1940's-1960's
This "Godfather of Soul" is known for being "Black & Proud".
Who is James Brown
Regarded as the "Queen of Rock" and Roll, this artist came to fame in the 70s but made her solo debut in 1984.
Who is Tina Turner?
This group was at one time banned from most radio stations, but are still considered the break through artists of gangsta rap. Their music brought rap to a wider audience and showed the world what the hood was really like.
Who are NWA?
This rapper started his career in the 90s but became the "Blueprint" for today's rappers in the early 2000's with not only his success in music, but business as well.
Who is Jay-Z?
This "Queen of Soul" grew up in her father's Detroit church singing, and is known for her song RESPECT.
Who is Aretha Franklin?
This pioneer of funk and modern r&b was a major voice in music during the Civil Rights Movement with his group the Impressions, and solo he was a Grammy winning politically conscious pioneer in African-American music. He created the soundtrack to the 1972 film Super Fly
Who is Curtis Mayfield
This group put hip hop on the map by getting their song, “Rapper’s Delight”, to be the first hip hop single as a Top 40 hit.
Who is the Sugar Hill Gang?
This rapper's parents were members of the Blank Panther Party. His raw music focused on violence and hardship in inner cities, racism, and social problems. This "Outlaw" was shot down in 1996.
Who is Tupac Shakur
This artist started as a spoken word poet and her neo-soul stylings help when taking "A Long Walk"
Who is Jill Scott?
This 11 time Grammy winner and Grammy Lifetime Achievement winner is known for his hit "Tired of Being Alone".
Who is Al Green?
This hip-hop group is known for their politically charged lyrics and criticism of the American media, with an active interest in the frustrations and concerns of the African American community. They also pioneered today's hip-hop culture, with their captive DJ and eccentric hype man, who has become a pop icon in his own right.
Who is Public Enemy?
This artist was all about common sense and has created foundations to help impoverished children in the U.S. and around the world. all about knowledge and new things, he has, in the last decade, successfully turned to acting.
Who is Common
This award winning hip-hop duo made their mark on music by intertwining their individual styles into one. One side is more gangsta, while the other seems to be more eccentric. Both members have been vocal about social issues such as animal rights, presidential politics, and music in school programs.
Who is OutKast
This 1960s soul artist became a face of the Civil Rights Movement through his music and worked with people like Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali to ensure "A Change Gone Come".
Who is Sam Cooke?
This cultural icon's music brought the Rastafarian movement to the mainstream and made the world feel his message of unity, peace, and love among all people.
Who is Bob Marley
From Hollins, Queens, NYC, this group was one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture. They are one of the most well-known hip hop acts in the 1980s and were the first hip-hop artists nominated for a Grammy.
Who is RUN-D.M.C.?
This R&B singer has sold over 200 million records worldwide. She released six studio albums, one holiday album and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification. But she would pass away attempting a comeback in 2012.
Who is Whitney Houston
This funk-rock artist has reached super-stardom through his unique, diverse musical style. He has won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance four years in a row from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record for most wins in that category as well as setting the record for most consecutive wins in one category by a male.
Who is Lenny Kravitz
This singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and launched a solo career in 1981.
Who is George Clinton?
This R&B group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and are credited with being the first true boy band.
Who is New Edition?
This female group holds the record for the highest grossing tour of all time by a female band and the best selling female R&B group of all time.
Who is TLC?
This Afrocentric female artist is the winner of four grammy awards and has been a voice of women's rights worldwide. With her guitar she has changed the world with her realness in her music, focusing on self-love, and feminine strength. Her most famous song is "Video"
Who is India.Arie