Since 1976, every US president has designated February as Black History Month. Each February, we take time as a nation to recognize and remember Black excellence, joy, and triumph.
This video celebrates the top-selling Black music artists of every decade. The all-time greats of Black music are represented, and viewers will enjoy singing along to their favorite bops.
Black singers and musicians have been setting the standard, inventing new genres, and changing the American music landscape as long as America has existed. Bessie Smith, the "Empress of the Blues", kicks off this countdown. She was the queen of the 1920s. With her debut album Downhearted Blues, Smith sold 2 million records.
The 1930s were dominated by big band swing and energetic jazz. There could be no other sound more prevalent than Duke Ellington's, the child prodigy who became a prolific composer. 1940 was the advent of doo-wop groups, and the most popular of that decade was the Ink Spots. This group was the first to cross over and gain white fans.
The 1950s brought the States another child prodigy in Fats Domino, a piano-playing genius. Nicknamed "The Fat Man," this big guy really knew how to get a party started. In the 60s, the US was overtaken by girl groups, none more influential than The Supremes, led by Diana Ross.
Music changed again in the 1970s when yet another child prodigy rose to stardom: Stevie Wonder. With hits like "Superstition," Wonder remained at the top of the charts for years. The 80s were, hands down, the decade of the "King of Pop." Michael Jackson dominated every year, releasing five solo albums before turning twenty-one.
The 1990s saw the rise of the diva, and Mariah Carey rose to the top-selling position with several hit albums. The first decade of the twenty-first century was all about Queen Bey. Beyonce, who has won twenty-four Grammys, is the icon of a generation. She continues to garner praise and fans in the next decade. Make sure to add these performers to your playlist (if they aren't on there already).
