African American Music Appreciation Month, also dubbed as Black Music Month, was first commemorated by President Jimmy Carter on June 7,1979. Since then we celebrate how our culture uses music throughout the month. Even though music is a universal language, black music is especially potent because our beats do more than just make you sing, dance, or spit a bar. Our music often talks about deep racial and social economic struggle, as well as faith. Artists like Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson became icons as they created memorable hits that made us dance or talk about social injustice. Whitney Houston wowed us and became a mega superstar with songs like “I Will Always Love You” and “I’m Every Woman”. 2Pac and Notorious B.I.G reigned the 90s (and their west coast and east coast, respectively) by changing the game in the world of hip-hop. Missy Elliott and TLC gave us songs on black female empowerment. All of these artists’ legacies paved the way for new artists today in the hip-hop & R&B genre. To celebrate Black Music Month here’s a playlist featuring  the best of Hip Hop and R&B, past and present:

1. Notorious B.I.G– Hypnotize
2. Tupac Shakur- Dear Mama
3. Stevie Wonder- That Girl
4. Prince- When Doves Cry
5. Michael Jackson- Rock With You
6. Marvin Gaye- Sexual Healing
7. Earth, Wind & Fire-Reasons
8. Al Green- Let’s Stay Together
9. Usher- You Wanna Make Me
10. TLC- Creep
11. Destiny’s Child- Say My Name
12. Xscape- Just Kickin It
13. Lauryn Hill- Doo Woo (That Thing)
14. Eve feat. Gwen Stefani- Let Me Blow Your Mind
15. Aaliyah- We Need A Resolution
16. Salt N Pepa- Push It
17. Alicia Keys- If I Ain’t Go You
18. Boyz II Men- End of the Road
19. Sade- No Ordinary Love
20. A Tribe Called Quest- Scenario
21. D’Angelo- Brown Sugar
22. En Vogue- Hold On
23. Salt N’ Pepa feat. En Vogue- Whatta Man
24. P. Diddy feat. Miss Evans- I’ll Be Missing You
25. House of Pain- Jump Around
26. Mary J. Blige- Be Without You
27. Jay-z- Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
28. Blackstreet- No Diggity
29. Kendrick Lamar-HUMBLE
30. Beyonce– Formation
31. Nicki Minaj- Superbass
32. 50 Cent- In Da Club
33. Nas- NY State of Mind
34. Genuwine- Pony
35. Outkast- Ms. Jackson
36. Missy Elliot- Work It
37. Kelis- Milkshake
38. Montell Jordan- This Is How We Do It
39. Monica feat. Brandy- The Boy Is Mine
40. Tweet- Oops (Oh My)
41. Fugees- Killing Me Softly With His Song
42. Coolio-Gangsta’s Paradise
43. Snoop Dogg- Drop Like Its Hot
44. Kc & Jo Jo- All My Life
45. Brian McKnight- Back At One
46. Sir Mix A lot- Baby Got Back
47. Wu-Tang Clan- C.R.E.A.M
48. Nelly- Hot in Herre
49. Will Smith- Get Jiggy With It
50. Pharell- Happy