Philadelphia is known as the city of brotherly love. It’s known for the Philly cheesesteaks, being the sixth-most populous city in the United States and the birthplace of the first library, hospital, zoo, medical school, stock exchange and business school.

It’s also known for the music scene. Some of the world’s most remarkable musicians were born and raised in Philly: Pearl Bailey, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, The Stylistics, Tammi Terrell, The Three Degrees, & Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff.

Gamble & Huff are whole LEGENDS okay! They’re black excellence due to the fact that they’re behind the whole Philly music scene.

Billy Paul:

Known for: Me & Mrs. Jones, Am I Black Enough for You, Your Song, Let’s Make a Baby, Only The Strong Survive, Let’s Clean Up the Ghetto.

Billy Paul was criminally underrated. While he was known for his 1972 number one single “Me & Mrs. Jones,” Paul utilized his platform to make socially conscious records. 🙌🏾

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes:

Members: Harold Melvin, Teddy Pendergrass, Bernard Wilson, Lawrence Brown, Lloyd Parks.

Known for: If You Don’t Know Me By Now, Wake Up Everybody, The Love I Lost, Bad Luck, I Miss You, Hope That We Can Be Together Soon, You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good, Don’t Leave Me This Way.

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes were one of the PIR’s most successful acts in the early to mid 70s. Teddy was one of the lead singers of the group and brought the group to early stardom with songs like I Miss You, & Wake Up Everybody.

The O’Jays:

Members: Eddie LeVert, William Powell, Walter Williams, Sammy Strain

Known for: Stairway to Heaven, For The Love of Money, Cry Together, Love Train, I Love Music, Family Reunion, Back Stabbers, Use ta Be My Girl.

One of the label’s greatest successes was The O’Jays. Just hits and timeless songs all around!

The Intruders:

Known for: I Wanna Know Your Name, Together, I’ll Always Love My Mama

The group was a major influence on the development of Philadelphia soul.

The Three Degrees:

Known for: Dirty Ol’ Man, Year of Decision, When Will I See You Again,

A group okay!

Lou Rawls:

Known for: You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine, Someday You’ll Be Old, You Are.

Lou Rawls was an established singer when he was signed to PIR. He reached higher heights with his song “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.”

The Jacksons:

Known for: Show You The Way to Go, Enjoy Yourself, Good Times, Blues Away, Find Me A Girl, Goin’ Places.

The legendary group Jackson 5 (now known as The Jacksons) signed for Epic Records & in a joint venture, made two albums with PIR that are pure GEMS okay!

Teddy Pendergrass:

Known for: The Whole Town’s Laughing At Me, And If I Had, The More I Get, Come Go With Me, It Don’t Hurt Now, Turn Off The Lights, I Want My Baby Back, Feel The Fire.

After Teddy went solo, he reached huge heights with his music. His influence on the quiet storm market was evident with Turn Off The Lights, Love TKO, Close The Door, and much more!

Jean Carn:

Known for: Don’t Let It Go To Your Head, My Love Don’t Come Easy.

Jean Carn is one of the best singers to ever grace the planet.

The Jones Girls:

Members: Brenda, Shirley, & Valorie Jones

Known for: You’re Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else, Who Can I Run To, Nights Over Egypt.

The sisters had a successful run at PIR with their bops!

Patti LaBelle:

Known for: If Only You Knew, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Love, Need and Want You, I’m In Love Again, Lover Man (Oh, Where can You Be?)

Patti’s most honored records rest with the PIR label. Classics like If Only You Knew, Love, Need and Want You gave the legend even more reasons for the world to love her.

Phyllis Hyman:

Known for: Living All Alone, Old Friend, Living In confusion, I Refuse To Be Lonely, When I Give My Love (This Time,) I Can’t Take It Anymore.

Phyllis Hyman had amazing records at PIR. It was the final label she released work on during the last ten years of her life, and it was quality WORK!

The Sound of Philadelphia lives on through today’s music always. So many artists have been influenced by greatness. Can you blame them?’