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 Classics (131–140)
Wild Ones ft. SiaFlo Rida
It’s a dance track featuring a collaboration between Flo Rida and Sia.
Flo Rida’s upbeat, catchy rap makes it perfect for livening up parties and events.
Sia is a singer who doesn’t show her face, so she doesn’t appear in the music video, but her vocals are a perfect fit even for fun, energetic songs like this one.
Love Me NowJohn Legend
It’s a classic released in 2016 by John Legend, a Grammy-winning artist.
In the music video, John’s wife and daughter appear alongside him, and the warmth and love in the way he looks at them are palpable.
The video also portrays expressions of love among people of various ethnicities and different cultures, and John’s confident vocals seem to embody a universal, grand theme shared around the world.
Teenage Fantasy (Official Video)Jorja Smith
This is a song called “Teenage Fantasy” by the UK singer Jorja Smith.
It’s included on her 2018 album Lost & Found.
She’s a rising diva blessed with both stunning looks and a beautiful voice, and with this debut album she won the 2018 Brit Critics’ Choice Award.
It’s a very prestigious award in the UK—Adele and Sam Smith have both won it in the past.
With her alluring, sultry voice, she’s someone you won’t want to take your eyes off in the future!
Move on up a Little HigherMahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson, known as a legend among gospel singers.
As an artist, she was once invited by Louis Armstrong to become a jazz singer, but she remained devoted to gospel to the very end—a true, pure gospel singer.
She was also actively involved in the civil rights movement and, together with Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr., made major contributions to ending racial discrimination.
Her masterpiece “Move On Up a Little Higher” is known as her signature song and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Give Up The FunkParliament
Give Up The Funk has been crafted with a quintessential Black music vibe.
Many of you have probably heard the chorus, as it’s often used on variety shows and the like.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy up-tempo doo-wop.