These 23 Grammy-winning Black artists have taken the stage in Corpus Christi

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As Black History Month continues, the Caller-Times is taking a look back at Grammy Award-winning Black musicians who have performed in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi is home to several well-known artists, including Iann Dior and Kevin Abstract. The latter is the founder of the hip-hop group Brockhampton, and the former had a No. 1 song on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 2020.

While Abstract hasn’t performed in Corpus Christi since 2023, Dior will be taking the stage at Brewster Street’s downtown location Tuesday, April 15. Tickets can be purchased at brewsterstreet.net and start at $25.

Have you see any of these artists in concert?

Chuck Berry and Fats Domino

Fats Domino performs on the piano during a concert at the Auditorium Stravinski during the 27th Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, on July 14, 1993.

On Saturday, Oct. 5, 1957, the Show of Stars ’57 came to the Memorial Coliseum. The lineup included Grammy Award-winning artists Chuck Berry and Fats Domino.

Berry was best known as a pioneer of rock ’n’ roll with his hit songs “Maybellene,” “Rock and Roll Music” and “Johnny B. Goode.” Like Berry, Domino helped bring about the rock ’n’ roll scene in the 1950s with songs like “The Fat Man” and “Ain’t That a Shame.”

Grammy(s) won: Berry received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1985, and Domino received the same award two years later.

Nelly

While Nelly has visited Corpus Christi at least twice, he first made his appearance in 2005 at KZFM’s (Hot Z95) 30th Birthday Bash at American Bank Center. The Grammy Award winner performed along with rapper Lil Rob and hip-hop group St. Lunatics.

Back then, Nelly was best known for his singles “Over and Over,” “Hot in Herre” and “Shake Ya Tailfeather.”

Grammy(s) won: Three Grammy Awards, including Best Male Rap Solo Performance for “Hot in Herre” in 2003.

The Temptations and Four Tops

The Temptations perform during the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year gala at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, Feb. 3, 2023.

The Temptations have performed a couple of times in Corpus Christi, but they first came to the city with the Motown group Four Tops in September 2005 at Selena Auditorium.

Four Tops are best known for “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “Ain’t No Woman,” while The Temptations were known for “Cloud Nine” and “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today).”

Grammy(s) won: Five Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.

Hootie & the Blowfish

Hootie & the Blowfish made their stage debut in Corpus Christi back in November 2005 at Concrete Street, along with country singer Django Walker.

The rock band is best known for its singles “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be with You.”

Grammy(s) won: Two Grammy Awards including Best New Artist in 1996.

Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire have been to Corpus Christi a handful of times, but they first came in March 2006 at American Bank Center.

The band’s music spans multiple genres, including jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco and pop.

Grammy(s) won: Seven Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

Chamillionaire and T-Pain

Rapper Chamillionaire performs onstage at the 2010 Vh1 Hip Hop Honors at Hammerstein Ballroom on June 3, 2010 in New York City.

In March 2007, rappers Chamillionaire and T-Pain made their way to Concrete Street, along with Ying Yang Twins and MIMS.

Chamillionaire is best known for being a one-hit wonder with “Ridin’,” while T-Pain is known for collaborating with several musicians on songs like “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” with Yung Joc.

Grammy(s) won: Chamillionaire won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Ridin'” in 2007, and T-Pain won two Grammy Awards including Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “Blame It” with Jamie Foxx in 2010.

B.B. King

Blues legend B.B. King performed at American Bank Center in November 2008, just seven years before he passed away at the age of 89.

King earned the nickname “The King of the Blues” and is referred to as one of the “Three Kings of the Blues Guitar” with Albert King and Freddie King — none of whom are related.

Grammy(s) won: 15 Grammy Awards including Best Traditional Blues Album for “One Kind Favor” in 2009.

T.I.

In 2007, rapper T.I. was charged with two felonies. But before he began his 366-day sentence in May 2009, he went on a 12-stop mini-tour with American Bank Center being his last stop in March that year.

The Atlanta musicians is best known for his former hits, including “Whatever You Like,” “What You Know” and “Rubber Band Man.”

Grammy(s) won: Three Grammy Awards including Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Swagga Like Us” with Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne in 2009.

Lil Wayne

The Grammy Award-winning rapper just visited Corpus Christi in 2023, but he first made his appearance in the city back in December 2009 at American Bank Center.

He is best known for his hits including “A Milli,” “Lollipop” and “Fireman.”

Grammy(s) won: Five Grammy Awards including Best Rap Album for “Tha Carter III” in 2009.

Ludacris

In August 2010, rapper Ludacris took the stage at American Bank Center.

Aside from his acting skills, the musician is known for his hit singles, including “What’s Your Fantasy” and “Stand Up.”

Grammy(s) won: Three Grammy Awards including Best Rap Album for “Release Therapy” in 2007.

Dionne Warwick

Grammy Award-winning Dionne Warwick performed in Corpus Christi back in October 2011, but not at any of the typical venues you might think. She took the stage at the Richardson Performance Hall at Del Mar College.

With 40 albums to her name, Warwick is known for hits including “Walk On By” and “I Say a Little Prayer.”

Grammy(s) won: Six Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

CeeLo Green

The former “The Voice” judge made his way to Corpus Christi back in December 2011 to perform at the American Bank Center.

The singer is best known for “Crazy” and “F*** You.”

Grammy(s) won: Five Grammy Awards including Best Alternative Music Album for “St. Elsewhere” in 2007.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony just performed at Concrete Street in December, but they made their first appearance in Corpus Christi at Brewster Street back in March 2013.

The hip-hop group is best known for “Tha Crossroads” and “I Tried.”

Grammy(s) won: One Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Tha Crossroads” in 1997.

Lil Jon

Lil Jon, a well-known rapper and hype-man, headlined at American Bank Center back in July 2014.

He’s best known for his multiple hits, including “Snap Yo Fingers” and “Turn Down for What.”

Grammy(s) won: One Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Yeah!” with Usher and Ludacris in 2005.

Ciara

In May 2015, R&B singer Ciara brought her Jackie Tour to Corpus Christi at Brewster Street.

The musician is best known for her hit-singles “1, 2 Step,” “Oh” and “Like a Boy.”

Grammy(s) won: One Grammy Award for Best Short-Form Music Video for “Lose Control” with Missy Elliott and Fatman Scoop in 2006.

Salt-N-Pepa and Coolio

Salt N Pepa play the Ford stage during Sunfest in downtown West Palm Beach on April 30, 2016.

Salt-N-Pepa and Coolio made their way to Corpus Christi back in July 2016 to perform with Kid ‘N Play, Vanilla Ice and Color Me Badd at the American Bank Center.

Salt-N-Pepa is best known for the hit single “Push It,” and Coolio is best known for “Gangsta’s Paradise.”

Grammy(s) won: Salt-N-Pepa won two Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, and Coolio won one award for Best Rap Solo Performance for “Gangsta’s Paradise” in 1996.

Naughty by Nature and Young MC

Naughty By Nature performs at the Arizona Freestyle Festival in 2017.

With the Back To The 90’s Tour, hip-hop trio Naughty By Nature and rapper Young MC came to Corpus Christi in February 2017 to perform at the American Bank Center along with Sisqo, All-4-One, Biz Markie and Rob Base.

Naughty By Nature is best known for the single “O.P.P.,” and Young MC is best known for “Bust a Move.”

Grammy(s) won: Naughty By Nature won one award for Best Rap Album for “Poverty’s Paradise” in 1995, and Young MC won one award for Best Rap Performance for “Bust a Move” in 1990.

Ashanti

The singer, songwriter and actress recently visited Corpus Christi in January 2024 when she performed with Ja Rule, Jeezy and Fat Joe at American Bank Center.

Ashanti is best known for her singles “Happy,” “Only U” and “Rock wit U (Awww Baby).”

Grammy(s) won: One Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album for “Ashanti” in 2003.