Not to get all nitpicky and geeky but freestyle is technically hispanic, not "black"... :P
Here's some 80's electro:
[youtube=560,345]I280cxs2jvA[/youtube]
[youtube=560,345]1waaDyVt5lY[/youtube]
House music, while it now has a worldwide fanbase, got its start in gay/black Chicago underground clubs, here's some early 80's house:
[youtube=560,345]mQcg-dRg5h4[/youtube]
[youtube=560,345]tFuujExs03A[/youtube]
And this one... this'll sound familiar:
[youtube=560,345]sklZ-f6Wstw[/youtube]
Title: Re: Recommend me some 80's 'black' music that isn't rap
Post by: muckhole on July 21, 2009, 08:17:56 PM
[youtube=560,345]cTsw4g-cxgQ[/youtube]
Title: Re: Recommend me some 80's 'black' music that isn't rap
Post by: Bildi on July 21, 2009, 10:52:52 PM
OH SHIT NIGHTSHIFT.
:bow :bow :bow :bow
I quite like Seal, but he really hit in 1990.
Title: Re: Recommend me some 80's 'black' music that isn't rap
Post by: Akala on July 21, 2009, 11:51:52 PM
[youtube=560,345]OdQDXs75Ulo[/youtube]
[youtube=560,345]JWsRz3TJDEY[/youtube]
[youtube=560,345]81QDKnV36TE[/youtube]
[youtube=560,345]UhoU7lINYxk[/youtube]
spoiler (click to show/hide)
was gonna be too $hort - the ghetto, but that was 1990...this will have to suffice. :(
[youtube=560,345]gt0LBlH3dAc[/youtube]
[close]
Title: Re: Recommend me some 80's 'black' music that isn't rap
Post by: ToxicAdam on July 22, 2009, 12:03:54 AM
It's tough because it's right before the New Jack era and there were a lot of lightweight boy bands (New Edition, Hi-Five) and some stuff that doesn't really stand up anymore (Midnite Starr, El Debarge). The early 80's was mostly black acts recovering from the disco era. or dabbling in synth music.
Soul II Soul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= jLHMAFfXYNY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= CiimhNjU_qc
Anita Baker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= W3NKFiUeb58
"Giving you the best I got" is probably her best song (and probably a top ten R&B song of the decade)
Terrence Trent D'arby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= K-Uz-dPANDY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmi_qbUGCKo
Even though they were Hispanic and bubblegum pop, you know who were REALLY good? The Jets. Or maybe I'm just a sucker for their cute lead singer.
Prince was pretty prolific in the 80's as he kept writing songs and churning out hits. The Time (Jungle Love), Sheena Easton (Sugar Walls), Chaka Khan (I Feel for You)
Title: Re: Recommend me some 80's 'black' music that isn't rap
Post by: bork on July 22, 2009, 02:22:23 AM
Rockwell. Motown founder Barry Gordy's son, IIRC. He only got (some) fame because of his song "Somebody's Watching Me," and that's only because Michael Jackson is on the chorus. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu1RP34FLXU [youtube=560,345]Uu1RP34FLXU[/youtube]
Then years later, you have the Beatfreakz taking MJ's part and making that kick-ass song/video. [youtube=560,345]Lh8_4qqX5bo[/youtube]
Title: Re: Recommend me some 80's 'black' music that isn't rap
Post by: Fresh Prince on July 22, 2009, 02:35:50 AM
ToxicAdam :bow2
The 80's seemed to be that transistory period where soul was dying, RnB was still young and synth was coming in. It has it's charms.
Title: Re: Recommend me some 80's 'black' music that isn't rap
Post by: Phoenix Dark on July 22, 2009, 03:10:25 AM
[youtube=560,345]W0Sp5aXxeHs[/youtube]
Title: Re: Recommend me some 80's 'black' music that isn't rap
Post by: ToxicAdam on July 22, 2009, 03:56:27 AM
Damn, upon further review the New Jack era started in 1988. You had Troop, Guy, Bobby Brown. Tony! Toni! Tone! all with their debut albums.