Source: Frank Micelotta / Getty

RELATED: [RODEO HOUSTON 2025] Here’s the Full Lineup

RELATED: Every Artist Bun B Has Brought to the Houston Rodeo (2022-24)

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 a big name act 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!

As previously reported, the origins of Black cowboys are hard to pinpoint, but according to BlackPast, the earliest evidence of Black people as cattle herders dates back to colonial South Carolina. Slaves were brought to the early colony from what is now Senegal in West Africa, specifically for their unique skill sets.

Click here to read more about Black cowboys,

Scroll below for a look back at the history of black performers at Rodeo Houston.

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

1. 2024: 50 Cent

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

2. 2004: Ashanti

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

3. 2004 & 2007: Beyonce

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

4. 1990-91: Bill Cosby

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

5. 1985: Billy Ocean

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

6. 2010: Black Eyed Peas

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

7. 1997: Bo Diddley

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

8. 2004: Bow Wow

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

9. 2000: Boyz II Men

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

10. 1999 & 2002: Brian McKnight

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

11. 2022-2025: Bun B

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

12. 1991: C+C Music Factory

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

13. 2019: Cardi B

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

14. 2020: Chance the Rapper

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

15. 1970, 1972-87, 1989, 1991, 2002: Charley Pride

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

16. 2007: Cheetah Girls

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

17. 2012: China Anne McClain from A.N.T. Farm with the McClain Sisters

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

18. 1992: Color Me Badd

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

19. 2009-10, 2016: Darius Rucker

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

20. 2001-02: Destiny’s Child

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

21. 2001: Diana Ross

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

22. 1997: Earth Wind and Fire

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

23. 2017: Fifth Harmony

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

24. 1991, 1993-94, 2006: Frankie Beverly & Maze

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

25. 1994, 1996, 2001, 2009 (with The Pips 1984): Gladys Knight

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

26. 1990: James Ingram

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

27. 2011: Janet Jackson

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

28. 2016: Jason Derulo

Source:2016 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

29. 2008, 2012, 2015: John Legend

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

30. 2019, 2022: Kane Brown

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

31. 2019, 2022: KC and The Sunshine Band

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

32. 2007: Kem

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

33. 2022: Khalid

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

34. 1982-83, 1986, 1996: Kool & The Gang

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

35. 2018: Leon Bridges

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

36. 1999: Lionel Richie

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

37. 1990: Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

38. 2003: LL Cool J

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

39. 1989, 1998: Luther Vandross

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

40. 2004: Marques Houston

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

41. 2004 (with Destiny’s Child — 2001-02): Michelle Williams

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

42. 1999: Monica

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

43. 1995, 2007: Natalie Cole

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

44. 2004: Omarion

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

45. 1987, 1990, 1992, 2001: Patti LaBelle

Source:R1 Digital

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

46. 1995: Peabo Bryson

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

47. 2006: Raven Symone

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

48. 2003: Ray Charles

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

49. 1975: Rufus with Chaka Khan

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

50. 1993: Sinbad

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

51. 2000: Smokey Robinson

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

52. 2009: Solange

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

53. 1991: Stevie B

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

54. 1972-73: The Fifth Dimension

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

55. 1985: The Commodores

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

56. 1991: The Isley Brothers

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

57. 1973-74: The Jackson 5

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

58. 1993: The Winans

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

59. 2014: Usher

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

60. 1988: Zapp (featuring Roger)

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

61. 2023: Juvenile & Mannie Fresh

Source:Juvenile & Mannie Fresh

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

62. 2024: Drake

Source:Drake

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

63. 2024: Rick Ross

Source:Rick Ross

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

64. 2024: Nelly

Source:Nelly

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

65. 2023: 8Ball and MJG

Source:8Ball and MJG

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

66. 2024: Eve

Source:RODEO HOUSTON

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

67. 2024: That Mexican OT

Source:That Mexican OT

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

68. 2024: The Ying Yang Twins

Source:The Ying Yang Twins

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

69. 2022: Tobe Nwigwe

Source:Tobe Nwigwe

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

70. 2023: Erykah Badu

Source:Erykah Badu

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

71. 2022: Lil Keke

Source:Radio One

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

72. 2022: Slim Thug

Source:Slim Thug

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

73. 2023: Big KRIT

Source:Big KRIT

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

74. 2022: Big Mike

Source:Big Mike

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

75. 2024: DMC

Source:DMC

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

76. 2022: Devin the Dude

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

77. 2023: Yungstar

Source:Yungstar

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

78. 2022: Z-Ro

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

79. 2022: Frankie J and Baby Bash

Source:Frankie J and Baby Bash

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

80. 2023: David Banner

Source:David Banner

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

81. 2024: E-40

Source:Radio One Houston

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

82. 2024: Too Short

Source:Too Short

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

83. 2022-03: Lil Flip

Source:Lil Flip

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

84. 2023: Jazze Pha

Source:Jazze Pha

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

85. 2022: Willie D

Source:Willie D

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

86. 2022: That Girl LayLay

Source:That Girl LayLay

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

87. 2023: Cupid

Source:Cupid

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

88. 2023: Tela

Source:Tela

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

89. 2023: Scarface

Source:Getty

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

90. 2023: Chalie Boy

Source:Chalie Boy

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

91. 2022: H-Town

Source:H-Town

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

92. 2022: Letoya Luckett

Source:LeToya Luckett

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

93. 2022: Big Pokey & Paul Wall

Source:Big Pokey & Paul Wall

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

94. 2025: Keith Sweat

Source:HLSR

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

95. 2025: Jagged Edge

Source:Radio One

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

96. 2025: Yolanda Adams

Source:HLSR

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

97. 2025: Ludacris

Source:HLSR

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

98. 2025: T.I.

Source:HLSR

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

99. 2025: Don Toliver

Source:HLSR

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc

100. 2025: Coco Jones

Source:HLSR

1970-2025: Every Black Artist Who Has Performed at Rodeo Houston was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc