Music moves everyone, and it has the power to tell people’s stories and help others to get their words out. Black male artists have significantly contributed to the sounds we love today. From Little Richard helping to form the sound of Rock N Roll, to Quincy Jones probably giving the world some of the most memorable music in our lifetime. Black male artists has been the reason as to why many of us can keep our sanity.
The Pioneers of Soul and R&B
The 1960s was a monumental decade for music with the introduction of new genres and artists that would make their mark. Rock music and the best R&B songs emerged during this era to become two of the most popular categories of the time. Today, when people think of music from the ‘60s, they often think of the music of Motown. The Motown era represents a place in American history when Black singers dominated the airwaves and widened their listening audiences to attract the masses. This time in American history changed the way of music forever by opening the doors for other styles of music and more artists to receive their due time in the spotlight. Take a musical tour with these great artists when you listen to the Hitsville: Hitsville: The Making Of Motown.
Ray Charles
As one of the pioneers of the soul music genre, Ray Charles was known for his upbeat piano-and-vocal performances, though his slower tune “Georgia on My Mind” is one of his most notable. Throughout his career, Charles also sang gospel, pop music, R&B songs, and was part of the integration of country music with these sounds. In fact, his 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music was his first to go number one on the Billboard 200.
Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 - June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, pianist and alto saxophonist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as “The Genius”. Among friends and fellow musicians he preferred being called “Brother Ray”.
Marvin Gaye
As one of the pioneering artists of the sound of the ‘60s, Marvin Gaye has been dubbed the “Prince of Motown” and established a career that would span several decades. With a mix of R&B soul, pop, and jazz, he released hit singles including “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” the latter two which he sang a duet with Tammi Terrell. Marvin Pentz Gay Jr., who also spelled his surname as Gaye (April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984), was an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter. He helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of successes, earning him the nicknames “Prince of Motown” and “Prince of Soul”. Gaye's Motown songs include "Ain't That Peculiar", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". Gaye also recorded duets with Mary Wells, Kim Weston, Tammi Terrell, and Diana Ross.
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James Brown
Though dubbed the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown had a vastly different stage presence. Instead of the typical laid-back style of soulful hits, he delivered rousing performances punctuated with screams and shouts, in revival style, of his hit singles through the late ‘60s and into the early ‘80s. His artistry pushed the music genre forward as he was unapologetically unsubtle in his musical delivery, a true performer both in the studio and on stage.
James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 - December 25, 2006) was an American musician. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century music, he is referred to by various honorific nicknames, some of which include “the Hardest Working Man in Show Business”, “Godfather of Soul”, “Mr. Dynamite”, and “Soul Brother No. 1”.
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook (January 22, 1931 - December 11, 1964), known professionally as Sam Cooke, was an American singer and songwriter. Considered one of the most influential soul artists of all time, Cooke is commonly referred to as the “King of Soul” for his distinctive vocals, pioneering contributions to the genre and significance in popular music. Cooke was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and later relocated to Chicago with his family at a young age, where he began singing as a child and joined the Soul Stirrers as lead singer in the 1950s. Going solo in 1957, he released a string of hit songs, including “You Send Me“, “A Change Is Gonna Come“, “Cupid“, “Wonderful World“, “Chain Gang“, “Twistin’ the Night Away“, “Bring It On Home to Me“, and “Good Times“.
The Influence of Motown
Strong vocal groups were prominent during the 1960s, and the Temptations were no exception. As another black artist part of the Motown label, they recorded hit albums throughout the decade and into the 1970s. Though the group has changed members throughout the years, their collective sound and discography remain iconic. They infuse R&B, soul, and funk into their music and helped shape the sound of the era.
During the 1960s, as part of the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson delivered popular hits including “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There” via the Motown recording label. He carried his childhood success and experience into emerging as a solo artist in 1971, and the rest is history.
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Stevland Hardaway Morris (né Judkins; May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, who is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include rhythm and blues, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz. A virtual one-man band, Wonder’s use of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments during the 1970s reshaped the conventions of R&B.
Smokey Robinson is a musical jack of all trades, performing and writing for multiple artists spanning several decades. Though, it wasn’t only his success with his own group that cements him as a changemaker of the ‘60s music scene.
Expanding Musical Horizons
Other prominent African American male singers include:
- Chuck Berry
- Little Richard
- Otis Redding
- Curtis Mayfield
- Isaac Hayes
- Al Green
- Luther Vandross
- Donny Hathaway
- Barry White
Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016), commonly known mononymously as Prince, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. The recipient of numerous awards and nominations, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of all time. He was known for his flamboyant, androgynous persona; his wide vocal range, which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams; and his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, often preferring to play all or most of the instruments on his recordings. Prince produced his albums himself, pioneering the Minneapolis sound.
Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926 - September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music.
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Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 - 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter.
Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (born March 14, 1933) is an American record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer.
Contemporary Artists
Here are some contemporary African American male singers who continue to shape the music landscape:
- Drake
- Bruno Mars
- Pharrell Williams
- Kendrick Lamar
- 6LACK
- Tory Lanez
- Lucky Daye
- Davido
- Terrace Martin
- Tank
- Brent Faiyaz
- 21 Savage
- Lil Tjay
- Giveon
- Cordae
- IDK
- Duckwrth
- Eric Bellinger
Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. Often regarded as the greatest rapper of all time, he was the CEO of Def Jam Recordings and has been central to the creative and commercial success of artists including Kanye West, Rihanna, and J.
Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. He is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. Shakur is among the best-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide.
| Artist | Genre | Notable Hits |
|---|---|---|
| Ray Charles | Soul, R&B | "Georgia on My Mind," "Hit the Road Jack" |
| Marvin Gaye | Soul, R&B | "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" |
| James Brown | Funk, Soul | "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" |
| Sam Cooke | Soul | "You Send Me," "A Change Is Gonna Come" |
| Stevie Wonder | R&B, Soul | "Superstition," "Isn't She Lovely" |
| Prince | Pop, Funk, Rock | "Purple Rain," "Little Red Corvette" |
