African-American Singer-Songwriters Who Greatly Impacted Music and History
Music wouldn’t have the same impact without lyrics. It's the words that we find in each composition that have inspired people to take action against injustice and make their way to find peace through music.
Join us as we close out Black History Month by celebrating some of the best African-American songwriters of all time.
Chuck Berry
Known as the founding father of rock ’n’ roll, Chuck Berry was one of the most influential musicians from the 1950s and 1960s.
His most popular songs: ”You Never Can Tell” (1964), “Run Rudolph Run” (1958), “Johnny B. Goode” (1958), “Nadine” (1964), “Rock and Roll Music”(1957).
Aretha Franklin
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Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris (Stevie Wonder) is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist musician and producer. He is considered one of the best singer-songwriters of all time.
Some of his most popular songs: “I Just Called To Say I Love You” (1984), “Superstition”(1972), “Part-time Lover” (1985), “Isn’t She Lovely” (1976), “Higher Ground” (1973), “Faith” (2016), “Signed, Seal, Delivered, I’m Yours” (1970).
Bob Marley
As one of the most important figures in reggae music, Bob Marley has written numerous songs about peace, love, and social justice along with the band Bob Marley & The Wailers. (read our blog post honoring Bob Marley’s 77th birthday.)
His most popular songs: “Get Up, Stand Up” (1973), “Redemption Song” (1980), “Trench Town Rock” (1973), “Concrete Jungle” (1971), “Soul Rebel” (1970), “Natural Mystic” (1977), “Roots, Rock, Reggae” (1976).
Ella Fitzgerald
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Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland
In 1959, Berry Gordy launched Motown where he would play early versions of songs for Dozier, soon after, the Holland-Dozier-Holland team became the legendary songwriting trio that wrote some of the most iconic R&B and soul songs of the 1950s.
Their most popular songs written: “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by Marvin Gaye, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” by The Supremes, “Bernadette” by The Four Tops.
Robert Johnson
Born and raised in Mississippi, Robert Johnson is known as the King of Delta Blues, his influential blues style reached contemporary artists such as Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and many more rock musicians.
His most popular songs: “Cross Road Blues”, “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom”, “Walking Blues”, “Sweet Home Chicago”.
Bessie (Mamie) Smith
The “Empress of the Blues,” Bessie Smith, is a pioneer of female musicians in the age of blues. She was not only an impressive vocalist and performer, but also wrote her most popular songs, becoming one of the most successful female musicians of the 1920s and 1930s.
Her most popular written songs: “Back-Water Blues” (1927), “You've Been a Good Ole Wagon” (1925), “Young Woman’s Blues” (1926).
James Brown
The Godfather of Soul, James Brown was a major icon in funk and soul music, who also influenced numerous music genres like R&B, hip hop and rock ‘n’ roll. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame and is largely considered to be one of the greatest showmen of all time.
His most popular songs: “It’s A Man’s World” (1985), “The Payback” (1973), “Living In America” (1985), “People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul” (1973).
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson began performing along with his four brothers in the pop group The Jackson 5, he later started a career as a solo artist and gained the title “King of Pop” for his numerous hits throughout the 80s and 90s. Michael was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both as a member of The Jackson 5 and as a solo artist and had the highest-selling album of all-time with Thriller.
His most popular songs: “Billie Jean” (1982), “Beat It” (1982), “Remember The Time” (1991), “The Way You Make Me Feel” (1987), “Thriller” (1982).
Billie Holiday
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Al Green
Al Green has been known for his career as a gospel and pop singer from the 1970s to the 1990s. He is considered, by many music composers, as the last successor of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, following their legacy for gospel and soul music.
His most popular songs: “Let’s Stay Together” (1971), “Love and Happiness” (1972), “Tired of Being Alone” (1971), “Simply Beautiful” (1972).
Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong
Al Green has been known for his career as a gospel and pop singer from the 1970s to the 1990s. He is considered, by many music composers, as the last successor of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, following their legacy for gospel and soul music.
His most popular songs: “Let’s Stay Together” (1971), “Love and Happiness” (1972), “Tired of Being Alone” (1971), “Simply Beautiful” (1972).
Mahalia Jackson
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Prince
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Willie Dixon
Willie Dixon was a producer, songwriter, bass player and musician part of the Chicago Blues movement of the 50s and 60s. He was known for transforming his written poems from his youth into classy blues songs.
His most popular songs: “Built For Comfort” (1960), “Wang Dang Doodle” (1995), “29 Ways” (1956), “Hidden Charms” (1958).
Tupac Shakur
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George Clinton
The father of funk, George Clinton, had a huge impact on modern music. His bands Parliament and Funkadelic had numerous hit songs throughout the 70s and 80s and revolutionized music by influencing new genres of funk, rock, soul, hip hop and R&B. Clinton’s Parliament/ Funkadelic was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
His most popular band songs: “P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)” (1975), “Atomic Dog” (1982), “Flash Light” (1977).
Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff are known for their contributions to numerous pop and R&B hits and are considered innovators of the Philadelphia soul sound in the 70s. They are credited with songwriting and production for artists such as The O’Jays, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Jerry Ross, Linda Creed, Archie Bell, and Diana Ross.
Their most popular written songs: “Me and Mrs. Jones” (1972), “Expressway to Your Heart” (1967), “I Can’t Stop Dancing” (1968), “When Will I See You Again” (1973).
Jay Z
Considered one of the best rappers and composers in hip hop, Shawn Corey Carter, aka Jay Z, has worked with numerous contemporary artists such as Linkin Park, Beyonce, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, among many others. He is now a record executive, entrepreneur and media proprietor with company ownership and investments worth over a billion dollars.
His most popular songs: “Crazy In Love” (2003), “Empire State of Mind” (2009), “Hard Knock Life” (1998), “Izzo” 2001, “No Church In The Wild” (2011), “The Story Of O.J.” (2017).
Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew
Antoine “Fats” Domino was a pianist and singer-songwriter, who is considered one of the pioneers of rock and roll music in the 1950s. Dave Bartholomew was known in the music industry for discovering new rising musicians. Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew worked together on the composition of Antoine’s first theme The Fat Man and worked together to write his first album Carry on Rockin’.
Their most popular songs: “Ain’t It a Shame” (1955), “I’m Walkin’” (1957), “Walking to New Orleans” (1960).
Isaac Hayes and David Porter
Isaac Hayes was a producer, actor, musician and entertainer who wrote numerous albums and soundtracks for tv shows and movies. He became one of the most important figures of soul music for his unique style in live performances.
David Porter is a soul musician and songwriter who was a member of the Memphis group, Circle O’Fire. Isaac and David partnered to form Stax Records during the 1960s, where he later started recording as a musician himself.
Their most popular original songs: “Theme from Shaft” (1971), “Do Your Thing” (1971), “Hung Up On Me Baby” (1974). “Hold On! I'm a Comin'” (1966).
Allen Toussaint
The legendary artist, singer, producer, pianist, and songwriter, Allen Toussaint, wrote many popular songs that were later covered by artists like Dr. John, Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, and many others. He was considered to be the architect of the New Orleans R&B sound and was inducted to both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
His most popular written songs: “Get Out Of My Life, Woman” (1965), “Working In The Coal Mine” (1966), “Life” (1973).
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield, a singer, songwriter, and producer, was known for introducing social and political consciousness into African-American music. His lyrics inspired students across the country during the Civil Rights Movement. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both as a solo artist and with the group the Impressions.
His most popular songs: “Move on Up” (1970), “Pusherman” (1972), “Superfly” (1972), “People Get Ready” (1965).
Marvin Gaye
One of the major influences in 20th-century music, Marvin Gaye was a multi-instrumentalist musician, singer and songwriter, who influenced popular culture with his spiritually-themed music and the diversity of his lyrics. He was considered a renaissance man who helped shape the Motown sound in the 60s and 70s.
His most popular songs: “What’s Going On” (1970), “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968), “Mercy Mercy Me” (1971), “Inner City Blues” (1971).
What’s Going On (Marvin Gaye) Feat. Sara Bareilles | Playing For Change | Song Around The World
Sam Cooke
The “King of Soul,” Sam Cooke, was a singer, songwriter and musician whose gospel background influenced many contemporary artists to sing their own version of his songs, keeping his legacy alive until this day. Considered to be one of the pioneers of soul music, she is credited with contributing to the success of artists such as Aretha Franklin, Al Green and Stevie Wonder.
His most popular songs: “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1964), “Cupid” (1961), “Another Saturday Night” (1963), “You Send Me” (1975), “Wonderful World” (1959).
A Change Is Gonna Come | Playing For Change Band | Live in Los Angeles
Otis Blackwell
One of the songwriters who redefined America’s popular music in the decade of 1950s, Otis Blackwell is well known for his work along with Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, The Who, Billy Joel, and more. Considered to be one of the architects of rock ‘n’ roll, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
His most popular songs: “All Shook Up” (1956), “Fever” (1956), “Don’t Be Cruel” (1956), “Great Balls of Fire” (1957).
Little Richard
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Smokey Robinson
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Ray Charles
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