(ThyBlackMan.com) When Mahalia Jackson sings, Heaven listens. And if you’ve ever had one of her songs catch you mid-tear, mid-praise, or mid-testimony — then you already know the power she holds. After we shared our first Mahalia list, y’all came through with the emails, the messages, the comments — “We ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) When I think about the artists who’ve shaped the sound of modern R&B, pop, and dance music, Jody Watley’s name always rises to the top of the list. She wasn’t just a chart-topping diva—she was (and still is) a trendsetter, a visionary, and a voice that effortlessly blends glamour ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s something magical about a song that hits you right in the chest—that first line that makes your breath hitch, the chorus that feels like it knows exactly what you’ve been through. That’s what Babyface has always done for me. Whether it’s heartbreak, healing, longing, or that sweet, giddy ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s soul music… and then there’s D’Angelo. If you know, you know. His voice isn’t just something you hear—it’s something you feel deep in your bones. When D’Angelo hit the scene in the mid-90s, he wasn’t just making R&B. He was reshaping it. Smooth yet unpolished, spiritual yet sensual, ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s a sound in gospel music that doesn’t just tickle the ear—it shakes the soul. And when Tramaine Hawkins opens her mouth to sing, that sound becomes a divine experience. From sanctuaries to stadiums, her voice has ushered people into worship, pulled them through trials, and reminded them that ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) There are certain voices in gospel music that don’t just sing—they minister. Andraé Crouch was one of those rare artists whose music didn’t just reach the ears; it reached the soul. For me, his songs have always felt like a gentle hand on the shoulder during hard times, or ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) When most people think of Michael Jackson, they picture the moonwalk, sparkling gloves, and the iconic hits that defined pop music for generations. But what often gets overlooked is just how brilliant he was as a songwriter—not just for himself, but for others, too. Behind the scenes, MJ was ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) Langston Hughes has always held a special place in my heart—not just as a literary icon, but as a voice that’s guided me through different chapters of life. His words are like old friends: familiar, comforting, sometimes challenging, but always honest. Most people know him through his famous works—the ...