The Black Artist Appreciation Thread

[katara]

With everything that's happening right now, I thought it'd be cool for us all to share some awesome music from great black artists.

Preferably only one artist per post with an accompanying audio/video component.

I'll start.

Jimi Hendrix - The Star Spangled Banner Live at Woodstock '69

[theimage13]

Wesley Willis was a pretty unconventional artist. His musical style was simple: hit one of the demo buttons on the keyboard, and use the same lyrical format but with different strange, strange lyrics. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, but garnered a cult following for his extremely distinct style. Ever use Winamp? Ever hear the "it whip's the llama's ass" sound that played the first time you opened it? He wrote that line. He loved talking to fans before / after shows, and instead of a handshake or a fistbump, he always wanted to headbutt you. It was just his thing. It kind of hurt (he made me do it twice; guess one wasn't enough), but it was endearing. I've never seen another artist quite like him.

[theimage13]

Danielle Ponder - former public defender who decided to pursue music full time.

[theimage13]

Okay, last one for now. This collaboration. As the kids today would say (at least, I think they would)....this version slaps.

[GulDukat]

[dlb]

This song's been stuck in my head for a few days now while I've been enjoying more and more black artists from the late 60s and early 70s lately. A very tragic coincidence with the news these days:

[elevenism]

A stunning recent contribution from Miss Amerykah Badu, Queen of Dallas:

[mqhanlon]

I like the idea behind this thread, and I really value when people take a moment to consider the diversity in their music (or movie, or book) collection. But... surely some/all of these artists would merit having their own thread on the forum? Take a look at the pinned "A-Z of Artists" at the top and consider that we apparently don't have a dedicated thread for Prince. Or that all information on Run the Jewels (new album this week, free!) is found under the "El-P" thread, which isn't a great look.

[Toadflax]

Not music related, but I rewatched If Beale Street Could Talk last night. Beautiful and very relevant film. Check it out if you haven't seen it.

[katara]

I like the idea behind this thread, and I really value when people take a moment to consider the diversity in their music (or movie, or book) collection. But... surely some/all of these artists would merit having their own thread on the forum? Take a look at the pinned "A-Z of Artists" at the top and consider that we apparently don't have a dedicated thread for Prince. Or that all information on Run the Jewels (new album this week, free!) is found under the "El-P" thread, which isn't a great look.

I was hoping that this thread might raise some awareness. It wasn't intended to be a 'catch-all' dumping ground, so I apologise if it seems that way. If there's someone you think deserves their own thread, please, go ahead!

Does seem strange that a Prince topic is absent from the forum. I admit I don't know much about his music. Any pointers about where to start?

[tony.parente]

[mfte]

all information on Run the Jewels (new album this week, free!) is found under the "El-P" thread, which isn't a great look.

The thread was made before RTJ was a thing. The Patton thread is a catch all as well.


I drink wine in a dark and listen to this and lament over lost love

[allegate]

ton of good ones in there.

[Toadflax]

ton of good ones in there.

Very nice. Didn't see Skunk Anansie in there, so I'll add them here:

[MrLobster]

[MrLobster]

[eversonpoe]

some of my favorite black artists / bands

bad brains
death (the punk band)
bloc party
tv on the radio
curtis mayfield
john coltrane
art blakey
robert lowe (aka lichens, who was also in the touring band for tv on the radio for a while)
roots manuva (especially the stuff he's done with the cinematic orchestra)
napoleon murphy brock & george duke (both played with zappa for a while)
the whispers
chaka khan

[Krazy]

[Jinsai]

this might be the whitest thread of all time

[BRoswell]

Aaliyah
Bobby Womack
Chic
Childish Gambino
Dr. Dre
Janet Jackson
Michael Jackson
Minnie Riperton
Missy Elliot
Prince
Reggie Watts
Rick James
Run The Jewels/Killer Mike
Saul Williams
Street Sweeper Social Club
TV On The Radio
Wu-Tang Clan

[piggy]

[eachpassingphase]

Leon Bridges - I usually point people to his song "River" because it's incredibly beautiful but honestly that entire album is great. Sort of a modern Sam Cooke sound to his work. I'm supposed to see him live this fall but...we will see what COVID says about that.



JPEGMAFIA - "Veteran" and "All My Heroes are Cornballs" are some of my favorite rap releases of the last few years. He's a total character and a great live performer.

FKA Twigs - What can I say? She has a great voice and an awesome presence about her. She is (in my head anyway) what it might have sounded like if Aaliyah had ever gotten the chance to work with Trent (I feel like she mentioned that in an interview at some point before she passed.)

Other albums by black artists that I love - Tyler, The Creator's "IGOR", Frank Ocean's "Blonde", Rihanna's "ANTI", Travis Scott's "Astroworld"

Also, this is so weird but do ya'll remember that annoying "Whip My Hair" song by Willow Smith? Well, she had a few years to grow up and her music is actually pretty awesome now.

[piggy]

[elevenism]

this might be the whitest thread of all time

I mean, I feel you.

And I MoSTLY listen to hip hop, so, you know.

But, I REALLY want you guys to listen to that Erykah Badu show, and I saw another place to share it here, so it's whatever.

Also, NIN might be the whitest fanbase ever, so, idk...MAYBE the thread is warranted?

[piggy]

Does seem strange that a Prince topic is absent from the forum. I admit I don't know much about his music. Any pointers about where to start?

For a compilation, you can't go wrong with either The Very Best Of Prince or 4Ever. For proper albums, Purple Rain or Sign O' The Times are probably good starting points.

[Soma]

[thelastdisciple]

Gary Clark Jr!

[elevenism]

Nine Inch Nails is quite far from the whitest fanbase ever. That being said, I definitely feel a bit peculiar about this thread. But, uh, whatever the plural of "you do you" is. Y'all do y'all?

I still advise you to watch the video I linked, though.

Idk.

Maybe it's a Dallas thing, but, for me, Miss Badu is like, the second coming of Billie Holiday and or Nina Simone, and I'd bet money that people aren't watching the performance, here, as no one is talking about it.

[bobbie solo]

Not music related, but I rewatched If Beale Street Could Talk last night. Beautiful and very relevant film. Check it out if you haven't seen it.

The way this is shot and paced is just gorgeous.

[bobbie solo]

This thread seems unnecessary on a forum with 95% well-intentioned and fair-minded posters, but sure why not? It can't hurt right now. How many of you guys knew June was Black Music Month? So far I've produced 4 promos for my radio station (LL Cool J, Andre Harrell, Frankie Crocker & Maxwell).

Watch at least the first 1:40 of this: