In 1938 she became the first black woman to work with a white band when Artie Shaw invited her to front his orchestra. “Strange Fruit,” which is credited as the first protest song of the civil rights era, was so controversial her label wouldn’t record it so she left for an independent label to do so. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

He was a child piano prodigy performed a Mozart piano concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when he was 11. He’s the Creative Chair for Jazz with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and serves as Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

Known as “The First Lady of Song,” her wide-ranging and flexible vocals made her highly sought after by many jazz greats. She won 13 Grammy awards and sold more than 40 million albums. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

He put together a collective of more than 50 musicians and recorded music with the ensemble in the 70s both as Parliament and Funkadelic, launching the highly recognizable “P-Funk” style. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

She was 15 years old when she sang background for Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.” She also provided background vocals for Lou Rawls & Jermaine Jackson before launching her solo career. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

He played with many jazz legends before becoming chairman of the Black Music Department at Howard University and forming Donald Byrd & the Blackbyrds with a group of talented students. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

She signed to Motown Records with The Supremes when she was 17 before launching her solo career at 25. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

Marvin Gaye was a session drummer for artists such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Marvelettes, and Martha and the Vandellas in his early years at Motown. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

Credited as the first gospel performer to record for a major label, she began performing with the guitar at the age of 4. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

He formed a touring gospel quartet at the age of 9 and formed an R&B group at the age of 16 before becoming one of the most popular soul singers of the early 70s. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.