Black History Month - Famous Black Artists

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Across
  1. 2. This rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer popularized the use of auto-tune. He surprised the nation with his beautiful singing voice on the Masked Singer in 2019, winning the season.
  2. 4. This rap group brought hip hop into the musical and cultural mainstream, creating what is known as “new-school” rap. They were also the first rap act to appear on MTV, which was tricky to do at the time! Hint: First word of the group’s name is a synonym for sprint.
  3. 6. This singer-songwriter/actress was the lead singer of Destiny’s Child when she was a single lady. She bey-came a solo artist and years later was the first black woman to headline Coachella in 2018.
  4. 8. Quick to receive fame, this LGBTQ+ Gen-Z rapper became well-known for his first release – a country song.
  5. 9. This musician became the lead singer of a rock band in the 1980s called “Hootie & and the Blowfish.” In 2009, he became the first black American to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association. He is now known for writing country music.
  6. 12. This singer’s career took off in the 1980s, becoming a pop sensation quickly! She also became famous by entering into the movie industry. Her most famous songs include “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “I Will Always Love You.”
  7. 13. This musician began as an actor on Degrassi, but later became one of the world’s biggest rappers. He started from the bottom, made it to the charts, and hasn’t left since.
  8. 14. This artist was one of the most influential black artists of the 20th century, shredding on the electric guitar and became one of the most innovative guitar players of the rock era. He was known for playing the guitar behind is head or picking strings with his teeth!
  9. 15. Known as the “Queen of Hip Hop,” this artist was a pioneer for feminism, gender equality, and body positivity. She revolutionized the sound of R&B and hip hop. Her music videos were experimental and paved the way for future hip hop music video themes. She really knew how to work it in the music industry.
Down
  1. 1. This Jazz artist was not only famous for his ability to play the trumpet, but also really well known for his rich, raspy voice. He became the first African American to receive money from a major Hollywood movie in the 1930s. This artist’s signature songs, “What a Wonderful World,” did not become a hit until after his passing.
  2. 3. This female artist achieved enormous success in the early 2000s with her blend of R&B and soul music. Her songs are often about female empowerment, love, and heartbreak. This girl was on fire, let me tell ya!
  3. 5. The “King of Pop” started his musical journey at the age of 5, becoming a lead singer in his family’s band. He later became one of the most famous black artists in the world. His death crashed the internet on that day.
  4. 7. This Jamaican artist was an ambassador of reggae music for the world. He gave voice to the day-to day struggle of the Jamaican experience, from oppression to spirituality and strength. You might recognize a little song he wrote, but you might not sing it note for note.
  5. 10. Reaching worldwide fame in the 1980s, he was a prolific singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer, dancer and performer on many instruments. His sound went from funk and soul to disco to punk, heavy metal, and hip hop. One of this artist’s most famous songs is named after a royal color of precipitation.
  6. 11. Former child prodigy, this artist is known as one of the most creative musical figures of the 20th century. Although blind, this artist did not let that stop him from being a pioneer and influence in a range of genres. He didn’t let superstition get in the way of being a one-man band.