Celebrating Black History: Timeless music legends

Throughout the past four weeks, Mixmag has been celebrating the seminal music figures who have helped shape today's thriving culture. Previously, there highlights of Detroit's techno icons, women who shaped the scene, forging house pioneers. To bring the series to a close, today homage is paid to the most important, the most crucial and the most inspirational. These are the artists whose influence surpass any era or genre and whose critical sound gave to the development of every talent thereafter. These are the timeless music legends.

Known by many names, Prince Rogers Nelson was a passionate, promiscuous, unbelievably talented soul. The seven-time Grammy winner gave the world hits like 'Purple Rain', 'Let's Go Crazy' and 'Pop Life', but above all, Prince taught the masses the importance and beauty of self-expression, freedom of sexuality and the far-reaching power of music. There isn't much that can give justice to the impact of the famed musician, who tragically passed away last year, but we can all take seven minutes out of the day to appreciate one of his most iconic performances below.

Nile Rodgers is one of the most prominent guitarists and musicians in history. The New York native started as one of the lead instrumentalists touring with the Sesame Street band and played behind legends like Jay Hawkins, Aretha Franklin and Maxine Brown as a teen at the Apollo Theatre. His most iconic position was as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the fundamental disco group Chic. His has a trademark playing style and the type of undeniable funk that inhibits irresistible movement, his sound spreading widely across collaborations with every high-profile artist imaginable.

The famed King Of Pop and arguably the most iconic figure in American music is Michael Jackson, who provided the world with countless Grammy-winning hits, the glorious moonwalk and incomparable showmanship. Jackson was one of the highest profiled celebrities, both on and off the stage. Through his illustrious career and controversial life, his talent and musical gift was unconditional and undeniable.

“The Godfather of Soul” introduced a unique and powerful style of music that took the world by storm. Brown grew up impoverished as a child in Georgia before finding his passions in music. After moving to New York City, the funk master recorded his first hit to reach No. 1 on the R&B charts, ‘Try Me’. From then, the rest is history as James put out more iconic titles including ‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’ and ‘It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World’ in the 60s.

One of the most seminal figures for R&B and groove, Marvin Gaye is a classic among any budding artist. Famous for a perfectly smooth, sultry voice and deep, soulful vibrations, Gaye revolutionized sexiness in music throughout the 70s and 80s. His hits ‘Let’s Get It On’, ‘What’s Going On’ and ‘How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)’ are synonymous with good times and even better feels.

The grouping of Tribe Called Quest paved the way for progressive, alternative rap music across the globe. Between experimental beat-making, quick slick lyrics and smart social commentary, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi White and the late Phife Dawg revolutionized an entire artistic movement.

Jimmy Hendrix, a true rockstar of the 1960s era, is celebrated as one of the most critical artists of American history. Not only did Hendrix teach the world how to feel soul and psychedelic emotion in music, but that anything (even the Star Spangled Banner) could sound absolutely incredible on an electric guitar. He stood for keeping the horizons wide and welcoming alternative mediums of melody.

The jazz connoisseur Miles Davis, acclaimed across the globe as the most influential leader of the genre, began his musical journey in the heart of New York City. There's hardly need for much more introduction for Davis, who’s won nine Grammy Awards, multiple Hall Of Fame titles and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Enjoy one of his most famous performances below.

Sydney is Mixmag's US Digital Content Editor. Follow her on Twitter here