Birthday Celebrations — June 16

Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 16 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history.

Lamont Dozier

Born June 16, 1941 — Died August 8, 2022

Title: Singer, songwriter, producer, and Motown hitmaker

Lamont Dozier was one-third of Holland-Dozier-Holland, the songwriting and production team that helped build the Motown sound. His creative fingerprints are on songs for artists like The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Four Tops, making him one of the architects of Black pop and soul music.

Eddie Levert

Born June 16, 1942

Title: Singer and lead vocalist of The O’Jays

Eddie Levert is the powerful lead voice of The O’Jays, one of the great vocal groups connected to soul, funk, and Philadelphia International Records. His raspy, emotional delivery helped carry songs about love, struggle, betrayal, and social awareness into the heart of Black music history.

MC Ren

Born June 16, 1969

Title: Rapper, songwriter, producer, and N.W.A member

MC Ren was one of the key lyrical voices in N.W.A, bringing a sharp and forceful perspective to the group’s West Coast sound. Though sometimes less publicly credited than other members, his writing and delivery were important to the group’s impact and to the rise of politically charged gangsta rap.

Tupac Shakur

Born June 16, 1971 — Died September 13, 1996

Title: Rapper, actor, poet, and cultural icon

Tupac Shakur was a rapper, actor, and poet whose work captured the contradictions of Black life in America: pain, survival, rage, love, and politics. Born into a family connected to the Black Panther movement, he became one of hip-hop’s most influential and debated figures before his death at 25.