thinking about this and wondering whom one would consider being a musical innovator and what has lead to said conclusion?

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

A musical innovator should be defined as someone who crates an entirely new sound.

Everyone's been influenced by whoever's come before for them and a few talented cats have fused their influences into something brilliant.

Sly, Brother Ray, Prince, Stevie and Curtis all fit into this category. They all were GOAT talents that built on and dramatically improved on already established sounds.

However, an innovator has to turn water into wine. Create a whole new thing.

Because of that, I'm voting for James Brown first on foremost for signature groove and the "creation" of funk .

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after
in rap, the person who best fits that description for me is Rakim