February is not just for the celebration of Valentine’s Day, but also the annual commemoration of Black History Month. This article reviews ten phenomenal Black musicians to honor this month as they are making an big impact in the music industry, today. Being in an industry where you fear your talent will be overlooked because of your race can be difficult. However, these artists found a way to thrive and make their voices heard despite the negativity.
- Beyoncé
“Thank you, Beyoncé,” we say in unison. In all seriousness, whether you like her or not, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is a trailblazer in her own right. Like many other artists, she has broken down barriers in the music industry. Carter started her musical journey as a member of the iconic girl group, Destiny’s Child. She went on to do versatile solo projects that solidified her longevity as a performer. Carter is the most awarded artist in Grammys history with 35 wins. She is about to embark on a world tour for her first ever country album, Cowboy Carter which has received critical acclaim from audiences.
2. André 3000
Born André Lauren Benjamin, André 3000 is known for his eccentric fashion looks and abstract lyrics that speak out about societal issues. Benjamin is widely recognized for being one of the pioneers that ushered in Southern hip-hop along with his bandmate, Big Boi. The duo were members of one of the most influential hip hop groups, Outkast which produced their hit song, Hey Ya! After the split, Benjamin took a step back from the limelight but in 2023, he released his debut solo album, New Blue Sun, which marked an end to his 17-year hiatus of new music.
3. Doechii
Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, professionally known as Doechii, is a creative force to be reckoned with in the music industry. She rose to fame on the popular social media app, TikTok through her viral hit song, Yucky Blucky Fruitcake. Hickmon would later sign with TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) through Capitol Records where she had continued success. Her latest album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, catapulted her to new heights and made her into a prominent star. At the 2025 Grammys, Hickmon won the Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal, joining Lauryn Hill and Cardi B as the only female rappers to win this award.
4. Kendrick Lamar
The first ever solo rapper to headline the NFL Super Bowl halftime show is a jack-of-all-trades. Lamar is an Grammy-award winning rapper, songwriter, actor, activist and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize. His complex and conscious lyricism touches on significant racial issues amongst African Americans. Lamar’s success has skyrocketed since his early teenage mixtapes generated buzz in the rap game. His notable albums such as To Pimp a Butterfly and good kid, m.A.A.d city is regarded as one of the best rap albums of all time. Lamar recently announced that him and R&B superstar, SZA, will co-headline their first all-stadium tour in April.
5. GloRilla
The North Memphis native superstar Gloria Hallelujah Woods, professionally known as GloRilla, has made her mark in the music scene. Her viral 2022 hit, F.N.F (Let’s Go), took the world by storm and drew audiences to her unique cadence that has a touch of southern drawl. Woods came from humbling beginnings but this didn’t deter her from pursuing her dreams of becoming a rapper. Her songs such as Tomorrow, TGIF and Yeah Glo! have become top-charting anthems. Woods is an inspiration to fans and a reminder that any dream is possible.
6. J. Cole
Jermaine Lamarr Cole is widely regarded as one of the most influential rapper and producer of this generation. He achieved fame after the release of his debut mixtape, The Come Up and became the first artist to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label. Cole is known for his distinct rap style that consists of clever punchlines and storytelling techniques. Cole has worked tremendously to establish a name for himself and other artists. Him and his manager, Ibrahim Hamad created a record label called Dreamville Records which was not only a platform for Cole to distribute his own music but also supported artists who desired to have creative freedom.
7. Keke Palmer
Ms. Keke “Keep a Bag” Palmer is not only a successful actress, producer and television personality but she also creates music. Palmer started singing at the age of five in a church choir. She scored a record deal with Atlantic Records and her debut single, All My Girlz was featured in the Akeelah and the Bee soundtrack. Palmer received major success with her single, BOSSY in 2018. She recently debuted her new girl group, DivaGurl and they released their first single this year. Although, Palmer’s focus is mainly on acting, she never fails to amaze fans with her vibrant and expressive vocal abilities.
8. Leon Thomas III
The beloved Nickelodeon star, Leon Thomas III has transitioned into an R&B powerhouse. After his venture with Victorious (André Harris), he released his mixtape, Metro Hearts, which featured a sultry and soulful cover of Drake’s hit song, Take Care. Thomas then went on to produce and write music for notable artists such as Babyface, Toni Braxton, Ariana Grande and SZA. He won a Grammy award for Best R&B Song for co-producing SZA’s global hit, Snooze. In 2024, Thomas released his sophomore album, MUTT which received widespread praise from the public.
9. Ravyn Lenae
The Chicago singer, Ravyn Lenae is the definition of underrated. She stepped onto the music scene in the late 2010s with a series of EPs that consisted of aesthetics such as house and synth-funk. Her ethereal and captivating vocals made her lead single, Sticky from her 2018 EP Crush, the biggest hit of her career. Since then, she has released two albums and has become one of the few artists that adds her own dreamy elements to R&B.
10. Tyler, The Creator
Tyler Gregory Okonma, also known for his moniker, Tyler, The Creator, is a Grammy-winning rapper, singer, producer, director and fashion designer. His rise to fame resulted from co-founding the alternative hip-hop collective, Odd Future which featured members such as Earl Sweatshirt, Frank Ocean, Syd Tha Kyd and Travis Bennett. After the disbandment of the collective, Okonma would go on to pursue solo success with albums like Flower Boy, Igor, Call Me If You Get Lost and his latest, CHROMAKOPIA. His intricate wordplay and multifaceted personas place him in a category of his own.
