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

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