Famous african-american artists youtube

Her story quilts combining painting, textile art, and storytelling have transformed contemporary black art narratives in leading art galleries worldwide. Groundbreaking African American woman artist who transformed abstract expressionism through vibrant color paintings. Her contemporary artwork broke racial and gender barriers, inspiring modern black artists in prestigious art museums.

Malian photographer whose powerful portrait photography redefined African art documentation. His black and white photographs captured the essence of modern African culture , influencing contemporary photography worldwide. Master sculptor and printmaker whose contemporary black art celebrated African American women through powerful public art installations.

Her work in modern sculpture continues to influence black female artists in contemporary galleries. Influential African American collage artist whose jazz-inspired contemporary artwork revolutionized mixed media art. His innovative techniques in modern black art continue to inspire contemporary artists exploring cultural identity.

Contemporary African American artist whose provocative silhouette installations examine race in modern art galleries. Her controversial contemporary artwork pushes boundaries in prestigious museum exhibitions worldwide. Celebrated Malian photographer whose black and white photography captured modern African youth culture. His influential contemporary African art documentation earned him the Golden Lion at Venice Biennale.

Pioneer of modern black photography whose contemporary artwork documented civil rights through powerful photojournalism. His innovative approach to documentary photography influenced contemporary African American artists. Ghanaian sculptor transforming discarded materials into monumental contemporary African art installations. His revolutionary modern sculptures command record prices at international art auctions and major museum exhibitions.

Master of African American figurative art whose social realist drawings elevated black representation in modern art museums. His powerful contemporary artwork continues to influence black artists worldwide. Pioneering assemblage artist whose contemporary installations transform African American folk art traditions. Her experimental approach to modern black art challenges racial stereotypes in contemporary galleries.

Sudanese modernist painter who pioneered African abstract art through innovative contemporary painting techniques. His distinctive modern African artwork bridges Islamic calligraphy and African art traditions. Abstract contemporary artist whose experimental techniques revolutionized modern African American art. Her innovative contemporary artwork challenges racial discrimination in prestigious art galleries.

Influential African American folk artist whose vibrant paintings documented black culture in modern art. His distinctive contemporary style influenced generations of black artists in museum collections. Ethiopian-American abstract artist whose large-scale contemporary paintings command attention in modern art museums. Her dynamic contemporary artwork explores global architecture and cultural displacement.

Influential curator and modern African American artist who established black art history in contemporary museums. His groundbreaking contemporary artwork and scholarship transformed understanding of African American art. Contemporary portrait artist revolutionizing classical painting through powerful representations of modern black culture.

His prestigious museum exhibitions challenge traditional portraiture in contemporary art galleries. Master painter focused on black representation in contemporary art history. His powerful modern artwork commands record prices while addressing African American visibility in museum collections. British contemporary artist and Turner Prize winner whose installations explore African diaspora in modern art.

Her innovative contemporary artwork challenges colonial histories in prestigious galleries. Revolutionary abstract artist who transformed contemporary painting through innovative drape installations. His experimental modern artwork influenced generations of African American artists. Nigerian-American artist whose contemporary paintings blend African and Western influences.

Her innovative modern artwork explores cultural identity through mixed-media techniques in prestigious galleries. British-Ghanaian contemporary painter whose fictional portraits revolutionize modern black representation. What did this hero do? Turner was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and sang for pennies on street corners as a child. In his teens he earned a living as a bartender, singing behind the counter in nightclubs.

These places were noisy, and Turner had to develop a loud voice just to be heard. As he sang in Honey Hush: he let it roll like a big wheel. Hailed as The King Of Soul, Sam Cooke was one of the first music superstars, his remarkable vocal performances helping to move soul music into the mainstream. Today he is perhaps best known for his powerful song A Change Is Gonna Come: first released in , it became one of the defining tracks of the civil-rights movement in the US and has inspired covers by everyone from Otis Redding to Aretha Franklin, including a version by UK soul singer Mica Paris on her album, Gospel.

If Sylvia Robinson had been just a singer, she would still be remembered as one of the most influential Black musicians of all time. But as a writer, label-owner, producer and talent-spotter, she was a largely unsung genius. However, the wily entrepreneur noticed a trend in New York and created a company to capture it: Sugar Hill. Without her foresight, would hip-hop have achieved its commercial potential?

In the second half of the 50s, jazz was offered many interrelated styles: cool, hard bop, swing, traditional, Third Stream, soul jazz and modal. Many were delivered by artists who saw their work as a way to liberate their soul at a time when Black consciousness was growing in the face of racism. But these musical styles mostly stuck to rules of melody and rhythm.

Then came alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman, who blew the doors wide open for free musical expression, creating a sound that really was liberated. His thing was to play as you felt it, though he did offer compositions, too, such as his classic Lonely Woman. He gathered like-minded brilliant young players such as cornet star Don Cherry father of pop star Neneh Cherry and bassist Charlie Haden, who helped Coleman deliver the sound in his mind.

He stopped using a pianist, freeing his music from chordal restrictions.

Famous african-american artists youtube

Like his work or loathe it, all of jazz had an opinion about this comparative beginner. The alto saxophonist grew up in Kansas City and played with swing and boogie bands, growing increasingly frustrated before he came up with a method of soloing that enabled him to use the note chromatic scale, and realised this might deliver a different style of music.

By the time the lightning-quick player was gigging at late-night dives in New York City in the early 40s, he was confounding the expectations of listeners. This was the birth of bebop. Established musicians were baffled by what Parker played, but young guns such as Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk understood perfectly.

Charlie Parker recast music in his image, but, beset by drug problems that led to harassment by the police, he died aged just 34, a genius who never received the reward he deserved, even if he was acclaimed. But musically, Bird lives…. Nina Simone brought warmth, intensity and emotion to every song that she sang during her time in the spotlight.

Singles such as I Put A Spell On You and Feeling Good demonstrated her enchanting and soulful voice, which was ever present in the plus years she was active. Strange Fruit, released in , remains her best-known track and would become strongly connected to the civil-rights movement that followed in the decades after. His pioneering work in the 70s and 80s — which included inventing the scratching technique — helped lay the groundwork for all the hip-hop artists who followed.

Featuring seven minutes of incredible rapping over a funk-infused beat, the cut The Message, released by Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five, remains one of the greatest hip-hop tracks of all time. And it had a message, too, pushing hip-hop into realms of social commentary. There were tacit protocols for US Black music in the late 60s: artists had to be slick and sing soul or funk, ideally while wearing suits and dancing in a line.

Romantic lyrics were acceptable, as was the occasional protest song , as long as it sounded like it was religious. There were exceptions, such as Sly And The Family Stone, but they were of mixed heritage and from San Francisco, where anything goes, baby; and Jimi Hendrix, who had to leave the US to win recognition. But when the Parliament and Funkadelic groups beamed down from planet Loose Booty in , they laughed at such protocols.

That they laughed was another taboo-breaker: music was meant to be serious because life was serious. But they mocked anything and everything. They were funky — at times earnest — but, as a bunch of Black hippies, they knew life was tilted against them, so how could they play by its rules? At the heart of this rebel army was George Clinton, singer, barber, cosmic voyager — and an architect of the future of 70s Black music.

But they were already influential. Nathaniel Bassey Watch this video on YouTube. With music that has a unique traditional African rhythm, Nathaniel Bassey is a Nigerian gospel singer, worship leader, and trumpeter who was born in the late s in Lagos, Nigeria. He began playing the trumpet at a young age and developed a strong passion for gospel music.

As a worship leader, he uses the trumpet to enhance the worship experience thus allowing listeners to connect with God on a personal level. Sarah K Watch this video on YouTube. Sarah K is a Kenyan award-winning gospel singer and worship leader who is known for her powerful vocals and her passionate delivery. Her songs, which are mostly in Kiswahili, are deeply spiritual and are common in praise and worship sets in most local churches in her home country.

She is a popular figure in the Kenyan gospel music scene. Born at the end of the 80s decade, Jonathan McReynolds is an award-winning black gospel singer and guitar player who is known for his beautiful Christian songs that draw people to their creator. His songs are self-searching and honest which makes them meaningful and relatable. Jonathan has collaborated with various artists in the industry and is committed to spreading the gospel.

Naomi Raine Watch this video on YouTube. Born in the late s, Naomi Raine is a black gospel singer and worship leader best known for her powerful voice and for creating inspiring worship music. Raine was born in New York City and began singing at a young age. Her gift as a songwriter manifested at a young age because, by the time she was 10, she had written several songs.

Raine attended the Berklee College of Music. Lucinda is an award-winning black gospel singer with a beautiful voice, who is known for releasing amazing songs that are mainly praise and worship. Before her solo career, she began by backing up other singers as a background vocalist but she was destined for greatness. Luciano Claw Luciano Claw is a black gospel singer from Brazil who sings contemporary worship songs in Portuguese.

Her live performances earn her standing ovations, and most of her songs are about her personal experiences. Though she struggles with addiction, Miss Johnson is open about her recovery journey and her faith in God. Bebe has had a successful solo career and has won awards over the years for his music. With folks from Jamaica and Barbados, Judith is a black gospel singer and worship leader who plays the piano beautifully.

She is passionate about music and uses her talent to worship her creator. Her songs are widely used in church worship services and have touched the hearts of many with their powerful messages of praise and inspiration. Ricky Dillard Watch this video on YouTube. Ricky Dillard is a black gospel singer and choir director who is known for his energetic and dynamic choir performances.

He has performed with different choirs over the years, plus released numerous albums and gospel hits over the years. Kim Burrell is an award-winning black gospel singer and preacher with a deep and soulful voice. She is a gifted singer whose music is used in churches during praise and worship services plus also in movies. This singer has released a lot of songs over the years and collaborated with many artists.

VaShawn Mitchell is a black gospel singer who is passionate about music and sings heartfelt worship songs. He has a beautiful voice and is very talented. As a worship leader, his songs touch many hearts, instigating an atmosphere of praise and spiritual connection. VaShawn has had a successful career, releasing lots of albums and hit songs over the years.

Maranda Curtis is an award-winning black gospel singer who is one of the most talented in the U. Her music inspires and uplifts Christians throughout the world. She has an extraordinary vocal range enabling her to deliver emotive and powerful performances during worship services that get Christians to a point of speaking in tongues. Maranda also plays the piano and is a role model and inspiration to many.

Deitrick Haddon Watch this video on YouTube. Deitrick Haddon is a black gospel singer and pastor whose music is about faith and hope in God. He blends several styles thus bringing out beautiful pieces. His songs are catchy and have earned him awards over the years. Haddon is a cast member on Preachers of L. A, the reality TV series, and has collaborated with many artists over the years.

Jonathan Nelson Watch this video on YouTube. Jonathan Nelson is a black gospel singer who is known for his powerful vocals and his uplifting music. He began singing in church when he was still young, and he has a twin brother named Jason, who is also a gospel singer. His passionate worship style leads people into powerful worship moments and his music is a staple in most churches.

Those are the 35 best black gospel singers. While there is no definitive list, the singers in this article are all considered to be among the most influential and talented in the genre. Their music will draw you closer to God and the Holy Spirit will fill you up.