Sam Cooke had an unmistakable voice: smooth as silk, sweet as honey.

This beloved country star was an African American man whose success in a genre that often marginalized Black artists made him an inspiration for those who believe that country music is for all Americans.

The groundbreaking hip-hop group Public Enemy ushered in a new era of politically and socially conscious rap music that influenced the next several decades of popular music.

After a short career in the Air Force and dabbling in doo-wop groups in his native D.C., Marvin Gaye found himself writing and working as a session drummer for Motown. Ultimately he was called up to the vocal mic, and he got his first taste of sustained success in a series of chart-topping duets with Tammi Terrell.

April is Minnesota Music Month. To celebrate, each weekday this month we'll be spotlighting a different artist with special coverage on air and online. For Wednesday, April 29, we're shining a light on Motion City Soundtrack.

The Time, a smooth-talking funk group, were Prince's first successful protege act and launched the careers of Morris Day and the chart-topping producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

April is Minnesota Music Month. To celebrate, each weekday this month we'll be spotlighting a different artist with special coverage on air and online. For Monday, April 27, we're shining a light on Babes in Toyland.

Polica are one of the most internationally successful groups to come out of Minneapolis in the modern era.

April is Minnesota Music Month. To celebrate, each weekday this month we'll be spotlighting a different artist with special coverage on air and online. For Tuesday, April 21, we're shining a light on Prince.

April is Minnesota Music Month. To celebrate, each weekday this month we'll be spotlighting a different artist with special coverage on air and online. For Monday, April 20, we're shining a light on Semisonic.