One of the most important aspects of Black history is music. For a long time, Black musicians were shut out of the music industry, whether it was not being allowed to play at big venues, receiving unfair contracts or through many other avenues of discrimination. Yet, despite of all of that hardship, Black musicians persevered and made some of the most important music in history. No matter what genre you look at from R&B, Blues, Country, and even Classical, Black people have put their stamp on the genre. The playlist below, created by CLP staff members Kayla Copes & Rio Maropis, highlights some of the contributions that Black musicians have made to music, many of which can be heard for free with a CLP eResource.
- For the Love of You (Parts 1 & 2) by The Isley Brothers (Hoopla)
- That’s The Way of the World by Earth, Wind & Fire
- The Beautiful Ones by Prince and The Revolution (Hoopla)
- The Lady in My Life by Michael Jackson
- I Learned From the Best by Whitney Houston
- Learn the Hard Way by Brandy (Hoopla)
- Destiny by Mary J. Blige (Hoopla)
- Disappear by Beyonce
- Watch N’ Learn by Rihanna
- All the Stars by Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA (Hoopla)
- End of Time by Beyonce
- More Than A Woman by Aaliyah
- Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin (Naxos Music Library)
- Moonglow by Erroll Garner (Hoopla)
- All or Nothing at All by Billie Holiday (Alexander Street)
- I Wish it Would Rain by the Temptations (Hoopla)
- Blues on Purpose by Nina Simone (Alexander Street Press, on site only)
- My World is Empty Without You by Diana Ross & the Supremes (Hoopla)
- Caravan by Earl Hines, Duke Ellington (DRAM online)
- Spiral by John Coltrane (Naxos Music Library)
- As by Stevie Wonder (Hoopla)
- J.B.’s Waltz by Mary Lou Williams (Hoopla)
- Ponta de Areia by Esperanza Spalding (Hoopla)
- Thyme by Sierra Sellers (STACKS)
Please enjoy this curated list, a mere selection of some of the contributions Black artists have made in popular music over the last century. You can listen to each of these songs provided by one of our online music resources, including Naxos Music Library, Naxos Music Library Jazz, DRAM Online, Alexander Street Press, Hoopla Digital and STACKS which features contemporary artists making music in Pittsburgh.