Black musicians have been the cornerstone of music since music was invented. They’ve been at the forefront of innovations in every genre; they’ve laid the foundation for generations of musicians to build and flourish on. Without Black musicians, music would simply not be anywhere near where it is today. These tracks show off some of the most radical innovations by some of the most radical Black innovators of all time.
Robert Johnson – “Cross Road Blues” (1937)
If Jimi Hendrix was the telephone, Robert Johnson was the printing press. He laid the blueprint for artists like Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton. Johnson was considered such a prodigy at the blues in his time that legends arose claiming he sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for musical aptitude. “Cross Road Blues” is a perfect example of Johnson’s blues stylings. He may not have made a deal with the Devil, but his talent is unquestionable.
John Coltrane – “A Love Supreme, Pt. 2 – Resolution” (1965)
A Love Supreme is John Coltrane’s magnum opus. It’s the pinnacle of spiritual jazz. Coltrane took jazz conventions of the time and flipped them upside down. On A Love Supreme, Coltrane wanted to convey the feeling of “God [breathing] through us so completely… so gently we hardly feel it.” Listening to A Love Supreme is a downright religious experience, and one that is essential to any music listener, regardless of preferred genre.
Jimi Hendrix – “Machine Gun” (1970)
Jimi Hendrix was to the electric guitar what the telephone was to communication. Hendrix revolutionized what an electric guitar player could be. “Machine Gun,” written at the height of the Vietnam War, showcases Jimi at his most experimental, featuring him using his guitar to imitate the sounds of bombs dropping and machine guns firing.
Parliament – “P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)” (1975)
Parliament’s intergalactic funk is a fantastic blend of camp and groove. “P-Funk,” the opener to 1975’s Mothership Connection, takes outer-space sounds and very terrestrial grooves and wraps them up in one deliciously funky package.
A Tribe Called Quest – “Excursions” (1991)
Jazz-rap pioneers A Tribe Called Quest are in peak form on “Excursions.” Tribe’s vibes are on full display here. Their sampling of old jazz, their thoughtful and socially conscious lyricism, and their ability to create a powerful and timeless rhythm all come together to make an unrivaled groove.
King Geedorah (MF DOOM) – “Fazers” (2003)
MF DOOM is hip-hop’s illest villain. He’s the king of the underground rap scene. On “Fazers,” DOOM shows off both his prowess as an emcee and his uncanny ability to transform into different characters. “Fazers” opens DOOM’s masterpiece Take Me to Your Leader, and perfectly sets up the sample-heavy vibe of the rest of the album.
Childish Gambino – “Me and Your Mama” (2016)
2016’s Awaken, My Love! marked a massive tonal shift for Childish Gambino. Instead of the high-energy hip-hop he was known for, Gambino took heavy influence from ‘70s psychedelic funk and soul à la Funkadelic. “Me and Your Mama” is massive. A super-heavy guitar riff and Gambino’s pained screams make for a hair-raising, soul-moving experience of a listen.
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” (2024)
Kendrick Lamar’s legendary feud with Drake last year will be remembered for generations. Back-and-forth disses from both sides kept people hanging on the edge of their seats for months, building tension and intensity and eventually culminating in the phenomenon that was “Not Like Us.” Kendrick undeniably won the beef and public opinion, dancing on Drake’s proverbial grave with a massive Pop Out show in June (where he played “Not Like Us six straight times!) and a performance at the Super Bowl Halftime show, where he had millions of people singing “A minorrrrrr!” in unison.
