10 Times POC Musicians Made History
#10: Jennifer Lopez & Shakira
All Latin Superbowl
In 1992, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine became the first Latin band to take the stage at the Superbowl halftime show. 28 years later, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez came together to give the world its first ever all-Latin Superbowl halftime show. Shakira opened with a medley of songs in both Spanish and English with special guest Bad Bunny. JLo then took us through some of her greatest hits with an assist from J. Balvin, before uniting with her daughter and Shakira to close out the show with a bang. The performance was an absolute spectacle showcasing the hallmarks of Latin pop music. It became one of the most watched halftime shows and won multiple awards including four primetime Emmys nominations, winning one.
#9: Lin–Manuel Miranda
“Hamilton”
For over 200 years, there has been a certain fixed image of America’s founding fathers, propelled in schools and through books and documentaries. Then came Lin-Manuel Miranda. Inspired by Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton biography, Miranda developed a play based on the life of America’s first treasury secretary. But this wasn't a straight-laced or faithful adaptation. “Hamilton” tells its story through hip hop and R&B/soul infused show tunes and stars a diverse cast as the founding fathers, with Miranda initially portraying Alexander Hamilton. The play debuted in 2015 and instantly became a national phenomenon, receiving high praise for its cultural re-telling of America’s story. It won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and 11 Tony Awards and shattered box office records.
#8: DJ Kool Herc
The Merry-Go-Round
Hip-hop is one of music’s most successful and influential genres, a fact belied by its humble origins at a 1973 Bronx block party. 18-year-old Clive Campbell, better known as DJ Kool Herc, threw a party with his sister to help her earn some extra cash. He emceed the party, debuting a technique that revolutionized the music business: the Merry-Go-Round. He used two versions of the same record to extend the drumbeat instrumental or “break” part of the song. Once the break on the first record was nearly complete, he switched over to the second record and started the break again. Pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa developed the technique further, catapulting hip hop from the turntables to the music juggernaut it is today.
#7: Bad Bunny
“El Último Tour Del Mundo” & “Un Verano Sin Ti”
Bad Bunny had his big break on the 2018 single “I Like it” with J. Balvin and Cardi B and things only went up from there. His third studio album, “El Último Tour Del Mundo,” was the first all-Spanish album to reach number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. His next album “Un Verano Sin Ti” topped that when it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and spent 6 months in the Top 2, a new record. The album also won numerous awards and as of July 2025 is Spotify’s most streamed album. His concert tours have been massive sellouts with his third tour, El Último Tour Del Mundo 2022, grossing $117 million and becoming the fastest selling tour since 2018.
#6: Ella Fitzgerald
First Grammy by an African-American Woman
Overcoming a reportedly rough childhood, Ella Fitzgerald had her debut at 17 years old in New York’s Apollo Theater. What followed was an astounding 5 decades-plus career that saw Fitzgerald release 50 studio albums and numerous live albums and singles. She’s the 1st African American woman to win a Grammy, receiving the awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Jazz Performance, while Count Basie was the first African-American man both winning at the 1st ceremony in 1959. As the civil rights movement gained traction, Fitzgerald’s victory was further proof that African Americans, like all people of color, can reach the greatest heights of success. She would go on to receive 12 more Grammy Awards, the NAACP’s inaugural President’s Award, the National Medal of Arts, and many other accolades.
#5: BTS
K-Pop Goes Gold
We’re betting it's nearly impossible nowadays to find a young person who hasn’t at least heard of BTS, and with good reason. The South Korean boy band has been at the forefront of K-pop’s explosive rise in popularity. They were the first K-pop group to perform on an American award show, performing their 2017 single “DNA” at the American Music Awards, and also the first to perform on “Saturday Night Live.” Their single “Mic Drop” further pushed the envelope when it became the first single from a Korean group to be certified Gold in the US. We could keep gushing about how, as of July 2025, BTS are the best-selling Korean group, but at this point it's fairly obvious we’re loyal members of the ARMY.
#4: Kendrick Lamar
2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music
Kendrick Lamar has consistently been ranked among the world’s greatest rappers with the awards, critical reviews, and fan support to show for it. One of his most unique honors came when he was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his fourth studio album “Damn.” The Pulitzer board cited the album’s impressive track listing, Lamar’s dynamic rhythm and his ability to capture modern African American life in making their selection. Lamar is the first musician outside the classical and jazz genres to win this award, cementing him as one of the most accomplished songwriters not just in hip hop but in the greater music industry.
#3: Aretha Franklin
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Presidential Medal of Freedom
Aretha Franklin had a career so remarkable that she twice earned the distinction of being “Rolling Stone’s” greatest singer of all time. Born in Memphis, Tennessee Franklin's career lasted through seven decades. Timeless hits such as “(You Make Me Feel Like ) a Natural Woman” and “Respect” cemented her reputation as a stellar performer and earned her the nickname “Queen of Soul.” 1987 saw her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the first female artist to receive this honor. A supporter of various social and civil rights causes, she was also awarded a Pulitzer Prize special citation and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
#2: Beyoncé
Grammy Goddess & Cowboy Carter
The Grammy Award is one of music’s most well-known and coveted awards. To win one Grammy is a notable accomplishment, to win thirty-five is nothing short of extraordinary. From a successful career with Destiny’s Child to over 200 million records sold as a solo artist, Beyoncé’s career has been unparalleled. She is considered one of the world’s greatest artists and a cultural icon. As of July 2025, she holds the record for the most Grammy wins by any artist and has won over 700 additional awards. Her Super Bowl performances have been some of the most talked about in the show’s history. Meanwhile, the global phenomenon that was the 2025 Cowboy Carter tour broke venue records, earned over 400 millions of dollars, and became history’s highest-grossing country tour ever.
Just Became the Highest-Grossing Country Tour in History, Making Over $400 Million
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
PSY, “Gangnam Style”
First YouTube Video to Reach a Billion Views
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, ”Despacito”
The Award-Winning Latin Pop and Reggaeton Song Heard Around the World
Karol G, ”Mañana Será Bonito World Tour”
The Highest Grossing Latin Tour of All Time For a Female Artist
Marvin Gaye,”What’s Going On”
One of Soul Music’s Greatest Albums
Marian Anderson, Presidential Medal of Freedom
Received the First Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963
#1: Michael Jackson
The Greatest Entertainer of All Time
Listing Michael Jackson’s accomplishments would need a whole video so here are just a couple. He’s the first artist to have a top 10 hit in five different decades. He’s the best-selling solo musical artist and his 1982 masterpiece “Thriller” is the best-selling album of all time. Jackson redefined what it meant to be an artist, elevating every aspect of performing and influencing so many who came after him. His contributions to music, fashion, dance, and visual arts are still relevant today. He devoted his career to tearing down racial barriers and the “Billie Jean” music video was one of the first from an African American artist to air on MTV. There are many incredible artists but there will always be one King of Pop.
What other POC artists and historic moments should have been celebrated on this list? Let us know in the comments below.