100 Years of Black Music
In honor of Black Music Month, Oxford University Press and the African American Studies Center presents to you a timeline of 100 years in music.
From Ma Rainey to Frankie Lymon to RuPaul, African American musicians have achieved several firsts in the past one hundred years. Celebrate over a century of historical accomplishments with iconic musicians who continue to musically inspire current and future generations.
1901-01-01 11:28:40
"Easy Winners"
Easy Winners by Scott Joplin
1901-11-13 10:35:49
"I’ll Overcome Someday"
Charles Tindley publishes the gospel song "I’ll Overcome Someday."
1902-01-01 11:28:40
Ma Rainey
First black to sing the blues in a professional show.
1912-01-01 11:28:40
Scott Joplin
First black composer to write a black folk opera.
1921-01-01 11:28:40
Shuffle Along
Shuffle Along opens on Broadway.
1921-01-01 11:28:40
Pace Phonograph Corporation
First record company owned and operated by a black person. Later known as Black Swan Records, they were the first widely distributed label to be owned and operated by, and marketed to, African Americans.
1923-01-01 11:28:40
"Downhearted Blues"
"Downhearted Blues" by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake.
1923-01-01 11:28:40
Harlem Renaissance
The Vogue of the New Negro.
1923-01-01 11:28:40
Bessie Smith
First record made by a black person that has sold over a million copies.
1925-09-05 23:03:07
Révue Nègre
Josephine Baker’s Révue Nègre takes Paris by storm.
1929-01-01 11:28:40
"St. Louis Blues"
"St. Louis Blues" by Louis Amrstrong
1934-01-01 11:28:40
"Honeysuckle Rose"
"Honeysuckle Rose" by Fats Waller.
1934-01-01 11:28:40
The Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater opens in Harlem, New York.
1937-05-19 13:30:43
Billie Holliday
First time a black woman and a white band share the same stage.
1939-11-13 10:35:49
Marian Anderson
First black to sing before a reigning British Monarch at the White House.
1949-02-14 06:53:38
Lionel Hampton
First black musician to perform for a presidential inauguration.
1952-01-01 11:28:40
Vee Jay Records
Vee Jay Records is founded in Chicago, IL by husband and wife, James and Vivian Bracken
1954-06-30 05:05:05
Sh-boom
Sh-boom was the first rock 'n' roll record.
1955-06-30 05:05:05
"Maybellene"
"Maybellene" by Chuck Berry
1955-06-30 05:05:05
Robert McFerrin
First black man to join the Metropolitan Opera.
1956-06-30 05:05:05
Dizzy Gillespie
First black to make an overseas tour sponsored by the United States Department of State.
1956-06-30 05:05:05
Frankie Lymon
First black American teen heartthrob.
1959-09-05 23:03:07
Motown Records
Motown Records was founded by Berry Gordy.
1959-09-05 23:03:07
Ella Fitzgerald
First black woman to win a Grammy.
1959-09-05 23:03:07
Count Basie
First black man to win a Grammy.
1960-06-30 05:05:05
"At Last"
"At Last" by Etta James.
1961-09-05 23:03:07
Quincy Jones Jr.
First black president of a white record company.
1964-06-30 05:05:05
"How Sweet It Is"
"How Sweet It Is" by Marvin Gaye.
1964-09-05 23:03:07
"Baby Love"
"Baby Love" by The Supremes.
1964-09-05 23:03:07
T-Neck Records
The Isley Brothers found T-Neck Records.
1965-09-05 23:03:07
"Respect"
"Respect" by Aretha Franklin.
1971-09-05 23:03:07
"I Wanna Be Where You Are"
"I Wanna Be Where You Are" by Michael Jackson.
1971-09-05 23:03:07
Philadelphia International Records
Renowned writing duo Gamble and Huff establish Philadelphia International Records, developing the “Philly Sound.”
1977-09-05 23:03:07
"Jammin"
"Jammin" by Bob Marley.
1977-09-05 23:03:07
Chuck Berry
First songs sung by a black person to be sent out of the solar system.
1979-09-05 23:03:07
Ray Charles
First person of any race to perform before the Georgia Assembly.
1980-09-05 23:03:07
Off the Wall
Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall album becomes the first to produce four top ten hits.
1981-02-14 06:53:38
Wheels of Steel
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five release Wheels of Steel, the first recorded album to use sampling and scratch techniques.
1982-06-30 05:05:05
"A Night to Remember"
"A Night to Remember" by Shalamar
1983-01-01 11:28:40
Def Jam Records
Russell Simmons founded Def Jam Records.
1983-09-05 23:03:07
Michael Jackson
The album "Thriller" was the first to produce five top singles.
1984-09-05 23:03:07
Wynton Marsalis
First black instrumentalist to simultaneously receive Grammy awards as best classical and jazz soloist.
1986-05-30 01:26:53
Aretha Franklin
First black woman selected for the induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1987-05-30 01:26:53
"I Wanna Dance With Somebody"
"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston.
1988-05-30 01:26:53
DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince
First rap group to win a Grammy award.
1988-11-08 04:39:42
Queen Latifah
First woman to make a breakthrough in the male-dominated field of rap music.
1992-05-30 01:26:53
Boyz II Men
First black group to have a record at the top of Billboard's Hot One Hundred chart.
1992-05-30 01:26:53
RuPaul
First drag queen recording star.
1994-12-07 21:28:46
"Juicy"
"Juicy" by the Notorious B.I.G.
1998-05-30 01:26:53
"Doo-Wop (That Thing)"
"Doo-Wop (That Thing)" by Lauryn Hill