Counterpoint Examples: 20th & 21st Century Popular

All types of American music, including Blues, Jazz, and Popular styles exhibit contrapuntal features. Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll, Rap, Hip-hop, and mainstream pop are represented in this collection.

B. B. King (1925-2015)

I’m a Blues Man [YouTube]

George Gershwin (1898-1937)

The Man I Love [YouTube]

George Benson (1943)

This Masquerade [YouTube]

Antonio Carlos Jobim (1997-1994)

Triste [YouTube]

Benny Golson (1929-2024)

Killer Joe (arr. by Q. Jones) [YouTube]

Paul McCartney (1942)

Blackbird [YouTube]

Stevie Wonder (1950)

I Wish [YouTube]
Superstition [YouTube]
Boogie on Reggae Woman [YouTube]
You and I [YouTube]

Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

Billie Jean [YouTube]

The Temptations

Papa was a Rolling Stone [YouTube]

Tower of Power

What is Hip? [YouTube]

Sting (1951)

Every Breath You Take [YouTube]

Nas (1973), featuring Puff Daddy

Hate Me Now [YouTube]

Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Hittman

Forgot About Dre [YouTube]

The Game, 50 Cent

Hate It or Love It [YouTube]

JAY Z, Kanye West

Otis [YouTube]

John Legend (1978)

Love Me Now [YouTube]

Beyonce (1981), featuring JAY-Z, Childish Gambino, Oumou Sangaré

MOOD 4 EVA [YouTube]