Lionel Richie recalls overcoming critics who said he and his music weren't “Black enough”

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for DuJour

Lionel Richie is one of pop music’s legendary artists, but there was time when critics were more focused on his race than his talent.

The recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee opened up to People about his complicated transition from fronting the hit-making 1970s R&B/funk band The Commodores, to becoming a solo act. “It was really a great period in my life, but it was confusing,” the Grammy winner admitted. 

Lionel’s 1982 eponymous solo debut produced the hit “Truly,” while his Grammy winning 1983 follow-up, Can’t Slow Down, produced five top-ten singles and the #1 hits “Hello” and “All