The new Aretha Franklin compilation Take a Look features the legendary singer's music from her years with Columbia Records. Frank Driggs Collection/Getty Images hide caption
Oliver Wang Oliver Wang is a music writer, scholar, and DJ based in California. Since 1994, he's written on popular music, culture, race, and America for outlets such as National Public Radio, Vibe, Wax Poetics, Scratch, and The Village Voice.
Chicago salsa band La Solucion performs in the '70s. Courtesy of The Numero Group hide caption
Motown recording star Tammi Terrell poses for a portrait. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption
Kanye West's best gets buried under sex, fame and money on the rap icon's highly anticipated new album. Courtesy of Troy Holden hide caption
A new box set, Syl Johnson: The Complete Mythology, compiles more than 80 recordings from the late 1950s through early 1970s. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Common's classic album Resurrection gets the deluxe reissue treatment it deserves. courtesy of the artist hide caption
John Legend and The Roots. courtesy of the artist hide caption
M.I.A. Jaime Martinez hide caption
Harvey Fuqua was one of the major forces at Motown Records. Michael Ochs Archives hide caption
Little Ann's 40-year-old single "Deep Shadows" is a marvel of subtle understatement and emotive power. courtesy of the artist hide caption
'Deep Shadows' by Little Ann
B-boys pose. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption
Guru performs on stage in 2003, the year before he and DJ Premier parted ways. Cary Hammond/Redferns hide caption
Guru (foreground), founder of Gang Starr, died on Monday morning. He was 47. Courtesy of Capitol Records hide caption
Philadelphia rapper Freeway collaborated with producer Jake One on The Stimulus Package. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Erykah Badu. courtesy of the artist hide caption