Top 10 Black Musicians Who Revolutionized the Music World

Black musicians have always been an integral part of the music industry and have been actively shaping the music landscape by bringing out unique sounds, perspective, and cultural richness as well as the much-needed black representation to the global stage. From Jazz to hip-hop, black musicians have not only contributed to the music industry but have also influenced social movements. This article celebrates the top 10 black musicians whose talent, innovation, as well as impact continue to resonate through the ages. These black musicians have always been the pioneers of change and have left a profound mark on the world of music and beyond.

10 Best Black Musicians

Michael Jackson 

Born in the year 1958, Michael Jackson was one of the most significant in the history of music. He is known as the “King of Pop” as well as the “Most philanthropic pop star in history” across the globe and has millions of fans. He was 5 when he became the lead singer of Jackson 5 and at the age of 11 launched his first Number 1 record. His solo career kick-started with his album Off the Wall in 1979. He introduced his famous moonwalk during the live performance of “Billie Jean”. Some of his many achievements include

  • Winning 8 Grammys in one night.
  • His album “Thriller” was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame.
  • Having two stars of his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • Being awarded the Grammy Legend award.
  • Being inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  • Becoming the first musician to sell 1 million copies of his digital track in a single week.
  • Becoming the first musician to hit the top 10 on Billboard 100 in 5 different decades. 

Prince 

Born in 1958, Prince Rogers Nelson, commonly known as Prince, was another one of the top 10 black musicians who dominated the music industry in the 80s and the 90s and is regarded as one of the greatest musicians in the history of music. He was famous for his wide range of vocals that included far-reaching fallesto and high-pitched screams. He was also immensely skilled and played multiple instruments on his records. Some of his many achievements include 

  • Winning 7 Grammys, Golden Globe award, Grammy President’s Merit Award, American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, and the Billboard Icon award. 
  • Becoming the best-selling musician with 100 million records sold worldwide.
  • Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for 3 of his albums as well as into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 
  • Signing a $100 million record deal with Warner Bros. 

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Whitney Houston 

Born in 1963, Whitney Houston was famous to be one of the most awarded female artists of all time by the Guinness World Record making her one of the top 10 black musicians. She was a singer, as well as an exceptionally talented actress and producer. Her achievements include 

  • Winning 6 Grammys as well as one Emmy.
  • Selling over 200 million records worldwide.
  • Becoming the first female artist to give 7 consecutive number 1 hits.
  • Becoming the first female to enter the Billboard 200 chart at the first position.
  • Ranking 2nd in the list of 200 Greatest Singers of All Time issued by Rolling Stone. 

Stevie Wonder 

Born in 1950, Stevland Hardaway Morris, commonly famous as Stevie Wonder, is another one on the list of top 10 black musicians who are known to be one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Wonder is often credited for reshaping the contemporary R&B convention with the use of electronic musical instruments as well as synthesizers. His achievements include

  • Winning 25 Grammy awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. 
  • Having 10 U.S. number 1 hits.
  • Having 20 R&B number 1 hits.
  • Selling more than 100 million records all over the world.
  • Being one of the top 60 best-selling music artists across the globe. 

Ray Charles 

Born in 1930, Ray Charles Robinson is another one of the top 10 black musicians who is known to be the father of the “Soul” genre of music which he created by fusing R&B with gospel and country. Ray was blinded during his childhood but his disability never stopped him from achieving the following.

  • Winning 18 Grammys and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • Being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • Entering 75 songs to Billboard Hot 100. 
  • Being ranked 10th in the list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list issued by Rolling Stone.

Aretha Franklin 

Born in 1942, Aretha Louise Franklin is another one in the list of top 10 black musicians, known as the “Queen of Soul”. She was one of the most famous musicians of her time for her energetic and powerful voice. Her achievements include 

  • Winning 20 Grammys as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy Legend Award.
  • Charting 112 singles on Billboard.
  • Selling 75 million records all over the world.
  • Receiving various honorary degrees from universities like Harvard and Princeton.

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Louis Armstrong 

Born in 1901, Louis Daniel Armstrong, famous with the names Satchmo, Pops, and Satch, has also been one of the top 10 black musicians. He is one of the most famous artists in the genre of Jazz with a career spanning over five decades. His achievements include 

  • Winning Grammy award as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • Being inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame, National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

James Brown 

Born in 1933, James Joseph Brown is another one in the list of top 10 black musicians whose career lasted for more than 50 years and was famous for his contribution to the genre of funk music. His music has always been a significant blueprint for many other artists belonging to the genre of hip-hop. His achievements include 

  • Winning various awards like Grammys, Best Album Notes for Star Time, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award. 
  • Charting more than 74 R&B songs.
  • Selling more than 50 million records across the globe.
  • Being one of the first 10 artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Tina Turner 

Born in 1939, Tina Turner was another one of the top 10 black musicians who is known as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll and started her career with her husband’s band. Her solo career kick-started in 1958 when she released her first record named Boxtop. Her achievements include 

  • Selling more than 200 million records worldwide.
  • Holding the Guinness World Record for selling out the largest number of Concert tickets.
  • Winning 12 Grammys.
  • Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Ella Fitzgerald 

Born in 1917, Ella Jane Fitzgerald is another one of the top 10 black musicians who is titled the “Queen of Jazz”  and was famous for the purity of her tone, timing, phrasing, pitch, intonation, and horn-like improvisational ability. Her achievements include 

  • Winning 13 Grammys as well as being the first woman recipient of the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • Winning National Medals of Art.
  • Winning Presidential Award Of Freedom.