Some of the most famous disco singers of the 80s include Irene Cara, Gloria Gaynor, and Diana Ross. With her sultry almond eyes and flawless cheekbones, this angel-voiced, former teen model was one of the most lauded beauties of the 1980s. Pearls's A Singer (8), Sunshine After The Rain (10), Lilac Wine (16), Don't Cry Out Loud (12) in 1978. Trained in the background vocal trenches of soul singing masters. Over her career, Blige released thirteen studio albums, won nine Grammy Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards, and four American Music Awards. 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. If you want to add some action and fear into your movie nights, you wont go wrong picking a film from this list. Frankie Beverly. 15. Bulls on Parade Tab by Rage Against The Machine. 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 In addition to her musical prowess, Shanice also spent the late 90s flexing her acting chops. Donna Summer 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. It is a sound that is steeped in pain and struggle, but also in hope and joy. Her soft, husky, warm voice and fan-favorite riffs helped her to win nine awards. White? She began touring with a Latin funk band called Pride in the late 70s and early 80s. During the 80s, James created several hits as a recording artist. The 70s saw a lot of black singers and musicians rise to fame. Towards the end of the decade, Summer two Grammys for Hes A Rebel and Forgive Me, both for Best Inspirational Performance. Her solo single Love Shoulda Brought You Home on the soundtrack for the Eddie Murphy film, Boomerang, launched Braxtons first hit. Aretha Franklin in particular had a huge impact in the 80s. She made history for being the first black performer to appear as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. This list is based on the highest album sales, influence over the fans, and overall impact on the music industry during the 1980s. 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. Your email address will not be published. She is also the eldest sister of entertainer Ray J and Snoop Doggs cousin. And who knows, maybe youll discover a new favorite singer from the past. The following list breaks down 11 of the best black female singers of the 90s. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. Some of the most famous included Siouxsie Sioux, Kate Bush, Patti Smith, and Cyndi Lauper. The early part of the decade was all about synthesizers and new wave music. 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. With her exotic eyes, mile-long nails, and oversize earrings, this former Soul Train dancer was one of the fiercest trendsetters of the 80s! With the help of her brother, the baby of the Jackson family released her self-titled debut album in 1982. Im Dan and I run this website. On this edition of Night Lights we . These women were not only incredibly talented, but they were also very beautiful. Ruth B. makes singing look effortless, and that's why we love . She got her big break in 1986 when she was introduced to a manager at Elektra records that helped her break into the industry. 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. Eve spent time after graduating from high school in New York. When thinking of the singers from the 1980s, its hard not to think of some of the black artists who helped define the decade. From Michael Jackson to Prince, and Whitney Houston to Tina Turner, these are the artists that defined an era. Sisters with Voices, better known as SWV, are an R&B, Grammy-nominated trio of black women from New York City. 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. Sade was also the first Nigerian woman to win a Grammy award for Best New Artist. But they weren't the only ones making waves in the industry. Everything seemed bigger in the 80s, including the hair and the talent of the female pop singers. Kate Bush 4. Wiki User. In addition to her pop and R&B megahits, Braxton had a fruitful career as a Broadway actress. Perhaps one of the most diverse genres of the 80s was metal. Whats more is that they all continued to have success in the years following the 80s, which is a testament to their talent and staying power. Sades signature look porcelain skin, scarlet lips and a slicked-back ponytail instantly became iconic with the release of her first album, Diamond Life.. As a result, they attracted large audiences with their soulful music and engaging personalities. Her first solo came at the age of two years old. 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. Artists like Whitney Houston and Tina Turner topped the charts, set the trends, and built the foundation of powerful black women in music. This model-turned-singer reset beauty standards with her unapologetically androgynous style. 2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. However, in more recent years, the House of Mouse has begun to tackle racism, both as a storyline and an industry-wide problem. 14 WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY (BLACK) Sticker By christikdesigns From $2. Top 10 Best Female Rock Singers of the '80s and '90s Ann Wilson (Heart) Tina Turner Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) Bonnie Tyler Tori Amos Annie Lennox (Eurythmics) Cyndi Lauper Joan Jett (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts) Alanis Morissette Grace Slick (Starship/Jefferson Starship) How It All Began for Women in Rock Music Whitney Houston 7. In fact, many of them were extremely talented and their songs are still remembered fondly today. 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. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. In honor of Black Music Month, we're saluting twenty most beautiful songstresses of the Eighties. Megan Thee Stallion. Albino? 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. The initial success of this album led her to collaborate with popular artists like Boyz II Men, Chaka Khan, Tamia, and Monica. Chloe and Halle have the co-sign of Beyonc and after hearing these vocals we understand why. It was re-released a couple of years later with additional tracks. She was known as the Princess of R&B and the Queen of Urban Pop.. These bold beauties dictated makeup and hair trends during what was arguably the boldest style decade of the century! Her follow-up album in 2001 was also a big success. These women were able to cross over into the mainstream and find success with a wide range of audiences. Summer had several certified Gold records released during the decade as well. They rose to stardom via their ability to blend into any genre with ease. Here are the Best Female Singers of the 1980s. D. Boon of the Minutemen, Age 27 - December 22, 1985. 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. Stevie Nicks 5. But they soon began to gain wider recognition, thanks in part to their appearances on various television shows. Shanice showcased her three-and-a-half octave vocal range on a total of five studio albums from the late 90s to early 2000s. Top Black Female Singers of the 80s, Final Thoughts. 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. 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. She was a trendsetter in the world of fashion and her unique style helped to define the decade. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Vandross also worked with other artists during the decade, including his favorite artist, Dionne Warwick (more on her in a moment). After helping form the Motown genre, she eventually broke away from the group. 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. Youll find films featuring love triangles, murder mysteries, and religious con-men. Many of the 80s female folk singers started out by performing at small coffeehouses and other intimate venues. But through it all, there were many incredibly talented black singers who managed to find success no matter what genre they were singing. People like Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, and Anita Baker were churning out hits and selling millions of records. The album was a huge success, reaching the top of the R&B charts and selling over a million copies. Apart from solo artists, there were also a number of successful bands in the 80s that featured female lead singers. These women helped to define the sound of R&B music and paved the way for later stars like Beyonce and Rihanna. Soul music is a genre that has its roots in the African-American experience. But regardless of their current situation, these singers all made great music in the 1980s and deserve to be remembered. The album, released in 1988, catapulted to number one in the United States and the U.K. thanks to its single Fast Car. Her initial album earned her three Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, Best Contemporary Folk Album, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performer. From Madonna and Diana Ross to Joan Jett, get ready for a trip down memory lane. This honey-voiced chanteuse was also a great beauty, with cinnamon-kissed skin and cheekbones to cut glass. In 1998, she went on a world tour and performed sold-out shows throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. 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. There are no pages or files in this category. Youtube isnt new and a lot of the more popular faces arent new either. White? 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. Despite this, she continues to release albums that dont garner extreme attention but still exemplify her incredible singing voice and lyrical genius. Or is it someone who is talented and successful? For example, Tiffany was one of the first teen pop stars, and her debut album was a huge success. 100% clearance was achieved and an all breeds Australian record average price was set, at the Millah Murrah Stud female sale on April 24th. R&B has been a major force in popular music for over 50 years now, and it shows no signs of slowing down. While Houston did not have her self-titled debut album released until 1985, that albums songs launched her career like a rocket. 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