First Achievements: Celebrating Black Music History

Throughout history, progress in diversity and inclusion has been made, though there is a long journey ahead before all groups experience equal representation and recognition. The world of arts, especially music, reflects the broader societal issues and triumphs around these matters.

Artists from underrepresented communities often faced many challenges but still achieved historical milestones. During Black History Month, we recognize some of these pioneering moments across various music genres, honoring Black musicians who have set a precedent for future generations.

General Music Milestones

1890: George W. Johnson becomes the first Black recording artist to deliver a bestselling phonograph record with his piece 'The Whistling Coon'.

1955: Marian Anderson takes the stage as the first Black performer at the New York Metropolitan Opera.

Blues

1920: 'Crazy Blues' by Mamie Smith is recognized as the first recorded blues song by a Black artist and later honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry.

1969: Blues legend WC Handy is immortalized on a U.S. postage stamp, the first Black musician to receive this honor.

Jazz

1925: Louis Armstrong's recordings with the Hot Five and Hot Seven ensembles spark the jazz revolution.

1958: At the Grammy Awards, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie are the first Black recipients. Natalie Cole later becomes the first Black woman to win Album Of The Year in 1992.

Gospel

2018: Yolanda Adams earns a historic Tony Award nomination for her contributions to the 'SpongeBob SquarePants' musical score.

Country

1971: Charley Pride is named Entertainer Of The Year by the Country Music Association, and later inducts into their Hall of Fame—prestigious firsts for a Black artist in country music.

2020: Mickey Guyton receives a Grammy nomination for Best Country Solo Performance, another first for a Black female artist.

Rock

1977: Black Death emerges as the seminal Black heavy metal band.

1986: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's first class includes trailblazing Black musicians such as Chuck Berry and James Brown. Aretha Franklin breaks ground as the first Black woman to be inducted the following year.

House

1984: Jesse Saunders releases 'On & On', the first house music DJ track to be pressed and sold. Steve Silk Hurley's 'Jack Your Body' later tops the UK charts in 1987.

Pop

1950: Nat King Cole achieves a historic No. 1 hit on the Billboard charts. Subsequent artists like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston set more records, with firsts in music video airplay on MTV and album sales.

R&B

1972: Isaac Hayes' 'Theme From Shaft' wins an Oscar for Best Original Song, a first for a Black artist in a non-acting category. Stevie Wonder also captures the first Album Of The Year Grammy for a Black artist in 1974.

Hip-Hop

1980: The Sugarhill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight' charts on Billboard’s Hot 100, a milestone for rap music. The genre continues to make history with Grammy and Oscar wins for artists like DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Lauryn Hill, and Three 6 Mafia. Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize in 2018 adds yet another first to the genre.

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