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 Classic Tracks (101–110)
Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)Diana Ross
Diana Ross is one of the leading female artists in Black music.
While she isn’t a neo-soul artist, within the Black music of the time—encompassing soul and R&B—she stood out with a relatively gentle vocal style.
Her signature song, “Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To),” was released in 1975 and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
A-tisket, A-tasket (feat. Chick Webb and His Orchestra)Ella Fitzgerald
This song, originally created in the United States in 1879 as music for a game of “drop the handkerchief,” was arranged into a jazz number by Ella Fitzgerald—considered one of the “Big Three” of American jazz vocalists—and released in 1938, becoming a huge hit.
Additional lyrics were written that expanded the simple nursery-rhyme text into a more developed, entertaining story.
Ella recorded and popularized songs across many genres, not just jazz.
MIDDLE CHILDJ. Cole
This is the song Middle Child by J.
Cole, an American rapper and record producer.
People say the track might be about rappers from his own generation.
J.
Cole is also a platinum-selling artist.
While there are several rappers with platinum sales, what sets him apart is that he achieved it with no featured artists.
Hitting platinum as a solo rapper is a huge deal! He also has a playful side—he once got so caught up in college life that he forgot about making music for two years.
Be sure to listen to the cries from his heart in this song!
Just Like Me ft. T.I.Jamie Foxx
This is a 2008 release by the singing-and-dancing actor Jamie Foxx.
You can hear Jamie’s top-tier acting and singing in films like Ray and Annie, but on this track he collaborates with rapper T.I., proving he can sing across a variety of styles.
The Other SideJason Derulo
It’s a masterpiece with Jason Derulo’s sexy yet sweet vocals and an exhilarating, fast-paced tempo that you just can’t resist.
In the music video, you can’t help but admire Jason’s muscles and toned body.
It’s perfect for the club or a drive, and it’ll leave you feeling refreshed—highly recommended.