As you know June is Black Music Month, and of course, we are celebrating and honoring the culture’s favorite musicians, producers, and more!
Major American historical moments like the Civil Rights Movement and the Harlem Renaissance are associated with a lot of our music and culture. All three genres of music such as jazz, blues, and gospel have heavy African roots. And with spirituals, chants mixed with improvised instruments evolved into ragtime and blues rhythms. Jazz’s predecessor, ragtime, laid the way for other musical genres including rock and roll and hip hop.
To continue to honor our beloved musicians, producers, etc. here are some Black Music Month Makers facts that we’d love to share with you!
1. Best-Selling Album of All Time – Michael Jackson
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The King of Pop, Michael Jackson really set the bar high when it came to his artistry and craftmanship of music!
The late artist sold over 70 million copies of his fan-favorite album, Thriller. And with this astounding accomplishment, Thriller became the best-selling album of all time.
2. Best-Selling Female Album of All Time – Whitney Houston
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Yes, Whitney!
Superstar Whitney Houston is next on our list of Black Music Month History Makers. Her beloved The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album has sold more than 45 million copies worldwide in the 25 years since its release, maintaining its title as the best-selling soundtrack in movie history!
3. First Black artist to win GRAMMY – Ella Fitzgerald
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On May 4, 1959, at the Recording Academy’s first awards ceremony, Ella Fitzgerald, also known as the First Lady of Song, became the first Black artist to receive a GRAMMY.
Fitzgerald won two of the 28 awards at the ceremony for the best jazz and female vocal performances.
4. First Black Artist to Win Grammy for Album of the Year – Stevie Wonder
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1974 was a great year for the phenomenal Stevie Wonder!
The musical genius was the first Black artist to win a GRAMMY for Album of the Year for his smash-hit “Superstition” from his album entitled Talking Book.
He has received more GRAMMY Awards than any other Motown performer, with a total of 25 to date.
5. Most GRAMMY-Awarded Artist – Beyonce
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You already know we must mention Beyonce!
The H-Town superstar just had a super big win as she broke the record of Most GRAMMY-Awarded artist.
Her Best Dance/Electronic Album Grammy win for RENAISSANCE brought her GRAMMY total to 32!
6. Most GRAMMY-Nominated Artist of All Time – Beyonce and Jay-Z
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We just love a power couple!
Beyonce was the artist with the most nominations for the 2023 GRAMMY Awards when they were announced in November.
She is presently tied with her husband and occasional musical collaborator, Jay-Z, for the record for the most GRAMMY nominations ever, with 88 nominations total!
7. Most U.S. #1 Singles by Female Artist – Mariah Carey
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Musical titan, Mariah Carey holds the record for Most U.S. #1 singles as a female artist!
When it comes to hits, Mariah Carey has spent the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart 19 times. Her song “Vision of Love” became her debut No. 1 on August 4, 1990, while the song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” became her 19th chart-topper on December 21, 2019.
8. First female rapper in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – Missy Elliott
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Just last month, VA’s very own Missy Elliott became the first female rapper to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
She released her first commercial recording 25 years ago. Only Elliott, a member of this group of artists, was elected to the Hall of Fame in her very first year of eligibility.
She joins Willie Nelson, Chaka Khan, Rage Against the Machine, George Michael, the Spinners, and Kate Bush in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
9. Best-Selling Female Rap Album of All Time – Lauryn Hill
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The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by the incomparable Ms. Lauryn Hill is the best-selling album by a female rapper and one of the best-selling albums of all time, with about 20 million copies sold worldwide.
The album received a Diamond certification from the RIAA in 2021, making Hill the first female rapper to accomplish this feat!
10. Wealthiest Musician in the World – Rihanna
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Closing out of the Black Music Month history makers list is none other than Rihanna!
We all remembered this superstar came on the scene with her first hit single “Pon de Replay” in 2005, now with a net worth of $1.4 billion, Rihanna is one of the few self-made female billionaires in the world.
There’s nothing that she can’t do at this point!