June is African American Music Appreciation Month! Created by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, this month celebrates the African American musical influences that comprise an essential part of our nation’s treasured cultural heritage.
Formerly called National Black Music Month, this celebration of African American musical contributions is re-established annually by presidential proclamation. Though by no means exhaustive, we’ve prepared a primer that will guide you through some of the different genres that African Americans have created, inspired, and fostered.
Rhythm and Blues (R&B Music) Top 50!
The predecessor to soul music, R&B is a stylistically-diverse genre with roots in jazz, the blues, and gospel music. R&B helped spread African American culture and popularized the idea of racial integration on the airwaves and in white society.
* LET’S GET IT ON – MARVIN GAYE
* THE PAYBACK – JAMES BROWN
* BACKSTABBERS – THE O’JAYS
* ROCK WITH YOU – MICHAEL JACKSON
* PURPLE RAIN – PRINCE
* I WANT YOU BACK – THE JACKSON FIVE
* GOT TO GIVE IT UP – MARVIN GAYE
* RESPECT – ARETHA FRANKLIN
* DON’T STOP TIL YOU GET ENOUGH – MICHAEL JACKSON
* WE’RE A WINNER – THE IMPRESSIONS
* DUKE OF EARL – GENE CHANDLER
* SUPERFLY – CURTIS MAYFIELD
* THE GHETTO – DONNY HATHAWAY
* WHAT’S GOIN’ ON – MARVIN GAYE
* A CHANGE IS GONNA COME – SAM COOKE
* LOVE TRAIN – O’JAYS
* TEAR THE ROOF OFF – PARLIAMENT
* (NOT JUST) KNEE DEEP – FUNKADELIC
* OOH CHILD – FIVE STAIRSTEPS
* OOH BABY BABY – SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES
* WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO – THE SUPREMES
* PRIDE & JOY – MARVIN GAYE
* THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO – THE TEMPTATIONS
* I’LL BE AROUND – THE SPINNERS
* RAINBOW – GENE CHANDLER
* SAY IT LOUD, I’M BLACK, AND I’M PROUD – JAMES BROWN
* I JUST WANT TO BE – CAMEO
* GROOVY PEOPLE – LOU RAWLS
* PROUD MARY – IKE AND TINA TURNER
* WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT – TINA TURNER
* EARLY IN THE MORNING – THE GAP BAND
* SLIDE – SLAVE
* TOGETHER – THE INTRUDERS
* MORE LOVE – SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES
* BEAUTY’S ONLY SKIN-DEEP – THE TEMPTATIONS
* IT’S ALRIGHT – THE IMPRESSIONS
* I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU – WHITNEY HOUSTON
* MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA – GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS
* COLD SWEAT – JAMES BROWN
* BUT IT’S ALRIGHT – J.J. JACKSON
* LONELY TEARDROPS – JACKIE WILSON
* I’LL ALWAYS LOVE MY MAMA – THE INTRUDERS
* ME & MRS JONES – BILLY PAUL
* THEME FROM SHAFT – ISAAC HAYES
* I’LL TAKE YOU THERE – STAPLE SINGERS
* I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY – WHITNEY HOUSTON
* YOU’LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER LOVE LIKE MINE – LOU RAWLS
* BRING IT ON HOME – SAM COOKE
* I’M EVERY WOMAN – CHAKA KHAN
* OUTSTANDING – GAP BAND
Dr. Al Greer is a Production Director, Technical Producer for the Afternoon Show with Atiba Buchannon & Darlene Hill, and Late-Night Host of “The B-Sides.”
B-Side is the music of old school and dusties. He has been a disc jockey and radio personality for 40 years.
He is also the owner of his online radio station, www.wosdradio.com
