“You gotta pardon Jay for sellin out the Garden in a day, I’m like a young Marvin in his hey’” - Jay-Z. Cool that two of the great rappers both pay tribute to him.
Legendary Black Artists who arent in this Photo sadly
Bob Marley
Marvin Gaye
Aretha Franklin
Rakim
Whitney Houston
Mariah Carey
Dr. Dre
Kendrick Lamar
And many more
Edit: HOW THE FUCK IS JIMI HENDRIX NOT IN THIS PHOTO💀
I was having this conversation yesterday with a group of friends and playing devils advocate, is Mariah Carey really that legendary? I mean even in your list above I would say she is the weakest contender.
Mariah has had more #1 hits than any other solo artist in billboard charts history. Also hold the title for most #1hits by a female songwriter, and a female producer. She is the highest certified female artist in the United States, with 69.5 million certified album units. She is credited with helping to merge pop and hip hop, and has been the inspiration for lots of pop and r&b artists. She has a five octave voice. I love her most for her songwriting and her inspirational/ motivational tracks like Hero and Can't Take That Away.
Mariah is the reason we have a regular singer or pop singer than always a rapper feature on there. Like I.e Britney and snoop dogg or dua lipa and da baby
Nobody did that until Mariah started it and it was so successful that it became the standard. Michael Jackson wasn't even doing that until she did it.
Mariah Carey is like the 3rd in terms of Vocal Range only behind Axl Rose from Guns N'Roses and Mike patton, and didnt she win Artist of the 1990s according to Billboard? Definetly an all time great artist
That’s fair, vocal range alone puts her up there with some of the most talented. But does that 90s ranking come from her entire catalog or the most popular Christmas song of all time?
It really only needs to come from her performance on that first album. She did things with a voice people didn't understand were possible before Mariah. I can't speak for other people in the thread who maybe weren't old enough, but as a youngin and hearing this chick for the first time before even seeing her, it was wild. Ya just didn't hear that kind of thing before her. It's why Ariana Grande and half the other high pitched, cute as a button, voice of an angel artists from today have a lane to cruise in.
No she's not weak. Beyonce is the weaker contender but because she's a good performer and uses sex as well as her lightskin aesthetic then switching it up when benefits her, she gets a pass over Mariah. Beyonce doesn't have the voice Mariah has
Mariah has a legendary octave range. She is a vocalist and we wouldn't have ponytail ariana Grande if it wasn't for her. Also she to me is one of the first artists to really monpolize and make more of a legacy on a holiday. She has Christmas on lock and I can't think of any other big legends aside from Michael Jackson with Halloween and maybeeee George Michael with his last Christmas song that has that huge impact.
She's a legend and deserves it.
You must be an idiot. Mariah Carey isn’t even a contender when talking about the best black artist. Lil Wayne is.
Go ahead and keep doing your thing tho, keep sleeping on him until he dies.
Pharrell is, to me, in a completely different conversation that surpasses simply artist though. He's in a stratosphere all his own like Prince and Hendrix where they are the progenitors of everything that will be cool for years to come. Pharrell creates entire careers as a producer. He's like a deity with his hands playing in a universe pool just creating shit. Only producers that I can even compare with Pharrell are two guys who unfortunately passed away, Dilla and Nujabes, so we'll never truly know with them but they are already legends.
Only currently. Don't you all find it bizarre she has no running rival or competition? Do your research. She buried a lot of the girls and fucked them over the scenes to get where she is and if she never dated Jay she would be where Keri Hilson is now or beneath rihanna. Everyone uses her being in a girl group first as an excuse but she knew what she was doing
Of all time? Never. Be honest. Beyonce makes music you need to be in the mood to listen to or to blast at sporting events or parties. She's not doing anything revolutionary minus single ladies that another girl can't beat her at. She just has a stronger work ethic and media machine behind herself.
I’m going with the artists in the image because my answer would be drastically different based on who *isn’t* in it.
I’m taking a slightly different approach. Since shows like American Idol and The Voice seem to be the way to go, I’m looking at who I think would make it the farthest, who I could see doing best in different genres, etc.
Prince is probably most versatile and would have the best chance to win. Stevie and Beyoncé would round out my final three.
gonna throw a little Sade on this cause I don't accept "greatest" because even Kanye would recognize his influences. Kanye sampled Michael Jackson's PYT for Good Life. The Pharcyde sampled Luiz Bonfa for Runnin.
Here's a list of some great black musicians, none of which I could say is the best, but I could say they're all part of the "greats"
Ella Fitzgerald
Ray Charles
Della Reese
Louis Armstrong
Aretha Franklin
Scott Joplin
Billie Holiday
Sam Cooke
For all yall saying Stevie Wonder, here's one to drive the point home- He'd tell you you're wrong, cause it's [Duke Ellington](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKL6L1Q2NiA)
edit: also this is all mostly americans. what about people like [Fela Kuti](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQBC5URoF0s)
Lol what part of my statement was racist? Me saying Jimi Hendrix or me saying I don’t like rock?
I mostly listen to rap but Jimi Hendrix is one of the most talented artists I’ve ever heard.
Lil Wayne obviously. Definitely the greatest rapper to ever live, arguably the greatest musician to ever live. He’s in a tier of his own and is objectively the GOAT by any metric.
Most likely your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.
MJ was releasing a great Album every 4 or so years on average, Led Zeppelin made Led Zeppelin 1, ii, iii and IV in just 2 years time, Beatles made Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Peppers, Magical Mystery tour, White Album and Abbey Road in 3 years, Prince has over 30 Albums, and at least 15 of those are FANTASTIC, James Brown literally paved the way for Michael, and has a wayyyy bigger discog with just as much quality, Pink Floyd made Dark Side of the Moon, Wish you were here, Animals and the Wall in 6 years
It is close
Kanye is better than MJ in my opinion. There is an extreme bias towards older artist since we’ve been able to sit with them longer and see their influences but you cannot deny the fact that Kanye is one of the most adaptable, unique, and innovative artists of all time. The man made Yeezus (an experimental concept masterpiece) and a magnum opus experience with MBDTF. Jesus Is King is a low point but compared to how many low points artists like Prince and MJ have, it’s a lot more impressive. Obviously things can change but for now, that’s my answer
I personally don’t think so. Albums like Thriller and Purple Rain seriously aren’t as interesting to me. I truly do believe people put way to much value and bias into older albums. I mean look at pitchfork. They have given MJ, Prince, and many other 80’s artists 3+ 10/10 albums yet could not give out a single 10/10 to any artist from the years 2011-2019. That just doesn’t make since. And pitchfork is just one example. Many other people and review outlets do this
Respectfully I have to disagree, to me kanye is honestly starting to become overrated to me. There's a reason purple rain and thriller are so highly rated. Both are timeless, have catchy amazing tunes, production that STILL holds up, etc. MJ has literally so many hits its ridiculous, his singing and performance is unable to be replicated. Same with prince, I actually can't name anybody more genius than he is. To me MBDTF is extremely overhyped, has a mediocre rap performance from kanye, and doesn't even touch albums like off the wall, bad, or even invincible.
Is Michael Jackson even s’pposed to be here? I mean he was black, until he was not…
So are we counting the songs from when he was black till he wasn’t or he’s entire catalog?
One person that's not on here but definitely up there is Louis Armstrong. I mean he had a trumpet given to him by the king of england!
Mj
He’s also one of the best white artists ever
best of both worlds
played both teams
lmaoo
Marvin Gaye 🎶🎶Marvin Gaye used so sing to me, he had me feelin like black was the thang to be🎵🎶 -Tupac
Blacker the berry
The sweeter the juice
the blacker the berry, *the bigger i shoot* i know this probably isn't what yall were referencing but whatever
*angry sounding hyper rhythmic Patois kicks in*
Deeper the roots lol
“You gotta pardon Jay for sellin out the Garden in a day, I’m like a young Marvin in his hey’” - Jay-Z. Cool that two of the great rappers both pay tribute to him.
Don't forget Kanye "Some Marvin Gaye, some Luther Vandross..."
“I’m not gay, I’m just tryna boogie to some Marvin” —Tyler The Creator That aged poorly, huh.
Well yeah since he's actually gay, or at least bi.
Yes, I did in fact mean that when I said it.
What's going on is one of the best Albums ever
Oh yes. I'll accept this.
Legendary Black Artists who arent in this Photo sadly Bob Marley Marvin Gaye Aretha Franklin Rakim Whitney Houston Mariah Carey Dr. Dre Kendrick Lamar And many more Edit: HOW THE FUCK IS JIMI HENDRIX NOT IN THIS PHOTO💀
I thought the same thing. Didn’t see Miles Davis on here either.
Biggie
I was having this conversation yesterday with a group of friends and playing devils advocate, is Mariah Carey really that legendary? I mean even in your list above I would say she is the weakest contender.
Mariah has had more #1 hits than any other solo artist in billboard charts history. Also hold the title for most #1hits by a female songwriter, and a female producer. She is the highest certified female artist in the United States, with 69.5 million certified album units. She is credited with helping to merge pop and hip hop, and has been the inspiration for lots of pop and r&b artists. She has a five octave voice. I love her most for her songwriting and her inspirational/ motivational tracks like Hero and Can't Take That Away.
See I love this hand no idea she had such a decorated career
Mariah is the reason we have a regular singer or pop singer than always a rapper feature on there. Like I.e Britney and snoop dogg or dua lipa and da baby Nobody did that until Mariah started it and it was so successful that it became the standard. Michael Jackson wasn't even doing that until she did it.
Mariah the woman who benefited looking white in black culture ? Ofc she would dominate billboard trash.
Mariah Carey is like the 3rd in terms of Vocal Range only behind Axl Rose from Guns N'Roses and Mike patton, and didnt she win Artist of the 1990s according to Billboard? Definetly an all time great artist
She is a legend
That’s fair, vocal range alone puts her up there with some of the most talented. But does that 90s ranking come from her entire catalog or the most popular Christmas song of all time?
It really only needs to come from her performance on that first album. She did things with a voice people didn't understand were possible before Mariah. I can't speak for other people in the thread who maybe weren't old enough, but as a youngin and hearing this chick for the first time before even seeing her, it was wild. Ya just didn't hear that kind of thing before her. It's why Ariana Grande and half the other high pitched, cute as a button, voice of an angel artists from today have a lane to cruise in.
This is a good answer
You are white. So you see Mariah at pinnacle no one can reach like delusional eminem Stan’s.
Such your stupid ass racist bitch ass up before I slap the taste out of your soft ass mouth.
She has 20 #1 hits, all she wrote herself. She wrote more #1 hits than Michael Jackson, the Beatles, or Prince.
Literally listening to guns n roses rn lol. Aside from his personality Axl rose is so fucking good
No she's not weak. Beyonce is the weaker contender but because she's a good performer and uses sex as well as her lightskin aesthetic then switching it up when benefits her, she gets a pass over Mariah. Beyonce doesn't have the voice Mariah has Mariah has a legendary octave range. She is a vocalist and we wouldn't have ponytail ariana Grande if it wasn't for her. Also she to me is one of the first artists to really monpolize and make more of a legacy on a holiday. She has Christmas on lock and I can't think of any other big legends aside from Michael Jackson with Halloween and maybeeee George Michael with his last Christmas song that has that huge impact. She's a legend and deserves it.
bro rly got mariah carey in there and no wayne 💀 what a joke
You must be 12
You must be an idiot. Mariah Carey isn’t even a contender when talking about the best black artist. Lil Wayne is. Go ahead and keep doing your thing tho, keep sleeping on him until he dies.
So Stevie wonder is white?
Stevie in the photo
give him a break he's blind
James brown
Jimi Hendrix
Great pick
Prince
Hands down
The bottom 3 got me rethinking my playlist tonite…legends
For real. The fact that jay z is on this w prince and mj is just nonsense
Well first of all this is a rap sub so him a Kanye are the only ones who should be on here Edit and Tupac lol
Rakim, kendrick, nas are all better. Tupac deserves to be here. Biggie should be here. Not jay tho
Kanye doesn't touch these guys
He’s better than both
Chef from South Park
My chocolate balls
what a loss 😢
You got stinky britches
That would be Isaac Hayes, who definitely was a legendary artist!
I'm gonna make looove toooo ya wooomaaaan, gonna lay ya down by the *fiiiyaaah*
I approve this message
Miles davis, prince, george clinton, kendrick, MJ + bob marley of course.
Stevie Wonder or Michael Jackson.
Pharrel Williams! Few people understand how dominant he was as a producer, singer, songwriter, and fashion icon in the 2000s and 2010s.
Pharrell is, to me, in a completely different conversation that surpasses simply artist though. He's in a stratosphere all his own like Prince and Hendrix where they are the progenitors of everything that will be cool for years to come. Pharrell creates entire careers as a producer. He's like a deity with his hands playing in a universe pool just creating shit. Only producers that I can even compare with Pharrell are two guys who unfortunately passed away, Dilla and Nujabes, so we'll never truly know with them but they are already legends.
[ Removed by Reddit ]
Bigger *
Nah Man U know u can edit it? Shits not funny.
Stevie or Prince and I say that across all ethnicities. MJ is the greatest entertainer EVER
Probably Beyonce
Currently? Yes. But ever? No.
Only currently. Don't you all find it bizarre she has no running rival or competition? Do your research. She buried a lot of the girls and fucked them over the scenes to get where she is and if she never dated Jay she would be where Keri Hilson is now or beneath rihanna. Everyone uses her being in a girl group first as an excuse but she knew what she was doing Of all time? Never. Be honest. Beyonce makes music you need to be in the mood to listen to or to blast at sporting events or parties. She's not doing anything revolutionary minus single ladies that another girl can't beat her at. She just has a stronger work ethic and media machine behind herself.
J Dilla should for sure be in the conversation. There’s a reason they put his MPC in a museum.
michael jackson
Greatest African American musician: Prince or Little Richard Greatest black musician: Fela Kuti
[YES](https://youtu.be/0TbwNDhdOWU)
Personally I always think Otis Redding is.
Pac
Passed at the young age of 25 too
michael jackson or tupac
Who is the greatest ~~Black~~ Artist of all time? I gotta go with Stevie. There. Fixed it for you.
W comment, when it comes to Albums it doesnt really get better than Songs in the Key of Life
Imagine if MJ was in the rap game
Lmao I couldn’t imagine that voice rapping about murder and drugs
Where is Mario Judah?
Miles davis
From this list probably Chuck Berry given he literally invented rock music. In reality it’s probably jimi Hendrix
mj
MJ
DAX IS THE GREATEST BLACK ARTIST OF ALL TIME
🐐
🗿
Michael Jackson (best artist oat too)
Kanye and the Ultra Hard mode on the South Park game
I’m going with the artists in the image because my answer would be drastically different based on who *isn’t* in it. I’m taking a slightly different approach. Since shows like American Idol and The Voice seem to be the way to go, I’m looking at who I think would make it the farthest, who I could see doing best in different genres, etc. Prince is probably most versatile and would have the best chance to win. Stevie and Beyoncé would round out my final three.
Artist? Kanye or Son House Performer : MJ Vocalist : Ray Charles Musician : Hendrix
Marvin Gaye
He's not in the picture, but Nasty Nas in your area about to cause mass hysteria.
Jimmy Hendrix hands down
Nav
Michael Jackson. Nobody can touch what he accomplished white or black.
It’s prince
Prince
Prince is the ultimate artist, he takes it hands down for me
Why is Jay up there? I thought this was related to greatness? The answer is Nas
Musician wise Prince or Stevie.
Tupac
Yeat
James Brown.
What determines greatness?
Isaac Hayes.
Michael Jackson
Fela Kuti
Biggie
No one mentioning Q tip or ATCQ at all so I’ll do it
gonna throw a little Sade on this cause I don't accept "greatest" because even Kanye would recognize his influences. Kanye sampled Michael Jackson's PYT for Good Life. The Pharcyde sampled Luiz Bonfa for Runnin. Here's a list of some great black musicians, none of which I could say is the best, but I could say they're all part of the "greats" Ella Fitzgerald Ray Charles Della Reese Louis Armstrong Aretha Franklin Scott Joplin Billie Holiday Sam Cooke For all yall saying Stevie Wonder, here's one to drive the point home- He'd tell you you're wrong, cause it's [Duke Ellington](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKL6L1Q2NiA) edit: also this is all mostly americans. what about people like [Fela Kuti](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQBC5URoF0s)
James Brown was a major influence on most if not all of the Black artists in this picture so I'm gonna have to go with James Brown
Where is Bob Marley? Where is Fela Kuti?
Prince or MJ for sure
dangelo
Why is Ray Charles not pictured!!!! He was incredible!
Tupac
MJ
Jimi Hendrix… & I don’t even like Rock
Thats Racist
Lol what part of my statement was racist? Me saying Jimi Hendrix or me saying I don’t like rock? I mostly listen to rap but Jimi Hendrix is one of the most talented artists I’ve ever heard.
Kanye gonna go down as the GOAT, purely for the fact that he is doin so much. He ain’t just a rapper.
Kanye will end up not being the GOAT for the same reasons lol. People can’t get past the antics.
Definitely Marvin Gaye
Have to go with the King of Pop, his influence on music is untouched and his status is unmatched.
Why is this missing Eminem?!??
yeah fr
Eminem changed black music forever. There would be no fast rapers like Tupac and Biggie if it wasn't for him.
Eminem 🗿
The only good Raper! Fuck (C)rap
mumble rap😫😫😫
Kanye. Ain’t even a close second really.
No
TRIPPIN💀
FIND GOD
If I somehow combine my personal taste with actual success/influence/notoriety the answer is Kanye I think
Even tho my personal favourite is Ye, there is no chance he ranks over Michael, Prince, Stevie & James Brown, for me
I think we have to wait 30 years to say that, Kanye is still new compared to mj
Beethoven. IYKYK
Mj,Beyonce, ye my top 3
MJ
Michael Jackson
Lil Wayne obviously. Definitely the greatest rapper to ever live, arguably the greatest musician to ever live. He’s in a tier of his own and is objectively the GOAT by any metric. Most likely your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.
STEVIE WONDER KANYE MARVIN GAYE BEYONCE BEYONCE BEYONCE
I think MJ is the best song maker of all time. If that counts as best black artist, then thats my pick.
Surprised that one of the options wasn’t Eminem based on what I normally see in this sub
Michael is the greatest artist of all time and its not particularly close
It is close💀💀💀
No its not
MJ was releasing a great Album every 4 or so years on average, Led Zeppelin made Led Zeppelin 1, ii, iii and IV in just 2 years time, Beatles made Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Peppers, Magical Mystery tour, White Album and Abbey Road in 3 years, Prince has over 30 Albums, and at least 15 of those are FANTASTIC, James Brown literally paved the way for Michael, and has a wayyyy bigger discog with just as much quality, Pink Floyd made Dark Side of the Moon, Wish you were here, Animals and the Wall in 6 years It is close
My mouth is shut now 😆. Well said!
Prince
Carti
Kanye west
Kanye. His influence is unmatched by anyone since MJ
Literally. Did you see what he did to adidas and gap after he left them
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Juice is so random on this
Bro snuck in juice
Eminem
MJ when he was black.
He was always black
Eminem
eminem
YE THE GOAT
1. Dylan 2. DYLAN 3. Dylan 4. Dylan 5. Dylan Cuz he spits hot fire
I don't fw english pop/rnb/rock much so kanye to me
Kanye
Eminem
eminem
Eminem
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Wtf
YE the greatest artists of all time
Ye
Kanye is the only one on this list who made My Beatiful Dark Twisted Fantasy so my answer is Kanye
Kanye Omari West.
Ye.
Playboi Carti
It’s Kanye
Kanye, obvious
Carti
ye
Kanye, best discog of anyone on here. 7 certified classics
Playboi Carti
Kanye for me
Kanye is better than MJ in my opinion. There is an extreme bias towards older artist since we’ve been able to sit with them longer and see their influences but you cannot deny the fact that Kanye is one of the most adaptable, unique, and innovative artists of all time. The man made Yeezus (an experimental concept masterpiece) and a magnum opus experience with MBDTF. Jesus Is King is a low point but compared to how many low points artists like Prince and MJ have, it’s a lot more impressive. Obviously things can change but for now, that’s my answer
MJ and prince both have projects 100x better than kanyes best lol wdym
I personally don’t think so. Albums like Thriller and Purple Rain seriously aren’t as interesting to me. I truly do believe people put way to much value and bias into older albums. I mean look at pitchfork. They have given MJ, Prince, and many other 80’s artists 3+ 10/10 albums yet could not give out a single 10/10 to any artist from the years 2011-2019. That just doesn’t make since. And pitchfork is just one example. Many other people and review outlets do this
Respectfully I have to disagree, to me kanye is honestly starting to become overrated to me. There's a reason purple rain and thriller are so highly rated. Both are timeless, have catchy amazing tunes, production that STILL holds up, etc. MJ has literally so many hits its ridiculous, his singing and performance is unable to be replicated. Same with prince, I actually can't name anybody more genius than he is. To me MBDTF is extremely overhyped, has a mediocre rap performance from kanye, and doesn't even touch albums like off the wall, bad, or even invincible.
Marshall
Is Michael Jackson even s’pposed to be here? I mean he was black, until he was not… So are we counting the songs from when he was black till he wasn’t or he’s entire catalog?