Question

First a session drummer for the Funk Brothers, and then a songwriter for Motown, what singer wrote and recorded the politically charged hit single, "What's Going On"?

Answer 1

Marvin Gaye, known for his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement's music, wrote and recorded the hit single "What's Going On." His work follows in the footsteps of iconic artists like Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan who also used their music to address social and political issues.

Step-by-step explanation:

The singer who started as a session drummer for the Funk Brothers and later became a songwriter for Motown, writing and recording the politically charged hit single, "What's Going On", is Marvin Gaye. He moved from behind the drums to the forefront as an artist, contributing significantly to the music of the civil rights era. His profound and soulful single, "What's Going On", addresses issues of war, poverty, and racial injustice, encapsulating the anxious and resistant mood of the 1970s.

Artists like Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan also used their music to voice the frustrations and aspirations of those who experienced social and racial inequality. Cooke, the "King of Soul", infused his secular music with civil rights messages. Similarly, Dylan's songs, like "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems calling for change and inclusion.