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Music is a great many things. It's something to hum along to in the shower, belt from the backseat on an ambling road trip, or set the mood at a gathering, be it a house party or a relaxed night in. On the same hand, it's a method of protest, a force adept at bringing otherwise disparate folks together, and a means of emotional connection. Music may be a form of entertainment, but it has also saved lives, defined decades, and led great social change along the way.
Yet at its core, music is simply this: a creative expression of our identities, experiences, feelings, and those things and people which we care about most—whether that be a lover, a friend, a community, an object, or something totally immaterial. It's a medium that's as boundless as it is rooted in our human experience, diverse as it is universal.
So, with art and identity so deeply intertwined and public personas influenced largely by the personal, it's important to not only recognize but celebrate, amplify, and acknowledge the game-changing artists who crafted some of the greatest songs—from chart-topping pop and hip-hop hits to the very foundations of jazz and R&B—to ever grace our ears.
As we shine a light on artists and thinkers who demonstrate the boundless depths of Black creativity, joy, and love, we've gathered a list of 30 memoirs by and biographies about artists who totally upended the expectations of a white-dominated field and crafted something entirely their own, making history and changing lives as a direct result.
Public Enemy's Chuck D left his mark with incisive sociopolitical commentary and killer lyrics and flow. In his brilliant Songs that Shook the Planet, he pays homage to other revolutionaries and music legends—like Billie Holiday and Marvin Gaye—who courageously challenged the status quo.
The legendary singer tells her story in her own words (and voice!) for the very first time. Mariah Carey explores how she found her way out of darkness at different points in her life, and her evocative lyrics and powerful, soulful vocals introduce each chapter to bring context and fresh meaning to her greatest hits.
From the Streets to the Suites takes listeners on a personal voyage through Snoop Dogg’s life. Narrated by the artist himself in his own unmistakable voice, this personal account tracks the rise of a hip-hop megastar, from the streets of Long Beach, California, to the highest echelons of music and business.
Scottish poet laureate Jackie Kay bends genres to offer a layered, personal glimpse into the life of the Empress of the Blues. Shifting between poetry and prose, biography and fiction, Kay crafts a listen that examines Bessie Smith's impact as a cultural icon on both a worldwide and intimate scale.
There's no question: the legendary Smokey Robinson changed the music industry forever. From Motown Records to The Miracles to writing for stars like the Jackson Five and the Beatles, Robinson takes listeners on a journey through an incomparable career with a staggering sense of humility.
Though we lost disco-soul-funk visionary Maurice White five years ago, his legacy lives on in this absorbing and uplifting memoir. As the founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, White totally changed the sound of American music forever, reinventing pop while defying all attempts at categorization.
With an emotive voice and inimitable skills on strings from the banjo to the viola, Rhiannon Giddens is among contemporary folk’s greatest. Here, she offers a glimpse into her creative process alongside incisive commentary on race, class, and culture.
Miles Davis was among the most influential and acclaimed artists in jazz, a genius who always seemed to be ahead of the curve on each new development or style. In Miles, Davis is at his most candid, starkly detailing his battle for sobriety and the crippling violence of racism.
While her incredible talent is no secret, Alicia Keys has been rather guarded and private over the years. In this author-narrated memoir, she shares the story behind her rise to fame, reckoning with her younger self’s need for perfection and likability and sharing a new dedication to openness.
Before he was the Purple One, he was simply Prince Rogers Nelson, an observant, bright-eyed boy from Minnesota. In this touching reminder of all the unbridled genius and unmatched spirit Prince brought into this world, the late icon offers a totally unique coming-of-age tale.
Common is a remarkable talent: he’s a rapper, writer, activist, and actor, with a Grammy, Oscar, and Golden Globe to his name. So, it’s no wonder he crafted the stunning Bluebird Memories, a work that blends a variety of art forms with an emphasis on storytelling.
With a decades-spanning career and relentlessly energetic stage presence, Tina Turner is nothing short of an icon in the worlds of rock, soul, R&B, and pop. In My Love Story, Turner rebuffs years of tabloid coverage, taking control of the narrative and detailing moments of her life.
Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello is known for so much more than his supercharged riffs—the Harvard-educated rock icon has made a name for himself as a paragon of necessary rebellion, shattering boundaries through music, storytelling, and activism.
In this autobiography, which he began writing while incarcerated, the rap revolutionary and trap pioneer details the demons of his adolescence and early career, as well as the fortitude that generated personal growth, allowing him to get sober, calmer, and healthier.
WNYC's Rebecca Carroll (who penned her own gorgeous memoir, Surviving the White Gaze) turns her thoughtful eye toward the life and legacy of jazz legend Billie Holiday in this powerful podcast that dives deep into what it means to be a Black woman in the United States.
In highlighting the connection between what we love and who we are, poet and essayist Hanif Abdurraqib finds memories, politics, and family nestled in the liner notes. In this listen, he wields his lyrical writing style to craft a bright, breathing portrait of Black performance and artistry.
Though we lost powerhouse pop star Whitney Houston in 2012, Robyn Crawford, her dear friend and collaborator, crafts a loving, reverent tribute in her reflective memoir, A Song for You. Intimate and sincere, Crawford’s account is a celebration of friendship and love in the midst of an up-and-coming musical juggernaut.
Celebrated for his lyrical genius and skill with sound, Tariq Trotter, also known as Black Thought, is among hip-hop’s all-time great MCs. In his Words + Music audio memoir 7 Years, the cofounder of powerhouse group The Roots recounts moments from his life and career with the same insight that informs his creative process.
Meticulous and full of heart, this bio explores the life of Thelonious Monk, the improv great who brought an inventive flair, twisting, turning, and totally unorthodox, to his compositions. The story of undoubtedly one of the greatest jazz pianists who has ever lived is simply astonishing, a must-listen for any music fan.
This forthcoming memoir from Grammy-winning rapper Kimberly Denise Jones—better known as Lil' Kim—promises to be just as fierce, empowering, and unapologetic as the cultural icon at its center. Lil' Kim fearlessly reveals behind-the-scenes moments from a storied career, from her start in Bed-Stuy to her fight against the misogyny of the music industry.
If there's anyone qualified to take us on a ride through 50 years of music history, it's Questlove—the author, Academy Award-nominee, and joint frontman of The Roots has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things sound. In this gem, he analyzes a single song from each year, 1971 to 2021, revealing how pop culture and society intersect.
In this collab between Audible and Rolling Stone, every side of Aretha Franklin's life, from the triumphant to the heartbreaking, is unearthed in profound, soulful detail. Her wield of a truly commanding voice, unparalleled in range and passion, spoke to millions around the globe. Now, hear the story behind the songs and better understand the roots of her sorrow and resilience.
There are few music moments more impactful than the birth of Motown, a record label and sonic style that helped integrate pop music and raise the profile of Black artists. One Motown supergroup, the Temptations topped the charts with enduring hits and harmonies, making history along the way.
In this Audie Award-winning blend of memoir and self-dev, Newark native Queen Latifah reflects on moments and decisions over the course of her life and illustrious career, from hip-hop to Hollywood stardom, offering listeners a path toward building their own uncompromising confidence.
From the difficulties of coming of age in a Miami rocked by crime and the crack epidemic to the triumph of signing with Def Jam records, Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross shares the ins-and-outs of a career boosted by skill and acclaim—and shaken by health scares and controversies.
Lenny Kravitz, an artist dedicated to crafting tracks that connect and inspire listeners, brings that same meditative sense of heart and humor to his memoir, which aptly shares a name with his debut studio album. His spirit shines through in a way that will resonate with anyone else who found salvation in sound.
In this candid, savvy audiobook, multi-platinum recording artist Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson shares his journey from his early 20s in the rap scene to his role as one of the highest-paid execs in television with the highly rated show, Power. And he offers a bit of advice for listeners along the way.
Positioned toward white audiences and composers, the classical genre has been dominated by a limited perspective. In this podcast, a double bassist and a violist sit down to discuss and recenter the work of Black classical musicians.
The Song Exploder podcast offers a unique look into the creative process behind hit songs with the very artists who made them. In this episode, rising singer-songwriter Arlo Parks goes deep on her heartbreaking single, "Black Dog."
From NPR Music, this podcast delves into the link between hip-hop and the mass incarceration crisis in Black America. Focusing on the stories of artists from Bobby Shmurda to Nipsey Hussle, episodes explore the power dynamics of both institutional racism and the music industry.
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Continue to explore classic and contemporary voices in Black art and history on our collection of listens for Black History Month or on our hub dedicated to uplifting and amplifying the voices and lived experiences of Black activists, thinkers, writers, creatives, and more.
