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 (41–50)
I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin, a soul singer known for her strikingly raw vocals.
She’s a soul singer with high name recognition in Japan as well.
Although she’s a soul singer, she’s also known for having strong gospel influences.
Her classic song “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” released in 1967, was included on an album that reached No.
2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
No Love ft. Nicki MinajAugust Alsina
This is a sentimental ballad by August Alsina, an American artist, in collaboration with the popular female rapper Nicki Minaj.
In the music video, they play a couple.
The highlights are August’s sensual vocals and the parts where Nicki sings in addition to rapping.
Bleeding LoveLeona Lewis
This is a globally successful hit by Leona Lewis, a British singer with an exotic and intellectual aura.
Listening to Leona’s mesmerizing, rich voice is soothing.
Be sure to pay close attention to the part where her powerful, resonant vocals transition into the high notes.
Beautiful MonsterNe-Yo
This is one of Ne-Yo’s many hit songs.
It brilliantly captures the mindset of a man so smitten that he’s completely at the mercy of an impossibly beautiful woman.
The part where he calls her a “beautiful monster” is incredibly romantic.
Drop It Like It’s Hot ft. Pharrell WilliamsSnoop Dogg
It’s a classic hip-hop track by Snoop Dogg in collaboration with Pharrell Williams.
It features an addictive sound you’ll want to hear again and again, characterized by a unique rhythm built with drums, keyboards, and more.
The perfectly synced performance by Snoop and Pharrell in the monochrome music video is also stylish and cool.
Ai No CorridaQuincy Jones
Quincy Jones is known not only for Black music but as a prominent producer of popular music.
His musical style spans disco, R&B, funk, and much more.
With that wide-ranging musicality, he has won numerous Grammy Awards.
Ai No Corrida is one of his signature songs and is also known as a rare work that has a Japanese title.
The track is an upbeat disco tune from start to finish.
Miss youAaliyah
A masterpiece that is still talked about today and the final work of Aaliyah, the R&B songstress who sadly passed away in a plane crash in 2001.
This music video features close artists who admired her during her lifetime, and DMX’s opening message to her brings tears to my eyes.