The Current

Great Music Lives Here ®
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now

Listen to 'Good Times: The Evolution of Black Music' episode 4 - Contemporary Hip Hop and R&B

Common performing in New York in 2019.
Common performing in New York in 2019.American Public Media
  Play Now [1:01:25]

by Debonaire

June 29, 2021

June is Black Music Month, and every Monday night at 10 throughout the month of June, The Current features a special program, Good Times: The Evolution of Black Music. Hosted by Debonaire, we'll celebrate Black music and its contributions to America's musical landscape.

For episode 4, we dig deep in the crates for some of the best in Hip Hop and R&B.

Program Playlist


Common, "Da Corner"
Lauryn Hill, "To Zion"
LaBelle, "Lady Marmalade"
Maze, "We Are One"
Whitney Houston, "Didn't We Almost Have It All"
Luther Vandross, "Don't You Know That"
Boogie Down Productions, "My Philosophy"
Chaka Kahn, "Papillon" (aka "Hot Butterfly")
Kanye West, "Homecoming"
Rihanna, "Work"
Marvin Gaye, "I Want You"
Mary J. Blige, "Everything"
Jay Z, "Can't Knock The Hustle"