black female singers of the '80s

This album broke the top ten on the charts in the United States and the U.K. These are the greatest Black female singers of all time, from Aretha and Whitney Houston to Mariah Carey and Sade, as ranked by music enthusiasts like you. This Puerto Rican/Black soul singer turned heads with her impossibly lush pout and expressive, dark eyes. Elkie Brooks had 4 songs in the top 20 in the 70s. Maze feat. As you have read above, the 80s were a time of big hair, acid wash jeans, and synthesizers. Aretha Franklin in particular had a huge impact in the 80s. Not to mention, they also had the looks to match their stellar voices. 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. These women were trendsetters in the world of music and fashion, and they inspired other women to be bold and experiment with their looks. It went platinum, selling over 8 million records. These are just a few of the many talented black soul singers who found success in the 1980s. 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. Elkie Brooks 'Lilac wine' Top of The Pops (1978) . Hit single after hit single, Platinum record after Platinum record, Jackson transformed what it meant to be a pop star starting with 1979s Off The Wall. Toni Basil. They rose to stardom via their ability to blend into any genre with ease. 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. Bonnie, Ruth, Anita, and June Pointer were the members of the initial Pointer sisters, but not all stayed in the group. But Houston wasnt the only R&B singer making waves in the 80s. And while short hair may not seem like a big deal now, it was pretty radical in the 80s. Throughout the 80s, Ross received several American Music Awards, and in 1988, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In the 1980s a new generation of women jazz musicians emerged who expanded their predecessors' push against the patriarchal boundaries of the jazz world. 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. Offers may be subject to change without notice. This list may not reflect recent changes ( learn more ). They later went on hiatus for a short while so that three of the members could form Bell Biv Devoeanother classic R&B and hip-hop group that saw success in the early 1990s. She was the first black woman to play Eponine in the Broadway musical Les Miserables. But if it werent for the contributions of these and other female R&B singers, the 80s just wouldnt be the same. Besides being highly talented they also had a great deal of charisma which helped them to win over American audiences. Like the 1985 Aretha Franklin song (" Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves "), female singers in the '80s were blazing their own trails. Is it someone who is physically attractive? June is Black Music Month! She has won a total of 20 awards and found additional success as an actress in movies like the Barbershop franchise. Lauper has released six studio albums over her career, and she has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards. The space below showcases a list of female singers who had considerable success in the 80s and 90s. Today there are incredibly talented and extremely successful female artists like Beyonce, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj, but it wouldnt have been possible without the black female singers of the 80s who blazed the trail. With her neon pink lips and back-combed curls, this diminutive cutie-pie was always at the height of 80s glamour. And it all came from the hard work and raw talent of these artists. But Madonna was not the only blonde female singer in the 80s. While most rap and hip-hop artists have traditionally been black, white rappers have found major success in the industry since the 80s. Shanice became a professional singer at the age of 8 years old when she was selected to sing alongside Ella Fitzgerald in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial. Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn as Aaliyah Dana Houghton in 1979. For this, she was nominated Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Over a variety of musical genres from the past century, the voices of the women on this list have touched music lovers everywhere. It featured emotionally raw and poignant lyrics that exposed Bliges pain and strenuous relationship at the time. This was a decade that saw the rise of some of country musics most iconic female singers. Some of the popular were Cindy Lauper, Cyndi Thomson, and Debbie Gibson. They're undoubtedly stunning, but today's music divas stand on the shoulders of gorgeous '80s glamazons like Whitney, Sade, Jody Watley and Miss Jackson (if you're nasty). If youre thinking of Madonna, then youre on the right track. There was a time when country music was known for its twangy guitars and its tales of heartbreak, loss, and love. She signed her first recording contract as a teenager with Interscope Records. Lets get started. Some of the British female singers who found success in the 80s include Annie Lennox, Bonnie Tyler, and Sade. 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. In 1988, he hit #1 with his song Joy from the album of the same name, which became certified Gold. Famous African-American Singers between 1940 - 1980 Ray Charles (September 23 rd, 1930 - June 10 th, 2004) Awards and Recognition: 10 Grammy Awards won in his lifetime, record for the highest number of posthumous Grammy Awards, National Academy of Recording Art & Science Hall Award of Fame in 1972, NAACP Image Awards - Hall of Fame Award in 2004, Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the . Perhaps one of the most diverse genres of the 80s was metal. But the decade is also about the new sounds that came forward thanks to advances in technology, instruments, and production techniques. Her work was expressive and creative and paved the way for future 90s black female singers. The songs featured themes of feminism and female sexuality, although it was generally considered a slump. When thinking of the singers from the 1980s, its hard not to think of some of the black artists who helped define the decade. But one thing is for sure: They all made a significant impact on the music industry, and their contributions should not be forgotten. She released her debut LP, Da Baddest Bitch, two. 14. The 80s pop scene was full of flamboyant stars who knew how to put on a show. It was August 25th 2001, and she was 22. Her subsequent album releases did not achieve the same popularity or recognition her initial project did. When I Think of You and What Have You Done For Me Lately rocketed to the top of the charts, putting Janet on the map as a solo artist. They pushed through the turbulence with the release of 1988s Heart Break, which gave the group five more hits. These singers werent afraid to experiment with their sound, and they were often ahead of their time. These women helped to break down the barriers for female metal singers and paved the way for later stars like Amy Lee and Sharon Den Adel. Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions get in touch! With her first two albums alone, Whitney Houston and Whitney, equaling over 20 million records sold, the accumulation of albums sells and the number of hits and classic albums and soundtracks, like the Bodyguard, makes Whitney Houston's resume and her skill level almost untouchable amongst other 80s R&B female singers. These are singers who had a few hits but never quite made it to the top. Walt Disney Studios has a complicated history with race, with quite a few unspeakable failures. Table of Contents Best Black Female Singers of the 70s Sheila Ferguson Chaka Khan Donna Summer Aretha Franklin Natalie Cole Roberta Flack Gloria Gaynor Gladys Knight Diana Ross Dionne Warwick Tina Turner Patti Labelle Minnie Riperton Etta James Nina Simone Conclusion Best Black Female Singers of the 70s Whitney Houston 7. She later joined a hip-hop group with a couple of friends called Edjp. Some have faded into obscurity, while others have continued to make music but have never regained the level of success they once had. They were the total package and as a result, they became some of the biggest stars of the decade. In honor of Black History Month, Grimy Goods is highlighting the most influential black female singers and musicians of all time. Madonna in particular, was considered to be one of the hottest female singers of the 80s. Though some of them are not with us anymore, their music continues to inspire millions. So, to celebrate their contributions, weve compiled a list of the best black singers of the 80s. There is a long list of forgotten female singers from the 80s. However, there were a number of successful female soul singers in the 1980s. The single was a success worldwide and spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and would earn Ma a Grammy Award. That said she was raised in Georgia. Your email address will not be published. From fashion to music, they have given us some of the best creations in history. As you saw from this list, the 80s were a great decade for black singers. Along with her incredible music, she has a distinct look that has become iconic. Today, well talk about some of these amazing rappers. Despite being called the queen of disco, Summer was able to break into different genres. There are many amazing recent offerings, but this list also covers hits from the, Read More 19 Black Thriller Movies With Plot Twists & ExcitementContinue, Lifetime is one of the more popular basic cable channels out there. With her mounds of curls and flawless brows, Karyn White wasnt just a Superwoman, she was also a great beauty! It was an international success as well, reaching certified quadruple-Platinum and certified Gold in the U.K. Richie released one more album in 1986, Dancing On The Ceiling, before taking a ten-year break. Today, black female musicians like Doja Cat, Beyonce, and SZA inspire young women and have a hold on the music industry. She followed this with songs like Endless Love, and Chain Reactionboth massively successful singles. 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. She rose to prominence in 1985 with the release of her debut album, Whitney Houston. She now resides in California where she works as a session and live performer. Some of the artists stepped away from the . In this post, we're going to take a look at 15 of the greatest and most famous female singers of the 80s. She was a soprano with a voice that would go on to be described as both silky and sweet. It may have been her androgynous appearance, but her voice soon made them forget what she looked like. In 2001 she recorded the 1975 hit Lady Marmalade with singers Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, and Pink. So if youre a fan of R&B music, then you owe a debt of gratitude to these female singers. As a child, she exhibited a great talent for music and dance and had a dream to become the African American Rockette. However, the collaboration with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder gave her a massive hit with a message. Third up, Whitney Houston, might have had a massively successful song in the 1990s, but her work in the 1980s is nothing to forget. She wouldnt release her self-titled debut album until 1994, which peaked at twenty in the U.S. She was particularly fond of artists and bands like the Jackson 5, Donny Hathaway, and Curtis Mayfield. Be it pop, rock, country, or R&B, these ladies knew how to belt out a tune and get the crowd going. Toni Braxton Toni Braxton was a 90s music sensation. The albums single Un-Break My Heart became a musical sensation. It is undeniable that Doja Cat will continue to dominate the global music scene like other talented black female singers. 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