When I wasn't playing dress-up or scribbling in journals as a child, you could find me dancing or singing. I watched BET's "Video Soul" and "Planet Groove" with my big brother Daryl and created dance routines to albums ordered from Columbia House CD Club. My house was always filled with music. And how could I forget the times my mom would let me stay up past bedtime to watch "The Arsenio Hall Show."
As I grew older, I looked to artists like Michael Jackson, Queen Latifah and Brandy on how to dress. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has experimented with tube socks and penny loafers, oversized Cross Colours jackets and box braid hairstyles.
In honor of Black Music Month, we're taking a look back at artists that have left a powerful imprint on not just me, but the rest of the world with their unique sound and style. Vote on all their looks in the slideshow below and tell us who is your black music fashion icon.
Meanwhile, check out 25 black models who have helped to reshape the standard of beauty.
Black Music Style Icons
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this post misidentified Jimi Hendrix as Lenny Kravitz.