True Artists
True artists are those who never sacrifice their art to achieve commercial success.
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True Artists - Black Music's true artists are those who take their craft seriously, opting for quality over quantity. They don't rush their albums out to satisfy their contract or switch up their style to make a "radio hit." The following artists have achieved a level of success without ever having to sacrifice their art to do so.
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Marvin Gaye - With a three-octave vocal range, Marvin Gaye had no choice but to make sweet music. The Motown soul singer added social commentary to his lyrics and made concept-driven albums.
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Jill Scott - She's a singer, songwriter and poet, and her artistic expression comes out in whatever she does. She remains true to her music, and doesn't let anything else get in the way.
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Stevie Wonder - From the tender age of 11, Stevie Wonder could feel the music all over him. Since he debuted onto the music scene, Stevie has continued to release great music, that is lyrically uplifting and musically layered. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays piano, harmonica, drums, bass, and even uses his soulful voice as an instrument as well.
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Andre 3000 - Don't sleep on Andre 3000. The ATL-ien has more than shown his artistic side by taking risks with his music. He is the prototype for a true lyricist, and he is still 1000 years ahead of everyone.
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Nas - Since his debut, "Illmatic," Nas has been critically praised for his lyrical skill and his loyalty to the art of rap. Though he's sometimes contradicted himself by releasing songs like "Oochie Wally" and "You Owe Me," he often makes up for it with his musical decisions by pushing the envelope. He just released a collaboration album titled "Distant Relatives" with reggae artist Damien Marley.
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Floetry - All you gotta do is say yes to Floetry. With a name that rhymes with "poetry," it's no surprise that the music that comes from this female duo is always warm, heartfelt and sexy.
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Maxwell - It's hard to believe that Maxwell's debut album was actually shelved for two years. Even though the label wasn't a believer at first, Maxwell never had to wonder what would come of his work because he believed in himself. His music is soulful and he is one of R&B's most consistent artists.
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Kanye West - Kanye West continues to get better with time. Though there were naysayers in the beginning of his career who clowned his rap skill, Kanye continued to raise the bar, musically and eventually changed their minds. These days, Kanye is one of hip-hop's finest, responsible for some of the best hip-hop songs out, musically--and lyrically.
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The Roots - The Roots never do what "they" do. This rap group was one of the first to perform as a live band, and have backed everyone from Jay-Z to Eminem. Their music always sounds fresh and new, and their talent is undeniable.
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Erykah Badu - She took a lot of heat for being filmed completely naked in her controversial video for "Window Seat," but while some argued it was a publicity stunt, true Erykah fans knew the ever-so-powerful Badu was making a statement. She doesn't "group think" but rather exercises her individuality through her music.
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Common - Common pushes the boundaries of rap music, while somehow managing to keep his loyal hip-hop fans. With each album, he's taken some sort of risk, and has benefitted from it, all in the name of good music.
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Mos Def - This rapper/poet is not one to conform to the system. When he and his label were going through a bit of a setback, Mos Def decided not to promote his own album. It might have seemed like a bad career move for a rap artist, but Mos Def showed his label who was in control of his music.
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Talib Kweli - "If skills sold, truth be told, I'd probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli," said Jay-Z on "Moment Of Clarity." Talib is one of the most respected MCs amongst fans and his peers, because he's maintained his status as a true MC who kicks knowledge and never strays from uplifting the hip-hop community.
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Musiq Soulchild - Philadelphia is the home of a number of true artists, including Musiq Soulchild. His name describes who he is perfectly; he is a soulful musician. With a career that spans 10 years now, Musiq has contributed hits. He says he represents the soul of former soul stars.
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