Artist Index How to use Artist INDEX

Michael Jackson　

Michael Jackson was unquestionably the biggest pop star of the ’80s, and certainly one of the most popular recording artists of all time. In his prime, Jackson was an unstoppable juggernaut, possessed ..more

Mariah Carey　

Pop diva Mariah Carey has made a successful comeback with ’Charmbracelet’, the first on Carey’s MonarC imprint via Island Def Jam. Despite her 2001 soundtrack disappointment ’Glitter’, Carey, in fact, ..more

Marvin Gaye　

One of the most gifted, visionary, and enduring talents ever launched into orbit by the Motown hit machine, Marvin Gaye blazed the trail for the continued evolution of popular black music. Movin ..more

Mary J.Blige　

When her debut album, What’s the 411?, hit the street in 1992, critics and fans alike were floored by its powerful combination of modern R＆B with an edgy rap sound that glanced off of the pai ..more

Mahalia Jackson　

General critical consensus holds Mahalia Jackson as the greatest gospel singer ever to live; a major crossover success whose popularity extended across racial divides, she was gospel’s first ..more

Macy Gray　

Macy Gray parlayed an utterly unique voice and an outlandish sense of style into R＆B stardom at the turn of the millennium, appealing to audiences of all colors in search of a fresh alternative ..more

Massive Attack　

The pioneering force behind the rise of trip-hop, Massive Attack were among the most innovative and influential groups of their generation; their hypnotic sound -- a darkly sensual and cinematic ..more

Meters　

The Meters defined New Orleans funk, not only on their own recordings, but also as the backing band for numerous artists, including many produced by Allen Toussaint. Where the funk of Sl ..more

Melba Moore　

There were early signs that Melba Moore would become an entertainer. The most obvious motivation was her mother, Bonnie Davis, who was also a successful singer. Witnessing the success that her m ..more

Maceo Parker　

One of the key sonic architects of funk, Maceo Parker first became a legend for his work with James Brown, whose impassioned shouts for a sax solo (Maceo! Blow your horn!) would make Park ..more

Mum　

Iceland pop experimentalists Mum were formed by Gunnar Orn Tynes, Orvar Poreyjarson Smarason, and classically trained twin sisters Gyoa and Kristin Anna Valtysdottir. Formed in 1997, ..more

Millie Jackson　

Millie Jackson’s first taste of singing in front of an audience occurred one night at the famed nightclub Smalls Paradise. Sitting in the audience with friends, Jackson heckled the lady onsta ..more

Meshell Ndegeocello　

Although Me’Shell Ndegeocello scored a few hits early in her career, the singer/bassist opted to concentrate subsequently on more challenging material by exploring the politics of race and sex, amo ..more

Major Lazer　

Major Lazer is the digital reggae/dancehall project of Diplo (Philadelphia’s Wes Pentz) and Switch (London’s Dave Taylor), two globetrotting, tastemaking DJ/producers whose previous col ..more

Margie Joseph　

Frequently compared to Aretha Franklin, singer Margie Joseph earned neither the fame nor the critical success lavished upon the Queen of Soul, but a series of excellent records for Atlantic d ..more

Minilogue　

Mint Condition　

Formed in the early ’80s in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Mint Condition began as lead singer Stokley Williams, guitarist Homer O’Dell, keyboardist Larry Waddell, keyboardist/saxophonist Jeff Al ..more

Martha Reeves & Vandellas　

Along with the Supremes, Martha ＆ the Vandellas defined the distaff side of the Motown sound in the ’60s; their biggest hits, including Heat Wave, Dancing in the Street, and {＆Nowh ..more

Marvelettes　

Probably the most pop-oriented of Motown’s major female acts, the Marvelettes didn’t project as strong an identity as the Supremes, Mary Wells, or Martha Reeves, but recorded quite a ..more

Moodymann　

Kenny Dixon, Jr.’s outspoken views on the state of black techno and his aversion to publicity put him in a league occupied by few Detroit producers other than Underground Resistance supremo M ..more