The African-American community has always had a hand in just about every genre of music throughout history. June has been designated the month to celebrate African-American's in music.
African-American men & women have applied their talents to the overall music scene through performances (singing &/or musically), via writing (of songs), production, etc. BellaOnline celebrates those who have contributed to the music industry, left their mark and/or have been a source of inspiration:
MUSIC's GREAT CONTRIBUTORS~
*Marvin Gaye *Isley Brothers *Aretha Franklin *The Temptations *James Brown *Herbie Hancock *Ike & Tina Turner *Curtis Mayfield *Stevie Wonder *Ella Fitzgerald *B.B King *Johnny Taylor *Duke Ellington *Louis Armstrong *Billie Holiday *Miles Davis *Dizzy Gillespie *John Coltrane *Nina Simone
Out of the above mentioned artists, it is clear that many currents music acts have applied song samples and singing styles to their own musical works, excitingly blending the old with the new. Current R&B songstresses like Sade, Jill Scott & Erykah Badu and newer artists like Heather Headly & Rhian Benson have brought back the sulty songs & musical feel of predicessors like Billie Holiday, Nina Simone & Ella Fitzgerald. Music lovers of the original "divas" are finding themselves delightfully treated to this revived sense of song & lyric. A whole new hybrid of female music contributors (as singer, songwriter AND musician) can be seen & heard through the likes of the multi talented Alicia Keys & MeShell NdegeOcello.
Current crooners of today are also gaining inspiration from the soulful masters of yesteryear. Brian McKnight, Avant, Joe, Maxwell & D'Angelo are among those whos sounds take you back to the way Stevie Wonder would declare his love and adoration for the woman he loved...and who could forget Marvin Gaye?! Groups like Jodeci, Jagged Edge & 112 have become this generation's Isley's & Temptations. Ginuwine & Jaheim are other soulful misters who's "ghetto-love" ballads help keep them popular among fans.
Rap & Hip-Hop take long buried beats & baselines from various Jazz/Blues tracks to incorporate a new sound that many young people don't even realize are not those of the current artists using them. The infusion of old greats & not so known songs with music today remind us that good music is just.....good music & can be enjoyed by all audiences.
Listen to some of these above mentioned artist online on SoulSis Radio.
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