyesight at a young age, by 13, he would become the youngest artist to top the Billboard charts, and he’s still creating brilliant music.
Wonder was always on the cusp of the latest trends and music technology; performing almost as a one-man band, he was also one of the first musicians to experiment with sampling, synthesizers, and vocoders.
He has a talent for blending R&B, electronica, pop, soul, funk, and jazz and even influenced hip-hop.
Stevie Wonder is considered one of the greatest musicians of all time, and his impact on popular culture is undeniable. Listen to his music if you’re looking for evidence of his genius.
4: BOB MARLEY
Bob Marley is a reggae legend and one of the most influential musicians. He is best known for his hits “No Woman, No Cry,” “Buffalo Soldier,” and “One Love.”
Bob Marley’s music was a force for good in the world, and his Message of peace, love, and unity continues to resonate with people today.
He was a committed Rastafarian, and his music often tackled social and political issues.
His songs were anthems for the oppressed, and they helped to spread the Message of Rastafarianism around the world.
Marley is considered one of history’s greatest musicians and has influenced the music of today.
3: RAY CHARLES
Ray Charles was a true pioneer of soul music. His hits “Georgia on My Mind,” “I Got a Woman,” and “Unchain My Heart” helped to define the genre and cement his place as one of the greatest musicians of all time.
Ray Charles was blind from an early age, but that didn’t stop him from achieving massive success in the music industry. He was a true pioneer and helped shape the sound of popular music.
Ray Charles was a master of improvisation, and his work influenced generations of musicians.
2: James Brown
James Brown was born in 1933 in Barnwell, South Carolina. He began singing gospel music at a young age, and by the early 1950s, he was performing R&B and soul music. In 1956, Brown released his first single, “Please Please Please,” which became a huge hit.
He followed up with a string of successful singles, including “I Got You (I Feel Good),” “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” and “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine.”
Brown’s unique sound helped pioneer funk music, and his influence is still felt in contemporary music.
He was a revolutionary artist, and his music helped shape today’s popular music sound. Brown passed away in 2006, but his legacy lives on. He is considered one of the most influential musicians of all time, and his music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.
1: LITTLE RICHARD
Little Richard was born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia, on December 5, 1932.
He was one of twelve children. From an early age, Penniman showed a passion for music.
He taught himself to play the piano and started singing gospel music at church. In 1955, Little Richard recorded his first single, “Tutti Frutti.”
The song was an instant hit, and Little Richard became a pioneer of rock ’n’ roll.
He went on to record numerous other hits, including “Long Tall Sally” and “Good Golly Miss Molly.”
Little Richard was a flamboyant performer, and his live shows were legendary. He was known for his outrageous outfits and wild stage antics.
Little Richard helped shape popular music’s sound, and his influence can be heard in the music of today. He is a true original, and his music will always be remembered.
These are just a few Black musicians who have changed music forever. Their talent, creativity, and influence have shaped the sound of popular music and helped to make it what it is today.
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