Albert Ayler (1936-70): Jazz saxophonist and Cleveland Heights native is credited as the godfather of “free jazz” by stripping down to its most primal core. The John Adams Class of ’54 grad learned the sax playing with his dad, Albert – often playing with him in church. He played oboe in high school and went on to study at Cleveland’s old Academy of Music. Ayler, who is buried in Highland Park Cemetery, remains a musical revolutionary and even many years later continues to inspiration generations of musicians.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
In 1938, gospel singer and guitar virtuoso Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915 – 1973) became a hit when she joined the cast of the fall 1938 Cotton Club Revue, which headlined Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers dancers.Sister Rosetta was born to poor cotton pickers in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. At the age of six, she was taken by her evangelist mother to Chicago to join the Church of God in Christ, where she developed her distinctive performing style. In 1938, at the age of 23, she briefly left the church for show business, causing huge controversy when she performed songs laden with sexual innuendo in New York City venues such as the famed Cotton Club and Café Society, where she immediately became a favorite of both Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington.Sister Rosetta soon returned to her gospel roots and performed in packed churches and theaters throughout America and Europe, becoming one of America’s most distinctive recording stars on radio and television during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. She introduced the spiritual passion of her gospel music into the secular world of rock n’ roll, inspiring some of its greatest stars, including Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard.Learn more her music and Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock & Roll (2013).
Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton 
(December 11, 1926 – July 25, 1984) was an American rhythm-and-blues singer and songwriter. She was the first to record Leiber and Stoller’s”Hound Dog”, in 1952,which became her biggest hit, staying seven weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B chart in 1953 and selling almost two million copies. Thornton’s other recordings included the original version of “Ball ‘n’ Chain”, which she wrote.Thornton’s performances were characterized by her deep, powerful voice and strong sense of self. She was given her nickname, “Big Mama,” by Frank Schiffman, the manager of Harlem’s Apollo Theater, because of her strong voice, size, and personality. Thornton stated that she was louder than any microphone and didn’t want a microphone to ever be as loud as she was. Alice Echols, the author of a biography of Janis Joplin, said that Thornton could sing in a “pretty voice” but did not want to. Thornton said, “My singing comes from my experience.…My own experience. I never had no one teach me nothin’. I never went to school for music or nothin’. I taught myself to sing and to blow harmonica and even to play drums by watchin’ other people! I can’t read music, but I know what I’m singing! I don’t sing like nobody but myself.”Her style was heavily influenced by gospel music, which she grew up listening to at the home of a preacher, though her genre could be described as blues. Thornton was quoted in a 1980 article in the New York Times: “when I was comin’ up, listening to Bessie Smith and all, they sung from their heart and soul and expressed themselves. That’s why when I do a song by Jimmy Reed or somebody, I have my own way of singing it. Because I don’t want to be Jimmy Reed, I want to be me. I like to put myself into whatever I’m doin’ so I can feel it”.Scholars such as Maureen Mahon have praised Thornton for subverting traditional roles of African-American women. She added a female voice to a field that was dominated by white males, and her strong personality transgressed stereotypes of what an African-American woman should be. This transgression was an integral part of her performance and stage persona. Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin admired her unique style of singing and incorporated elements of it in their own work. Her vocal sound and style of delivery are key parts of her style and are recognizable in Presley’s and Joplin’s work.
Marie Knight
(June 1, 1920 – August 30, 2009) was an American gospel and R&B singer.
She was born Marie Roach in 1920, though she claimed to have been born in 1925.[4] Sources differ as to her place of birth – either Attapulgus, Georgia, or Sanford, Florida[5] – but she grew up in Newark, New Jersey. Her father was a construction worker and the family were members of the Church of God in Christ.She first toured as a singer in 1939 with Frances Robinson, an evangelist. She married preacher Albert Knight in 1941 but the union ended in divorce. While she was touring with Sister Rosetta in the 1940s, her two children died in a fire at her mother’s house in New Jersey.In 1946, she made her first recordings, for Signature Records, as a member of The Sunset Four.(aka.The Sunset Jubilee Singers) Shortly afterwards, Sister Rosetta Tharpe saw her singing at the Golden Gate Auditorium in Harlem, on a bill with Mahalia Jackson, and invited Knight to join her on tour. Tharpe recognized “something special” in Marie’s contralto voice.She continued to record and perform with Tharpe through the 1940s, sometimes acting out the parts of “the Saint and the Sinner”, with Tharpe as the saint and Knight as the sinner.Among their successes were the songs “Beams of Heaven”, “Didn’t it Rain”, and “Up Above My Head”, recorded for Decca Records. “Up Above My Head”, credited jointly to both singers, reached No. 6 on the US R&B chart at the end of 1948, and Knight’s solo version of “Gospel Train” reached No. 9 on the R&B chart in 1949.She left Tharpe to go solo around 1951, and put together a backing group, The Millionaires (Thomasina Stewart, Eleonore King and Roberta Jones), with whom she recorded the 1956 album Songs of the Gospel. She began recording secular R&B music in the late 1950s, for various labels including Decca, Mercury, and Okeh. Her duet with Rex Garvin, credited as Marie & Rex, “I Can’t Sit Down” released on the Carlton label, reached No. 94 on the pop chart in 1959. In the late 1950s she also toured Britain as a guest of Humphrey Lyttelton.In 1961 she recorded the single “Come Tomorrow”, which was later a hit for Manfred Mann. Knight’s version of “Cry Me a River” reached No. 35 on the U.S. Billboard R&B charts in 1965.She toured with Brook Benton, the Drifters, and Clyde McPhatter, and regularly reunited onstage with Tharpe. She remained friends with Tharpe, and helped arrange her funeral in 1973. In 1975, having given up performing secular music, she recorded another gospel album, Marie Knight: Today. In 2002, Knight made a comeback in the gospel world, recording for a tribute album to Tharpe. She released a full-length album, Let Us Get Together, on her manager’s label in 2007.Marie Knight died in Harlem of complications from pneumonia, on August 30, 2009, aged 89. She was survived by a sister, Bernice Henry.
Lizzie Douglas 
(June 3, 1897 – August 6, 1973), known as Memphis Minnie, was a blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter whose recording career lasted from the 1920s to the 1950s. She recorded around 200 songs, some of the best known being “Bumble Bee”, “Nothing in Rambling”, and “Me and My Chauffeur Blues”.Memphis Minnie has been described as “the most popular female country blues singer of all time”. Big Bill Broonzy said that she could “pick a guitar and sing as good as any man I’ve ever heard.” Minnie lived to see a renewed appreciation of her recorded work during the revival of interest in blues music in the 1960s. She was an influence on later singers, such as Big Mama Thornton, Jo Ann Kelly and Erin Harpe. She was inducted into the Blues Foundation’s Hall of Fame in 1980.“Me and My Chauffeur Blues” was recorded by Jefferson Airplane on their debut album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, with Signe Anderson as lead vocalist. “Can I Do It for You” was recorded by Donovan in 1965, under the title “Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)”. A 1929 Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy song, “When the Levee Breaks”,[38] was adapted (with altered lyrics and a different melody) by Led Zeppelin and released in 1971 on their fourth album. “I’m Sailin'” was covered by Mazzy Star on their 1990 debut album, She Hangs Brightly.
Esther Jones, known by her stage name “Baby Esther“, 
was an African American singer and entertainer of the late 1920s, known for her “baby” singing style. She performed regularly at the Cotton Club in Harlem. Theatrical manager Lou Walton testified during the Fleischer v. Kane trial that Helen Kane saw Baby Esther’s cabaret act in 1928 with him and appropriated Jones’ style of singing, changing the interpolated words “boo-boo-boo” and “doo-doo-doo” to “boop-boop-a-doop” in a recording of “I Wanna Be Loved By You”. Kane never publicly admitted this. Jones’ style, as imitated by Kane, went on to become the inspiration for the voice of the cartoon character Betty Boop.When Kane attempted to sue Fleischer Studios for using her persona, the studios defended themselves by arguing that Kane herself had taken it from “Baby Esther” Jones. An early test sound film of Baby Esther’s performance was used as evidence. In court, it was presumed that Jones had since died.Jones is now spoken of mostly in the context of her contributions to Betty Boop’s vocal stylings. Jazz studies scholar Robert O’Meally has referred to Jones as Betty Boop’s “black grandmother”.Esther Jones is a singer who was known by her stage name,
“Baby Esther.” Baby Esther was a popular entertainer at Harlem’s Cotton Club in the late 1920s. Baby Esther interpolated words such as ‘Boo-Boo-Boo’ & ‘Doo-Doo-Doo’ in songs at a cabaret.
Helen Kane saw Baby’s act somewhere between 1927-1928 and had first used it in her first Victor release “That’s My Weakness Now” she then used it in the Broadway show Good Boy and had a hit with the song entitled I Wanna Be Loved By You in 1928 and became famous overnight. An early test sound film was also discovered, which featured Baby Esther performing in this style, disproving Kane’s claims. Baby Esther’s manager also testified that Helen Kane had seen Baby Esther’s cabaret act in Harlem, 1928. Supreme Court Judge Edward J. McGoldrick ruled:
“The plaintiff has failed to sustain either cause of action by proof of sufficient probative force”.
In his opinion, the “baby” technique of singing did not originate with Kane. Other claims asked to Kane during the trial were that a witness claimed to have heard the phrase uttered in a Edith Griffith song, another defence asked if she had heard a 1913 song called Bou Dou Ba Da Boum to which Helen had denied.
Edith Griffith, and Felix Mayol were also used as evidence against Helen Kane, but the old footage of Baby Esther performing the routine helped prove that Helen Kane was not the “first” Boop-Oop-a-Doop singer in the business.
Information provided by Ray Pointer (Lou Fleischer Historian, Max’s brother): The film of “Baby” Esther was a double system sound technique like Vitaphone. Lou Fleischer told me the whole story. The film did not “break” at the point of the Boop-Oop-a-Doop part. They did not show this in court. What happened was the print has been spliced in several places due to breakage and went out of sync at the crucial point due to the lost frames. Lou and Kitty Pfister, head Film Cutter stayed up all night locating spots to insert black film slugs to replace the lost frames to put the crucial spot back in sync. A new married print with optical sound was produced, the Paramount News Lab being kept open all night waiting for this to present as evidence the next morning. The remark about Justice McGoldrick being “bribed” is a conclusion not based on fact. There was enough remaining evidence to prove Miss Kane’s case. However since there is a Film Faily Trade Ad that places a picture of Helen Kane next to an early version of Betty Boop. Further evidence can be found in the tampering with the original negative to “Stopping the Show”, which was built around Mae Questel’s (who studied drama at Columbia University) stage act impressions, which prompted Max Fleischer in hiring her. This is the first official Betty Boop cartoon which consists of a series of contemporary celebrities Margie Hines (who also voiced Olive Oyl), Little Ann Little, Kate Wright, Bonnie Poe. Each is introduced by a photograph of that celebrity with animated lips and the voice of that celebrity coming from the picture. Only the voice of Maurice Chevalier is authentic. The voice of Fanny Brice is an imitation by Mae Questel. Oddly, the sequence begins with Betty going right into “That’s My Weakness Now”, a song made popular by Helen Kane. This song is not set up by the celebrity picture on the easel as the others are. You hear an audio splice from the audience applause going to the song. At two points there is a Long Shot, one of which Pans from the stage to the audience. In the background is an image on an easel that looks like the image of Helen Kane. Why else would it be there? This direct reference to Helen Kane was deliberately removed from the negative so that a new print could be shown in court that would not indicate an edit. But it clearly was removed from the negative. Paramount took advantage of the ignorance of film technology on the part of court, which accepted what they saw not knowing what had been done to alter the evidence.
Lou Walton (Sometimes his second name is mistaken for Bolton) was Baby Esther’s theatrical manager. Baby Esther did not attend the trial, but Lou Walton spoke in the Fleischers and Paramount’s defence.
Defence Attorney: What sounds did she (Baby Esther) interpolate?
Lou Walton: Boo-Boo-Boo! (Recited Walton)
Defence Attorney: What other sounds?
Lou Walton: Doo-Doo-Doo
Defence Attorney: Any others?
Lou Walton: Yes, Wha-Da-Da-Da (Said Walton tiring a little)
The court stenographer broke down at this point, He threw his hands into the air as a gesture of despair and announced he would need aid in spelling the “meaningless sounds” .
Walton could not give him any aid, Philips did however.
Other defense witnesses were Bonnie Poe and Margie Hines whose voices were used in the Betty Boop films.
Recording of the Helen Kane “Boop-Opp-a-Doop” jargon in the singers $250,000 damage suit trial in Supreme Court, Manhattan has been driving the court stenographer to distraction.
Edith Griffith, and Felix Mayol were also used as evidence against Helen Kane, but the old footage of Baby Esther performing the routine helped prove that Helen Kane was not the “first” Boop-Oop-a-Doop singer in the business.
Information provided by Ray Pointer (Lou Fleischer Historian, Max’s brother): The film of “Baby” Esther was a double system sound technique like Vitaphone. Lou Fleischer told me the whole story. The film did not “break” at the point of the Boop-Oop-a-Doop part. They did not show this in court. What happened was the print has been spliced in several places due to breakage and went out of sync at the crucial point due to the lost frames. Lou and Kitty Pfister, head Film Cutter stayed up all night locating spots to insert black film slugs to replace the lost frames to put the crucial spot back in sync. A new married print with optical sound was produced, the Paramount News Lab being kept open all night waiting for this to present as evidence the next morning. The remark about Justice McGoldrick being “bribed” is a conclusion not based on fact. There was enough remaining evidence to prove Miss Kane’s case. However since there is a Film Faily Trade Ad that places a picture of Helen Kane next to an early version of Betty Boop. Further evidence can be found in the tampering with the original negative to “Stopping the Show”, which was built around Mae Questel’s (who studied drama at Columbia University) stage act impressions, which prompted Max Fleischer in hiring her. This is the first official Betty Boop cartoon which consists of a series of contemporary celebrities Margie Hines (who also voiced Olive Oyl), Little Ann Little, Kate Wright, Bonnie Poe. Each is introduced by a photograph of that celebrity with animated lips and the voice of that celebrity coming from the picture. Only the voice of Maurice Chevalier is authentic. The voice of Fanny Brice is an imitation by Mae Questel. Oddly, the sequence begins with Betty going right into “That’s My Weakness Now”, a song made popular by Helen Kane. This song is not set up by the celebrity picture on the easel as the others are. You hear an audio splice from the audience applause going to the song. At two points there is a Long Shot, one of which Pans from the stage to the audience. In the background is an image on an easel that looks like the image of Helen Kane. Why else would it be there? This direct reference to Helen Kane was deliberately removed from the negative so that a new print could be shown in court that would not indicate an edit. But it clearly was removed from the negative. Paramount took advantage of the ignorance of film technology on the part of court, which accepted what they saw not knowing what had been done to alter the evidence.
Lou Walton (Sometimes his second name is mistaken for Bolton) was Baby Esther’s theatrical manager. Baby Esther did not attend the trial, but Lou Walton spoke in the Fleischers and Paramount’s defence.
Defence Attorney: What sounds did she (Baby Esther) interpolate?
Lou Walton: Boo-Boo-Boo! (Recited Walton)
Defence Attorney: What other sounds?
Lou Walton: Doo-Doo-Doo
Defence Attorney: Any others?
Lou Walton: Yes, Wha-Da-Da-Da (Said Walton tiring a little)
The court stenographer broke down at this point, He threw his hands into the air as a gesture of despair and announced he would need aid in spelling the “meaningless sounds” .
Walton could not give him any aid, Philips did however.
Other defense witnesses were Bonnie Poe and Margie Hines whose voices were used in the Betty Boop films.
Recording of the Helen Kane “Boop-Opp-a-Doop” jargon in the singers $250,000 damage suit trial in Supreme Court, Manhattan has been driving the court stenographer to distraction.
Bobby Womack (1944-2014): The Cleveland-born singer, guitarist songwriter penned one of the Rolling Stones earliest hits, “It’s All Over Now.” It proved to be a big break for Womack, the son of a steelworker, who grew up in Cleveland’s Central Avenue neighborhood. He wrote songs for Wilson Pickett and Janis Joplin, backed up Sam Cooke and launched a solo career that reached its peak in the 1970s. In 2009, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
LeBron James (1984-): The Kid from Akron will always be loved for bringing a championship to Cleveland. But the athlete, actor and pitchman has also become an unofficial ambassador for Northeast Ohio to the world — shining a spotlight on the area with Nike ads set and shot in the area and hosting a world premiere for “Trainwreck” in his hometown.
Eddie Levert (1942-): The singer is one of the longest-running singers going – since 1958, when he co-founded the O’Jays while attending Canton McKinley High School. He received a BET lifetime achievement award in 2009 and is the father of Gerald and Sean.
Ruby Dee (1922-2014): The Cleveland native was best known for her performance in “A Raisin in the Sun,” but she was also a poet and playwright – not to mention winner of Grammy, Emmy, Obie, Drama Desk and Screen Actors Guild awards and the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Medal of Arts
Ruby Dee (October 27, 1922 – June 11, 2014) was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. She is perhaps best known for originating the role of “Ruth Younger” in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun (1961). Her other notable film roles include The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), and Do the Right Thing(1989).For her performance as Mahalee Lucas in American Gangster (2007), she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Female Actor in a Supporting Role.
She was a Grammy, Emmy, Obie and Drama Desk winner. She was also a National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors and Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award recipient.She was married to Ossie Davis, with whom she frequently performed, until his death in 2005Ruby Wallace married blues singer Frankie Dee Brown in 1941, and began using his middle name as her stage name. The couple divorced in 1945. Three years later she married actor Ossie Davis, whom she met while costarring in Robert Ardrey’s 1946 Broadway play Jeb.Together, Dee and Davis wrote an autobiography in which they discussed their political activism and their decision to have an open marriage (later changing their views). Together they had three children: son, blues musician Guy Davis, and two daughters, Nora Day and Hasna Muhammad. Dee was a breast cancer survivor of more than three decades.Dee and Davis were well-known civil rights activists. Dee was a member of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the NAACP, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Delta Sigma Theta sorority and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In 1963, Dee emceed the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.Dee and Davis were both personal friends of both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, with Davis giving the eulogy at Malcolm X’s funeral in 1965.In 1970, she won the Frederick Douglass Award from the New York Urban League.In 1999, Dee and Davis were arrested at 1 Police Plaza, the headquarters of the New York Police Department, protesting the police shooting of Amadou Diallo.In early 2003, The Nation published “Not In My Name”, an open proclamation vowing opposition to the impending US invasion of Iraq. Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis were among the signatories, along with Robert Altman, Noam Chomsky, Susan Sarandon and Howard Zinn, among others.In November 2005 Dee was awarded – along with her late husband – the Lifetime Achievement Freedom Award, presented by the National Civil Rights Museum located in Memphis. Dee, a long-time resident of New Rochelle, New York, was inducted into the New Rochelle Walk of Fame which honors the most notable residents from throughout the community’s 325-year history. She was also inducted into the Westchester County Women’s Hall of Fame on March 30, 2007, joining such other honorees as Hillary Clinton and Nita Lowey.In 2009, she received an honorary Doctor of Fine Artsdegree from Princeton University.
Dee died on June 11, 2014, at her home in New Rochelle, New York, from natural causes at the age of 91.In a statement, Gil Robertson IV of the African American Film Critics Association said, “the members of the African American Film Critics Association are deeply saddened at the loss of actress and humanitarian Ruby Dee. Throughout her seven-decade career, Ms Dee embraced different creative platforms with her various interpretations of black womanhood and also used her gifts to champion for Human Rights. Her strength, courage and beauty will be greatly missed.”
“She very peacefully surrendered,” said her daughter Nora Day. “We hugged her, we kissed her, we gave her our permission to go. She opened her eyes. She looked at us. She closed her eyes, and she set sail.” Following her death, the marquee on the Apollo Theater read “A TRUE APOLLO LEGEND RUBY DEE 1922-2014″.
Dee was cremated, and her ashes are held in the same urn as that of Davis, with the inscription “In this thing together”.A public memorial celebration honoring Dee was held on September 20, 2014, at the Riverside Church in Upper Manhattan.
Terrence Howard (1969-): The actor known for his roles in movies such as “Crash,” “Hustle and Flow” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus” was raised in Cleveland. His latest project casts him as a hip-hop mogul in the FOX TV series “Empire.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (active 1991-): The hip hop outfit got its big break when it impressed Eric “Eazy-E” Wright during an audition in the NWA rapper’s dressing room during a show in Cleveland, in 1993. Within a year, it was one of the top hip hop acts in the country.
Antwone Fisher (1959-): The Cleveland-born author, director and screenwriter was born in a prison to a teenage mother and ended up living on the streets of the city until he joined the U.S. Navy. His story resulted in the autobiographical 2001 book, “Finding Fish,” which became the basis for the film, “Antwone Fisher” – which was written by Fisher and directed by Denzel Washington.
Gerald Levert (1966-2006): The Cleveland native and R&B singer scored four platinum albums with LeVert. He was also the son of Eddie Levert.
Kid Cudi (1984-): The Cleveland native grew up in Shaker Heights and Solon. His 2009 song “Day ‘n’ Nite” was a breakthrough for his career, which expanded to include starting a label and acting in films and TV shows.
Prince (American singer-songwriter Prince was a remarkably talented musician that first captured the world’s attention with his numerous album releases in the 1980s. Encapsulating elements of multiple genres, his music is recognized all over the globe and Rock, Blues and Jazz have influenced it. He has collaborated with popular artists such as Alicia Keys and Norah Jones, and is known for his bold stage presence and iconic look.
Tina Turner Singer and actress Tina Turner was incredibly popular in the 1980s and achieved success with Private Dancer. In spite of suffering domestic abuse from her partner Ike, the Tennessee born singer has influenced many contemporary singers. The singer embarked on a solo career and she is famous for such soundtracks as ‘Goldeneye’ and ‘He Lives in You’. Her career has been huge and her work is globally renowned.
Ella Fitzgerald Known as the ‘First Lady of Song’ or ‘Lady Ella’, a significant contributor to the Jazz genre, Ella Fitzgerald was a remarkable singer. She was discovered by and worked with Chick Webb and his band and rose to fame in the 1930s. Her uplifting tone can be recognized in such singles as ‘Dream A Little Dream of Me’ and ‘Every Time We Say Goodbye’.
Nat King Cole A prolific Jazz pianist and a performer with remarkable talents, Nat King Cole is known had a huge, influential career. He formed the group – the ‘King Cole Trio’ and is known for such singles as the iconic ‘Christmas Song’. He launched a solo career in the 1950s, during which he performed such songs as ‘Unforgettable’, and worked with remarkable stars such as Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.
Ray Charles Soul music pioneer and fuser of R & B, Gospel and Country music, Ray Charles is a legend and was one of the world’s greatest artists. Blind, but beyond talented, the artist is famous for such singles as ‘Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand’ and ‘Kissa Me Baby’ as well as ‘Mess Around’. Known as ‘The Genius’ and ‘The Father of Soul’ Charles’ remarkable talent inspired many musicians and his creativity extended to the many instruments that he touched.
Marvin Gaye American singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye was a legend of the soul genre and is internationally renowned. A fundamental contributor to the world-famous Detroit record label Motown, and an acclaimed musical artist, Gaye’s contributions are hugely significant to music as we know it. He influenced a whole range of contemporary artists and his work is not only inspirational, it is powerful and noteworthy.
Chuck Berry: Berry was a blues and rock and roll guitarist and vocalist. He is considered one of the musical pioneers of rock and roll.
Dizzy Gillespie: Gillespie is one of the founding fathers of jazz and one of the inventors of bebop. He was also a trumpeter who had a reputation for puffing out his cheeks during performances.
B.B. King (1925 – 2015), born Riley B. King, was one of the most influential and celebrated blues musicians of all time. From his roots as a sharecropper’s son, working in the cotton fields of Mississippi, he rose to become a living legend — the most renowned blues singer, songwriter, musician and record producer of the past 40 years — earning the moniker “King of the Blues.”King’s story of struggle and triumph is chronicled in B.B. King: The Life of Riley (2016). Made with the full cooperation of The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, Mississippi, B.B. King: The Life of Riley was filmed in locations across America, as well as the United Kingdom and completed shortly before King passed on May 14, 2015.
Fats Domino (1928 – 2017) was born Antoine Domino, Jr. on February 26, 1928 in New Orleans. His journey from a poor childhood in the Lower Ninth Ward to a key figure in rock ‘n’ roll is told in Fats Domino and The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll (2016) using vintage performances of “I’m in Love Again,” “Blueberry Hill,” “Blue Monday” and “Walking to New Orleans” interwoven with reminiscences of fellow architects of rock ‘n’ roll. The documentary traces how Fats Domino’s brand of New Orleans rhythm and blues morphed into rock and roll.The crossover record was Domino’s 1955 “Ain’t That a Shame.” By the end of 1956, Domino was making appearances on major network television and even in Hollywood films (The Girl Can’t Help It and Shake, Rattle and Rock).In 1957, the Domino band traveled 13,000 miles across the United States working 355 shows, and selling out nightclubs and concert halls whenever they played. Yet, despite being the most popular rock ‘n’ roll band in the country, with a sizable number of white fans, Domino and his band were denied access to lodging, food and services, and forced to use “For Colored Only” facilities.
Jimi Hendrix (1942 – 1970) pioneered the explosive possibilities of the electric guitar. Hendrix’s innovative style of combining fuzz, feedback and controlled distortion created a new musical form.Hendrix first gained fame in Great Britain with his group, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and began touring U.S. music festivals in 1967. His renegade version of “Star Spangled Banner” performed at Woodstock in 1969 stunned audiences and lives on as a statement of an era torn by the Vietnam War and the assassinations of revered Civil Rights leaders and politicians.From demo recordings to finished masters, Jimi Hendrix generated an amazing collection of songs over the course of his short career. The music of Jimi Hendrix embraced the influences of blues, ballads, rock, R&B and jazz, a collection of styles that continue to make Hendrix one of the most popular figures in the history of rock music.Learn more about the Emmy Award-winning film Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin’ (2013).
Toni Braxton.: She’s one of the biggest selling artists of the 1990s, having sold 40 million albums. Her “Un-break My Heart” is one of the ten biggest selling singles of all time by a female, with world-wide sales of 10 million copies. Having performed at the Super Bowl (SB XXXIV in 2000), and with a Las Vegas residency under her belt, there’s not much this superstar hasn’t accomplished. Memorable songs: “Breathe Again,” “You Mean The World To Me,” “You’re Makin’ Me High” and “He Wasn’t Man Enough.”
Alicia Keys. Keys is a noted singer, songwriter, producer, pianist and philanthropist who has won many awards in her 14 years of popularity. When she debuted in 2001, she was considered the first new artist of the millennium with the ability to change music, which she did by incorporating classical piano into her unique blend of R&B, soul, hip-hop and even jazz. Memorable songs: “Fallin’,” “You Don’t Know My Name,” “Diary,” “No One,” “Karma” and “Empire State of Mind.”
. Rihanna. : For the past ten years, she’s been a constant force in the pop and R&B music fields, having topped the Billboard Hot 100 thirteen times (ten of those as the lead artist). She’s also sold over 100 million records worldwide in those ten years, placing her among the biggest-selling artists of all time. (Spoiler alert, she’s the only artist in the entire Top 100 who had never charted before 2005.) Memorable songs: “SOS,” “Umbrella,” “Live Your Life,” “What’s My Name,” “Only Girl (in the World)” and “We Found Love.”
Boyz II Men. This Motown quartet had the magic touch during the 1990s, with five #1 songs that spent a total of 50 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Only three other recording acts have amassed more weeks at #1, Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Mariah Carey…and they all did it with far more songs. The Boyz’ collaboration with Mariah, “One Sweet Day,” still holds the Hot 100 chart record for most weeks at Number One (16). Memorable hits: “Motownphilly,” “End of the Road,” “Water Runs Dry,” “Uhh Ahh,” “I’ll Make Love to You,” “On Bended Knee” and “A Song For Mama.”
N.W.A. (Ice Cube/Dr. Dré/Eazy E/MC REN/ Yella ). They changed the rap game. What had been for the most part a safe, sometimes silly and occasionally informative music genre suddenly became dangerous with the success of N.W.A.’s “gangsta rap” in the late 1980s/early ’90s. When their Efil4zaggin’ (spelled backwards, Niggaz4life) reached #1 on the Billboard 200 in 1991, rap and popular music was pretty much never the same. Key members Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy E were no slouches on the solo front as well. Memorable songs: “Straight Outta Compton,” “Fuck Tha Police” and “Appetite For Destruction” (all by N.W.A.); “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang,” “The Next Episode” (both by Dr. Dre); “It Was a Good Day” and “Check Yo Self” (Ice Cube); “Eazy-Duz-It” (Eazy E).
TLC. : In 1992, this trio of eclectic personalities succeeded out of the box with their in-your-face top-ten pop/R&B debut crossover “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg” (not a remake of the Motown classic). In the next seven years, they managed to become the biggest-selling American female group in music history (65 million records sold). Unfortunately, the tragic death of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in 2002 ended their good fortunes. Memorable songs: “What About Your Friends,” “Baby, Baby, Baby,” “Hat 2 Da Back,” “Creep,” “Waterfalls,” and “No Scrubs.”
The Notorious B.I.G. : Dubbed the greatest story-teller in hip-hop during the 1990s, Biggie Smalls was one of the most respected street poets of all time. His murder in 1997 was like a punch to the gut of the hip-hop community and left a void that has yet to be filled (in my opinion). His Life After Death album proved prophetic when it generated two #1 pop singles after his death, making him the first artist (rap or otherwise) to accomplish that. Memorable songs: “Juicy,” “Big Poppa,” “Get Money,” “One More Chance/Stay With Me,” “Hypnotize,” “I Got A Story To Tell” and “Mo Money, Mo Problems
Isaac Hayes. Primarily known for his music score for the 1970s Blaxploitation film, Shaft, R&R Hall of Famer Isaac Hayes was also one of the creative forces behind the Memphis-based Stax Records label. He served as an in-house writer, session musician and producer for the label. He wrote “Soul Man” by Sam & Dave, along with several other Stax classics. Memorable songs: “I Stand Accused,” “Walk On By,” “Theme from Shaft” and “Don’t Let Go.”
LL Cool J. Rapper LL Cool J., born James Todd Smith, No other solo rapper has managed to stay relevant for as long as L.L. Cool J. And his is a career that now spans 30 years, dating back to “I Can’t Live Without My Radio.” First with music, then with acting, and now with an annual hosting gig at the music industry’s biggest event, the Grammys, LL Cool J has charted a success path that few expected when his “Radio” was blaring on turntables in 1985. Memorable songs: “I Need Love,” “I’m Bad,” “Goin’ Back To Cali,” “Rock The Bells” and “Mama Said Knock You Out.”
Alice Walker – An author and poet, Alice Walker was also a prominent activist during the Civil Rights Movement. Her most recognized work, The Color Purple, won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.
Aaliyah Born: January 16, 1979Birthplace: Brooklyn, N.Y.Died: Bahamas, Aug. 25, 2001
OutKast rap band
cooljazz in 1949–50, led numerous outstanding small groups through the 1950s and 60s, and produced a successful blend of jazz and rock music in the 1970s and 80s. Davis’s trumpet and flügelhorn styles were warmly lyrical and were marked by a brilliant use of mutes. He made many recordings, which reflect his stylistic changes Kind of Blue (1959), a landmark of modal jazz, has been a best-seller since it was issued.
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter born September 4, 1981)is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as lead singer of the R&B girl-group Destiny’s Child. Managed by her father, Mathew Knowles, the group became one of the world’s best-selling girl groups in history. Their hiatus saw Beyoncé’s theatrical film debut in Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) and the release of her debut album, Dangerously in Love (2003). The album established her as a solo artist worldwide, earned five Grammy Awards, and featured the Billboard Hot 100number one singles “Crazy in Love” and “Baby Boy”.Following the break-up of Destiny’s Child in 2006, she released her second solo album, B’Day (2006), which contained the top ten singles “Déjà Vu”, “Irreplaceable”, and “Beautiful Liar”. Beyoncé also continued her acting career, with starring roles in The Pink Panther (2006), Dreamgirls (2006), and Obsessed (2009). Her marriage to rapper Jay-Z and portrayal of Etta James in Cadillac Records (2008) influenced her third album, I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008), which saw the introduction of her alter-ego Sasha Fierce and earned a record-setting six Grammy Awards in 2010, including Song of the Year for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”. Beyoncé took a hiatus from music in 2010 and took over management of her career; her fourth album 4 (2011) was subsequently mellower in tone, exploring 1970s funk, 1980s pop, and 1990s soul. Her critically acclaimed fifth album, Beyoncé (2013), was distinguished from previous releases by its experimental production and exploration of darker themes. Her sixth album, Lemonade (2016), also received widespread critical acclaim, and subsequently became the best-selling album of 2016.Throughout her career, Beyoncé has sold an estimated 100 million records as a solo artist,and a further 60 million records with the group Destiny’s Child,making her one of the best-selling music artists in history. She has won 22 Grammy Awards and is the most nominated woman in the award’s history. She is also the most awarded artist at the MTV Video Music Awards, with 24 wins. The Recording Industry Association of America recognized Beyoncé as the Top Certified Artist in America during the 2000s (decade).[15][16] In 2009, Billboard named her the Top Radio Songs Artist of the Decade, the Top Female Artist of the 2000s (decade), and awarded her their Millennium Award in 2011In 2014, she became the highest-paid black musician in history and was listed among Time‘s 100 most influential people in the world for a second year in a row. Forbes ranked her as the most powerful female in entertainment on their 2015 and 2017 lists, and in 2016 she occupied the sixth place for Time‘s Person of the Year.
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. (born October 20, 1971), known professionally as Snoop Dogg,is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, television personality, and actor. His music career began in 1992 when he was discovered by Dr. Dre, and as a result he was featured on Dre’s solo debut, “Deep Cover”, and then on Dr. Dre’s solo debut album, The Chronic. He has since sold over 23 million albums in the United States and 35 million albums worldwide.Snoop’s debut album, Doggystyle, produced by Dr. Dre and released in 1993 through Death Row Records, debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Selling almost a million copies in the first week of its release, Doggystyle became certified 4× platinum in 1994 and spawned several hit singles, including “What’s My Name?” and “Gin & Juice”. In 1994 Snoop released a soundtrack on Death Row Records for the short film Murder Was the Case, starring himself. His second album Tha Doggfather(1996), also debuted at number one on both charts with “Snoop’s Upside Ya Head”, as the lead single. The album was certified double platinum in 1997.After leaving Death Row Records, Snoop signed with No Limit Records, where he recorded his next three albums. Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told (1998), No Limit Top Dogg(1999), and Tha Last Meal (2000). Snoop then signed with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in 2002, where he released Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss. He then signed with Geffen Records in 2004 for his next three albums R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, and Ego Trippin’. Malice ‘n Wonderland (2009), and Doggumentary (2011), were released on Priority. Snoop Dogg has starred in motion pictures and hosted several television shows, including Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood, and Dogg After Dark. He also coaches a youth football league and high school football team. In September 2009, Snoop was hired by EMI as the chairman of a reactivated Priority Records.
John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor.Prior to the release of Legend’s debut album, he collaborated with already established artists. At various points in his career, Legend has sung in Magnetic Man’s “Getting Nowhere,” Kanye West’s “Blame Game,” on Slum Village’s “Selfish,” and Dilated Peoples’ “This Way”. Other collaborative appearances include Jay-Z’s “Encore”, backing vocals on Alicia Keys’ 2003 song “You Don’t Know My Name,” the Kanye West remix of Britney Spears’ “Me Against the Music,” and Fort Minor’s “High Road”. Legend played piano on Lauryn Hill’s “Everything Is Everything”.For his solo work, he earned a Billboard Hot 100 number-one single with “All of Me” in 2013. He won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2015 for writing the song “Glory” from the film Selma. He has also won ten Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 2007, Legend received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2017, Legend received a Tony Award for co-producing Jitney for the Broadway stage.
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth 
(born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter. Raised in Compton, California, Lamar embarked on his musical career as a teenager under the stage name K-Dot, releasing a mixtape that garnered local attention and led to his signing with indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
He began to gain recognition in 2010, after his first retail release, Overly Dedicated. The following year, he independently released his first studio album, Section.80, which included his debut single, “HiiiPoWeR”. By that time, he had amassed a large online following and collaborated with several prominent artists in the hip hop industry, including The Game, Busta Rhymes, and Snoop Dogg.Lamar’s major label debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was released in 2012 by TDE, Aftermath, and Interscope Records to critical success. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The record contained the top 40 singles “Swimming Pools (Drank)”, “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”, and “Poetic Justice”.His critically acclaimed third album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) comprised funk, soul, and spoken word, debuted atop the charts in the US and the UK, and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 58th ceremony. In 2016, Lamar released Untitled Unmastered, a collection of unreleased demos that originated during the recording sessions for Butterfly. He released his fourth album Damn in 2017 to further acclaim; its lead single “Humble” topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.Lamar has received a number of accolades over the course of his career, including twelve Grammy Awards. In early 2013, MTV named him the number one “Hottest MC in the Game”, on their annual list.Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. Aside from his solo career, Lamar is also known as a member of the West Coast hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, alongside his TDE label-mates and fellow South Los Angeles-based rappers Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and Schoolboy Q.
Jermaine Lamarr Cole
(born January 28, 1985), better known by his stage name J. Cole, is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer. Raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cole initially gained recognition as a rapper following the release of his debut mixtape, The Come Up, in early-2007. Intent on further pursuing a solo career as a rapper, he went on to release two additional mixtapes after signing to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation imprint in 2009.Cole released his debut studio album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, in 2011. It debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and was soon certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[3] His next two releases, 2013’s Born Sinner and 2014’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive, received mostly positive reviews from critics,[4 while being both certified platinum in the United States. 2014’s Forest Hills Drive also went platinum with no featuring artists. The latter earned him his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album. In December 2016, Cole released his fourth studio album 4 Your Eyez Only. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum in April 2017.Self-taught on piano, Cole also acts as a producer alongside his hip-hop career, producing singles for artists such as: Kendrick Lamar and Janet Jackson, as well as handling the majority of the production in his own projects. He has also developed other ventures, including Dreamville Records, as well as a non-profit organization called the Dreamville Foundation.In January 2015, Cole decided to house single mothers rent-free at his childhood home in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Kanye Omari West ( born June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West briefly attended art school before becoming known as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the early 2000s, producing hit singles for artists such as Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Intent on pursuing a solo career as a rapper, West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004 to widespread critical and commercial success, and founded the record label GOOD Music. He went on to pursue a variety of styles on subsequent albums Late Registration (2005), Graduation (2007), and 808s & Heartbreak (2008). In 2010, he released his fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to rave reviews from critics, and the following year he released the collaborative album Watch the Throne with Jay-Z. West released his abrasive sixth album, Yeezus, to further critical praise in 2013. His seventh album, The Life of Pablo, was released in 2016.
West’s outspoken views and life outside of music have received significant mainstream attention.
Birthplace: Brooklyn, N.Y.
She began performing at age six, and by 16 was singing and dancing at Harlem’s Cotton Club, where she became an acolyte of Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. She performed with Noble Sissle’s Orchestra and Teddy Wilson’s big band.Horne’s movie career began in 1938, when she appeared in The Duke Is Tops. She won critical acclaim for her performance in Stormy Weather (1943), and for singing the movie’s title song. Although she was the first African-American woman to sign a long-term movie contract with a major studio (MGM), Horne’s films were shot so that her scenes could be cut out before been shown in the South.An outspoken foe of discrimination, Horne was blacklisted in the 1950s for condemning racism, as well as for her association with Paul Robeson, a performer with Communist ties.Her recordings include More Than You Know (1946), Lena Horne Sings Your Requests (1963), and An Evening with Lena Horne (1994). She was a 1984 Kennedy Center honoree.
Tupac Shakur
His name is often spelled 2pac… Nikki Giovanni‘s poem “All Eyez on Me” is about Tupac Shakur…
Mos Def
Name at birth: Dante Terrell Smith
Mos Def is a critically-acclaimed hip-hop star who is also known to movie audiences for his roles in The Italian Job(2003, with Mark Wahlberg) and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005, starring Zooey Deschanel). Def hit the music scene in the late 1990s, first gaining attention for the underground hit “Universal Magnetic.” With Talib Kweli he formed the group Black Star and made a name for himself as a non-gangsta, socially conscious rapper who earned critical praise, if not multi-platinum record sales. After his first solo album, 1999’s Black on Both Sides, Mos Def the actor began to get as much attention as Mos Def the hip-hop artist, in films such as Spike Lee’s Bamboozled (2000) and in Monster’s Ball (2001, with Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton). By 2004 he’d had a second successful album, The New Danger, appeared in the thriller The Italian Job and earned an Emmy nomination for a lead role in the HBO movie Something The Lord Made. Since then he’s appeared in movies like 16 Blocks (2006) and Cadillac Records (2008, playing Chuck Berry), and in TV shows like The Boondocks (2005-08, the animated series created by Aaron McGruder), and Dexter (2011). Mos Def’s other albums include True Magic (2006) and The Ecstatic (2009). He announced in September of 2011 that he would be going under a new name, Yasiin Bey, and by the end of that year he and Talib Kweli reunited for another Black Star record.
Ossie Davis 
(born Raiford Chatman Davis; December 18, 1917 – March 29, 2005) was an American film, television and Broadway actor, director, poet, playwright, author, and civil rights activist.He was married to Ruby Dee, with whom he frequently performed, until his death in 2005.He and his wife were named to the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame; were awarded the National Medal of Arts and were recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994.
In 1989, Ossie Davis and his wife, actress/activist Ruby Dee, were named to the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. In 1995, they were awarded the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honor conferred to an individual artist on behalf of the country and presented in a White House ceremony by the President of the United States.And in 2004, they were recipients of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. According to the Kennedy Center Honors:
- “The Honors recipients recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts— whether in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television — are selected by the Center’s Board of Trustees. The primary criterion in the selection process is excellence. The Honors are not designated by art form or category of artistic achievement; the selection process, over the years, has produced balance among the various arts and artistic disciplines.”
In 1994, Davis was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
Davis and Dee were well known as civil rights activists during the Civil Rights Movement and were close friends of Malcolm X, Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King, Jr. and other icons of the era. They were involved in organizing the 1963 civil rights March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and served as its emcees. Davis, alongside Ahmed Osman, delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Malcolm X. He re-read part of this eulogy at the end of Spike Lee’s film Malcolm X. He also delivered a stirring tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, at a memorial in New York’s Central Park the day after King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.Davis, alongside Ahmed Osman, delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Malcolm X. In 1948, Davis married actress Ruby Dee, whom he had met on the set of Robert Ardrey’s 1946 play Jeb. In their joint autobiography With Ossie and Ruby, they described their decision to have an open marriage, later changing their minds. In the mid-1960s they moved to the New York suburb of New Rochelle, where they remained ever after.Their son Guy Davis is a blues musician and former actor, who appeared in the film Beat Street (1984) and the daytime soap opera One Life to Live. Their daughters are Nora Davis Day and Hasna Muhammad.
King of Pop.Jackson also did much to usher in the era of pop celebrity, becoming famous for his packed concerts, his glittering military-style outfits, his sequined white glove, and his
moonwalkdance steps. His recording success continued with the albums Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991), both of which sold over 20 million copies.In 1993 Jackson was charged in a civil suit with sexual abuse of a minor, a charge he denied. The suit was settled out of court in 1994, and no criminal charges were filed. Jackson’s much-publicized double album HIStory (1995) was criticized as petty, maudlin, and paranoid and garnered comparatively disappointing sales. Reaction to his next album,Invincible (2001), was mixed. Jackson was indicted in another sexual abuse case in 2004. The trial, in 2005, was marked by sensational testimony and spellbound media coverage, and ended in Jackson’s acquittal on all charges. Subsequently, he largely disappeared from public view, but was in rehearsal for a comeback tour when he died.
Solána Imani Rowe (born November 8, 1990),known professionally by SZA (short for either “Sovereign Zig-Zag Allah” or “Savior Zig-Zag Allah”), is an American R&Bsinger-songwriter. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, later relocating to Maplewood, New Jersey.[1][4] In October 2012, SZA self-released her debut EP, See.SZA.Run, which she then followed up with her second EP, titled S, in April 2013. In July 2013, it was revealed that she had signed to the hip hop record label Top Dawg Entertainment, through which she released Z, her third EP and first retail release, in April 2014.SZA’s debut studio album, Ctrl, was released on June 9, 2017, to universal acclaim from music critics. The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard Top 200 and spawned the platinum-certified singles “The Weekend”, “Supermodel” and “Love Galore”, which features rapper Travis Scott.All three songs received Grammy nominations at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.SZA is a neo soul singer whose music has been described as alternative R&B, with elements of soul, hip hop, minimalist R&B, cloud rap, witch house and chillwave.SZA’s lyrics are described as “unravelling”, that revolve around themes of sexuality, nostalgia, and abandonment. SZA cites a variety of artists as influences, including Ella Fitzgerald, Meelah, Björk, Jamiroquai, and Lauryn Hill, among others. SZA also takes influence from non-musical artists, including filmmaker Spike Lee.
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
(Ge’ez: አቤል ተስፋዬ, ʾÄbel Täsfaye, born 16 February 1990), known by his stage name, The Weeknd (pronounced the weekend), is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer.In late 2010, Tesfaye anonymously uploaded several songs to YouTube under the name “The Weeknd”. He released three nine-track mixtapes throughout 2011: House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence, which were critically acclaimed.In 2012, he released a compilation album Trilogy, thirty tracks consisting of the remastered mixtapes and three additional songs. It was released under Republic Records and his own label XO.In 2013, he released his debut studio album Kiss Land, which was supported by the singles “Kiss Land” and “Live For”. His second album, Beauty Behind the Madness, which became his first number-one album on the US Billboard 200, included the number-three single “Earned It” and produced the number-one singles “The Hills” and “Can’t Feel My Face”. The songs have simultaneously held the top three spots on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, making him the first artist in history to achieve this. Tesfaye has won three Grammy Awards and nine Juno Awards. In September 2016, the release of the third album Starboy was announced along with the release of the title track single “Starboy”, which subsequently reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Chancelor Jonathan Bennett
(born April 16, 1993), known professionally as Chance the Rapper, is an American rapper, singer, philanthropist, record producer and actor from the West Chatham neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. In 2013, he began to gain recognition following the release of his second mixtape, Acid Rap. Apart from his solo career, he is a member of the Chicago collective Save Money (along with frequent collaborator Vic Mensa). He has worked as the lead vocalist for the band The Social Experiment; they released the album Surf in May 2015.In May 2016, Bennett released his third mixtape Coloring Book to critical acclaim. It earned him three Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album. Coloring Book became the first streaming-only album to receive a nomination for, and win, a Grammy.
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Pharrell Lanscilo Williams; born April 5, 1973), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and film producer.
Williams and Chad Hugo comprise the record production duo The Neptunes, producing soul, hip hop and R&B music. He is the lead vocalist and drummer of the rock-funk-hip hop band N*E*R*D, that he formed with Hugo and childhood friend, Shay Haley. He released his first single, “Frontin'”, in 2003 and followed up with his debut solo album, In My Mind in 2006.His second album, Girl, was released on March 3, 2014.This album was preceded by the commercially successful single, “Happy”. As part of the Neptunes, Williams has produced numerous hit singles for various recording artists.Williams owns a media venture that encompasses entertainment, music, fashion, and art called i am OTHER, a multimedia creative collective and record label that serves as an umbrella for all of Pharrell Williams’ endeavors, including Billionaire Boys Club.
Williams has earned ten Grammy Awards including two with the Neptunes. He is also a two-time Academy Award nominee, receiving a 2014 Best Original Song nomination from “Happy” (which was featured in Despicable Me 2) and a 2017 Best Picture nomination as one of the producers of Hidden Figures.
Rakim Mayers (born October 3, 1988), better known by his stage name ASAP Rocky (stylized as A$AP Rocky), is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is a member of the hip hop group A$AP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker.Rocky released his debut mixtape Live. Love. A$AP, in 2011 to critical acclaim. The success of his mixtape led to a record deal with Polo Grounds Music, RCA Records, and Sony Music Entertainment. He subsequently recorded his 2013 debut album Long. Live. A$AP, which was also well received by critics and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. In 2015, Rocky released his second studio album titled At. Long. Last. A$AP. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making it Rocky’s second consecutive album to debut at number one and has received positive reviews from music critics.Rocky has also directed music videos for himself, Danny Brown and other A$AP Mob members.He is also a noted record producer, producing under the pseudonym Lord Flacko.
Sean John Combs
(born November 4, 1969),also known by his stage namesPuff Daddy, Puffy, P. Diddy, Diddy, and Love, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur. He was born in Harlem and was raised in Mount Vernon, New York. He worked as a talent director at Uptown Records before founding his label Bad Boy Entertainment in 1993. His debut album No Way Out (1997) has been certified seven times platinum and was followed by successful albums such as Forever (1999), The Saga Continues… (2001), and Press Play (2006). In 2009, Combs formed the musical group Diddy – Dirty Money and released the critically well-reviewed and commercially successful album Last Train to Paris (2010).Combs has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and is the producer of MTV’s Making the Band. In 2017, Forbes estimated his net worth at $820 million, making him the richest hip-hop artist in the US.
Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown (born June 7), better known by his stage name Swae Lee, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is one half of the hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd with his brother Slim Jxmmi.In 2017 the single “Unforgettable” by French Montana featuring Swae Lee, reached the top 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Rae Sremmurd is an American hip hop duo originating from Tupelo, Mississippi formed by two brothers, Slim Jxmmi and Swae Lee.[2] In 2013, they signed a record deal with Mike Will Made-It’s EarDrummers imprint. In January 2015, the duo released their debut album SremmLife, which was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In August 2016, the duo released their second album, SremmLife 2. During that same year, the duo also created their own record label, called SremmLife Crew Records.The duo are best known for their single “Black Beatles” from Sremmlife 2. The single “Black Beatles” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, while also charting internationally in the top ten in many countries. The duo also released other platinum-certified singles such as “No Type”, “No Flex Zone” and “Swang”.
Robert Rihmeek Williams
(born May 6, 1987),known professionally as Meek Mill, is an American rapper and songwriter. Raised in Philadelphia, he embarked on his music career as a battle rapper, and later formed a short-lived rap group, The Bloodhoundz. In 2008, Atlanta-based rapper T.I. signed Meek Mill to his first record deal. In February 2011, after leaving Grand Hustle Records, Mill signed with Miami-based rapper Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group (MMG). Mill’s debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, was released in 2012 under MMG and Warner Bros. Records. The album, preceded by the single “Young & Gettin’ It”, debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200.In October 2012, Mill announced the launch of his own label imprint, Dream Chasers Records, named after his mixtape series. Meek Mill often collaborates with fellow MMG label-mates; he is also known for his appearances on MMG’s Self Made compilation series, with his first two singles, “Tupac Back” and “Ima Boss”, being included on volume one. In November 2017, he was sentenced to 2-4 years in prison for violating his parole. He currently serving his sentence at the State Correctional Institution – Chester in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Reminisce Mackie (Smith; May 30, 1980),known professionally as Remy Ma, is an American rapper. Her notable songs include “Ante Up (Remix)” (2001), “Lean Back” (2004), “Conceited” (2006), and “All the Way Up” (2016). In 2006, she released her debut studio album There’s Something About Remy: Based on a True Story, which was a modest success, peaking at number 33 on the Billboard 200 chart. She is one of only five female rappers to ever top the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and one of only three multiple winners of the BET Award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, which she won in 2005 and 2017.Mackie is the recipient of two Vibe awards, two Source awards, and has been nominated for three Grammy awards. Since 2015, Remy Ma has starred on VH1’s reality series Love & Hip Hop: New York, alongside her husband Papoose. Remy Ma cites Big Pun and Roxanne Shante as her biggest influences.
Lionel Pickens (December 4, 1983 – May 17, 2015), better known by his stage name Chinx (formerly Chinx Drugz), was an American hip hop recording artist from Queens, New York. He was a member of the Rockaway Riot Squad alongside fellow slain rapper Stack Bundles. Chinx later joined French Montana’s Coke Boys Records. He was best known for his appearances on the Coke Boys mixtapes and the Cocaine Riot mixtape series. He was killed by an unknown assailant through a fatal gunshot wound after a drive-by shooting in Jamaica, Queens, on May 17, 2015.
Radric Delantic Davis
(born February 12, 1980), known professionally as Gucci Mane, is an American rapper. In 2007, Gucci Mane founded 1017 Records. He helped pioneer the hip hop subgenre trap music, alongside fellow Atlanta-based rappers T.I. and Young Jeezy.In 2005, Gucci Mane debuted with Trap House, followed by his second and third albums, Hard to Kill and Trap-A-Thon in 2006. His fourth album, Back to the Trap House was released in 2007. In 2009, Gucci Mane released his sixth studio album, The State vs. Radric Davis, going on to become his first gold certified album. Following time spent in prison between 2014 and 2016, he re-emerged with several new retail projects, including Everybody Looking (2016), which were released to critical praise.Gucci Mane has released dozens of mixtapes and has worked with artists such as Drake, Lil Wayne, Omarion, Mariah Carey and Young Thug. His 2016 collaboration with Rae Sremmurd, titled “Black Beatles”, provided Gucci Mane with his first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Jacques Bermon Webster II 
(born April 30, 1992), better known by his stage name Travis Scott (formerly stylized as Travi$ Scott), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer.In 2012, Scott signed his first major-label deal with Epic Records. In November of the same year, Scott signed a deal with Kanye West’s GOOD Music, to be a part of its production wing Very GOOD Beats, after appearing on the label’s 2012 compilation album Cruel Summer. In April 2013, it was announced Scott signed a record deal with T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint.Scott’s first full-length project, a mixtape titled Owl Pharaoh, was self-released in May 2013. This was followed with a second mixtape, titled Days Before Rodeo, in August 2014. Scott’s debut studio album Rodeo, was released in September 2015 and was led by the hit single “Antidote”, which reached the top 20 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. His second album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, was released in September 2016, to generally positive reviews. On December 21, 2017, Travis and Quavo released their long anticipated collaborative album, Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho.
Jinx 