She has also sold over 40 million records and wears the crown for the longest-running number-one song in the U.S. with The Boy is Mine. Her style spanned several genres, including contemporary R&B, pop, gospel, soul, and hip-hop. 100 Best Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s and '70s Top 10 Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s, And '70s By Lyra Radford Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a ballroom or on a stage, accompanied by a pianist and a band. It was an international success as well, reaching certified quadruple-Platinum and certified Gold in the U.K. Another hit came the following year with Part-Time Lover in the album In Square Circle, which also landed him the Best R&B Vocal Performance Grammy. From Madonna and Diana Ross to Joan Jett, get ready for a trip down memory lane. She has been the recipient of several Emmy nominations, a Tony nomination, and 11 Grammy nominations. Is it someone who is physically attractive? Without these incredible ladies, I shudder to think about where music would be today. Race & Ethnicity RevealedContinue, Comedy still seems to be a world that is dominated by men, but not for long! Here are twelve Black Disney movies you can watch on Disney Plus right now. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a32da80598ba3e06c3c8e7332494f69a" );document.getElementById("if75a4498f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *, Careers Contact Us Privacy Policy CookiePolicy Win. They were the total package and as a result, they became some of the biggest stars of the decade. The band would go on a long hiatus after this success and would not go on to record anything new until 2000. These women are known for their powerful vocal performances and their ability to connect with audiences. Brandy Norwood was born in February of 1979 in Mississippi. Redefining the look . Weve put together a list of the best Black rappers, Read More 13 Black Rappers In The 80s, Male & FemaleContinue, Your email address will not be published. These women helped to shape the sound of R&B music, and their influence can still be heard in todays music. The women that got everyone excited in the early 80s, the Pointer Sisters, is a singing group from Oakland, California. No credit card needed. Billboard Hot 100 list, and number one on the U.S. 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. Back when J. From actors and musicians to athletes and activists, the Black community has felt incredible losses. Her daring style and sexually-charged lyrics helped to redefine mainstream pop music, paving the way for later stars like Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. Ma helped write, record, and produce her sophomore album Fear of Flying in 1999. In addition to her collaborations with popular pop and R&B artists of the late 90s and early 2000s, Ma cited Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Prince, Sade, and Minnie Riperton as major influences in her musical career. So we're dedicating today's article to the best 80s female singers. She worked for a short period as a stripper before buckling down and pursuing her music career. Doesnt matter if they only had one hit. Lauper has released six studio albums over her career, and she has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards. Read More 12 Black Disney Movies, Both Cartoons & Real ActingContinue. 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. Instead, he used the crash as an opportunity. Jermaine Dupri, who was no stranger to making hits, brought Xscape to the forefront. In fact, there were many blonde women who found success in the music industry during the decade. Summers biggest hit, She Works Hard For The Money, was released in 1983, where it hit No. Billboard 200. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our There, she was raised on the music her parents loved, including jazz, reggae, and calypso, all of which would influence her unique sound. Apart from solo artists, there were also a number of successful bands in the 80s that featured female lead singers. in Lists. 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 . Not to mention, they were also able to transcend the boundaries of music and find success in other areas such as film and television. 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, well talk about some of these amazing rappers. Her smooth R&B music and thoughtful lyrics brought her critical acclaim and public popularity that endured for decades. These women were able to cross over into the mainstream and find success with a wide range of audiences. Every decade has its defining moments, and the 1980s was no different. These bold beauties dictated makeup and hair trends during what was arguably the boldest style decade of the century! Toni Braxton was a 90s music sensation. Mary Jane Blige was born the 11th of January 1971, to the Bronx, New York. The singer was born on the seventh of October, 1967, in a religious household. The songs Baby and I Wanna Be Down each cracked the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 list. The 80s were a great time for music as genres were being combined the produced new sounds that would lay the groundwork for contemporary R&B and hip-hop . 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. And for these singers, their only weapon was their music. There are many black female singers who became popular in the 80's. Some of them are Whitney Houston, Tracey Chapman, Natalie Cole, and Sade. Her powerful vocals coupled with her thoughtful lyrics made her a well-respected artist. This groundbreaking event opened the door for a flourishing mainstream rap culture as we headed into the 1980s. They brought soul and R&B music to the forefront and paved the way for future generations of black artists.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pickuptheguitar_com-sky-4','ezslot_25',172,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pickuptheguitar_com-sky-4-0'); Without a doubt, the 80s were a turning point for African American music and these singers played a major role in its evolution. From pop to R&B, this musical era saw a surge of female black singers, and their songs ranked on the charts. 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. Their music was raw and edgy, and their lyrics were as expressive and provocative as any male punk singer. Braxton would go on to have successful albums throughout the early 2000s. She grew up listening to '70s soul and '80s hip-hop, but . The platinum-haired Saturday Love singer brought a 1930s aesthetic to her look wavy bob, pale eyeshadow and bee-stung lips. SWV. Still, Princes success did not explode into rock-god status until the release of 1984s Purple Rain. However, Turner launched what Billboard called one of the greatest comebacks in music history with 1984s Private Dancer. Geffen Records and Interscope Records have artists like Donna Summer and Whitney Houston to thank for helping them get off the ground. She followed this with songs like Endless Love, and Chain Reactionboth massively successful singles. With more than 200 million records sold worldwide, she is one of the best-selling artists of all time. The album gave the world I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me), which became her fourth Billboard chart-topping song and gave her a second Best Pop Vocal Performance Grammy. But despite their limited success, these women made a significant impact on the music industry. What comes to your mind when you think of a blonde female singer from the 80s? In honor of Black Music Month, we're saluting twenty most beautiful songstresses of the Eighties. Her music has gone multi-platinum, and she is a four-time Grammy Award-winning artist that continues to touch lives. Sade was also the first Nigerian woman to win a Grammy award for Best New Artist. But they werent the only ones making waves in the industry. 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. & Rakim, Run-DMC, and LL Cool J. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. Brandys career has spanned music, television, Broadway. During her solo career, she produced many hits, including I Still Believe and Endless Love, which continue to crush the souls of romantics worldwide. In 1988, he hit #1 with his song Joy from the album of the same name, which became certified Gold. It featured emotionally raw and poignant lyrics that exposed Bliges pain and strenuous relationship at the time. They were the total package and as a result they became some of the biggest stars of the decade. She wouldnt release her self-titled debut album until 1994, which peaked at twenty in the U.S. Category. These women have massive voices that helped to propel their respective bands to the top of the charts. This honey-voiced chanteuse was also a great beauty, with cinnamon-kissed skin and cheekbones to cut glass. She released her first album Discovery when she was only 14. Working together with other artists like Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees to produce Heartbreaker and Luther Vandross for How Many Times We Can Say Goodbye, Warwick became better known for her duets. However, there were a number of successful female soul singers in the 1980s. The singer was born on the seventh of October, 1967, in a religious household. Dominating their respective fields, women were taking their careers into their own hands. As you have read above, the 80s were a time of big hair, acid wash jeans, and synthesizers. In honor of their contributions, here are the best black female singers of the 80s. So, there you have it folks, a complete list of the hottest female singers of the 80s. 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. Bonnie, Ruth, Anita, and June Pointer were the members of the initial Pointer sisters, but not all stayed in the group. Despite being called the queen of disco, Summer was able to break into different genres. With her exotic eyes, mile-long nails, and oversize earrings, this former Soul Train dancer was one of the fiercest trendsetters of the 80s! Vandross also worked with other artists during the decade, including his favorite artist, Dionne Warwick (more on her in a moment). Race & Ethnicity Revealed, 24 Best Black Stand Up Comedians With Netflix Comedy Specials, 19 Black Thriller Movies With Plot Twists & Excitement, 9 Black Lifetime Movies, The Best On The Service, 13 Black Rappers In The 80s, Male & Female. The blues was a way for black people to express their emotions and experiences in a creative and powerful way. As soul music demands a lot of emotion from its performers, these women were able to convey a wide range of emotions through their music. Many black male jazz singers have graced our ears, performing their complex harmonies and improvised solos with a style that almost looks easy. 1985s Thats What Friends Are For went to #1 on three different Billboard charts and raised money for the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Every good girl in the 80s wanted to look just like these doe-eyed, luscious-lipped sisters. The 1980s was Michael Jacksons decade (part of the 1990s too), and there is no comparison. black gospel music largely ceased to develop around the 1970s; progressing racial attitudes had helped . Lauper, in particular, was a pioneer in the world of Alternative music. 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. The 70s saw a lot of black singers and musicians rise to fame. 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. Still, his success during that decade did not end there. Some of the most famous short-haired female singers of the 80s include Annie Lennox, Madonna, and Deborah Harry. A.B.'s. AB'S (often written "A.B.'s" in the U.K.) is a male Japanese rock band formed in Tokyo in 1982. Those that stayed went on to produce five albums in the span of a few short years. Its not a hidden secret that the 80s were all about big hair. There are no pages or files in this category. The genre has its roots in gospel and blues music. : African-American female singers. And while short hair may not seem like a big deal now, it was pretty radical in the 80s. Figures like Sylvester, Grace Jones, and Little Richard were some of the first openly gay celebrities and their music helped break down many barriers. Similarly, Toni Basils Mickey was a massive hit in the UK and helped to popularize new wave music. 1. Her debut album was released in September 1999, which sold over 2 million copies and went certified as Double Platinum. Telephone Man.. 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. The film had a production budget of $195 million and a marketing budget between $80 million and $100 million but only made $390 million.. After her success on the charts with her cover, she released the hit album Private Dancer, which had some of her greatest hits on it. Some of the most famous disco singers of the 80s include Irene Cara, Gloria Gaynor, and Diana Ross. The space below showcases a list of female singers who had considerable success in the 80s and 90s. All these women had successful careers in the 80s, but none of them were able to replicate their one-hit-wonder success. As a result, they attracted large audiences with their soulful music and engaging personalities. Throughout the 80s, Ross received several American Music Awards, and in 1988, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Over her career, Blige released thirteen studio albums, won nine Grammy Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards, and four American Music Awards. But they soon began to gain wider recognition, thanks in part to their appearances on various television shows. But in the 1980s, a new breed of country singer emerged from the Black community. Their 1979 debut album, Too Much Pressure, is a landmark record that introduced us to dapper rude girl Pauline Black, photographed here at Top of the Pops in 1980. It featured the hit single I Think Were Alone Now, which was a huge hit with teens all over the world. At the beginning of 1980, she had already sold more than 100 million records and was a huge success. Born Eve Jeffers to Julie and Jerry Jeffers, Eve lived in West Philadelphia until her parents divorce when she was 12. Four songs on that record alone reached the Billboard charts, and Princes same-titled film earned $70 million at the box office. 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. Some are inspiring, and others are thought-provoking. Last but not least, we have Marvin Gaye. She is one of the only artists to simultaneously occupy the top two spots of the Billboard Hot 100. 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. Despite her death at a young age, Whitneys music continues to touch people and make them move on the dance floor. Besides being highly talented they also had a great deal of charisma which helped them to win over American audiences. 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