The following are short descriptions of the groups and organizations which have contributed to the shaping of African American history. These encyclopedia entries serve as a starting point for much more inclusive descriptions and discussions that appear in other sources. For additional information please consult the print or website sources cited in the entry.
Dead Prez is hip hop music group that includes members Khnum Muata “stic.man” Ibomu and Mutulu “M-1” Olugbala. The group known for their hit singles including, “Hip Hop,” “Wolves,” “Mind Sex,” and “Hell Yeah (Pimp the System).” Ibomu was born Clayton Gavin on March 6, … Read MoreDead Prez (1996- )
Xscape is a female R&B group from Atlanta, Georgia. The group includes Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, Kandi Burrus, LaTocha Scott, and Tamika Scott. Xscape were established in 1992. The group originally included another member, Tamera Coggins-Wynn who left in 1993. Producer Jermaine Dupri Mauldin “discovered” the … Read MoreXscape (1992- )
At the beginning of the Civil War, there were approximately two million enslaved women. An estimated 500,000 of these women fled from slavery as soon as white men left their plantations and homes to join the Confederate army. Those fleeing from slavery escaped to Union-occupied … Read MoreContraband Relief Association (1862-1865)
As American settlers moved westward in the mid 19tth century they encountered the vast Mexican territory of Texas y Coahuila. Sparsely populated with fertile land, this Mexican territory was attractive to U.S. land speculators, southern plantation owners, and slave traders. Landowners could cultivate cotton, rice, … Read MoreBlacks and the Texas Revolution (1835-1836)
Digital Underground is a hip-hop group from Oakland, California. The group consists of Gregory Edward “Shock G” Jacobs, Jimi “Chopmaster J” Dright Jr, DJ Fuse, Ronald “Money-B” Brooks, and others over the career of the group. Digital Underground was credited in helping launch the career … Read MoreDigital Underground (1987-2008)
The Sylvers, an R&B family vocal ensemble, was officially formed in the Watts section of Los Angeles, California in 1971. The four older siblings, however, had performed and recorded earlier as the Little Angels. The group members comprised singer Olympia Ann Sylvers, born October 13, … Read MoreThe Sylvers (1971-1985)
The R&B doo-wop ensemble Brenda & the Tabulations began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1966. They comprised vocalist/ lyricist Brenda J. Payton (Hill), born in the city on October 24, 1945, composer/ guitarist Eddie L. Jackson, born in 1947 in Forest City, North Carolina, Maurice Coates … Read MoreBrenda & the Tabulations (1966-1987)
The Monotones were a six-member American doo-wop group in the 1950s. Though they recorded other songs, they had only one hit single, “The Book of Love,” which reached No. 5 on the Billboard 100 chart in 1958. The teenagers lived in Baxter Housing Project and … Read MoreThe Monotones (1957-1962)
The Snap Rap movement ensemble D4L (Down For Life) was formed in 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was organized by Shawty Lo, born Carlos Rico Walker on March 22, 1976, in Moultrie, Georgia. It also included Fabo also known as 2$ Fabo who was born … Read MoreD4L (2003-2006)
R&B doo-wop, balladeer duo Don & Juan hail from Long Beach, New York. They are pianist, vocalist Roland “Don” Anderson Trone, who was born on July 2, 1936, in Birmingham, Alabama and reared in Long Beach and composer, lyricist, vocalist Claude “Juan” Johnson, born November … Read MoreDon & Juan (1962-2002)
