Black Music Month: The Legends Of Soul

Black Music Month: The Legends Of Soul

James Brown - Merging gospel, Merging gospel, soul, funk and social commentary into one lane, James Brown is one of the most iconic figures in Black music history.

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James Brown - Merging gospel, Merging gospel, soul, funk and social commentary into one lane, James Brown is one of the most iconic figures in Black music history.

The Isley Brothers - Considered one of the greatest groups of R&B, The Isley Brothers have easily influenced a conglomerate of generations in Black music.

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The Isley Brothers - Considered one of the greatest groups of R&B, The Isley Brothers have easily influenced a conglomerate of generations in Black music.

Ray Charles - Called the only "true genius in the business" by Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles' blindness not only propelled the singer to greater creative heights, but made him one of a kind with his unique of style of music.

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Ray Charles - Called the only "true genius in the business" by Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles' blindness not only propelled the singer to greater creative heights, but made him one of a kind with his unique of style of music.

Roberta Flack - Roberta Flack's inspiration was drawn from the voices of Sam Cooke and Mahalia Jackson. Along with U2, Flack is the only artist to win back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year in 1973 and 1974.

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Roberta Flack - Roberta Flack's inspiration was drawn from the voices of Sam Cooke and Mahalia Jackson. Along with U2, Flack is the only artist to win back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year in 1973 and 1974.

Aretha Franklin - Considered one of the greatest singers of our time, Aretha Franklin is one of the artists most honored by The Recording Academy, winning 20 Grammy Awards to date.

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Aretha Franklin - Considered one of the greatest singers of our time, Aretha Franklin is one of the artists most honored by The Recording Academy, winning 20 Grammy Awards to date.

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Michael Jackson - Michael Jackson's style of music and vocal abilities influenced the genres of hip hop, pop, and contemporary R&B so much so that he’s earned the title of “The King of Pop.”

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Michael Jackson - Michael Jackson's style of music and vocal abilities influenced the genres of hip hop, pop, and contemporary R&B so much so that he’s earned the title of “The King of Pop.”

Whitney Houston - Discovered by Clive Davis while performing in night clubs alongside her mother, Whitney Houston has sold over 140 million albums worldwide.

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Whitney Houston - Discovered by Clive Davis while performing in night clubs alongside her mother, Whitney Houston has sold over 140 million albums worldwide.

Marvin Gaye - Deemed one of the greatest singers of our time, Marvin Gaye’s innovation, passion and commitment enabled him to create classic material such as “Let’s Get It On,” “What’s Going On,” and “Heard It Through The Grapevine.”

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Marvin Gaye - Deemed one of the greatest singers of our time, Marvin Gaye’s innovation, passion and commitment enabled him to create classic material such as “Let’s Get It On,” “What’s Going On,” and “Heard It Through The Grapevine.”

Quincy Jones - The master. Quincy’s creative ways helped mold superstar musicians, both Black and White. His most notable contributions to Black music derived from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” LP.

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Quincy Jones - The master. Quincy’s creative ways helped mold superstar musicians, both Black and White. His most notable contributions to Black music derived from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” LP.

Isaac Hayes - Isaac Hayes rose to prominence after being recognized as one of the main creative minds behind the southern music imprint, Stax Records. Hayes also received the first Academy Award in a non-acting category for his soundtrack for the film “Shaft.”

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Isaac Hayes - Isaac Hayes rose to prominence after being recognized as one of the main creative minds behind the southern music imprint, Stax Records. Hayes also received the first Academy Award in a non-acting category for his soundtrack for the film “Shaft.”

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Luther Vandross - Considered the best balladeer ever, Luther Vandross’ signature sound has earned him over 25 million albums sold worldwide. He also received the honor of Best Male Vocal Performance four times at the Grammy Awards.

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Luther Vandross - Considered the best balladeer ever, Luther Vandross’ signature sound has earned him over 25 million albums sold worldwide. He also received the honor of Best Male Vocal Performance four times at the Grammy Awards.

Patti LaBelle - With a voice like no other, Patti LaBelle’s contributions to Black music are world-renowned. Ms. Patti has released 22 stellar LPs, solidifying her spot as one of the best singers of our time.

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Patti LaBelle - With a voice like no other, Patti LaBelle’s contributions to Black music are world-renowned. Ms. Patti has released 22 stellar LPs, solidifying her spot as one of the best singers of our time.

Curtis Mayfield - Serving as a multi-instrumentalist, Curtis Mayfield has been pegged as a pioneer for socially-conscious music under the African-American music realm. Cuts like “Pusherman” and “People Get Ready” have heavily secured that notion.

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Curtis Mayfield - Serving as a multi-instrumentalist, Curtis Mayfield has been pegged as a pioneer for socially-conscious music under the African-American music realm. Cuts like “Pusherman” and “People Get Ready” have heavily secured that notion.

Stevie Wonder - He is a creative risk-taker with diverse and extraordinary content. Stevie Wonder’s musical genius has earned him 22 Grammy Awards; the most received in the history of music by a solo artist.

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Stevie Wonder - He is a creative risk-taker with diverse and extraordinary content. Stevie Wonder’s musical genius has earned him 22 Grammy Awards; the most received in the history of music by a solo artist.

Diana Ross - Showmanship at its finest. Diana Ross lived to entertain the minds, bodies and souls of her faithful fans. Since her start, Ross helped formulate the sound of Motown Records and has been labeled the Female Entertainer of the Century.

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Diana Ross - Showmanship at its finest. Diana Ross lived to entertain the minds, bodies and souls of her faithful fans. Since her start, Ross helped formulate the sound of Motown Records and has been labeled the Female Entertainer of the Century.

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Chaka Khan - Adopting her moniker while working with Black Panthers, Chaka Khan’s most recognizable contributions derived from her solo cuts, “I’m Every Woman”, “Through The Fire” and “I Feel For You”.

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Chaka Khan - Adopting her moniker while working with Black Panthers, Chaka Khan’s most recognizable contributions derived from her solo cuts, “I’m Every Woman”, “Through The Fire” and “I Feel For You”.

Gladys Knight - Leading off her career as the lead singer in the popular soul group, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Knight’s offerings to black music have scored her the “Empress of Soul” tag.

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Gladys Knight - Leading off her career as the lead singer in the popular soul group, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Knight’s offerings to black music have scored her the “Empress of Soul” tag.

Sam Cooke - Labeled as an activist, entrepreneur and singer, Cooke’s talents slid him into the lane as one of the main pioneers and originators of soul music. Some say he died before seeing the true benefits of his talents.

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Sam Cooke - Labeled as an activist, entrepreneur and singer, Cooke’s talents slid him into the lane as one of the main pioneers and originators of soul music. Some say he died before seeing the true benefits of his talents.

Barry White - The ultimate music romantic. White’s musical imagery painted a vivid backdrop that appealed to women across the globe. White is best known for his classic tunes, “You’re The First” and “The Last, My Everything.”

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Barry White - The ultimate music romantic. White’s musical imagery painted a vivid backdrop that appealed to women across the globe. White is best known for his classic tunes, “You’re The First” and “The Last, My Everything.”

The O'Jays - With content that was relevant then and is still relevant now, The O’Jays are measured as one of the best rhythm and blues groups, and their music is considered timeless.

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The O'Jays - With content that was relevant then and is still relevant now, The O’Jays are measured as one of the best rhythm and blues groups, and their music is considered timeless.

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The Temptations - Recognized for popular choreography, vocal abilities, and unique harmonies, The Temptations have been pegged as one of the most successful acts on Motown Records.

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The Temptations - Recognized for popular choreography, vocal abilities, and unique harmonies, The Temptations have been pegged as one of the most successful acts on Motown Records.

Smokey Robinson - Labeled as the original crooner, Smokey’s consistent and persistent efforts in Black music have earned him “King Of Motown” honors, hands down.

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Smokey Robinson - Labeled as the original crooner, Smokey’s consistent and persistent efforts in Black music have earned him “King Of Motown” honors, hands down.