(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s a certain mood only Johnny Mathis can create. You hear that first note—soft, romantic, almost whispered—and suddenly the world slows down. Whether it’s playing through a vintage hi-fi system or quietly looping through your earbuds, his music has a way of finding you when you need it most. ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) The first time I saw Prince in purple, I automatically assumed it was in honor of the Minnesota Vikings we admired during our youth. On this day (April 21) in 2016, the world lost one of the greatest musical polymaths to have lived – Prince Rogers Nelson. Born four years ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Grace Jones has always been one of those artists you don’t just listen to—you experience her. The first time I heard her voice, it stopped me in my tracks. Deep, confident, and unapologetically different, it felt like she was singing from another world entirely—one where art, fashion, gender, and ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Few voices in soul music history have captured the raw complexities of love and heartache quite like Percy Sledge. With a vocal style rooted in gospel tradition and delivered with unflinching sincerity, Sledge transformed emotional vulnerability into musical strength. His ability to convey longing, regret, and hope made him ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) When I think about the voices that shaped the sound of grown-up R&B, Alexander O’Neal is always near the top of the list. His music didn’t just fill dance floors or top charts—it tapped into the emotions that so many of us wrestle with: heartbreak, trust, longing, love, and ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) From the moment Ne-Yo stepped onto the scene, I knew he wasn’t just another R&B singer chasing hits—he was a storyteller. His voice had this polished yet emotional clarity that felt like it was speaking directly to you, whether you were dealing with heartbreak, falling hard, or just reflecting ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) The first time I heard Jimmy Ruffin sing, it stopped me in my tracks. His voice didn’t just carry a melody—it carried a lifetime of emotions. There was something so honest, so soul-baring about his delivery that it felt like he was speaking directly to whatever part of you ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Macy Gray is one of those rare artists whose voice is instantly recognizable—gritty, soulful, and full of personality. When she arrived on the scene in the late ’90s, her sound stood apart from anything else in pop or R&B. She wasn’t chasing trends; she was building her own lane, ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) From the first time I heard Seal’s voice, I knew it wasn’t just music—it was something more. Something spiritual. His songs didn’t just sound good; they made you feel something deeper, like he was reaching into your soul and giving your emotions a name. Whether it was love, loss, ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) If you came up during the late ’80s and early ’90s like I did, then Guy wasn’t just a group—they were a moment. Their sound was everywhere: house parties, slow jams on the radio, the backdrop to your first dance, and maybe even your first heartbreak. Guy was the ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) When it comes to funk music royalty, few artists embodied the genre’s flamboyance, power, and unfiltered creativity quite like Rick James. The self-proclaimed “King of Punk Funk” brought together infectious grooves, rock star rebellion, and unapologetic sensuality, leaving behind a catalog that still sounds revolutionary today. Whether you’re vibing ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) The first time I heard Brian McKnight’s voice, it didn’t just sound good—it felt like love. That voice, warm and unwavering, wrapped around every lyric like an embrace. It wasn’t just smooth or technically flawless—it was sincere, like he was singing directly to the deepest part of your heart. ...