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.

She went to Paris to study Jazz Piano at 22 and launched her professional career a year later by joining the Terry Gibbs Quartet. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

Known as “The Godfather of Neo-Soul,” the frequently sampled musician played multiple instruments including the piano and flute before landing on the vibraphone as his instrument of choice. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.

At 15 years old she won a talent show that awarded her regular appearances on “Skyline Melodies,” a local TV show that aired twice a week. | Visit Achickwitbeatz.com for your instrumental needs & dope stuff for music lovers.