Music Legends
See the music legends of then and now.
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MUSIC LEGENDS - These artists are legendary, having made history or becoming history in the making. They are the ones who have left or will leave a lasting legacy within Black Music. In celebration of Black Music Month, BET.com pays homage to music legends--then and now.
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Michael Jackson - As the 1-year anniversary of his death approaches, Black music continues to mourn the loss of the greatest performer of all time. He is the King of Pop, but he is also a Black Music Legend..
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Ray Charles - Almost everyone has seen the Ray Charles biopic starring Jamie Foxx, which vividly tells the story of how Ray Charles pioneered soul music. Charles was also one of the first African-American musicians to be given creative control by his record label.
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James Brown - He's the Godfather of Soul. Without James Brown, there would be no Michael Jackson. MJ has emulated JB throughout his career, and Brown has laid the foundation for so many artists to follow him.
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Al Green - With his unique voice, this legendary gospel and soul singer is one of a kind. He has sold more than 20 million records, and his biggest hit was the classic love song, "Let's Stay Together."
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Prince - He is one of the most talented recording artists of our time. The singer/songwriter/musician has already left a lengthy catalog of hit music over the last 30 years. In 2004, Prince was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Bob Marley - He is the most widely recognized and respected reggae music artist. Though his death came too soon (at the age of 36), Marley's musical catalog has stood the test of time.
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Ron Isley - The lead singer and founding member of the Isley Brothers, Ron Isley (known to new school music fans as "Mr. Biggs") is responsible for classic songs such as "Shout" and "It's Your Thing." With a career that spans over 50 years, Ron Isley is still putting it down for Black Music.
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Stevie Wonder - Signing to a record label at the tender age of 11, Stevie Wonder's musical legacy was recognized at an early age.
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Sade - This past year, Sade returned to the music scene after a very long hiatus. She is the most successful female artist in British history.
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Jimi Hendrix - Considered to be one of the greatest guitarists in the history of rock music, Hendrix's vocal and guitar styles have been an influence to so many others.
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Marvin Gaye - He was the top-selling solo artist of the '60s, but his music and legacy have lived on. Vocally, Marvin Gaye was unmatchable, and his lyrical portrayal of society's ills made him more than just a musician.
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B.B. King - The singer/songwriter and blues guitarist B.B. King is a rock and Roll Hall of Famer who has received many other awards and accolades throughout his career.
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Little Richard - Though he may not get the credit, Little Richard is the architect of Rock and Roll music. With roots in R&B, this legendary pianist and singer/songwriter dominated the '50s with classic songs like "Tutti Frutti" and "Good Golly, Miss Molly."
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Diana Ross - The lead singer of the Supremes helped shape the Motown sound. As a solo artist, she has sold over 100 million records.
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Luther Vandross - With one of the best voices in Black music, Luther Vandross earned 8 Grammys and sold over 25 million albums.
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Queen Latifah - Even though she has become one of Hollywood's biggest success stories, Queen Latifah is a pioneer for females in rap music. With her transition from MC to jazz vocalist, she has also proven herself to be a diverse musical artist.
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Mariah Carey - Twenty years after her debut, Mariah Carey is still putting in work. Her achievements in music and vocal talent have made her one of the most successful female artists in history.
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Aretha Franklin - She is the Queen of Soul and the first female artist ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And when you are the only featured singer to perform at the inauguration of the first Black president, it's obvious that Aretha Franklin is a living legend.
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Whitney Houston - It's no wonder that Whitney Houston was born to make music history, with Aretha Franklin for a godmother, Cissy Houston for a mother and Dionne Warwick for an aunt. She's sold over 170 million albums worldwide and is one of the greatest singers of all time.
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Rick James - Infusing just the right amount of funk into his music, Rick James gained notoriety for his wild style and risky lyrical content. Though he lived a troubled life, Rick James's musical legacy can not be denied.
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The Temptations - The Temptations were one of most successful Motown recording artists. They were one of the first R&B acts to appeal to both Black and White audiences, with their tight choreography and smooth sounds.
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Beyonce - Proving herself to be one of the most successful female artists of the new millennium, Beyonce Knowles has just begun to leave her mark on Black music history.
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Alicia Keys - Alicia Keys is not just one of today's accomplished female artists, she is also an amazing pianist, working her piano into much of her music. She's achieved much in a short amount of time and is continuing to raise the bar for Black music.
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Lionel Richie - Selling more than 100 million records worldwide, Lionel Richie is a music legend with a long solo career as well as a lasting legacy with his group the Commodores.
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Notorious B.I.G. - When it comes to rap music, few can match the talent and skill of the one and only Notorious B.I.G. By raising the bar for rappers, he elevated the art of Black music as a whole.
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2Pac - The complicated and controversial Tupac Shakur is a rap music legend, not only because of his life and legacy, but because his music is timeless.