Rapper Khia also known as Shamone Finch Chambers, was born on November 8, 1977, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Carol Belinda Chambers, a data entry specialist. Information regarding Khia’s father is not available. However, she spent her foundational years in Germantown, Pennsylvania. At the age of … Read MoreKhia/Shamone Finch Chambers (1977- )
The Andantes were a female group used primarily for background vocals for the Motown record label. The group’s founding began with friends Jackie Hicks (first alto), Marlene Barrow (second alto), and Vicki Wright (soprano). All three women sang in their home churches and were already … Read MoreThe Andantes (1958-1992)
Anthony “Tone Loc” Terrell Smith is an American rapper and actor. Smith was born on March 3, 1966 to Margaret and James Smith in Los Angeles, California. His father died when he was six years old which left his mother to raise him and his … Read MoreTone Loc/ Anthony Terrell Smith (1966- )
Mickey and Sylvia were a popular R&B duo in the 1950s known for their hit song “Love is Strange.” In 1957, the single topped the R&B chart at No.11 and sold over one million copies. It was awarded a gold disc by the Recording Industry … Read MoreMickey and Sylvia (1955-1965)
Rockwell, who goes by the selected stage name to avoid charges of nepotism, was born Kennedy William Gordy on March 15, 1964, in Detroit, Michigan, to Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label, and Margaret Norton. He has seven siblings, Berry IV, Hazel, Kendal, … Read MoreRockwell (1964- )
In 1967, legendary composers/lyricists Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland left Motown Records to establish the Invictus/Hot Wax record labels in Detroit, Michigan. Over the years they had composed 130 charting songs for Motown Records, but they felt Berry Gordy did not compensate them … Read MoreThe Chairmen of the Board (1968-1976)
Antonio “Big Daddy Kane” Hardy is an American rapper who was originally a member of the New York City hip-hop group the Juice Crew. Hardy was born on September 10, 1968, to unnamed parents in Brooklyn, New York City. His father was a truck driver … Read MoreBig Daddy Kane/ Antonio Hardy (1968- )
The R&B novelty records artist Frankie Smith was born Franklyn Leon Smith in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 29, 1953, to Mary Josephine Smith, who worked at the commissary of the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. He began playing the piano in 1961 at the age of 8 … Read MoreFrankie Smith (1953-2019)
Adolph Robert “Young Dolph” Thornton Jr was an American rapper. Thornton was born on July 27, 1985, to Adolph Thornton Sr and an unnamed mother in Chicago, Illinois. He also had two sisters and two brothers. He was a second cousin to rapper Jarad Anthony … Read MoreYoung Dolph/ Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. (1985-2021)
Niggaz Wit Attitudes, also known as NWA, is a West Coast Hip-Hop group who became one of the most influential groups in Hip-Hop history. NWA included Eric “Eazy-E” Wright, Andre Ronell “Dr. Dre” Young, O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson Sr, Lorenzo “MC Ren” Jerald Patterson, Antoine … Read MoreNiggaz Wit Attitudes (NWA) (1987-1991)
