(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) Let me be honest with you—if you’re only listening to Prince’s biggest hits, you’re missing out on a whole universe of brilliance. We all know the anthems: “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy.” Those songs are legendary for a reason. But as someone who’s spent countless hours ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) If you grew up on funk or ever fell down a rabbit hole of West Coast hip hop, then you’ve definitely felt the presence of Roger Troutman—even if you didn’t know it at the time. The talkbox wizard, the mastermind behind Zapp, and the man whose grooves could make ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) When I think about timeless voices in R&B—those smooth, soul-stirring vocals that never age—Peabo Bryson is always at the top of the list. His music doesn’t just play in the background; it lives in the hearts of anyone who’s ever been in love, lost it, or longed to feel ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) When I think of voices that shaped the soundtrack of love, faith, and real emotion in my life, Regina Belle’s name is right up there with the greats. She doesn’t just sing—she testifies. Whether it’s a romantic ballad that tugs at your heartstrings or a gospel anthem that lifts ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) In a heartbreaking twist to the death of beloved Atlanta rapper Young Scooter, authorities have made a stunning arrest. On April 1st, the Atlanta Police Department announced that Demetria Spence, 31, has been arrested and charged with transmitting a false public alarm—a charge now at the center of the ...