Music has been a key component in my life since I was little. I can remember the sound of R&B and Gospel playing in the kitchen while my parents were cooking family meals. My father played Jazz in the car while driving my sister and I to various events. I would sing to my baby brother while rocking him to sleep in my arms. In elementary school, I joined a choir and sang gospel songs. Once I entered high school, I decided to pick up an instrument just like my father who played clarinet in high school. My choice of instrument was the guitar. Now in college, I sing in the shower, go to concerts, and DJ mini dance breaks in my room. I am saying all of this, just to say that I love music and I could never pass up a moment to admire it.
As we all know, the summer is the best time to check out new music. The radio is blasting the song of summer and a few other hits. However, this music is mainstream and shadows other brilliant musicians who are not invested in today's music business formula of creating hits. During the month of the June, I am compiling a list of musicians who I feel do not get enough shine- some be new artists and some old artists. The month of June is also Black Music Month. Since I love showing love to Black Musicians, this list will only have Black Musicians and instrumentalists that I listen to regularly or have heard one or two songs by them. Enjoy!
1. Chaka Khan
2. 5 Heartbeats
3. Stevie Wonder
4. R. Kelly
5. The Whispers
6. SWV (Sister With Voices)
7. The Temptations
8. Martha and The Vandellas
9. Ray Charles
10. Marvin Gaye
11. The Supremes
12. Donny Hathaway
13. Musiq SoulChild
14. Al Green
15. Smokey Robinson
16. Jill Scott
17. Janet Jackson
18. Twista
19. Floetry
20. Maxwell
21. Aliyah
22. Keith Sweat
23. Tyrese
24. Shanice Wilson
25. Eve
26. Keke Wyatt
27. Avont
28. Kelly Price
29. Lil' Kim
30. Mary J Blige
31. Mary Mary
32. Yolanda Adams
33. Stephanie Mills
34. Anthony Hamilton
35. Ashanti
36. Ja Rule
37. Nelly
38. MC Hammer
39. Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes
40. Faith Evans
41. Minnie Riperton
42. Donna Summers
43. Anita Baker
44. Sade
45. The OJs
46. Luther Vandross
47. Tamar Braxton
48. Toni Braxton
49. Lil Mo
50. Missy Elliot
51. TLC
52. K-Ci and JoJo
53. Lauren Hill
54. India Arie
55. Janelle Monae
56. Erykah Badu
57. Corinne Bailey-Rae
58. Nas
59. Deborah Cox
60. Donnell Jones
61. En Vogue
62. Tank
63. Jazmine Sullivan
64. Keyshia Cole
65. New Edition
66. Bell Biv Devoe
67. Usher
68. Alicia Keys
69. Logic
70. Joey Badass
71. Common
72. Lyfe Jennings
73. NWA
74. The Isley Brothers
75. LL Cool J
76. Brandy
77. Queen Latifah
78. Salt N Pepper
79. Tink
80. Bessie Smith
81. B.B King
82. Jimi Hendrix
83. Natalie Cole
84. Aretha Franklin
85. Gladys Knight
86. Patti Labelle
87. Louis Amrstrong
88. Billie Holiday
89. Nat King Cole
90. Jennifer Holliday
91. Quincy Jones
92. D'Angelo
93. Angie Stone
94. Chrisette Michele
95. Fantasia
96. Elle Varner
97. MC Lyte
98. Yo-Yo
99. Michel'le
100. Jodeci