However, the collaboration with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder gave her a massive hit with a message. R&B has its roots in the blues, which was created by black Americans in the early 1900s. . But infighting in the group forced them to oust founding member Bobby Brown in 1985, leading to a new line-up. 3. Ma helped write, record, and produce her sophomore album Fear of Flying in 1999. But despite their limited success, these women made a significant impact on the music industry. 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. Grimy Goods LA indie music blog,reviews,free concert tickets,mp3s . In honor of their glamorous and moving contributions to the music industry that have empowered women over the decades, this is a list of the seven best 80s black female singers. If you wanted a picture of 80s excess, Rick James might be the first person in your mind. These women are known for their powerful vocal performances and their ability to connect with audiences. In 1994, a compilation album was released titled The Best of Sade. From fashion to music, they have given us some of the best creations in history. She continued to create music and release albums even as she dabbled in the world of musical theater. This former Prince protegee and self-proclaimed Nasty Girl set hearts racing with her smokey bedroom eyes, fucshia lips and wildly teased tresses. It was re-released a couple of years later with additional tracks. She eventually returned to her dancing roots, where she continued to make dance music for her loyal following. Chloe and Halle have the co-sign of Beyonc and after hearing these vocals we understand why. As mentioned in Wikipedia the 80s is considered the golden age of hip hop. It earned her two Grammy Award nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best New Artist, four Soul Train Music Awards, and the New York Childrens Choice Awards. Among the most successful Black country singers of the 1980s were Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, and Tina Turner. Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love! D. Boon of the Minutemen, Age 27 - December 22, 1985. She was the daughter of Sonja and Willie Norwood, a successful gospel singer. She is best known for her songs Give Me A Reason and Fast Car, which come off her debut album. : African-American female singers. Ma had a unique, slightly breathy voice that spanned four octaves. White? These women were trendsetters in the world of music and fashion, and they inspired other women to be bold and experiment with their looks. Summer grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, and was dubbed the Queen of Disco in the late 70s. Alternative music was a departure from the mainstream pop and rock that had been popular for years. Brandys career has spanned music, television, Broadway. For this, she was nominated Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. From women to men, old to young, here are the 24 best black stand up comedians with specials, Read More 24 Best Black Stand Up Comedians With Netflix Comedy SpecialsContinue, The history of jazz is long, storied, filled with drama, tragedy, comedy, love, and outstanding singers. These are the women who had a few hits but never quite made it to the top of the charts. Top Black Female Singers of the 90s, Final Thoughts. 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. 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. If youre thinking of Madonna, then youre on the right track. Several black singers were already wildly successful before the 80s, but the decade delivered with hit singles, Platinum records, and big paychecks. 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. When President Barack Obama was running for office, he used their song Yes We Can Can. 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. And who knows, maybe youll discover a new favorite singer from the past. 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. In 1996, Braxtons second album, Secrets, broke the top ten on a variety of international charts and hit number two on the Billboard 200. These women were not only talented, but they were also physically attractive. That's nothing new to those of us The 13th century was, in truth, the century of Saints, and of. People like Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, and Anita Baker were churning out hits and selling millions of records. But they left their fingerprints all over the music industry with classics like Im So Excited that played on the radio incessantly. It also helped Williams achieve five Grammy nominations and stayed in the number one spot on the pop charts for five weeks. Eve spent time after graduating from high school in New York. Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 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." The single, Let Me Blow Ya Mind, would go on to win a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002. Shanice Lorraine Wilson was born on May the 14th, 1973. In 2001 she recorded the 1975 hit Lady Marmalade with singers Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, and Pink. They pushed through the turbulence with the release of 1988s Heart Break, which gave the group five more hits. Fierce! 27. In honor of Black Music Month, we're saluting twenty most beautiful songstresses of the Eighties. Some famous Black female singers sing the blues while other top Black woman artists are pop superstars. Her second studio album, Inner Child, was released in 1991. It featured emotionally raw and poignant lyrics that exposed Bliges pain and strenuous relationship at the time. This list may not reflect recent changes ( learn more ). Her combined voice talent and love for music led her to pursue a career as a music teacher. Come get a plate of goodness! Aretha Franklin in particular had a huge impact in the 80s. The Equals (late-1960s) Long. Lets get started. Not to mention, they also had the looks to match their stellar voices. Annie Lennox 3. Other? Their music was also featured in films and commercials. Throughout her illustrious career, Williams has found success as a singer, actress, and fashion designer. Summer had several certified Gold records released during the decade as well. 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). Frankie Beverly. Many of the 80s female folk singers started out by performing at small coffeehouses and other intimate venues. She was known as the Princess of R&B and the Queen of Urban Pop.. Every decade has its share of one-hit wonders, and the 80s were no exception. Turners success also crossed over into movies, where she co-starred alongside Mel Gibson in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. Were sure youll enjoy their music as much as we do. She got her start in the music world as a child singing in her fathers church choir. Since its launch in 1984, the channel has garnered millions of viewers each week who tune in to see powerful women rule the screen. So, to celebrate their contributions, we've compiled a list of the best black singers of the 80s. The early 80s punk scene was dominated by men. Category. Be it pop, rock, country, or R&B, these ladies knew how to belt out a tune and get the crowd going. These singers released dozens of hit singles throughout the decade, and their albums consistently topped the charts. There are no pages or files in this category. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a32da80598ba3e06c3c8e7332494f69a" );document.getElementById("if75a4498f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *, Careers Contact Us Privacy Policy CookiePolicy Win. 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. Initially, she planned to pursue a career in fashion but shifted to music and songwriting while in school. The Guinness Book of World Records has named her the most awarded female artist of all time, a title that still stands today and exemplifies her grip on musical culture. Doesnt matter if they only had one hit. She furthered her fame as the star of Rodgers and Hammersteins television version of Cinderella, also starring Whitney Houston and Whoopi Goldberg. Here are some more. Known for R&B and Soul music, Desree is still releasing music today. Maze feat. The album saw mostly positive reviews from critics and sold six million copies across the globe. One of the most unique music artist of all time, Stevie Wonder might have had a period of success in the late 1970s, but his commercial success ballooned in the 1980s. 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. Thanks to them, LGBTQ+ people had someone to look up to and their music helped spread awareness and acceptance. She signed her first recording contract as a teenager with Interscope Records. 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. Every decade has its share of one-hit wonders, and the 80s is no exception. It featured bands with unique sounds and unusual instruments. James also succeeded as a producer, helping to create hits such as Eddie Murphys Party All The Time.. The songs Baby and I Wanna Be Down each cracked the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 list. These women were brave enough to go against the norms of society and they inspired other women to do the same. 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. In the next couple of years, Aaliyah would gain further recognition for her soundtrack recordings on popular films Anastasia and Dr. Doolittle. Perhaps one of the most diverse genres of the 80s was metal. The 70s saw a lot of black singers and musicians rise to fame. Now that you have the list, go ahead and give these singers a listen. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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. Here are some of the best but forgotten 80s female singers who deserve to be remembered for their contributions to pop music. Her music also broke into European charts, and she became popular over there too. Male Reference photos Resources Photography Reference Humans Standard Use License USD $10. While her initial album had a heavier rap influence, her follow-up albums featured more classically soul tracks that had heavy emotive power. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. R&B has been a major force in popular music for over 50 years now, and it shows no signs of slowing down. She rose to fame in the 80s with hits such as "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time.". These artists brought a new sound and a new perspective to the genre, which all together helped it become more mainstream. Imagine a world without Janet Jackson or Whitney Houston. 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. In honor of Black History Month, Grimy Goods is highlighting the most influential black female singers and musicians of all time. With her exotic eyes, mile-long nails, and oversize earrings, this former Soul Train dancer was one of the fiercest trendsetters of the 80s! Gloria Estefan Dina Carroll Betty Boo Paula Abdul Jennifer Rush Gabrielle Tina Arena Cathy Dennis Martika Donna Lewis 80s Female R&B Singers Imagine a world without Janet Jackson or Whitney Houston. She was only 15 at the time. The singer was born on the seventh of October, 1967, in a religious household. 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. 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