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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Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces (71–80)
RebelChristina Milian
This is a song included on Christina Milian’s 2015 release, the album “4U.” She also had a hit single in 2004, which helped make her name known in Japan.
In this track, you can hear the captivating vocals of a more mature Christina.
What’d I SayRay Charles
Many of you have probably heard the opening keyboard phrase.
There’s a story that the melody for “What’d I Say” was improvised at the end of a concert in December 1958, when there was some time left in the set, and that improvisation became the song as-is.
It’s an important track that paved the way for neo-soul.
Stop! In the Name of LoveThe Supremes
This song was released in 1965 by The Supremes, the American vocal group that Diana Ross belonged to.
It can be considered one of the signature tracks of Motown, which released Black music, and it became a worldwide hit.
Its funky sound, female vocal group style, distinctive fashion and choreography still have many devoted fans today, and in Japan, the parody unit Yajima Biyoshitsu also drew attention.
XXzibit
“X,” one of Xzibit’s signature tracks, is a hip-hop classic that pairs heavy, bass-driven production with his powerful, commanding voice.
In the music video for this song, you can see a cool, tough Xzibit—quite the opposite of the cute, playful side he sometimes shows on variety shows.
If I ain’t got youAlicia Keys
This song, performed by R&B diva Alicia, opens with a beautiful piano melody.
No matter how many diamonds or other costly things one might obtain, without you they mean nothing—there’s nothing I want besides you.
It’s an immortal classic with moving lyrics.