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!

Playlist

Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Are You That Somebody?Aaliyah		An essential 90s R&B track, a classic by Aaliyah
2	SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire		A classic song by a group that represents funk-disco music
3	Feeling GoodNina Simone		Nina Simone, the songstress who influenced Black music
4	RespectAretha Franklin		Aretha Franklin, an icon of music and activism
5	Ex-FactorLauryn Hill		Lauryn Hill, a representative singer of neo-soul
6	(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The BayOtis Redding		Otis Redding, a legendary soul
7	Papa Was A Rolling StoneThe Temptations		The Temptations’ classic song representing Motown
8	I Love You More Than You’ll Ever KnowDonny Hathaway		Pioneer of Neo Soul, distinctive even in white cover versions
9	SuperstitionStevie Wonder		Stevie Wonder's Neo Soul
10	Bring It On Home to MeSam Cooke		Sam Cooke is a legendary Black singer.
11	Purple RainPrince		Prince's captivating music and timeless hits
12	TreasureBruno Mars		Bruno Mars’s classic song “Treasure”
13	HumbleKendrick Lamar		Depicting Kendrick Lamar’s success and way of life
14	What’s Going OnMarvin Gaye		50th anniversary of a classic song calling for peace and love
15	Move on UpCurtis Mayfield		A masterpiece that brought innovation to Black music
16	Say My NameDestiny’s Child		1990s R&B influences today's music
17	Everyday PeopleSly and the Family Stone		A classic by Sly & the Family Stone
18	UntitledD’Angelo		A legendary artist who established neo-soul, D’Angelo.
19	The First Time Ever I Saw Your FaceRoberta Flack		Roberta Flack’s signature song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
20	Love and HappinessAl Green		The classic song by Al Green, a pioneer of neo-soul
21	Billie JeanMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson, known as the “King of Pop,”…
22	Cross Road BluesRobert Johnson		The soul of blues legend Robert Johnson
23	The Tracks Of My TearsSmokey Robinson & The Miracles		Iconic Motown musicians and classic songs
24	SorryBeyoncé		Beyoncé’s “Sorry” is a distinctive, curveball of a song.
25	One LoveBob Marley		The Appeal of Bob Marley's Classic 'One Love'
26	This Is AmericaChildish Gambino		Childish Gambino’s signature songs
27	Straight Outta ComptonN.W.A		It’s no exaggeration to say there isn’t a single head who doesn’t know.
28	a lot ft. J. Cole21 Savage		21 Savage’s popular song “A Lot” is a track that depicts life.
29	Can’t Knock The HustleJay Z		An iconic track that captures Jay-Z’s hustler spirit
30	I Want You BackThe Jackson 5		Michael Jackson's debut song
31	My BadKhalid		Relaxing music by Khalid
32	Bad and Boujee ft Lil Uzi VertMigos		The notable three-member hip-hop group Migos
33	Shot ClockElla Mai		A 90s-style R&B song by Ella Mai
34	You can do itIce Cube		Ice Cube's music and film activities
35	Hey Ya!OutKast		A farewell song with a bright melody, a timeless classic that resonates in the heart.
36	Yeah! ft. Lil Jon, LudacrisUsher		Usher’s smash hit and his sexy vocals
37	One More TimeCraig David		Craig David's refreshing vocals
38	Airplanes ft. Hayley Williams of ParamoreB.o.B		An unconventional collaboration track between a rapper and a rock vocalist
39	Heartbreak Heard Around the World ft. T-PainJacob Latimore		A moving song that resonates with the hearts of young singers
40	West End BluesLouis Armstrong and His Hot Five		A jazz classic: Blues by Oliver
41	Purple HazeThe Jimi Hendrix Experience		Jimi Hendrix’s classic song “Purple Haze”
42	Call Out My NameThe Weeknd		The new-generation R&B singer from Canada, The …
43	I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)Aretha Franklin		Aretha Franklin, a voice imbued with soul
44	No Love ft. Nicki MinajAugust Alsina		Nikki and Alcina’s love song
45	Bleeding LoveLeona Lewis		Leona Lewis’s classic song with a beautiful singing voice
46	Beautiful MonsterNe-Yo		A man's heartrending feelings captivated by a beautiful woman
47	Drop It Like It’s Hot ft. Pharrell WilliamsSnoop Dogg		Music video of the classic hit by Snoop and Pharrell
48	Ai No CorridaQuincy Jones		Signature songs by music maestro Quincy Jones
49	Miss youAaliyah		Aaliyah’s final masterpiece, a memorable posthumous work
50	Planet RockAfrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force		Iconic tracks that influenced the development of hip-hop
51	Best Thing I Never HadBeyoncé		Beyoncé’s iconic song that sings of love and happiness
52	Thrill Is GoneB.B. King		Blues master B.B. King and his famous songs
53	Sexual HealingMarvin Gaye		Marvin Gaye’s R&B musical innovations
54	Black & YellowWiz Khalifa		Wiz Khalifa's hit songs
55	Dear Mama2Pac		2Pac’s deep love for his mother and his delicate heart
56	What’s Luv?Fat Joe feat. Ashanti		Fat Joe's signature R&B song
57	Back To BlackAmy Winehouse		Amy Winehouse, a tumultuous life
58	Gypsy WomanBobby Womack		Musicians who influenced 1970s soul
59	Didn’t Cha KnowErykah Badu		Erykah Badu, a distinctive female singer of neo-soul
60	You Don’t Know My NameAlicia Keys		Alicia Keys's poignant love song
61	Can’t Let GoAnthony Hamilton		An R&B artist who captivates with a rich, full-bodied voice
62	Strange FruitBillie Holiday		The legendary diva who poured her heartbreaking experiences into song
63	AnytimeBrian McKnight		Brian McKnight, who produced classic R&B hits
64	RebelChristina Milian		Christina’s captivating track “4U”
65	teachmeMusiq Soulchild		The classic song “teachme” by a neo-soul R&B singer
66	What’d I SayRay Charles		The Birth of Ray Charles’s Improvised Melody
67	Stop! In the Name of LoveThe Supremes		A classic by The Supremes, a worldwide hit.
68	XXzibit		Exhibit's heavyweight bass classic 'X'
69	U.N.I.T.Y.Queen Latifah		Queen Latifah's classic illuminates the soul.
70	Funky Drummer (Pt. 1 & 2)James Brown		A classic song distinguished by the drummer’s improvisational beat
71	If I ain’t got youAlicia Keys		Alicia’s iconic song that praises the value of love
72	Sex MachineJames Brown		James Brown, the revolutionary of soul and funk
73	Remember MeJennifer Hudson		Jennifer Hudson's singing voice
74	Calling YouJevetta Steele		Jevetta of the Steel Singers
75	Nights Like This (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) [Official Video]Kehlani		Kehlani's “Nights Like...”
76	So WhatMiles Davis		A landmark of innovative jazz and modal playing
77	Rollin’ StoneMuddy Waters		A musician who spread blues music in the North
78	Bitch PleaseSnoop Dogg ft Nate dogg,Xzibit		Snoop Dogg’s iconic hit song
79	DynamiteTaio Cruz		A song you can enjoy at clubs or while driving
80	Waves (feat. 6LACK)Normani		The classic hit by R&B female singer Normani
81	I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston		The most famous piece of Black music in the world, the hi…
82	RedboneChildish Gambino		A Childish Gambino track with a strong funk vibe
83	I Will SurviveGloria Gaynor		“I Will Survive” is a song that’s also famous at USJ.
84	On Bended KneeBoyz II Men		Boyz II Men's classic hit, a tear-inducing singing voice
85	Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)Diana Ross		Signature songs and musical style of Diana Ross
86	Hate That I Love You ft. Ne-YoRihanna		Rihanna and Ne-Yo’s mature love song
87	You Are The Sunshine Of My LifeStevie Wonder		Stevie Wonder’s classic shines
88	1, 2 Step ft. Missy ElliottCiara		Ciara and Missy’s hit song music video
89	In My FeelingsDrake		The distinctive music video of Drake’s popular song
90	Still Not a Player feat. JoeBig Pun		The sensual hip-hop classic by BIGBANG
91	Soul SistaBilal		Bilal’s neo-soul has a unique musicality.
92	Soul Bossa NovaQuincy Jones		PayPay's commercial featuring Masahiro Nakai is funny.
93	Beautiful ft. Colby O’Donis, Kardinal OffishallAkon		Akon from Senegal and Colbie’s famous song from the United States
94	BootyliciousDestiny’s Child		Beyoncé’s signature song “Bootylicious”
95	Ni**as In ParisJAY Z, Kanye West		Jay-Z and Kanye’s classic hip-hop song
96	Not Like UsKendrick Lamar		Kendrick Lamar’s socially conscious dance track
97	1 ThingAmerie		Aimer’s high vocals and captivating dance tracks
98	Finesse (Remix) (feat. Cardi B] [Official Video]Bruno Mars		This track is by the R&B icon Brun…
99	Wild ThoughtsDJ Khaled		Captivating tracks featuring Rihanna
100	A-tisket, A-tasket (feat. Chick Webb and His Orchestra)Ella Fitzgerald		Ella Fitzgerald had a big hit in jazz
101	KILLSHOTEminem		Eminem disses his rival MGK
102	MIDDLE CHILDJ. Cole		J. Cole’s solo platinum track “Middle Child”
103	Just Like Me ft. T.I.Jamie Foxx		Jamie Foxx's collaboration song
104	The Other SideJason Derulo		A masterpiece by a singer with a sexy voice and a muscular build
105	MajicJoe		Joe’s captivating music that stays true to the essence of R&B
106	After The Storm ft. Tyler, The Creator, Bootsy CollinsKali Uchis		Dreamy songs you want to listen to in summer
107	Turn Me OnKevin Little		Refreshing summer music of the Caribbean
108	Do Like ThatKorede Bello		A young Nigerian singer with a captivating voice and musicality
109	Let Me Love YouMario		Mario's R&B song, written and composed by Ne-Yo
110	MoveMiles Davis		The jazz classic “Move” is a challenging masterpiece.
111	Just a dreamNelly		Nelly’s heartbreak rap song resonates deeply
112	Four WomenNina Simone		A song that speaks out about the situation of four Black women
113	Broken ClocksSZA		The song “Broken Clocks,” featuring SZA’s heartrending vocals, is captivating.
114	Girls Need LoveSummer Walker, Drake		Signature songs by female R&B artists
115	I Feel It Coming ft. Daft PunkThe Weeknd		A collaboration song by The Weeknd and Daft Punk
116	Like We GrownTrevor Jackson		Trevor Jackson, a captivating singer
117	GuiltyUsher ft T.I.		A classic that admits Usher’s infidelity
118	Land of a Thousand DancesWilson Pickett		A legend of the soul world, a classic that fires up any party
119	Coming HomeP.Diddy Ft.Skylar Grey		A melancholy song performed with Skylar
120	Ignition(Remix)R. Kelly		Sexy R&B ballad ignition
121	Candy Shop ft. Olivia50 Cent		Cool rap and catchy songs by 50 Cent
122	Slow downBobby Valentino		A classic with a sweet singing voice that captivates teens
123	Bodak YellowCardi B		A smash hit song from a reality show
124	Johnny B. GoodeChuck Berry		Chuck Berry, a legend of the rock world
125	You Can’t Catch MeChuck Berry		Song about flying cars draws attention in music lawsuit
126	Mask OffFUTURE		The representative song of the hip-hop world, “Mask Off.”
127	Be My GuestFats Domino		The rock and roll classic “Be My Guest”
128	Wild Ones ft. SiaFlo Rida		A song by Flo Rida and Sia
129	Lonely TeardropsJackie Wilson		A classic that became the origin of rock and roll.
130	Love Me NowJohn Legend		An inspiring masterpiece that sings of love and equality
131	Teenage Fantasy (Official Video)Jorja Smith		A classic song by Jorja Smith from the UK
132	Move on up a Little HigherMahalia Jackson		Gospel singer contributes to eliminating racial discrimination
133	Give Up The FunkParliament		A signature song of Black music with a good tempo.
134	Cloud NineThe Temptations		Psychedelic soul wins its first Grammy
135	SuperloveTinashe		A sexy and bittersweet pop summer song
136	SICKO MODE ft. DrakeTravis Scott		Travis Scott and Drake’s classic hits reach No. 1
137	MotownphillyBoyz II Men		Boyz II Men's classic hit and stylistic innovation
138	With YouChris Brown		The charm of Chris, the prince of the R&B world
139	Uptown Funk ft. Bruno MarsMark Ronson		Uptown, released in 2014 …