Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces
The great achievement of Black music is not only that it gave birth to genres like jazz, blues, gospel, and soul.
It has also been a wellspring of inspiration for legendary songs in the histories of rock and pop, and it is the most influential force on musical genres since the 20th century—an influence that continues unbroken into the 21st century and beyond.
To explore the roots of this magnificent Black music, this time we’re researching classic tracks mainly from the soul and R&B realm spanning the 1960s to the 1990s.
In the latter half, we also introduce more recent songs, so whether you love the latest hip-hop and R&B or aren’t very familiar with Black music, this is a must-check!
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- [US] Great Hip-Hop Classic
- Western R&B Popularity Rankings [2026]
- Classic and Contemporary Hits in Western R&B: From the Newest Popular Tracks to All-Time Big Hits [2026]
- A masterpiece of Japanese black music. A noteworthy work embodying the soul of black music.
- [Western Music] A landmark masterpiece in hip-hop history! A fundamental album you should know
- [2026] Best Western R&B Love Songs and Romance Songs Compilation
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces of 70s Disco Music
- The Latest: A Quick Guide to Trends in Western R&B Music (2026)
- Gospel singers of the world. Masterpieces of gospel music, recommended popular songs.
- [Hip-Hop Classics] Timeless HIPHOP / Golden Oldies
- Nothing but famous and hit songs! K-pop tracks recommended for Gen Z
- Today's R&B: A curated playlist packed with classic hits!
Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces (91–100)
Soul Bossa NovaQuincy Jones
This is a promotional commercial for the PayPay Scratch Lottery, which every SoftBank user is guaranteed to win.
Playing on the scratch theme, Masahiro Nakai appears as “Paytoku” in the role of a DJ, and the Dad humorously chimes in with, “Not that kind of scratch!!” In the latter half of the commercial, the familiar BGM, Quincy Jones’s ‘Soul Bossa Nova,’ plays.
Beautiful ft. Colby O’Donis, Kardinal OffishallAkon
It’s a song by Akon, who has Senegalese and American backgrounds, in collaboration with Colby O’Donis and Kardinal Offishall.
The just-right tempo and the harmonies between Akon and Colby are captivating.
Kardinal’s rap also matches the melody perfectly.
BootyliciousDestiny’s Child
A classic song Beyoncé sang during her Destiny’s Child days, back before she became the megastar she is now.
“Bootylicious” is a slang term combining “booty” and “delicious,” meaning a sexy, attractive butt.
It’s a hit that celebrates the sexy hips that are often said to be Beyoncé’s trademark.
Ni**as In ParisJAY Z, Kanye West
A masterpiece that will go down in hip-hop history has been born.
In this track, Jay-Z and Kanye West proudly rap about their success; released as a single in September 2011, it quickly took the world by storm.
Its appeal lies in lyrics that symbolically depict a lavish life in Paris and a distinctive atmosphere woven from an addictive beat.
Featured on the album Watch the Throne, it won two awards at the 55th Grammys.
It’s the perfect song for getting hyped at clubs and parties.
Not Like UsKendrick Lamar
The West Coast heavyweight Kendrick Lamar’s ambitious work, released this May, stands out with a compelling dance sound infused with elements of jazz and G-funk.
Coupled with a seaside-in-summer groove crafted by producer Mustard, its powerful messages tackling social issues and racial equality have made it a standout track at school festivals and cultural events.
Featured on the album “GNX,” it received a music video on July 4 and earned high marks in Pitchfork’s 100 Best Songs of 2024.
The track is also popular as a backing track for dance performances, resonating especially with younger audiences.
1 ThingAmerie
This is a song released in 2005 by Amerie, a songstress of American and Korean descent with outstanding vocals and dance skills.
It’s sung in a high register from start to finish, and as you listen, your excitement builds.
As you can see in the music video, you’ll be captivated by Amerie’s great figure and energetic dancing.
Finesse (Remix) (feat. Cardi B] [Official Video]Bruno Mars
![Finesse (Remix) (feat. Cardi B] [Official Video]Bruno Mars](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LsoLEjrDogU/sddefault.jpg)
This track is “Finesse,” a collaboration between R&B icon Bruno Mars and the currently trending female rapper Cardi B.
It was released in 2016 and included on the album 24K Magic.
The music video, styled after classic music shows, creates a fun vibe, and the dance performance—true to form—is incredibly stylish.
