In fact, tons of black female YouTubers have put in years, Read More 30 Black YouTubers 2023; Male & Female ChannelsContinue, Your email address will not be published. Whitney Houston was one of the first 80s female R&B singers to achieve mainstream success. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Ola Ray is internationally known as Michael Jackson's girlfriend in the Grammy Award winning short film video ''Thriller." Her work in 'Thriller' brought her worldwide recognition and made her a household name. But Houston wasnt the only R&B singer making waves in the 80s. The 90s saw a breakthrough for popular young black women in the music industry. It was August 25th 2001, and she was 22. Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions get in touch! R&B has its roots in the blues, which was created by black Americans in the early 1900s. She has also sold over 40 million records and wears the crown for the longest-running number-one song in the U.S. with The Boy is Mine. Her style spanned several genres, including contemporary R&B, pop, gospel, soul, and hip-hop. In honor of Black Music Month, we're saluting twenty most beautiful songstresses of the Eighties. Not to mention, they also had a killer sense of style. Wonders soundtrack for the film The Woman In Red was released in 1984 and produced his hit I Just Called To Say I Love You, which became a #1 hit. Elkie Brooks had 4 songs in the top 20 in the 70s. Best Black Female Jazz Singers You Will Enjoy Sweet Emma Barrett Ella Fitzgerald Billie Holiday Carmen McRae Dinah Washington Sarah Vaughan Etta Jones Betty Carter Nina Simone Nancy Wilson Ruth Brown Abbey Lincoln Dakota Staton Ernestine Anderson Dianne Reeves Samara Joy Esperanza Spalding Conclusion Best Black Female Jazz Singers You Will Enjoy The albums single, Whos That Girl, peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and made it to number six in the U.K. Despite this, she continues to release albums that dont garner extreme attention but still exemplify her incredible singing voice and lyrical genius. Her debut, self-titled album topped the charts with Saving All My Love for You and How Will I Know both reached number one and stayed at the top of the charts for 14 weeks in a row. She has won a total of 20 awards and found additional success as an actress in movies like the Barbershop franchise. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3fd76e9916ca9ed221113da4c016ebd" );document.getElementById("if75a4498f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *, Careers Contact Us Privacy Policy CookiePolicy Win. In 1981, he worked with Diana Ross to write and produce the duet Endless Love. The song became one of the best-selling singles and is considered the greatest duet of all time. Her subsequent album releases did not achieve the same popularity or recognition her initial project did. Some have faded into obscurity, while others have continued to make music but have never regained the level of success they once had. Top 3 Hits. 28. Maze feat. She wrote all of the songs on the album, which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 charts. Many black male jazz singers have graced our ears, performing their complex harmonies and improvised solos with a style that almost looks easy. Perhaps known best for her solo hit Mickey, Antonia Christina Basilotta (known professionally as Toni Basil) became an instant chart-topper with one of the 80s most catchy songs. She released her first studio album in 1991, titled Whats the 411? The album was produced by Sean Puffy Combs and helped establish Blige as the queen of her own genre, a mix of soul and hip-hop music. With her neon pink lips and back-combed curls, this diminutive cutie-pie was always at the height of 80s glamour. And certainly, without these talented women, the 80s would not have been the same. But one thing is for sure: They all made a significant impact on the music industry, and their contributions should not be forgotten. The 90s saw the release of the bands fourth studio album, Love Deluxe, which peaked at number four on the U.S. It was an international success as well, reaching certified quadruple-Platinum and certified Gold in the U.K. Whitney Houston Hailing from Beverly Hill, California, first, we have 80s legend Whitney Houston who was a top-selling R&B female music artist of the 20th century. "Good Quality". While the 70s were Rosss decade, her fortune continued well into the 1980s with the release of Why Do Fools Fall In Love in 1981, which sold millions of copies. Her second album, titled Whitney, was another massive hit and gave the world the gift of I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me), which has become a staple on the dance floor for decades. From her nails to her lips, this tragic beautys signature makeup color was pink, pink and more pink! Many of them are remembered as legends today and their songs are considered classics. Lauper, in particular, was a pioneer in the world of Alternative music. In the 1980s, Lionel Richie was already known to music fans, but it was his skills as a writer and producer that gave him the chance to do it alone. The album was a huge success, reaching the top of the R&B charts and selling over a million copies. She didnt see success until 1994 when she was 15 when her debut album, Age Aint Nothing But a Number, burst onto the R&B charts. Her soft, husky, warm voice and fan-favorite riffs helped her to win nine awards. Janet Jackson ended the decade with another hit record in Rhythm Nation 1814, which went Platinum six times. The fact that many of the biggest stars of the 80s came from the UK is no surprise. The music was quite egalitarian in terms of gender, as both male and female performers -- Brother Joe May, Rev. Annie Lennox People were captivated by Annie Lennox from the first second she pounded the desk in the "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" video. Youll find films featuring love triangles, murder mysteries, and religious con-men. While each singer had their own unique style, they all shared one common trait: They were incredibly talented vocalists who could connect with fans both young and old. So, to celebrate their contributions, weve compiled a list of the best black singers of the 80s. For example, Tiffany was one of the first teen pop stars, and her debut album was a huge success. In honor of their contributions, here are the best black female singers of the 80s. 7 Pioneering Black Female Jazz And Blues Singers Who Made Music History. Joan Jett Annie Lennox (Eurythmics) Cyndi Lauper Pat Benatar Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders) Ann Wilson (Heart) Grace Slick (Starship) Joni Mitchell Tori Amos Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) Debbie Harry (Blondie) Linda Ronstadt Suzanne Vega Bonnie Tyler Cyndi Lauper. Summing Up Our List OF Famous Black 80s Singers, 10 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Musicians From Nebraska, 13 Of The Most Famous Rock Bands From Chicago, 13 Of The Best Songs About Storms Of All Time, 20 Of The Best Songs About Days Of The Week, 10 Of The Best Online Harmonica Lessons And Courses In 2023. This American singer, musician and author was the lead singer of the Go-Go's making it one of the most successful pop music bands of this era. Other hot female singers of the 80s include Cindy Lauper, Janet Jackson, and Whitney Houston. Aretha Franklin in particular had a huge impact in the 80s. Her music was popular in America, but she also managed to break through in the European music market and had significant success over there as well. 100% clearance was achieved and an all breeds Australian record average price was set, at the Millah Murrah Stud female sale on April 24th. Two years later, Houstons follow-up, Whitney, was another commercial success. But Madonna was not the only blonde female singer in the 80s. But they soon began to gain wider recognition, thanks in part to their appearances on various television shows. This model-turned-singer reset beauty standards with her unapologetically androgynous style. They pushed through the turbulence with the release of 1988s Heart Break, which gave the group five more hits. Her work was expressive and creative and paved the way for future 90s black female singers. View this photo on Instagram. Top Black Female Singers of the 90s, Final Thoughts. Ive left off some of the most famous white rappers like Eminem, Vanilla Ice, and The Beastie Boys off this list since theyre household, Read More 31 White Rappers You Thought Were BlackContinue. The Equals (late-1960s) Long. The oldest of six children, Braxton's family had strict rules about engaging with popular culture. This list is based on. Her resonating, deep voice and folksy style of rock were unique standouts in the 90s pop, grunge, and R&B-heavy influences. The space below showcases a list of female singers who had considerable success in the 80s and 90s. These are just a few of the many talented black soul singers who found success in the 1980s. In the midst of the hard rock and hair metal crazes of the 80s, we often forget about the incredible male black singers who were making some of the best music of the decade. Some of the most famous include Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt. Throughout her illustrious career, Williams has found success as a singer, actress, and fashion designer. The single I Love Your Smile from this album launched Shanice into international fame; it peaked at number one on the Billboard R&B charts and number two on the Billboard pop charts. From Madonna and Diana Ross to Joan Jett, get ready for a trip down memory lane. She was nominated for numerous posthumous awards and won the Billboard-AURN Top R&B/Hip-Hop Female Artist in 2003. They earned a solid reputation as reliable backup singers, working with Lou Rawls, Aretha Franklin, Teddy Pendergrass, Diana Ross, Linda . During her time with her ex-husband Ike Turner, Tina Turner was already a well-known singer, but Ikes abuse forced her to leave and focus on her family. These singers were not only talented musicians, but they also had a powerful presence on stage. However, before she could complete her degree, she was discovered by Bill Pettaway, who helped her land a recording deal with Arista Records alongside two of her sisters. This was the catalyst for a self-titled debut album which peaked at number one in the U.S. Aaliyah died in a plane crash. There was a time when country music was known for its twangy guitars and its tales of heartbreak, loss, and love. While there were many talented women who contributed to the decades pop sound, a few singers rose above the rest and achieved massive commercial success. Throughout her childhood, Sade found joy in listening to American soul music. The early part of the decade was all about synthesizers and new wave music. Toni Braxton was a 90s music sensation. Her sophomore album was released in 1995 and is credited for helping introduce R&B and hip-hop to the mainstream pop scene. And it all came from the hard work and raw talent of these artists. This experimentation led to the birth of many different subgenres, including gangsta rap, new jack swing, and conscious hip hop. The feature essentially kickstarted Trina's rap career, leading to a record deal with Slip-n-Slide Records with distribution from Atlantic Records. Apart from solo artists, there were also a number of successful bands in the 80s that featured female lead singers. With her waterfall of ringlets and virgin brows, Perri Reid, aka Pebbles, was the ultimate in late Eighties cool. Telephone Man.. She was a soprano with a voice that would go on to be described as both silky and sweet. Race & Ethnicity RevealedContinue, Comedy still seems to be a world that is dominated by men, but not for long! The songs featured themes of feminism and female sexuality, although it was generally considered a slump. In honor of Black History Month, Grimy Goods is highlighting the most influential black female singers and musicians of all time. This list is based on the highest album sales, influence over the fans, and overall impact on the music industry during the 80s. However, in more recent years, the House of Mouse has begun to tackle racism, both as a storyline and an industry-wide problem. They also won numerous awards for their music, including Grammy Awards and Country Music Association Awards. The Pointer Sisters epitomized 80s cool, with their teased tresses, purple eyeshadow and bold, berry-stained lipgloss. Aaliyah Haughton, 22 (Wikimedia) Just 22-years-old at the time of her death, Aaliyah was just hitting her stride as a singer and actress. However, there were a number of successful female soul singers in the 1980s. Throughout her career, Eve has become known for her sharp, staccato-style rap style and lyrics written frequently from the perspective of her life experiences. 12 Black Disney Movies, Both Cartoons & Real Acting, 61 Black Celebrities That Died In 2023; A Tribute To The Fallen, 30 Black YouTubers 2023; Male & Female Channels. Each of these brought something unique to the table with Michael Jackson leading the pack as the biggest pop star of them all. Initially, she planned to pursue a career in fashion but shifted to music and songwriting while in school. Her music has gone multi-platinum, and she is a four-time Grammy Award-winning artist that continues to touch lives. But 1982s Thriller cemented Jacksons legacy. After her long battle with cancer that ended in 2012, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and given her own musical, immortalizing her legacy. Those hits included Super Freak and Give It To Me Baby in 1981both off the album Street Songs, with the former landing him a nomination for Grammys Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. Four songs on that record alone reached the Billboard charts, and Princes same-titled film earned $70 million at the box office. Iconci black female singers fromt the 60s, 70s, 2000s -- you name it. Next up, Teddy Pendergrass could have walked away from music entirely following the 1982 car crash that left him incapacitated from the chest down. Topping our list of the best 80s female singers, Tina Turner delivered some of the decade's biggest hits while also becoming one of the most-revered live performers on the planet. Fierce! PICK UP THE GUITAR is the home to guitar lessons, tutorials, articles on how to improve your guitar playing, exercises, chords, tabs, scales, tips, and much more. Over her career, Blige released thirteen studio albums, won nine Grammy Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards, and four American Music Awards. Is it someone who is physically attractive? Black Female Performers From The '80s . Sade was also the first Nigerian woman to win a Grammy award for Best New Artist. Sign up free 0:00 0:00 Company About Jobs For the Record After helping form the Motown genre, she eventually broke away from the group. Some of the artists stepped away from the . Other notable female metal singers include Doro Pesch, Bonnie Tyler, and Lee Aaron. Category:African-American female singers. She might have been considered the Queen of Disco, but Donna Summer transcended that label in the 1980s with the release of several hit singles. A record eight Grammys in 1984 for that album gave him all the credibility he needed. Their songs spoke to the heart of people from all walks of life and showed that African American artists could make it big in mainstream America. Every decade has its share of one-hit wonders, and the 80s is no exception. The albums single Un-Break My Heart became a musical sensation. During the 80s, James created several hits as a recording artist. They were the total package and as a result they became some of the biggest stars of the decade. And while the disco era may have come to an end in the early 1980s, there were still a few disco singers who found success in the decade. This former Prince protegee and self-proclaimed Nasty Girl set hearts racing with her smokey bedroom eyes, fucshia lips and wildly teased tresses. Tuned 1/2 step below standard tuning. Whats Love Got To Do With It, Proud Mary, and The Best are just a few of her insanely famous songs that not everyone knows but are taught in music schools across America as classics. Throughout the 80s, Ross received several American Music Awards, and in 1988, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Vandross also worked with other artists during the decade, including his favorite artist, Dionne Warwick (more on her in a moment). 27. From Michael Jackson to Prince, and Whitney Houston to Tina Turner, these are the artists that defined an era. She struck musical luck early on. Famous for her belly-baring buckskins in the 70s, Chaka Khan made fluffy hair and kissable plum lips the thing in the 80s. 100 Best Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s and '70s Top 10 Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s, And '70s By Lyra Radford Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a ballroom or on a stage, accompanied by a pianist and a band. Her smooth R&B music and thoughtful lyrics brought her critical acclaim and public popularity that endured for decades. And some of the singers who emerged in the 80s are still relevant today. Overall, she was nominated for 73 awards and won 14. She was particularly fond of artists and bands like the Jackson 5, Donny Hathaway, and Curtis Mayfield. Despite being called the queen of disco, Summer was able to break into different genres. Here are some of the bests from all three periods. Among the most successful Black country singers of the 1980s were Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, and Tina Turner. By the time of her 1980 release No Night So Long, Dionne Warwick was already a hit-maker, but her career reached new heights in that decade. This honey-voiced chanteuse was also a great beauty, with cinnamon-kissed skin and cheekbones to cut glass. These women helped to define the sound of R&B music and paved the way for later stars like Beyonce and Rihanna. From Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston to Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross, these artists dominated the charts and inspired millions with their unique sounds. White? The album sold over a million copies and went platinum. With 1988s Dont Be Cruel, Brown scored five top-10 hits on the Billboard charts, like the massively successful My Prerogative. Every Little Step, another hit off that album, scored him a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. There is a long list of forgotten female singers from the 80s. Her solo single Love Shoulda Brought You Home on the soundtrack for the Eddie Murphy film, Boomerang, launched Braxtons first hit. When D. Boon of American underground rock legends the Minutemen was thrown from the van in which he was riding as the result of an auto accident, the world lost one of unique American singers and guitarists and one of rock's most intelligent, forceful personalities. Bulls on Parade Tab by Rage Against The Machine. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. Other notable female R&B singers of the decade include Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Anita Baker, and Gladys Knight. What would we have done without Ross Im Coming Out to kick off the decade, or The Pointer Sisters Jump (For My Love), to teach us that people should work for our affection. Besides being highly talented they also had a great deal of charisma which helped them to win over American audiences. It also helped Williams achieve five Grammy nominations and stayed in the number one spot on the pop charts for five weeks. Her brother, Michael Jackson, dominated the charts, but Janet was no slouch during the 80s either. In 1994, a compilation album was released titled The Best of Sade. For this, she was nominated Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The album earned her two Soul Train Music Awards and an Image Award for Outstanding New Artist from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). But through it all, there were many incredibly talented black singers who managed to find success no matter what genre they were singing. These artists brought a new sound and a new perspective to the genre, which all together helped it become more mainstream. Updated on 06/26/19. Her first breakthrough came in the form of a role in the movie The Pick Up Artist in 1987. Many of the 80s female folk singers started out by performing at small coffeehouses and other intimate venues. This list is based on the highest album sales, influence over the fans, and overall impact on the music industry during the 1980s. Billboard 200. And for these singers, their only weapon was their music. She won her first Grammy Award in 1998 for the collaborative single Ghetto Superstar with rapper Ol Dirty Bastard which was a number one hit in countries all over the world. As a child, she exhibited a great talent for music and dance and had a dream to become the African American Rockette. Kate Bush 4. But its important to remember that black Britons have been making music for centuries, and they have had a significant impact on the countrys music scene. As mentioned in Wikipedia the 80s is considered the golden age of hip hop. Im Dan and I run this website. From the early days of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper to the height of Whitney Houstons career, this list includes all the ladies who made the 80s such a great decade for music. Madonna in particular, was considered to be one of the hottest female singers of the 80s. New Edition had several hits at the start of the decade with Candy Girl, Cool It Now, and Mr. Image: Time. Here we present you with a list of some of the most popular bands of the 80s that featured female lead singers. Big hair was everywhere, on men and women. -- gained wide renown among both black and white audiences. The genre has its roots in gospel and blues music. Wrapping Up For Our 80s Black Singers List, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRdxUFDoQe0, Michael Jackson Beat It (Official 4K Video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRdxUFDoQe0), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHtT-a4n1vo, Sylvester Do Ya Wanna Funk (remastered remix) [HQ] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHtT-a4n1vo), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG3VcCAlUgE, Prince & The Revolution When Doves Cry (Official Music Video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG3VcCAlUgE), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY7PmX6Oz58, Whitney Houston You Give Good Love (Official HD Video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY7PmX6Oz58), Bobby McFerrin (Song Dont Worry Be Happy), The Weather Girls (Song Its Raining Men). Here are some of the best but forgotten 80s female singers who deserve to be remembered for their contributions to pop music. Copy. She signed her first recording contract as a teenager with Interscope Records. The film had a production budget of $195 million and a marketing budget between $80 million and $100 million but only made $390 million.. Elkie Brooks 'Lilac wine' Top of The Pops (1978) . In a male-dominated industry, women gained confidence that allowed them to . This list may not reflect recent changes ( learn more ). The fact that many black singers found success in the United Kingdom is often overlooked. Figures like Sylvester, Grace Jones, and Little Richard were some of the first openly gay celebrities and their music helped break down many barriers. June is Black Music Month! Cyndi Lauper is one of the most iconic female pop singers of all time. The blues was a way for black people to express their emotions and experiences in a creative and powerful way. 1. It featured the hit single I Think Were Alone Now, which was a huge hit with teens all over the world. But they left their fingerprints all over the music industry with classics like Im So Excited that played on the radio incessantly. Their followings are massive, and their songs are on the radio every single day, but the road they walk on was paved by the beautiful black women of the 80s that dominated fashion and culture at the time. These women were not only successful but they were also considered to be very attractive. And in the 80s, there were a number of British female singers who found success in America. However, her album, New Beginnings, released in 1995, sold 5 million copies and was home to the popular singles Give Me One Reason and Smoke and Ash. The album would earn Chapman her fourth Grammy for Best Rock Song, in addition to several other nominations and awards. Desree (born Desire Annette Weekes on November 30th, 1968) was born in Croydon, London, to parents from British Guyana and Barbados. So we're dedicating today's article to the best 80s female singers. Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love! In fact, there were many blonde women who found success in the music industry during the decade. During the month we'll be celebrating some of our biggest artists, their legacies, and the amazing contributions Black people have made to music around the world. The Supremes first number one hit was Where Did Our Love Go, which helped bridge the gap between blues music and the pop music of the time. It featured bands with unique sounds and unusual instruments. Imagine a world without Janet Jackson or Whitney Houston. Having risen to prominence as part of the Ike And Tina Turner Revue in the 60s and 70s, she broke away from her abusive husband to forge an unstoppable career of her own. In addition to her pop and R&B megahits, Braxton had a fruitful career as a Broadway actress. Michael Jackson might have been the King of Pop for decades, but his sister Janet Jackson proved she could easily step out of her brothers shadow. 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