He first was part of the band The impressions before leaving and going solo with success. He probably becomes the first of the African-American singers' new wave to bring a social commentary into his songs. His involved music shortly becomes popular during those difficult social times in the 60's and 70's.

Mayfield's career begins in 1958 when forming The impressions with jerry butler, Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks and his brother Arthur Brooks. The band's two main hits are "For Your Precious Love" and "Gypsy Woman". After Butler left the band Fred Cash took his place, and Curtis became the lead singer often composing for the band. Their gospel tune "Amen" is included on the soundtrack of Lilies of the Fields (1963) starring Sidney Poitier. The Impressions then reached an even higher popularity thank to Curtis' compositions such as "Keep On Pushin", "People Get Ready", "Choice of Colors" or "This is My Country". The title "We're a Winner" becomes the anthem for the Black Power. In 1970, Curtis Mayfield leaves the band and starts his solo career under the independent label curtom Records (label of many soul artists). His career will reach its peak in 1972, with the album super fly, soundtrack for the movie of the same name. That album's lyrics are very commited and speak of the government's politic towards the Black community, the state of ghettos, never-heard-before lyrics in a Blaxploitation movie. Bob Donat of the magazine Rolling Stone will even say: "Mayfield's anti-drug message is way more powerful than the one of movie itself". Along with marvin gaye's album "what's going on" and stevie wonder's album "innervisions", this album ushered in a new socially conscious, funky style of popular soul music

Mayfield is very active during the 1970's and 80's, followed by a faithful audience, but all stops abruptly on August 14th 1990 during a concert in Brooklyn when a stage lighting fell on him and made him paralyzed. From that moment he will never be able to play the guitar again but will continue writing and singing. In 1998 he needs an amputation of the leg because of his diabetes. His general condition getting worse he dies on December 26th 1999 in Roswell, Georgia.

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