Metro Creative

Music can evoke profound emotional responses. It also can communicate and spread a shared message of hope or precipitate change. Songs present the soundtrack of people’s lives, and music often serves as the soundtrack to rites of passage and momentous events.

African American musicians have helped influence and alter the course of music by bringing their talents to various genres. Every genre of music, including classical, jazz, soul, rhythm & blues, hip hop, rock and roll, and gospel, has been enhanced by talented Black artists.

The following is a look at some of the more notable and influential African American musical artists throughout history.

Louis Armstrong

Armstrong was a jazz pioneer and multitalented performer who participated in many bands. In the 1930s, Armstrong broke racial barriers when he was featured in a Hollywood movie. His song, “What a Wonderful World,” shares a message of positivity and hope and became an instant classic.

Dinah Washington

A singer, Washington has been called “the most popular Black female recording artist of the 1950s.” She achieved success during a time of turmoil when the recording industry wasn’t necessarily friendly toward women or African American performers. Her work would help open up opportunities for other female Black singers.

N.W.A

N.W.A. helped bring hardcore rap to the masses and inspired many other artists, including Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg. The group is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential hip hop acts of all time.

Prince

Singer-songwriter Prince also was a guitar virtuoso. He is ranked among the best-selling musical artists of all time and is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation.

Aretha Franklin

Franklin has topped the list of Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Franklin was known as the “Queen of Soul” and earned respect for her singing and songwriting.

Whitney Houston

With a big voice and personality, Houston was incredibly popular during the 1980s and 1990s. While she is known for many chart-topping hits, her fame reached a new level when she covered Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” for the movie “The Bodyguard,” in which she also starred. Houston’s version bridged the gap between country and R&B/pop.

James Brown

Known as “The Godfather of Soul,” Brown fused funk and R&B into his music. He toured tirelessly throughout the 1950s and had a larger-than-life stage presence.

Queen Latifah

As a musician and an actress, Queen Latifah has won various awards and influenced many performers who have gone on to be successful in their own right. Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and others are among those who have been influenced by Queen Latifah.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix was one of the best and most influential guitarists of all time, even though his career only spanned four years. Hendrix is one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.