Every June, Black Music Month offers us the chance to reflect on the artists who shaped the soundscape of not just Black culture—but the entire world. From the raw soul of the Delta blues to the birth of hip-hop and beyond, Black musicians have long been the architects of innovation, rhythm, and resistance.
While many know the icons like Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, and Beyoncé, this Black Music Month, let’s dig a little deeper. Here are 7 Black music pioneers you absolutely should know, each of whom left an unforgettable mark on music history.
1. Sister Rosetta Tharpe – The Godmother of Rock and Roll
Before Elvis swiveled a hip or Chuck Berry duckwalked across a stage, there was Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Blending gospel with electric guitar licks that would later influence rock legends, Tharpe was ahead of her time—shredding solos in church shoes and setting the stage for the rock explosion.
Her 1945 hit “Strange Things Happening Every Day” is often cited as one of the first rock & roll recordings. If you love rock, you owe a debt to Sister Rosetta.
2. Big Mama Thornton – The Original Voice Behind “Hound Dog”
Long before Elvis made “Hound Dog” famous, Big Mama Thornton belted it out with unmatched grit in 1952. Her bluesy vocals, raw power, and commanding presence influenced generations of artists—from Janis Joplin to Etta James.
Thornton’s work was often overlooked in her lifetime, but her legacy is undeniable. Her music was a rallying cry of resilience—and a reminder that Black women were shaping rock, blues, and soul from the very beginning.
3. James Cleveland – The King of Gospel
Known as the Father of Modern Gospel, Rev. James Cleveland revolutionized gospel music by blending traditional hymns with jazz and soul elements. He co-founded the Gospel Music Workshop of America and mentored countless voices, including Aretha Franklin.
More than a composer and performer, Cleveland was a cultural anchor—helping gospel transcend church walls and reach broader audiences, both in Black communities and beyond.
4. DJ Kool Herc – The Founding Father of Hip-Hop
Born Clive Campbell in Jamaica and raised in the Bronx, DJ Kool Herc unknowingly birthed a global movement in the 1970s when he began isolating “breaks” in funk records during block parties.
That innovation—the breakbeat—became the foundation of hip-hop culture. Herc didn’t just play music; he created space. Space for rap, for B-boys, for street art, and for the culture that now dominates global sound.
5. Dorothy Ashby – The Unsung Jazz Harpist
Harp and jazz might seem like an odd mix—unless you’re Dorothy Ashby, a classically trained musician who brought her harp into the bebop and soul-jazz scene with stunning results.
Her groundbreaking album Afro-Harping (1968) fused funk, Afrobeat, and jazz into a dreamy, otherworldly experience. Today, hip-hop producers like J Dilla and Pete Rock sample her, showing that innovation always finds its way forward.
6. Sylvester – Disco’s Gender-Defying Icon
Long before we talked openly about gender fluidity, there was Sylvester—a falsetto-blessed, sequin-clad singer whose 1978 hit “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” became an anthem of liberation.
More than a disco star, Sylvester was a fearless trailblazer for Black queer identity in mainstream music. He broke barriers, embraced joy, and turned dance floors into spaces of resistance and pride.
7. Mahalia Jackson – The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement
Mahalia Jackson didn’t just sing gospel—she delivered it like thunder from the heavens. Her soaring, spirit-filled vocals moved crowds and political leaders alike. When she sang “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s request, her voice became part of the civil rights movement’s heartbeat.
Jackson proved that spiritual music could be both sacred and political—and her influence is still felt in every soul singer who pours heart into their performance.
Final Thoughts: More Than Music, It’s a Movement
These pioneers weren’t just making songs—they were shaping history. Each challenged the boundaries of genre, identity, and expression. As we celebrate Black Music Month, remember: the roots of your favorite sound—be it rock, jazz, hip-hop, or R&B—were planted by Black hands, watered with Black struggle, and bloomed in Black brilliance.
So this June, crank up the volume. Dig into these artists’ catalogs. And honor their legacies by letting the music move you—not just your feet, but your soul.
