20th-century African-American musicians

Tupac Amaru Shakur was an American rapper and actor. He was one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century, and a prominent political activist for Black America. He is among the best-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Some of Shakur's music addressed social injustice, political issues, and the marginalization of African Americans, but he was also synonymous with gangsta rap and violent lyrics.

American jazz saxophonist (1920–1955)

American jazz trumpeter (1917–1993)

British musician

American composer, musician, pianist (1867/68-1917)

American jazz pianist and composer (1917–1982)

American actor (1957–2008)

George Perry Floyd Jr. was an African American man who was murdered by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest made after a store clerk suspected Floyd had used a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill, on May 25, 2020. One of four police officers who arrived on the scene, Derek Chauvin, knelt on Floyd's neck and back for over nine minutes, fatally asphyxiating him. After his murder, a series of protests against police brutality, especially toward Black people, quickly spread nationally and then globally. His dying words became a rallying slogan: "I can't breathe".

Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 – April 9, 2021), known professionally as DMX, was an American rapper, songwriter, and actor. His accolades included an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, and six Grammy Award nominations. Regarded as an influential figure in the late 1990s and early 2000s and one of the greats of hip-hop, his music is characterized by his "aggressive" rapping style, with lyrical content varying from hardcore themes to prayers. His violent lyricism helped popularize the horrorcore genre.

American jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter, and composer (1930–2015)

American rapper, record producer and actor

American jazz vocalist and composer (born 1950)

American jazz pianist (1909–1956)

American jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader (1922–1979)

American jazz musician and educator

American jazz saxophonist and composer (1933–2023)

American guitarist (1928–2008)

American jazz saxophonist (1923–1990)

American rapper and record producer (born 1971)

American actor and musician

American jazz musician

American jazz saxophonist (1904–1969)

American jazz percussionist, drummer, and composer (1924–2007)

American jazz cornet player and bandleader

American rapper and record executive (born 1980)

American rapper, singer and actor

American ragtime and jazz pianist, bandleader and composer (1890–1941)

American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author (1949–2011)

American jazz saxophonist (1909–1959)

American jazz pianist (1930-2023)

American actress, choreographer, television director, television producer, singer, and dancer (born 1950)

Lawrence Parker (born August 20, 1965), known professionally as KRS-One (; an abbreviation of "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone") and Teacha, is an American rapper from the Bronx. He rose to prominence as part of the hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions, which he formed with DJ Scott La Rock in the mid-1980s. KRS-One is known for his songs "Sound of da Police", "Love's Gonna Get'cha (Material Love)", and "My Philosophy". Boogie Down Productions received numerous awards and critical acclaim in their early years. Following the release of the group's debut album, Criminal Minded, fe

American jazz guitarist (1923–1968)

American jazz pianist and composer (1924–1966)

American trumpeter (1911–1989)

American blues composer and musician (1873–1958)

American jazz pianist (1912–1986)

American jazz pianist (1903–1983)

Hakeem Temidayo Seriki (born November 28, 1979), better known by his stage name Chamillionaire (), is an American rapper. He began his career in Houston's hip hop scene in the late 1990s. He was briefly signed with the local record label Swishahouse until forming the hip hop duo Color Changin' Click with labelmate Paul Wall in 2002. The two signed with Houston's Paid in Full Entertainment to release the collaborative album Get Ya Mind Correct (2002), which entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

William Michael Griffin Jr. (born January 28, 1968), better known by his stage name Rakim (), is an American rapper. He is one half of golden age hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, with whom he released four albums: Paid in Full (1987), Follow the Leader (1988), ''Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990), and Don't Sweat the Technique (1992). He also released five solo albums: The 18th Letter (1997), The Master (1999), The Seventh Seal (2009), G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth'' (2024) and The Re-Up (2025)

American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, film producer, and boxer (1929-2000)

American singer

American jazz drummer (1914–1985)

American DJ and record producer (1955–2014)

American record producer, musician and composer

American jazz pianist (1938–2020)

American jazz drummer (1927–2004)

American jazz organist

American jazz musician (1928–1964)

American jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator and spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (1920–2013)

American jazz musician (1926–2002)

American jazz saxophonist (1936–1970)

American rapper (born 1977)

Panamanian jazz drummer and composer (born 1944)

American record producer and rapper (born 1978)

American jazz trumpeter (1928–1999)

American jazz pianist and poet (1929–2018)

American jazz drummer and group leader (1925–2024)

John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977), known professionally as Fabolous (, ), is an American rapper. Raised in Brooklyn, he first gained recognition for his ability upon performing live on DJ Clue's Hot 97 radio show. Jackson then signed to Clue's record label Desert Storm Records, in a joint venture with Elektra Records. He rose to further prominence with his debut studio album Ghetto Fabolous (2001), which spawned the hit singles "Can't Deny It" (featuring Nate Dogg) and "Young'n (Holla Back)." Adopting a further commercially-oriented approach, his second album, Street Dreams (2003), w

American R&B singer and actor