(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s something about Billy Ocean’s music that feels like a warm breeze on a tough day—comforting, familiar, and deeply soulful. Growing up, his songs were always somewhere in the background—playing from the stereo during family gatherings, sneaking into quiet moments on late-night radio, or lifting moods during road trips. ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s something special about digging through old records and stumbling upon a voice that grabs you by the heart—and for me, that voice was Jackie Moore’s. The first time I heard her sing “Precious, Precious,” I stopped everything. That southern soul, the grit in her delivery, the honesty in ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) If you know R&B, you know Keith Sweat. His voice, his vibe, and—most importantly—his pen have shaped the soundtrack of late-night conversations, breakups, makeups, and grown-folk love for decades. For many of us who came of age during the golden era of ’90s R&B, his music wasn’t just something ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) If you grew up on real R&B—where the lyrics spoke to your heart and the beat moved your soul—then chances are, Musiq Soulchild had a seat at your table. For me, his music wasn’t just something to listen to; it was therapy, a vibe, a whole mood that got ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) If you’re anything like me, you know that real R&B is more than just catchy hooks or flashy production—it’s about feeling. And when it comes to artists who deliver that kind of emotional depth, Eric Benét is in a league of his own. Over the years, he’s given us ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s something undeniably special about Howard Hewett’s voice. It doesn’t just hit the right notes — it finds its way into your heart, wrapping around your emotions like a warm embrace on a cold night. Whether you first discovered him as the silky lead singer of Shalamar or came ...
(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 ...