(ThyBlackMan.com) When people talk about the golden age of funk, certain names always come up: Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang. But tucked into that legendary company is a band that deserves just as much shine — Con Funk Shun. Formed in Vallejo, California, this crew mastered ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) If you’ve been anywhere near a headline this summer, you already know: Sean “Diddy” Combs has once again sidestepped the legal noose. Found not guilty on three major federal counts — racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and specific trafficking charges related to Cassie Ventura and Jane — he now ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) When people talk about the golden age of Motown, names like Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye often dominate the conversation. But tucked within that glittering roster is Mary Wells — the velvety voice that first crowned Motown’s pop royalty. Nicknamed “The Queen of Motown,” Wells was more ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Cherrelle’s name deserves to be right up there with the best of them in any conversation about underrated R&B royalty. For those who know, she’s a hidden gem of the Minneapolis sound — a singer whose voice defined a slice of the ‘80s and early ‘90s, thanks in large part ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Sometimes, it’s amazing how two voices – from different eras – can still feel like they’re singing your story. Beyoncé and Patti LaBelle do that for me every time. Patti’s soul-stirring power and Beyoncé’s fearless reinvention show us that truth and emotion never go out of style — they ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) When we talk about the soul of Atlantic Starr, it’s impossible not to talk about Wayne Lewis. As one of the band’s co-founders, main songwriters, keyboardists, and occasional lead vocalists, Wayne’s fingerprints are all over some of the smoothest love songs and R&B grooves ever made. His gift for ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Wilson Pickett’s voice grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. He could make you dance, make you shout, make you feel like you were right there in the studio with him, sweating out every note. For me — and for so many who love soul music — ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) When I think of Barry White, I think of that unmistakable baritone — the kind of voice that could turn a simple “hello” into an invitation to fall in love. For years, people have leaned on the same handful of Barry White classics when they want to set the ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) If you came of age in the ‘90s or early 2000s, chances are Jesse Powell’s voice found its way into some of your most tender memories. Maybe it played at your cousin’s wedding, or during those late-night radio slow jams that made you believe love could really last forever. ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Walter Scott, one-half of the iconic vocal duo at the heart of The Whispers, has sadly passed away—and for those of us who grew up on his voice, it feels like losing a trusted companion in love, heartbreak, and everything in between. While Scotty often took center stage with ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Few groups in R&B history have left as lasting an impression as Jodeci. Rising to prominence in the early 1990s, the group revolutionized the genre by blending gospel-rooted harmonies with rugged hip-hop aesthetics. With their distinct sound, bold fashion, and emotionally raw performances, Jodeci bridged the gap between traditional ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Brandy’s music has always felt personal—like she’s letting us in on something intimate, even when the track is a full-on bop. For so many of us who grew up on ’90s and 2000s R&B, her voice is part of the soundtrack to our lives. But even beyond nostalgia, Brandy’s ...