The Jackson family home in Gary, Ind. produced two vocal groups (The Jacksons and Jackson 5) and nine solo careers.
The 2023 Grammy Awards had a family angle to it in case people did not catch it.
The Motown family, which included icons Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder, had a little background love from the Morris family in the form of the new R&B group, WANMOR.
The new kids group consists of four sons of Wanya Morris who sang his way into legendary status with Boyz II Men, which got their start as a part of the Motown family with their 1991 debut album, “CooleyHighHarmony.”
Wise people say that life often comes full circle, which ironically was the title of Boyz II Men’s 2002 album.
And although RegalMag.com does not have enough time or space to give a full comprehensive look at family acts, the online magazine representing our royal heritage can show love to the top 10 family acts that have achieved music royalty for their hits and cultural impact.
So, without further ado, check out RegalMag.com’s top 10 list of family musical acts in no particular order.
The Jacksons/Jackson 5—The undisputed first family of music must be the clan from Gary, Ind. The Jackson 5 reached number one on the pop charts with their first four national singles (“I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There”) on Motown Records. When the group transitioned into The Jacksons with Epic Records, they hit their creative peak with classic albums “Destiny” and “Triumph.”
The Isley Brothers—If The Jacksons are the undisputed first family of music, then The Isley Brothers deserve the title of the undisputed first family of baby making music. In an era of R&B, which has seen a dearth of love ballads, don’t you miss classic slow songs like “Groove With You,” “Between the Sheets,” “Choosey Lover” and “For the Love of You?” Additionally, for those who do not care for ballads, The Isley Brothers have up tempo jams like “It’s Your Thing,” “Fight The Power” and “Shout” too.
Migos—Rest In Peace Takeoff. He represented one-third of arguably the best family hip-hop group of all time, Migos. With all due respect to Tru (Master P, C-Murder and Silkk the Shocker), the Migos are one of the most influential and trend-setting musical acts of all time, regardless of genre. With their mumble style and hits like “Stir Fry” and “Bad and Boujee,” Migos started a movement that has many hip-hop heads labeling them the Beatles of hip-hop.
DeBarge—The best singing family of all time is the DeBarge family from Grand Rapids, Mich. The high notes that El DeBarge and Bunny DeBarge could hit were just magical in their early 1980s heyday. Furthermore, their pen might have been just as good as their pipes as they wrote some of the most sampled tunes of all-time. Too bad drugs and record industry politics that led to El and Bunny going solo essentially ended the group’s run before they could become bigger pop stars.
The Gap Band—The family act that created the best party jams were the brothers from Tulsa, Okla., The Gap Band. With Charlie Wilson helming the lead vocals, The Gap Band brought people to the dance floor constantly in the 1980s with songs like “Outstanding,” “Early in the Morning,” “Party Train” and “Burn Rubber on Me.” After going solo, Charlie has become the king of grown folks’ music in an era in which love songs seem to be at a minimum.
Full Force—The best family of songwriters and producers is Full Force, a 1980s R&B group comprised of three brothers and three cousins from New York City. Sure, Full Force had their own hits like “All in My Mind,” “Love Is for Suckers (Like Me and You)” and “Ain’t My Type of Hype.” But Full Force really hit paydirt as producers and songwriters for artists like UTFO, Cheryl “Pepsii” Riley, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, James Brown, Backstreet Boys and NSYNC.
Tony! Toni! Tone!—In the late 1980s to late 1990s, Tony! Toni! Tone! did it again and again and again when it comes it releasing R&B music. With their first album “Who?” the brothers and cousin dropped a hint of their greatness with the song “Little Walter.” But when their sophomore album “The Revival” arrived, the crew began a slew of hits that did not stop until 1996. Couples still jam “Anniversary” on their special day. And although the original lineup is not still performing together, when D’wayne Wiggins sings the chorus of “Whatever You Want,” the entire audience joins in unison.
The Brothers Johnson—If you do not know The Brothers Johnson, three songs should let you know, “Stomp,” “I’ll Be Good to You” and the legendary “Strawberry Letter 23.” Music fans knew The Brothers Johnson were the truth when they received a co-sign from the great producer/composer/arranger known as “Q” (Quincy Jones). Despite a legendary recording career, The Brothers Johnson also made a huge impact working with other stars like Michael Jackson, while other stars like Tevin Campbell, Ray Charles and Chaka Khan reenergized their classic decades after their initial popularity.
The Staple Singers—Who is the first family of gospel music, The Staples family or The Winans? An argument can be made for both. But Mavis Staples’ vocals are still second-to-none. Furthermore, Pops Staples was the coolest cat on the guitar back in the day. The Staple Singers eventually ventured into R&B and soul. However, their sound on classics like “I’ll Take You There” made their gospel roots apparent to old fans or novices. “I’ll Take You There” might be their most popular song these days. But “Respect Yourself” and “Let’s Do It Again” are timeless classics as well.
The Pointer Singers—In the 1980s, the music video revolution exploded thanks to MTV, VH1 and BET. Around 1984, after hearing classics from Prince, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Wham, viewers often heard “I’m So Excited” and “Jump (For My Love)” from The Pointer Sisters. But The Pointer Sisters did not just appear out of thin air in the 1980s. The family group made classics in the 1970s too with songs like “Fire,” written by Bruce Springsteen and “Happiness.”
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