Recommended hip-hop/rap

Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
Former vocal coach specializing in Western musicRyo
Under the theme of “vocal skills that stand up on the world stage,” I have experience teaching as an online vocal coach specializing in Western music, and I usually listen to genres like nuevo flamenco, bolero, canzone, and R&B. In my teens, I questioned the idea that “foreign music equals English,” and started exploring songs from around the world. My commentary is characterized by a unique perspective shaped by listening to music of every genre, in every language, from every country. I mainly cover world music, so be sure to check it out!

The great achievement of Black music is not only that it gave birth to genres like jazz, blues, gospel, and soul.

It has also been a wellspring of inspiration for legendary songs in the histories of rock and pop, and it is the most influential force on musical genres since the 20th century—an influence that continues unbroken into the 21st century and beyond.

To explore the roots of this magnificent Black music, this time we’re researching classic tracks mainly from the soul and R&B realm spanning the 1960s to the 1990s.

In the latter half, we also introduce more recent songs, so whether you love the latest hip-hop and R&B or aren’t very familiar with Black music, this is a must-check!

Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces (91–100)

Cloud NineThe Temptations

Cloud Nine

Cloud NineThe Temptations

Cloud Nine, a song whose title means “feeling on top of the world,” was released in 1968 by The Temptations, a Motown group.

For a group that had previously put out songs reminiscent of the so-called good old days of Black music, this track had a different vibe, making extensive use of percussion and ushering in the era of psychedelic soul.

The song also made history as Motown’s first Grammy Award winner.

Raise the rankinglower

1 ThingAmerie

Amerie – 1 Thing (Official Video)

1 ThingAmerie

This is a song released in 2005 by Amerie, a songstress of American and Korean descent with outstanding vocals and dance skills.

It’s sung in a high register from start to finish, and as you listen, your excitement builds.

As you can see in the music video, you’ll be captivated by Amerie’s great figure and energetic dancing.

Raise the rankinglower

Great Black Music: Recommended Classic Tracks (101–110)

Soul SistaBilal

Bilal – Soul Sista

Soul SistaBilal

Bilal, an artist who has earned a devoted following as a distinctive neo-soul singer, is popular among core music fans.

When people hear “neo-soul,” many imagine a blend of genres like hip-hop, jazz, and funk.

His musical approach, however, is a bit different: he incorporates unique styles such as acid jazz and alternative jazz-soul into neo-soul.

Of course, he also excels at classic neo-soul sounds—on Soul Sista, for example, he delivers a quintessential neo-soul track reminiscent of D’Angelo.

Raise the rankinglower

Finesse (Remix) (feat. Cardi B] [Official Video]Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars – Finesse (Remix) (feat. Cardi B) (Official Music Video)

Finesse (Remix) (feat. Cardi B] [Official Video]Bruno Mars

This track is “Finesse,” a collaboration between R&B icon Bruno Mars and the currently trending female rapper Cardi B.

It was released in 2016 and included on the album 24K Magic.

The music video, styled after classic music shows, creates a fun vibe, and the dance performance—true to form—is incredibly stylish.

Raise the rankinglower

Wild ThoughtsDJ Khaled

DJ Khaled – Wild Thoughts (Official Video) ft. Rihanna, Bryson Tiller

Wild ThoughtsDJ Khaled

Wild Thoughts is a track included on DJ Khaled’s album Grateful, released in June 2017, featuring guest vocals by Rihanna, the songstress from Barbados.

It was also released as a single via digital download, and Rihanna’s vocal prowess—combining powerful tone with a uniquely relaxed feel that lingers—shows she’s far more than just a typical guest vocalist.

Raise the rankinglower

Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)Diana Ross

Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)

Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)Diana Ross

Diana Ross is one of the leading female artists in Black music.

While she isn’t a neo-soul artist, within the Black music of the time—encompassing soul and R&B—she stood out with a relatively gentle vocal style.

Her signature song, “Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To),” was released in 1975 and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Raise the rankinglower

KILLSHOTEminem

KILLSHOT [Official Audio]

KILLSHOTEminem

This is a song called Kill Shot that Eminem released in 2018.

The person depicted on the cover is the rapper Machine Gun Kelly, and the track is a thorough diss aimed at him.

It started as a kind of feud that Machine Gun Kelly kicked off, and both of them released diss tracks against each other, which eventually escalated to the point of dragging in fans of unrelated bands.

If you’re curious, definitely look it up! It doesn’t seem easy to survive in the American rap industry…

Raise the rankinglower