Source: Frank Micelotta / Getty
RELATED: [RODEO HOUSTON 2026] Here’s the Full Lineup
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Since then, the rodeo has grown to include parades, a carnival, cooking competitions and of course.. music. The very first musical act to be featured at the rodeo took place in 1942, when Gene Autry “The Singing Cowboy,” and his majestic horse Champion trodded onto the scene and kicked off what would become a long-held tradition of featuring big name acts to entertain the crowd.
In 1970, Charley Pride would also make history — becoming the first black entertainer to hit the rodeo soundstage. The decades that followed would see more black entertainers including The Jackson 5, The Isley Brothers, Kool & The Gang, Ray Charles, Bun B, Drake, Beyonce and even a few popular comedians!
Scroll below for a look back at the history of black performers at Rodeo Houston.
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
1. 2024: 50 Cent
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
2. 2004: Ashanti
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
3. 2004 & 2007: Beyonce
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
4. 1990-91: Bill Cosby
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
5. 1985: Billy Ocean
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
6. 2010: Black Eyed Peas
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
7. 1997: Bo Diddley
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
8. 2004: Bow Wow
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
9. 2000: Boyz II Men
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
10. 1999 & 2002: Brian McKnight
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
11. 2022-2025: Bun B
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
12. 1991: C+C Music Factory
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
13. 2019: Cardi B
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
14. 2020: Chance the Rapper
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
15. 1970, 1972-87, 1989, 1991, 2002: Charley Pride
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
16. 2007: Cheetah Girls
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
17. 2012: China Anne McClain from A.N.T. Farm with the McClain Sisters
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
18. 1992: Color Me Badd
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
19. 2009-10, 2016: Darius Rucker
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
20. 2001-02: Destiny’s Child
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
21. 2001: Diana Ross
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
22. 1997: Earth Wind and Fire
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
23. 2017: Fifth Harmony
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
24. 1991, 1993-94, 2006: Frankie Beverly & Maze
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
25. 1994, 1996, 2001, 2009 (with The Pips 1984): Gladys Knight
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
26. 1990: James Ingram
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
27. 2011: Janet Jackson
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
28. 2016: Jason Derulo
Source:2016 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
29. 2008, 2012, 2015: John Legend
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
30. 2019, 2022: Kane Brown
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
31. 2019, 2022: KC and The Sunshine Band
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
32. 2007: Kem
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
33. 2022: Khalid
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
34. 2026: Lizzo
Source:Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Lizzo houston,events
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
35. 1982-83, 1986, 1996: Kool & The Gang
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
36. 2018: Leon Bridges
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
37. 1999: Lionel Richie
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
38. 1990: Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
39. 2003: LL Cool J
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
40. 1989, 1998: Luther Vandross
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
41. 2004: Marques Houston
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
42. 2004 (with Destiny’s Child — 2001-02): Michelle Williams
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
43. 1999: Monica
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
44. 1995, 2007: Natalie Cole
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
45. 2004: Omarion
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
46. 1987, 1990, 1992, 2001: Patti LaBelle
Source:R1 Digital
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
47. 1995: Peabo Bryson
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
48. 2006: Raven Symone
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
49. 2003: Ray Charles
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
50. 1975: Rufus with Chaka Khan
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
51. 2026: Shaboozey
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
52. 1993: Sinbad
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
53. 2000: Smokey Robinson
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
54. 2009: Solange
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
55. 1991: Stevie B
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
56. 1972-73: The Fifth Dimension
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
57. 1985: The Commodores
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
58. 1991: The Isley Brothers
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
59. 1973-74: The Jackson 5
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
60. 1993: The Winans
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
61. 2014: Usher
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
62. 1988: Zapp (featuring Roger)
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
63. 2023: Juvenile & Mannie Fresh
Source:Juvenile & Mannie Fresh
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
64. 2024: Drake
Source:Drake
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
65. 2024: Rick Ross
Source:Rick Ross
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
66. 2024: Nelly
Source:Nelly
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
67. 2023: 8Ball and MJG
Source:8Ball and MJG
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
68. 2024: Eve
Source:RODEO HOUSTON
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
69. 2024: That Mexican OT
Source:That Mexican OT
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
70. 2024: The Ying Yang Twins
Source:The Ying Yang Twins
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
71. 2022: Tobe Nwigwe
Source:Tobe Nwigwe
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
72. 2023: Erykah Badu
Source:Erykah Badu
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
73. 2022: Lil Keke
Source:Radio One
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
74. 2022: Slim Thug
Source:Slim Thug
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
75. 2023: Big KRIT
Source:Big KRIT
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
76. 2022: Big Mike
Source:Big Mike
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
77. 2024: DMC
Source:DMC
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
78. 2022: Devin the Dude
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
79. 2023: Yungstar
Source:Yungstar
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
80. 2022: Z-Ro
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
81. 2022: Frankie J and Baby Bash
Source:Frankie J and Baby Bash
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
82. 2023: David Banner
Source:David Banner
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
83. 2024: E-40
Source:Radio One Houston
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
84. 2024: Too Short
Source:Too Short
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
85. 2022-03: Lil Flip
Source:Lil Flip
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
86. 2023: Jazze Pha
Source:Jazze Pha
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
87. 2022: Willie D
Source:Willie D
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
88. 2022: That Girl LayLay
Source:That Girl LayLay
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
89. 2023: Cupid
Source:Cupid
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
90. 2023: Tela
Source:Tela
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
91. 2023: Scarface
Source:Getty
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
92. 2023: Chalie Boy
Source:Chalie Boy
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
93. 2022: H-Town
Source:H-Town
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
94. 2022: Letoya Luckett
Source:LeToya Luckett
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
95. 2022: Big Pokey & Paul Wall
Source:Big Pokey & Paul Wall
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
96. 2025: Keith Sweat
Source:HLSR
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
97. 2025: Jagged Edge
Source:Radio One
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
98. 2025: Yolanda Adams
Source:HLSR
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
99. 2025: Ludacris
Source:HLSR
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
100. 2025: T.I.
Source:HLSR
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
101. 2025: Don Toliver
Source:HLSR
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
102. 2025: Coco Jones
Source:HLSR
1970-2026: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on theboxhouston.com
