Roots of Living Colour
The artists and genres Living Colour came out of — one hop back on the influence tree.
ExtremeartistExtreme is an American rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1985, that reached the height of their popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They have released six studio albums, two EPs and two compilation albums since their formation. The band was one of the most successful rock acts of the early 1990s, selling over 10 million albums worldwide.
Bad Brainsartist
Mick Jaggerartist
Queen Latifahartist
Doug E. FreshartistDouglas Davis, known professionally as Doug E. Fresh, is a Barbadian-born American rapper, record producer, and beatboxer, also known as the "Human Beat Box". The pioneer of 20th-century American beatboxing, Fresh is able to accurately imitate drum machines and various special effects using only his mouth, lips, gums, throat, tongue and a microphone.
Maceo Parkerartist
Little Richardartist
Robert Johnsonartist
The Notorious B.I.G.artistChristopher George Latore Wallace, known professionally as the Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was an American rapper and songwriter. Rooted in the East Coast hip-hop and gangsta rap traditions, he is widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace became known for his distinctive, laidback lyrical delivery, offsetting his lyrics' often grim content. His music was semi-autobiographical, telling of hardship and criminality but also of debauchery and celebration.
Marvin Gayeartist
Mother's FinestartistMother's Finest is an American funk rock band, first formed in 1970 and led by the married vocal duo of Joyce "Baby Jean" Kennedy and Glenn "Doc" Murdock. Described by Classic Rock magazine as "Sly and The Family Stone-meets-Led Zeppelin," the band gained notice in the 1970s for their interracial membership and energetic live performances opening for both funk and rock bands. While the band did not find mainstream success during their heyday, they earned belated praise as a formative influence on later bands that combined funk and rock music, such as Living Colour and Red Hot Chili Peppers. They have also been noted as originators of funk metal.
Wayne Kramerartist
We Die YoungartistWe Die Young is a song and single EP by American rock band Alice in Chains, engineered and co-produced by Dave Jerden. Released in June 1990, it is the band's first studio EP. It was released in the US on cassette, but also on vinyl as a promotional single only and has thus become a sought-after collector's item amongst Alice in Chains fans.
Otis BlackwellartistOtis Blackwell was an American songwriter whose work influenced rock and roll. His compositions include "Fever", "Great Balls of Fire" and "Breathless", "Don't Be Cruel", "All Shook Up", and "Return to Sender", and "Handy Man".
Sunshine of Your Loveartist"Sunshine of Your Love" is a 1967 song by the British rock band Cream. It is the second track on their second album Disraeli Gears and was released as its second single in December 1967. With elements of hard rock and psychedelia, it is one of Cream's best known and most popular songs.
King's Xartist
Sascha Konietzkoartist
Who Shot Ya?artist"Who Shot Ya?" is a song by American rapper the Notorious B.I.G., backed by Sean Combs. Bad Boy Entertainment released it on February 21, 1995, on an alternate reissue of Wallace's single "Big Poppa/Warning". Its new B-side "Who Shot Ya", a revision of a track already issued earlier in 1995, was "controversial and hugely influential." Widely interpreted as a taunt at Tupac Shakur, the single provoked a "rap battle" between the two rappers, formerly friends.