Top Ten Best Black Male Music Artists of All Time

The Top Ten
1 Michael Jackson Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson; August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael is also known as The King of Pop (a title given to him by Elizabeth Taylor) or under the initials MJ. Dubbed the King of Pop, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. ...read more.

Even though other singers had started way before his time, I still loved how he has pioneered through both singing, acting and dancing. I even admire him a lot than other celebrities, especially the notes days. I loved the way how he became the best dad in the world towards his 3 beloved children. Michael Jackson is the best celebrity in the world. And no matter what skin colour he has and how he looks, he is still very beautiful.

He is the greatest of all times. Sublime music and a master at physical expression. Pure genius. Made sense of the world and had one the greatest intellect to write songs and better skill to represent them on T.V.. There will be no other Michael Jackson. He will be the greatest, not only black, but in humanity. RIP.

He is the greatest one of all and also greatest in all the legends ever existed. Bo words to describe his legacy and magnificent and breathtaking performance. Even after decades and centuries his name will be on the greatest one. And will be remembered in our hearts forever

King Michael Jackson deserves his spot on here and the guy was an ACTUAL king crowned by his own people in Africa US/UK tabloids say this man "went" white but every other nation never bought that or the allegations they just want to ruin a great black man's rep but in the end they lost.

2 2pac Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac, was an American rapper and actor born on June 16, 1971 in East Harlem, New York. Tupac sold over 75 million records worldwide and has been referred to in multiple major publications such as Rolling Stone as one of the greatest music artists of all time. 2Pac was assassinated on September 1996 at the age of 25. ...read more.

Ignorant ass Michael had a skin disease called Vitiligo as his autopsy confirms...He did not have "surgery" to turn himself white.

Secondly Michael has put over 200 black students through college and has given all of his We are the world proceeds to Africa and has had thousands of inner city kids visit Neverland Ranch. You know nothing about him so shut up.

One of the greatest artists of all time and influential rap artists. Should be one. Jackson didn't do anything for the blacks and become a white through surgeries. Tupac dedicated his life to them and his lyrics. are amazing! And deep.

2pac is not number 2, he couldn't play anything but the skin flute and talked in his songs not as skillful as singing. Rap music computer generated which is far from impressive.

Rap is a joke, it shouldn't even be on the list. I put it just above the guys who play buckets with sticks on the difficulty level

3 Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix (born November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music". Hendrix is consistently ranked on lists of musicians who died too soon.

This man had more talent on an instrument than any other popular musician. Jackson is a great singer, that's it. 2pac is a poet but Hendrix was as well. And nobody has ever done more for a instrument than Hendrix has for the guitar. Ask any blues/rock/metal guitarist. They will tell you so much about what Hendrix created for the guitar

Jimi Hendrix proved that rock n roll isn't just for white guys, it can be for everyone. In the process, he became the GREATEST guitar player ever! He inspired many people to follow their dreams, and even pursue musical careers. Jimi Hendrix was in all one of the greatest icons in rock n roll history!

He's definitely not the greatest guitar player if all time but he's still awesome. I heard many more technical guitar players but Jimi has amazing music

Way better than Michael JACKSON! Much better songs. Michael Jackson was a rapist

4 Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist.

Stevie is better than Michael in my opinion. But people give Michael all the votes because he was a better entertainer. Stevie was a better musician than songwritter. People will stop giving Michael sympathy when Stevie Wonder dies. Don't say I didn't tell you when Stevies time comes

Why is this AMAZINGLY, TALENTED, GENIUS man with God-given talents at number 4? He is my favorite musician and singer. He has a smooth velvet tone and has done many genre's of his music(raggae, country, pop, 80's, blues, gospel...) that the other artists hadn't even touched on.

I think stevie wonder should be head to head with michael jackson for the first place, he's such a great composer and he sings from his hearth and soul.

Stevie Wonder is an amazing artist. The fact that he was blind and made such inspirational and great music is astonishing.

5 Bob Marley Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim.

He is a god number 6 is not fair at least number 5, come on he is my favorite singer of all time

Just an amazing artist. Music today needs a role model like Bob in my opinion.

I love this guy. Music today needs a role model like him.

He is just too smart and positive in his lyrics.

6 Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. He helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of hits, earning him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and ...read more.

Number one to me. So much talent, so much vision, so much soul. Rest in peace brother.

The father of motown isn't in the top 10? What's Going On?

Best singer ever! Rest in peace.

He is the best of all time

7 Prince Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 - April 21st, 2016) was an American musician, best known for being one of the most popular and influential artists from the 80s, with songs such as "Purple Rain", "Little Red Corvette", "1999", and "When Doves Cry" .

Prince should be near the top of this list, he could play write and sing. Just shows how low our standards have become. Rap artists shouldn't even be on this list.

Should be top five, but hey, rankings like these are disrespecting. Most of the people on this page are 'top five' material. Top tier talent is just that, tops.

Undeniable talent. There is no comparison. He is one of the greatest artists of all time.

He made it okay for straight guys to be non-masculine while still being straight.

8 Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. He died on 18 March 2017.

In 2009 Bob Dylan was asked to name musicians who were bigger legends than him. He could only think of one- Chuck Berry!

This is complete bull he should be number one, he is ate best musician of all time

One of the first rock artists, why is he below kanye west?

Why, In The Name Of Freddie Mercury, Is ' Usher Ahead Of The Trie King Of Rock N' Roll

9 James Brown James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. A progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century popular music and dance, he is often referred to as the "Godfather of Soul".

Energy + Music + Creativity + Passion = Iconic

10 Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter, known by his stage name JAY-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur and investor born on December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York. He is best known for his albums Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, and The Black Album. He is considered to be one of the best rappers of all time.

Again holding a mic upside down and babbling words using made up English accompanied with computer repetition is hardly impressive.

This ugly slacks doesn't even measure up 2 the likes of bob Marley and Marvin Gaye so what idiot put him higher than them.

This guy is awful why is he here?

One of the best

The Contenders
11 Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong, nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American trumpeter, composer and singer who was one of the most influential figures in jazz.

Very underrated. Deserves higher than #8.

12 John Legend John Roger Stephens, better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor.

Sorry not black

13 Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson, professionally known as Ray Charles, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and composer.

This man made soul music. A blues base with extra jazz, a twist of gospal, a squeeze of rock n roll and a sprinlking of country. This man is the greatest, smartest and by far the most unique artists ever to grace us with his soul. His music is time less. All soul singers steal insperation friom him. As brilliant as stevie wonder is he is a large ray charles fan. That says a lot

I love his Gospel and Blues with Jazzy sound I love Georgia Georgia

Ray invented a genre. He should at least be #2.

Fantastic vocalist. Soulful.

14 The Weeknd Abęl Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally by his stage name The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was born on 16 February 1990 in Toronto, Ontario. ...read more.

Why is he above Prince, Chuck Berry and Richie

Very good vocals. Love his music. He's amazing!

This dude has only been around for a year...

Good but not even top 50

15 Lionel Richie Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and actor. Beginning in 1968, he was a member of the funk and soul band the Commodores and then launched a solo career in 1982.

Lionel richie is a very consistant artist. The songs that he has written and produced are evergreen, endless love, do it to me, I call it love, to name few.

He should be in the top 5 with Ray Charles, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson at the top.

Three Times a Lady (long version), who can beat that song,

best song ever: listen again

16 Brian McKnight Brian McKnight, born June 5, 1969, is an American R&B singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays eight instruments including piano, guitar, bass guitar, percussion, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet. He is one of the very few leggiero tenors in ...read more.
17 Joe
18 Luther Vandross Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. was an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Throughout his career, Vandross was an in-demand background vocalist for several different artists.

No singer had Luther's depth or put as mush emotion in his songs.

Top 5, he wrote the mist sincere lyrics

Luther should be at the top 5

Number 1 the best ever

19 Robert Johnson Robert Leroy Johnson was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. ...read more.
20 Dr. Dre Andre Romelle Young (born February 18, 1965), known professionally as Dr. Dre, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, and previously co-founded, co-owned, and was the president of Death Row Records. Dr. Dre ...read more.
21 Johnny Gill Johnny Gill started out as a solo artist in the 1980s, releasing two albums that didn't garner much attention. It was not until later, when Gill became a member of the r&b/pop group New Edition, that people started to take notice of his music and his talent. He went on to release his most successful ...read more.
22 Kanye West Ye (born Kanye Omari West; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and fashion designer. He is regarded as one of the most influential, as well as controversial, artists of the 21st century. ...read more.

He could be so much more. His music is good. Unfortunately, his words confuse and detract from his ability to move to another level.

I actually like his music. I just wish he wasn't such a jerk like he always is.

His music and talent is amazing. But he's not so good in real life

He is one of, if not, the most influential artist/s of the 21st century

23 Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th century music.

It hurts my eyes seeing some of the artists listed on top of this genius.

24 Joey Badass Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, better known by his stage name Joey Badass, is an American hip hop recording artist and actor.
25 John Lee Hooker
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