Black creativity and entrepreneurship have been at the forefront of popular music for decades, and names like Berry Gordy and Russell Simmons have been absorbed into the national consciousness for the roles that their creativity and entrepreneurship, in particular, played in taking black music to the masses. But there are other names, somewhat lesser-celebrated, who also blazed a trail for black music, black business and black vision.
While one can’t deny the importance of Gordy’s Motown Records, music fans should also remember the brilliance of the Memphis-based Stax Records — another mainstay of ’60s-’70s soul that helped define the era. Simmons’ Def Jam Recordings is the most recognized label in hip-hop — and for good reason. But it wasn’t the first hip-hop label, that distinction belongs to Sugarhill Records.
There are many brilliant minds that can stake a claim to the canon of black music — and popular music, in general. And many who were mavericks and music industry visionaries, with an eye for talent or a knack for marketing and promotion.
Here are five somewhat forgotten moguls who helped shape the sound of American music.
– stereo williams
