Price: $14.99 - $8.75
(as of Aug 09, 2024 18:10:22 UTC – Details)
The biggest names…the coolest sounds…the 40 most inspirational movers, shakers, and innovators in black music are here! In this fun, fact-packed book from the 40 Inspiring Icons series, learn how these black musicians changed music, from the creation of blues to the invention of rap.
Meet the Godfather of Funk, the High Priestess of Soul, and the King of Reggae. Learn how Marvin Gaye shaped the sound of Motown, how N.W.A. redefined rap, and what made the Supremes, supreme. From Robert Johnson, who recorded one of the first examples of the blues in 1936, to rap superstar Drake, whose 2012 album Views spent 13 weeks at number one on the US Billboard 200, these are the 40 black artists to be listened to and learned about by all:
Robert Johnson; Nina Simone; James Brown; Sly & the Family Stone; Miles Davis; Diana Ross & the Supremes; The Jackson 5; Marvin Gaye; Stevie Wonder; Aretha Franklin; Earth, Wind & Fire; Isaac Hayes; Tina Turner; Donna Summer; Bob Marley & the Wailers; Prince; Fela Kuti; The Last Poets; Chic; The Sugarhill Gang; Run-DMC; Eric B. & Rakim; Public Enemy; N.W.A.; Whitney Houston; 2Pac; The Fugees; Snoop Dogg; The Notorious B.I.G.; Erykah Badu; Jay-Z; Missy Elliott; Kanye West; Beyoncé; Pharrell Williams; Rihanna; Lil Wayne; Drake; Nicki Minaj; The Weeknd.
Each spread presents a single musician or band, highlighting key facts about their background, most popular songs, most iconic shows, genre-defining techniques, friends, rivals, and nicknames, along with a fun, illustrated depiction of them that calls out elements of their signature style.
With so many icons to choose from, which will you add to your playlist?
Each book in the 40 Inspiring Icons series introduces readers to a fascinating non-fiction subject through its 40 most famous people or groups. Explore these other great topics through their most interesting icons: People of Peace, Super Scientists, Soccer Stars, Fantastic Footballers, Music Legends, and Greek Gods and Heroes.
From the Publisher
Nina Simone: The High Priestess of Soul
Key Dates: Born in 1933, died in 2003
Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, she would eventually change her name to Nina Simone to stop her family members realizing she was a musician. She grew up in a poor family in North Carolina. She learned to play the piano at the age of three but wasn’t allowed into music school because of her black skin. Simone then dedicated her career to anti-racist music. From classical to blues, Simone’s enchanting voice has influenced many artists, including Elton John, who has named one of his pianos after her.
A New Name
Her choice of stage name blended her childhood nickname ‘Nina’ from niña, which means ‘girl’ in Spanish, with the first name of Simone Signoret, who was her favorite French actress.
A Bad Deal
Simone’s 1958 song ‘I Loves You, Porgy’ was a huge hit. Unfortunately she sold the rights for three thousand dollars and the record company made a new name millions of dollars.
Three Dates 1964 Records first album, Nina Simone in Concert, at New York’s Carnegie Hall. 1992 Publishes her autobiography, I Put a Spell on You, written while in Amsterdam. 21 April 2003 Dies at home in her sleep.
Prince: The Purple Priest of Pop
Key Dates: Born Prince Rogers Nelson in 1958, died in 2016
Born in the same year as Madonna and scandal Michael Jackson, Prince Rogers Nelson signed his first record deal at the age of 19. Prince was a virtuoso and played all the instrumental parts on his first album For You. On later albums he enlisted a band called The Revolution. Prince’s 1984 hit-filled album, Purple Rain, catapulted him to fame and he played the lead role in the film of the same name. Prince traveled the world on tour, giving performances that lasted up to three hours! He died after accidentally taking too many pain killers.
Numerous Names
Prince loved to sign his many and diverse projects using different names. He has been credited with the names Christopher, Camille, Jamie Starr, The Artist, and even, The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.
Paisley Park
Prince founded the record label Paisley Park in 1985. His recording studio has the same name. At his recording studio there is a locked vault filled with music that Prince made before he died but that no one has ever heard before.
Four Dates 1984 Releases ‘Purple Rain’, which tops the charts for 24 weeks in a row. 1989 Writes the music for Tim Burton’s Batman. 1989 Changes his name to an unpronouncable symbol 1996 Releases a triple CD called Emancipation, featuring 36 tracks.
Run-DMC: Hardcore Rappers of the 1980s
Key Dates: Run, born in 1964. DMC, born in 1964. Jam Master Jay, born in 1965, died in 2002
Founded in the New York suburb of Queens, the trio Run-DMC was made up of two rappers (Joseph Simmons, aka Run, and Darryl McDaniels, aka DMC) and one DJ (Jason Mizell, aka Jam Master Jay). Their sharp style, and angry rap backed by drum machines and screaming guitars, marked the end of the old-school style. In 1985, they were the only rap group to perform at the charity concert Live Aid. The fatal shooting of Jay in 2002 sadly spelled the end for Run-DMC.
Rock & Hip-Hop
Following their first album, Run-DMC pushed fierce guitar riffs by Eddie Martinez up against rap beats. In the video for ‘King of Rock’, Run and DMC impersonate and mock the Beatles.
Mainstream
With 15 million albums sold, Run-DMC were among the first to make hip-hop successful on a big scale. They were also the first hip-hop group to appear on the cover of the magazine Rolling Stone.
Selected Discography 1985 King of Rock 1986 Raising Hell 1988 Tougher than Leather 1990 Back from Hell 2012 The Essential Run-DMC
Publisher : Wide Eyed Editions; Illustrated edition (February 5, 2019)
Language : English
Hardcover : 96 pages
ISBN-10 : 1786034719
ISBN-13 : 978-1786034717
Reading age : 7 – 10 years
Grade level : 2 – 5
Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
Dimensions : 7.63 x 0.5 x 10.25 inches
