The 30 Most Shocking Moments in Black Music

30.) Prince Changes His Name... and Then Changes it Back

For much of the 80's and the early 90's, Prince consistently topped the charts with his groundbreaking style and his unprecedented sound. Born Prince Rogers Nelson, he would use his name until 1993, when he stopped using the name Prince and started referring to himself as a symbol instead. He claimed the change was prompted by Warner Brothers Inc, taking too many liberties with his name and used the change as a way of freeing himself. Some would call him "The Symbol," others would call him "The Artist Formerly Known As Prince" and some would just call him the "Artist." By 2000 though, he would return to the name Prince and continue to adapt his style in a changing music landscape.

29.) Lil' Kim Wears "The Pasty" to the VMA's

Not a stranger to outrageous fashion ensembles, Lil Kim donned a glittery purple jump suit at the 1999 VMA's that amazingly left one of her breasts to fend for themselves. If that wasn't enough, Kim's adventurous fashion choice was put on blast when Dianna Ross dribbled the pasty covered boob on stage during an award presentation, forever cementing the boob in shocking music history.

28.) Stevie Wonder Gets into a Car Accident and Goes into a Coma For a Week

One of the most prominent artists in music history, this blind wonder has been blessing the music world since 1961. But on August 6, 1973, just days after the release of his third album, Innervisions, Wonder was in a serious car accident while on tour, when a log from a truck went through a passenger window and struck him in the head. This left him in a coma for four days and resulted in a permanent loss of his sense of smell. Despite this serious setback, Wonder would go on the produce hits to this day.

27.) Suge Knight Gets Knocked Out

The Death Row co-founder was at the forefront of one of the most important eras in hip-hop. With the success of Dr. Dre's The Chronicin 1992, the label would go on to be a stable for some of the most prolific acts in hip-hop from Tupac Shakur, to Dr. Dre, to Snoop Dogg. Knight is also known for his very thuggish demeanor and rumors abound of his close relation to many criminal elements. That's why when news broke out that Suge had actually been knocked out in a night club brawl in May, it came as such a shock. Who knew the the Death Row thug could catch it too?

26.) Bob Marley is Almost Assassinated

Credited for helping spread reggae to a worldwide audience, Bob Marley in his own right, made music that moved people. With his dreadlocks and rock star persona, Marley would go on to be one of pop cultures most ubiquitous icons. What many tend to forget though is that in 1976, he was nearly assassinated inside his home with his wife Rita, and his manager Don Taylor maintaining serious injuries. They would all go on to survive their injuries and Marley would proceed with an already scheduled concert without a hitch.

25.) Milli Vanilli Is Exposed!!!

There were few pop groups that could match the image and magneticism that was Milli Vanilli. The pair which consisted on Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan, sold over 30 million singles, 14 million albums and became one of the most popular pop acts in the late 1980s and early '90s. Their momentous success peaked when they received Grammy awards for best new artists in 1990. Soon after, it all came crashing down as it was discovered that the group used the recorded vocals of other artist and did not in fact sing any of their top hits. Subsequently, they lost their Grammy's, faced multiple lawsuits and became laughing stocks of the music industry. Unfortunately tragedy would strike in 1998, with the group on the cusp of a comeback, when Pilatus was found dead in a Frankfurt hotel of an apparent drug overdose.

24.) Al Green Has Hot Grits Poured on Him... and then Turns to the Lord

Known for his powerful, yet silky voice, Al Green is one of Soul Music's most revered voices. Green's vocals were unparalleled as he often lulled his audience into his sweet melody. But in 1974, Green's whole perspective would change when longtime friend, Mary Woodson, would have a mental breakdown and spontaneously throw a large pot of sticky boiling grits over him as he was undressed and preparing to shower. She immediately ran to another room and promptly killed herself with a gunshot wound to the head. The assault caused third-degree burns on his back, stomach and arms and would serve as a catalyst for him becoming an ordained pastor in 1976 and eventually deciding to record only gospel music. Green would record exclusively gospel albums from 1981 to 1989, where he would make a return to R & B.

23.) Non-Musical Celebrities and Athletes Come Out with Albums

Although, this phenomenon is not new, their will always be a handful of celebs who take themselves too seriously and actually feel as if they can get recording deals because of their talent and not from their stardom. This particular crop of bad crossover artists, Kobe Bryant, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks and Terrence Howard a only a small sampling of the many entertainers who continuously and on a regular basis, mercilessly assault our eardrums. Thank goodness Kobe had a fall-back plan, because he first and likely last album, Visions was a travesty.

22.) Teddy Pendergrass' Tragic, Career Derailing Accident

Of all the 70's soul crooners, Teddy P was probably one of the most underrated. Although he was the first African-American singer to sell five platinum albums in a row, he failed to win any Grammy's after being nominated five times. He also began his practice of ladies-only concerts, for which he remains well-known. In 1982, Teddy was involved in an car accident when the brakes failed on his car and he hit a tree, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down with a spinal cord injury. Despite the injury he still performs to this day.

21.) Luther Vandross Dies of a Stroke

Born in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1951, Luther Vandross grew up in a musical family. Drawing influence from everybody he came across, he sang back-up to such acts as Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Carly Simon, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Bette Midler, Chic, Barbra Streisand, and David Bowie. Known for such tracks as "Here and Now," "The Power of Love," "Dance With My Father" to name a few, Luther won eight Grammy's and sold over 25 millions albums in his career. On April 16, 2003, just three days before his 52nd birthday, Luther died of a stroke due his combination of diabetes and hypertension.