There is no doubt Black artists have had an unmatched influence in the music industry as far back as one can remember. It would be impossible to examine music history without mentioning talented artists such as Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sam Cooke, Miles Davis, and many more. It is only fitting, as we honor Black History Month (and every month, for that matter), that we celebrate these accomplished Black musicians and their incredible journeys with gratitude, love, and respect.

A genre that perfectly encapsulates this fascinating journey is the music biopic. The music biopic is a very popular genre, and it’s easy to see why. The best movies about musicians tend to include a rags-to-riches type story, or on the flip side, a drug-induced fall from grace, and the subsequent Phoenix-inspired rise from the ashes. In addition, the following biopics about Black music icons not only explore artistic expression and the artist’s journey to fame, but also touch on themes of racism, segregation, and ultimately the desire and perseverance to succeed. If that weren’t enough to grab your attention, they are almost always replete with extraordinary music. In celebration of these fantastic artists and the actors who portrayed them, here are the best biopics about Black music icons, ranked.

Related: Best Movies That Celebrate Black Joy

8 Bessie

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Flavour Unit Entertainment

Bessie stars Queen Latifah in the titular role of blues singer Bessie Smith. The film follows Bessie from her early years as a struggling artist through to her reign as Empress of the Blues. Queen Latifah portrays the anguished blues singer with sensitivity and grace in a powerhouse performance in this music biopic. Roger Ebert describes Queen Latifah's performance in the film as the best work of her career.

7 Respect

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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

If anyone was to play queen of soul Aretha Franklin in a music biopic, we can’t think of a better actress than the immensely talented Jennifer Hudson. Handpicked by Aretha herself, before her death, Hudson embodies the Queen of Soul in Respect. Fans were in shock when she was not acknowledged by the Academy at the 2022 Oscars.

6 Get On Up

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Imagine Entertainment

The late Chadwick Boseman stars in Get On Up, a biopic about Black music icon James Brown. The film chronicles James Brown’s rags-to-riches story about his journey from extreme poverty to one of the most influential musicians in history. Boseman gives a phenomenal performance as the godfather of soul. The supporting cast rise to match Boseman’s performance.

5 Cadillac Records

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Tri-Star Pictures & Sony Music

Cadillac Records chronicles the rise and fall of real-life label Chess Records and the rise to fame of its renowned recording artists Etta James, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, and Little Walter. Cadillac Records is one of the best Black musician biopics because of the stellar soundtrack and incredible performances. Beyoncé shines as troubled jazz icon Etta James, and Mos Def loses himself in the role of Chuck Berry.

4 Lady Sings The Blues

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Motown Productions

Black music icon Diana Ross was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of iconic singer Billie Holiday. Lady Sings the Blues is loosely based on Holiday’s 1956 autobiography. The film is one of the best biopics featuring a Black music icon because of Diana Ross’ heavy and haunting portrayal of Holiday hitting rock bottom. The film also boasts a fantastic supporting cast, including Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James T. Callahan, and Scatman Crothers.

Related: The Top 10 Black Movies of 2021

3 Straight Outta Compton

best-biopics-about-black-music-icons
Legendary Pictures & New Line Cinema

N.W.A emerged in 1988 as a groundbreaking new hip-hop group that would revolutionize pop culture and ultimately change the face of hip-hop forever. With their first studio album Straight Outta Compton, the group gave an unflinchingly honest depiction of life in South Central L.A.. According to Rolling Stone, the album plays like a “bombastic, cacophonous car ride through Los Angeles’ burnt-out and ignored hoods. “In the film, the members of the group must learn to navigate their way through the industry on their rise to fame and fortune. The movie is one of the best biopics about black music icons because of its raw and honest depiction of history. Much like the album itself, Straight Outta Compton does not hold back. O'shea Jackson Jr. also turns out an inspired performance of his real-life father and founding member of N.W.A Ice Cube.

2 Ray

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Bristol Bay Productions

Jamie Foxx stars as legendary Black music icon Ray Charles in this Oscar-winning biopic. The beginning of the film introduces us to a young Ray Charles and the tribulations he encounters including the death of his younger brother and his irreparable loss of sight at the tender age of nine. The story is sad at times, but also powerful and inspiring as Ray’s mother urges him not to feel sorry for himself and to make something of himself despite his disability. As he rises to fame throughout the Seattle jazz scene, Ray begins struggling with drug addiction as a way of dealing with his brother’s death. Ray is an emotional rollercoaster that has you laughing one minute and crying the next. It takes one of our top two spots as best biopic because of Jamie Foxx'x intense transformation into the beloved singer, as well as Ray’s inspiring story of successfully battling his inner-demons.

1 What’s Love Got To Do With Itbest -biopics-about-black-music-icons

What’s Love Got To Do With It follows legendary singer Tina Turner’s journey from her humble beginnings as Anna Mae Bullock through to her international stardom as Tina Turner. It also chronicles her turbulent relationship with her then husband Ike Turner who physically and mentally abused her for years. What’s Love Got To Do With It is our choice for best biopic of a Black music icon because it doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. Director Brian Gibson gives an unnerving, raw, and horrifyingly honest portrayal of domestic violence and its effects. After being subject to severe abuse for years, Tina attempted to take her own life, before discovering her spirituality and gaining the strength to leave despite the threat of losing the career she worked so hard for. Tina Turner is truly an inspiration to women everywhere dealing with domestic abuse, What’s Love Got To Do With It could be a mechanism of hope for someone going through a similar struggle.