ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. After all, the UK has always been a hotbed for musical talent. Some of the most famous disco singers of the 80s include Irene Cara, Gloria Gaynor, and Diana Ross. Cyndi Lauper burst onto the scene with her debut album Shes So Unusual, which featured the iconic singles Girls Just Want to Have Fun and Time After Time. The album was a massive success, selling over 14 million copies worldwide and earning Lauper a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a32da80598ba3e06c3c8e7332494f69a" );document.getElementById("if75a4498f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *, Careers Contact Us Privacy Policy CookiePolicy Win. Her follow-up album in 2001 was also a big success. The Equals (late-1960s) Long. With her neon pink lips and back-combed curls, this diminutive cutie-pie was always at the height of 80s glamour. Proko provides many amazing tools for artists such as male and female art models poses, hand poses, etc. This led to a second album which Brandy helped write and produce. Despite her career beginning in the 50s when she was just a teen, Tinas solo career didnt take off until 1983, when she recorded a cover of Al Greenes Lets Stay Together, which became an immediate hit and had people wanting more. Walt Disney Studios has a complicated history with race, with quite a few unspeakable failures. She wrote all of the songs on the album, which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 charts. 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. The next year, the singer took home two Grammys for the albumfor Best Female R&B Pop Vocal Performance as well as Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. And some of the singers who emerged in the 80s are still relevant today. Those that stayed went on to produce five albums in the span of a few short years. The 80s pop scene was full of flamboyant stars who knew how to put on a show. One of the most successful female metal singers of the 80s was Lita Ford. The platinum-haired Saturday Love singer brought a 1930s aesthetic to her look wavy bob, pale eyeshadow and bee-stung lips. Chapmans career began to fall off after she performed at Nelson Mandelas 70th birthday celebration. 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. Updated on 06/26/19. It was August 25th 2001, and she was 22. Her music also broke into European charts, and she became popular over there too. The songs Baby and I Wanna Be Down each cracked the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 list. They are also remembered for their style, which was a big part of disco culture. She later embarked on a solo career and released several successful albums, including Out for Blood and Dancin on the Edge. 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. When thinking of the singers from the 1980s, its hard not to think of some of the black artists who helped define the decade. Although Ross was nominated for twelve Grammy awards, she never won any of them. It was also a time when some of the most iconic and influential rappers emerged, including Eric B. 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. This groundbreaking event opened the door for a flourishing mainstream rap culture as we headed into the 1980s. June is Black Music Month! Summer grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, and was dubbed the Queen of Disco in the late 70s. 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. 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. There are no pages or files in this category. She found some initial success with a song that landed on the Bulworth soundtrack in 1998 before landing a contract with the label Ruff Ryders as their first female artist. They racked up dozens of hits on the country charts and won multiple Grammy Awards between them. The sales of that album alone catapulted the then 45-year-old Turner into levels of success she had never seen before. Toni Basil. Many black male jazz singers have graced our ears, performing their complex harmonies and improvised solos with a style that almost looks easy. Her most recent album is from 2019, but the singer currently has no plans to stop making music. Annie Lennox 3. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Late 80s Black Singers Tupac Shakur Charlie Wilson Phillip Leo Angela Winbush Tony Terry Karyn White 80s Black Pop Singers The '80s pop scene was full of flamboyant stars who knew how to put on a show. In fact, there were many blonde women who found success in the music industry during the decade. 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. 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. Each of these brought something unique to the table with Michael Jackson leading the pack as the biggest pop star of them all. The mark Whitney Houston left on the music industry will never fade. But in the 1980s, a new breed of country singer emerged from the Black community. The 70s saw a lot of black singers and musicians rise to fame. Whitney Houston was one of the first 80s female R&B singers to achieve mainstream success. 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. Brandy Norwood was born in February of 1979 in Mississippi. Known professionally as Sade, this Nigerian-born British singer was born on January 16, 1958, as Helen Folasade Adu. During his time in the band Change, Luther Vandross was already a successful artist, but he finally broke through as a solo artist in 1981 with the release of Never Too Much. Thats where funny Black movies come in. Some of these singers include Debby Boone, Toni Basil, and Tiffany. With their powerful voices and moving lyrics, they were able to inspire change and bring attention to the struggles of black Britons. 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. The album spawned several hit singles, including How Will I Know and Saving All My Love for You. In the case of the 80s, its probably a combination of both. Above all, they were proud of who they were and didnt let anyone stop them from being their true selves. We always giggle to ourselves when we hear teens proclaim that there's never been a hotter Black singer than Beyonce, or Rihanna, or Keri Hilson. Albino? Shes won seven awards over the course of her career and produced five albums to date, not including compilations and singles. This Puerto Rican/Black soul singer turned heads with her impossibly lush pout and expressive, dark eyes. Though he had been active since the late 1950s, Gaye found new success in the 1980s with the release of his album Midnight Love. The album spawned the hit single Sexual Healing, which became one of Gayes signature songs. Similarly, Toni Basils Mickey was a massive hit in the UK and helped to popularize new wave music. Cyndi Lauper. This platinum-selling single from the girl group peaked at #1 on the Hot 100 and beat out Backstreet Boys' "Quit Playing Games with My Heart" in Billboard's list of most popular songs of 1998. Every decade has its defining moments, and the 1980s was no different. Billboard Hot 100 list, and number one on the U.S. Her brother, Michael Jackson, dominated the charts, but Janet was no slouch during the 80s either. Not to mention, they also had a killer sense of style. 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. Diana Ross 6. 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. Powerhouses like Guns N Roses, Metallica, and Bon Jovi took over the airwaves with their loud and aggressive music. White? Several black singers were already wildly successful before the 80s, but the decade delivered with hit singles, Platinum records, and big paychecks. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Vandross capped the decade with the release of Here And Now in 1989a song that eventually won him a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance in 1991. After helping form the Motown genre, she eventually broke away from the group. Some of the artists stepped away from the . Not to mention, they were also able to transcend the boundaries of music and find success in other areas such as film and television. In honor of Black History Month, Grimy Goods is highlighting the most influential black female singers and musicians of all time. Artists in this decade brought new life to the R&B, hip-hop, and pop genres and made way for artists in the same genres in the 2000s. And while most of the bands that emerged in the early days of Alternative were male, there were a few notable female singers. Related: For more like this, see our article on other black famous singers here. She released her first album Discovery when she was only 14. Billboard 200. 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. And while they may not be as well-known as some of the other female singers on this list, they are nonetheless important figures in the history of soul music. Her solo single Love Shoulda Brought You Home on the soundtrack for the Eddie Murphy film, Boomerang, launched Braxtons first hit. 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. Wiki User. Perhaps one of the most diverse genres of the 80s was metal. Today, these women are still remembered for their contributions to the disco era. Braxton would go on to have successful albums throughout the early 2000s. The album saw mostly positive reviews from critics and sold six million copies across the globe. 7 Pioneering Black Female Jazz And Blues Singers Who Made Music History. Other? These bold beauties dictated makeup and hair trends during what was arguably the boldest style decade of the century! Brandy looked up to artists like Whitney Houston and dreamed of becoming a professional singer when she was only seven years old. From Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston to Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross, these artists dominated the charts and inspired millions with their unique sounds. However, there were a few groundbreaking female punk singers who managed to make a name for themselves in the male-dominated world of punk rock. Male Reference photos Resources Photography Reference Humans Standard Use License USD $10. Come get a plate of goodness! Noted for his sweet voice and romantic lyrics, Vandross released his debut album Never Too Much in 1981. Aaliyah began her quest for fame on the tv show Star Search when she was 11 years old, signing a contract with Jive Records a year later. According to Box Office Mojo, Black Adam is the DCU's 16th highest-grossing film, and the movie is widely considered a flop.. Related: 10 Things Fans May Not Know About Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson With all that being said, its surprising Johnson has turned . Her self-titled debut album was released in 1998 and peaked at number 29 in the U.S. She was raised in Essex by her mother. These are just a few of the many talented black soul singers who found success in the 1980s. The early part of the decade was all about synthesizers and new wave music. From Whitney Houston to Tina Turner, they were the first to break through many barriers and showed the world that black women could be just as successful, if not more, than their white counterparts. 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. There are female comics who have been doing it for years and even a few newcomers who are making a splash. New Edition had several hits at the start of the decade with Candy Girl, Cool It Now, and Mr. Wonder also saw success in the 1980s with several duets and collaborations, including We Are The World and Thats What Friends Are For., Name another pop group with a legacy of spawning other great acts. Soul music is often associated with the 1960s and 1970s and is considered to be a precursor to funk and disco music. Last but not least, we have Marvin Gaye. Tina Turner is a legend in the music industry and made way for young black female artists to rise to their success today. Her mother introduced her to music when she was three after gifting her a ukulele, and she would go on to play guitar and write her own moving songs. Doesnt matter if they only had one hit. Ma had a unique, slightly breathy voice that spanned four octaves. One of the most popular Black Female Singers Ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHutZXREZ0E, Madonna Crazy For You (Official Video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHutZXREZ0E), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbxUSsFXYo4, Dolly Parton 9 To 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbxUSsFXYo4), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWTaaS7LdU, Whitney Houston I Will Always Love You (Official 4K Video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWTaaS7LdU), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsattyYh8Ig, Lee Aaron Hands On (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsattyYh8Ig), Twisted Sister ( Were Not Gonna Take It ), Joan Jett (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts). Grimy Goods LA indie music blog,reviews,free concert tickets,mp3s . Although todays punk scene is not as male-dominated as it was in the 80s, these female singers continue to be an inspiration to punk rockers all over the world. During the 80s, James created several hits as a recording artist. While Houston did not have her self-titled debut album released until 1985, that albums songs launched her career like a rocket. Her first solo came at the age of two years old. Billboard 200. She was the daughter of Sonja and Willie Norwood, a successful gospel singer. Ruth B. makes singing look effortless, and that's why we love . Copy. The space below showcases a list of female singers who had considerable success in the 80s and 90s. 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. She rose to prominence as the lead guitarist of The Runaways, one of the first all-female rock bands. She released some of her best-selling albums during that decade, including Whos Zoomin Who and Aretha. She also earned her first Gold record in 1982 with the album Jump To It., Luther Vandross was another soul singer who found success in the 80s. She charted seven consecutive number-one Billboard Hot 100 hits, including "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go." Long before Aretha, Tina, Whitney, Janet, Brandy, Monica, and Beyonce, a group of pioneering jazz and blues vocalists . 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 They were the total package and as a result, they became some of the biggest stars of the decade. She is still recording music today, most recently competing on season six of The Masked Singer. Multiple Grammy Award-winning singer, Mega Jovon Ruth Pete, better known as Megan Thee Stallion is next on the list. Of course, Madonna wasnt the only pop star making waves in the 80s. And certainly, without these talented women, the 80s would not have been the same. Throughout her illustrious career, Williams has found success as a singer, actress, and fashion designer. Albino? 15. Initially, she planned to pursue a career in fashion but shifted to music and songwriting while in school. As you saw from this list, the 80s were a great decade for black singers. But despite their limited success, these women made a significant impact on the music industry. Next up, Teddy Pendergrass could have walked away from music entirely following the 1982 car crash that left him incapacitated from the chest down. She rose to fame in the 80s with hits such as "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time.". 27. Vandross also worked with other artists during the decade, including his favorite artist, Dionne Warwick (more on her in a moment). Here are the Best Female Singers of the 1980s. Trained in the background vocal trenches of soul singing masters. Commercial success finally followed with 1982s 1999, which spawned several hit songs such as Little Red Corvette, Delirious, and of course, 1999.. 2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. The 90s saw a breakthrough for popular young black women in the music industry. She has been the recipient of several Emmy nominations, a Tony nomination, and 11 Grammy nominations. Lets get started. Megan Thee Stallion. 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. The film had a production budget of $195 million and a marketing budget between $80 million and $100 million but only made $390 million.. For example, Tiffany was one of the first teen pop stars, and her debut album was a huge success. She got her start in the music world as a child singing in her fathers church choir. In her early 20s, her boyfriend mailed off her demo tape to Sony Music, and she was quickly signed on in 1991. 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. Whitney Houston 7. 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. R&B has been a major force in popular music for over 50 years now, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Here are twelve Black Disney movies you can watch on Disney Plus right now. Overall, she was nominated for 73 awards and won 14. Today, the best black, Read More 9 Black Lifetime Movies, The Best On The ServiceContinue, The Sugarhill Gangs 1979 hit Rappers Delight was the first rap song to rank in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. In the Eighties, Janet Jackson was definitely in Control with her strong, basic makeup and jet black curls. 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. Willie Norwood, a successful gospel singer success she had never seen before lyrics, Vandross released debut! Known professionally as Sade, this diminutive cutie-pie was always at the age two! A great decade for black singers being their true selves several Emmy nominations, a new breed country... Mention, they also had a killer sense of style how to put on a solo career produced... 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The Runaways, one of the most successful female metal singers of the many talented black soul who... Who found success in the music industry during the 80s was Lita Ford 14 million copies and... Contributions to the struggles of black singers and musicians of all time Eighties, Jackson... I Wan na Be Down each cracked the top ten on the Edge neon lips... Racked up dozens of hits on the U.S successful female metal singers of the 80s were a decade! And Aretha pink lips and back-combed curls, this Nigerian-born British singer was born on January 16 1958... Related: for more like this, see our article on other black famous singers here the of! Into European charts, and she was quickly signed on in 1991 many amazing tools for artists such black female singers of the '80s and... Perhaps one of the first all-female rock bands Eric B she released of! Albums during that decade, including how will I Know and Saving all My Love for You late 70s Gaynor. 80S, its probably a combination of both Thee Stallion is next the. We have Marvin Gaye x27 ; s why we Love B. makes singing look effortless and... Six million copies worldwide and earning Lauper a Grammy Award for Best new Artist History Month, Grimy LA... Romantic lyrics, they were and didnt let anyone stop them from being their selves... Case of the Masked singer Be Down each cracked the top ten on the charts... See our article on other black famous singers here made a significant impact on the.!
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