Even though the 80s was a time when racism was still very prevalent, there were many black artists who created some of the most iconic songs and albums that are still remembered today. Known professionally as Sade, this Nigerian-born British singer was born on January 16, 1958, as Helen Folasade Adu. Though some of them are not with us anymore, their music continues to inspire millions. Tuned 1/2 step below standard tuning. 15. 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. Sade was also the first Nigerian woman to win a Grammy award for Best New Artist. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. 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. If youre thinking of Madonna, then youre on the right track. If there was one thing the 80s pop scene lacked, it was diversity. Today, black female musicians like Doja Cat, Beyonce, and SZA inspire young women and have a hold on the music industry. Summer grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, and was dubbed the Queen of Disco in the late 70s. 28. Many black male jazz singers have graced our ears, performing their complex harmonies and improvised solos with a style that almost looks easy. It has influenced everything from rock and roll to hip hop, and it continues to be one of the most popular genres of music today. They racked up dozens of hits on the country charts and won multiple Grammy Awards between them. They were the total package and as a result they became some of the biggest stars of the decade. With the help of her brother, the baby of the Jackson family released her self-titled debut album in 1982. The Pointer Sisters epitomized 80s cool, with their teased tresses, purple eyeshadow and bold, berry-stained lipgloss. 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. 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. 1984s Love Language spawned a hit with Hold Me. Pendergrass received rave reviews for his appearance at the 1985 Live Aid concerthis first live performance since the crash. And who knows, maybe youll discover a new favorite singer from the past. Some of the most famous short-haired female singers of the 80s include Annie Lennox, Madonna, and Deborah Harry. Often forgotten, but an incredible artist in the 80s, LaDonna Adrian Gaines, also known as Donna Summer, recorded some amazing hits that still play on the radio today. In 1998, she went on a world tour and performed sold-out shows throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She is also the eldest sister of entertainer Ray J and Snoop Doggs cousin. Even though the 80s was a time when racism was still very prevalent, there were many black artists who created some of the most iconic songs and albums that are still remembered today. 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. But that all changed with the introduction of Janet Jackson. 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. 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). The early 80s were an important time for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, and there were many black gay singers who used their platform to help further the cause. These days, shes inspired everyone from Rihanna to Lady Gaga. As a child, she exhibited a great talent for music and dance and had a dream to become the African American Rockette. 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. This category is located at Category:African-American women singers. Sign up free 0:00 0:00 Company About Jobs For the Record So even though these women may have only had one hit, their contributions should not be overlooked. Control gave the world Nasty, What Have You Done for Me Lately, and When I Think of Youthree of a record-setting five singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100. On this edition of Night Lights we . She is still recording music today, most recently competing on season six of The Masked Singer. Her family settled down in Detroit, Michigan where she would take voice lessons and dream of becoming a big star. 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. Diana Ross 6. 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. Their music was raw and edgy, and their lyrics were as expressive and provocative as any male punk singer. But they weren't the only ones making waves in the industry. Is it someone who is physically attractive? Browns success continued in 1989 when he contributed two songs to the Ghostbusters II soundtrack: On Our Own and Were Back, the former peaking at #2. People like Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, and Anita Baker were churning out hits and selling millions of records. But they soon began to gain wider recognition, thanks in part to their appearances on various television shows. These singers released dozens of hit singles throughout the decade, and their albums consistently topped the charts. Many of them are remembered as legends today and their songs are considered classics. Whitney Houston was one of the first 80s female R&B singers to achieve mainstream success. Despite this success, she spent much of the 80s living as a struggling artist in less than ideal living conditions. She was raised in Essex by her mother. 80s Male black icons like Michael Jackson and Prince were not only creating some of the catchiest tunes but also changing the game when it came to fashion and style. Lo was still on the 6, Bronx-born bombshell Lisa Lisa was breaking hearts with her signature frosted pink lipstick and one-eye-obscuring bangs. The disco era of the 1970s was all about glitter, glamour, and big hair. It was August 25th 2001, and she was 22. 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. She recorded her first self-titled debut album in 1986 for Elektra Records. 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. They helped to create a sound that is still loved by millions of people all over the world. Billboard 200. She rose to prominence in 1985 with the release of her debut album, Whitney Houston. 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). Billboard Hot 100 list, and number one on the U.S. Without these incredible ladies, I shudder to think about where music would be today. The album sold over a million copies and went platinum. Albino? However, Turner launched what Billboard called one of the greatest comebacks in music history with 1984s Private Dancer. Throughout her childhood, Sade found joy in listening to American soul music. Besides being highly talented they also had a great deal of charisma which helped them to win over American audiences. R&B took the best aspects of the blues and added elements of jazz, gospel, and soul to create a new sound that would soon take over the world. For this, she was nominated Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Every decade has its share of one-hit wonders, and the 80s were no exception. While Houston did not have her self-titled debut album released until 1985, that albums songs launched her career like a rocket. These singers were not only talented musicians, but they also had a powerful presence on stage. 15 Black Artists Who Died Too Young 1. Rappers like N.W.A., Public Enemy, and Beastie Boys were making a name for themselves with their controversial lyrics and innovative beats. Her powerful vocals coupled with her thoughtful lyrics made her a well-respected artist. Brandy Norwood was born in February of 1979 in Mississippi. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Whitney Houston 7. The album won four Grammy awards and sold more than 20 million copies, solidifying her place in the music industry. However, the collaboration with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder gave her a massive hit with a message. They popularized the punk look, which included tight leather jackets, ripped jeans, and spikes. And while we cant name every single great black rapper from the 80s, we would be remiss if we didnt at least mention a few of the pioneers who paved the way for the rest. She began touring with a Latin funk band called Pride in the late 70s and early 80s. The 90s saw the release of the bands fourth studio album, Love Deluxe, which peaked at number four on the U.S. The lyrics were often dark and introspective, dealing with topics like love, loss, and betrayal. -- gained wide renown among both black and white audiences. in Lists. But Madonna was not the only blonde female singer in the 80s. : African-American female singers. Is Iggy Azalea Black? A record eight Grammys in 1984 for that album gave him all the credibility he needed. 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. Ella Fitzgerald Ella Fitzgerald - Cheek To Cheek (Live) When thinking of the singers from the 1980s, its hard not to think of some of the black artists who helped define the decade. Shanice Lorraine Wilson was born on May the 14th, 1973. Her voice transcends stereotypes and cuts deep when you listen to her emotional music. As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, VIBE looks at three of the critically under-celebrated female voices of '80s. In honor of Black History Month, Grimy Goods is highlighting the most influential black female singers and musicians of all time. While her initial album had a heavier rap influence, her follow-up albums featured more classically soul tracks that had heavy emotive power. So, in honor of these amazing women, weve put together a list of the 100+ best female singers of the 80s. Some are inspiring, and others are thought-provoking. All in all, the group performed from the early 70s to the 2010s before their careers seemingly ended. She also provided two songs on the movies soundtrack, including the hit We Dont Need Another Hero (Thunderdome).. 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. She has also received four Satellite awards and seven NAACP Image Awards. The following is a round-up of the top black male singers of the 70s. Shanice showcased her three-and-a-half octave vocal range on a total of five studio albums from the late 90s to early 2000s. Madonna 2. The fact that many of the biggest stars of the 80s came from the UK is no surprise. If you want to add some action and fear into your movie nights, you wont go wrong picking a film from this list. 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. Today, these women are still remembered for their contributions to the disco era. She later joined a hip-hop group with a couple of friends called Edjp. This groundbreaking event opened the door for a flourishing mainstream rap culture as we headed into the 1980s. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Outside of Michael Jackson, no one else had a more prominent decade than Prince. This legend is best known for leading the famous singing group The Supremes in the 1960s. These women helped to shape the sound of R&B music, and their influence can still be heard in todays music. 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. 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. 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. With many of these singers able to continue their success into the 1990s and beyond, it is difficult to find a more important decade in music history. Toni Basil. 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. Madonna in particular, was considered to be one of the hottest female singers of the 80s. With her sultry almond eyes and flawless cheekbones, this angel-voiced, former teen model was one of the most lauded beauties of the 1980s. 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. Turners success also crossed over into movies, where she co-starred alongside Mel Gibson in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. Mary Jane Blige was born the 11th of January 1971, to the Bronx, New York. Ross was eventually named the Female Artist of the Year in the mid-70s, and her career only grew from there. Iggy Azalea is a well-known rapper in the US. Kate Bush 4. 27. If you do then dont forget to share it with your friends.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pickuptheguitar_com-sky-3','ezslot_23',174,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pickuptheguitar_com-sky-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pickuptheguitar_com-sky-3','ezslot_24',174,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pickuptheguitar_com-sky-3-0_1');.sky-3-multi-174{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. As a member of The Supremes, Diana Ross was one of the most well-known group members and branched out as a solo artist in the 1970s. The first choice here is hard to argue. She grew up listening to '70s soul and '80s hip-hop, but . 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our These women, listed in no particular order, have cemented their place in music history. Eventually, she signed on with several members of the original group under the name Sade. 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. , then youre on the U.S first 80s female R & B music, and big...., as Helen Folasade Adu what billboard called one of the bands fourth studio album, Love Deluxe, included..., it was August 25th 2001, and Beastie Boys were making a name for themselves with their lyrics... 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