Black Music Month - June 2025: Celebrities Name Favorite Male R&B Singer

  

By Darlene Donloe

June is Black Music Month, a great time to celebrate its rich history.

Black musicians, singers, writers, and producers have contributed incredibly to the music industry for centuries.

This month is set aside to pay homage to all those individuals who, through their music, have made us smile, laugh, cry, dance, tap our feet, clap our hands, and swivel our hips.

President Jimmy Carter officially designated Black Music Month on June 7, 1979. It was during a reception at the White House, which featured performances by Chuck Berry, Billy Eckstine, Little Richard, and Andre Crouch.

June was first deemed ‘Black Music Month’ by Jimmy Carter and campaigned for by songwriter and producer Kenneth Gamble back in 1979.

Gamble brought forth the month, along with Cleveland radio DJ Ed Wright and media strategist Dyana Williams.

On May 31, 2016, President Barack Obama declared the month of June 2016 – ‘African American Music Appreciation Month’ in a presidential proclamation.

As the nation’s first Black president, Obama felt strongly that an official proclamation was more appropriate than just ‘Black Music Month’.

His proclamation calls Black music “Among the most innovative and powerful art the world has ever known.” President Obama called upon “Public officials, educators, and people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and foster an appreciation of African American music composed, arranged, or performed.

I caught up with some celebrities and asked them the following question.

Who are your top three male R&B singers?

Wendy Raquel Robinson

WENDY RAQUEL ROBINSON: Prince, Michael Jackson, and Luther Vandross. My mother wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t say, Lou Rawls.

Michael Colyar

MICHAEL COLYAR (comedian) Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, and Marvin Gaye.

Bob James

BOB JAMES (musician)– Luther Vandross, Joe Williams, and El DeBarge.

Dave Koz

DAVE KOZ – Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway, and Al Green.

Gina Torres

GINA TORRES: Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway. 

Tarell Alvin McCraney

TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY (‘Moonlight, also Geffen Playhouse artistic director) Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, and Michael Jackson.

Edwin Lee Gibson

EDWIN LEE GIBSON (The Bear) Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, and Al Green. 

Hattie Winston

HATTIE WINSTON: Teddy Pendergrass, Gregory Porter, Leslie Odom Jr.

Charles Floyd Johnson

CHARLES FLOYD JOHNSON (producer): Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson.

Matty Rich

MATTY RICH (Director – Birth of a Black Underworld, Straight Out of Brooklyn, The Inkwell) Luther Vandross, Tank, and Isaac Hayes.

Brandon Victor Dixon

BRANDON VICTOR DIXON (Broadway star and Emmy-nominated actor) Marvin Gaye, Wanya Morris, and Ray Charles.  My second three would be Luther Vandross, Jackie Wilson, and Levi Stubbs.