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. This was especially true in the 1980s, when many black Britons were fighting for equality and against racism. White? Read More 11 Black Male Singers Of The 70sContinue, Black cinema is a collection of movies that touch on all kinds of topics. It is a sound that is steeped in pain and struggle, but also in hope and joy. Lauper has released six studio albums over her career, and she has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards. As you have read above, the 80s were a time of big hair, acid wash jeans, and synthesizers. Eventually, she signed on with several members of the original group under the name Sade. She was known as the Princess of R&B and the Queen of Urban Pop.. The group recorded many songs that people still listen to today, but Diana Ross always had extra star power. In the early days of MTV, when music videos were becoming popular, a new genre of music began to surface. White? Her race and ethnicity are often questioned as she is accused of appropriating Black culture or blackfishing. Today, Read More Is Iggy Azalea Black? These women were not only successful but they were also considered to be very attractive. Famous African-American Singers between 1940 - 1980 Ray Charles (September 23 rd, 1930 - June 10 th, 2004) Awards and Recognition: 10 Grammy Awards won in his lifetime, record for the highest number of posthumous Grammy Awards, National Academy of Recording Art & Science Hall Award of Fame in 1972, NAACP Image Awards - Hall of Fame Award in 2004, Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the . So, in honor of these amazing women, weve put together a list of the 100+ best female singers of the 80s. Your email address will not be published. So, there you have it folks, a complete list of the hottest female singers of the 80s. Everything seemed bigger in the 80s, including the hair and the talent of the female pop singers. When President Barack Obama was running for office, he used their song Yes We Can Can. The songs Baby and I Wanna Be Down each cracked the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 list. 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. Though soul and R&B were the most popular genres, there were also many talented black singers in other genres, such as pop, rock, and hip-hop. Other notable female R&B singers of the decade include Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Anita Baker, and Gladys Knight. And their music continues to inspire and entertain us today. This experimentation led to the birth of many different subgenres, including gangsta rap, new jack swing, and conscious hip hop. From actors and musicians to athletes and activists, the Black community has felt incredible losses. Shanice showcased her three-and-a-half octave vocal range on a total of five studio albums from the late 90s to early 2000s. These are just a few of the many talented black soul singers who found success in the 1980s. She was the first black woman to play Eponine in the Broadway musical Les Miserables. Unfortunately, when we hear the famous name Janet Jackson, many minds go to the catastrophe at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. They rose to stardom via their ability to blend into any genre with ease. But despite their limited success, these women made a significant impact on the music industry. There are female comics who have been doing it for years and even a few newcomers who are making a splash. Shes won seven awards over the course of her career and produced five albums to date, not including compilations and singles. Despite their fade out, their music is still predominantly listened to in the US. 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. Bulls On Parade is a Rage Against The Machine composition. 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. 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). Whats Love Got To Do With It, Proud Mary, and The Best are just a few of her insanely famous songs that not everyone knows but are taught in music schools across America as classics. 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. Thanks to them, LGBTQ+ people had someone to look up to and their music helped spread awareness and acceptance. James Cleveland, Mahalia Jackson, the Clara Ward Singers, etc. In 1998, she went on a world tour and performed sold-out shows throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Artists like Whitney Houston and Tina Turner topped the charts, set the trends, and built the foundation of powerful black women in music. Elkie Brooks had 4 songs in the top 20 in the 70s. So, to celebrate their contributions, weve compiled a list of the best black singers of the 80s. His self-titled release in 1982 gave the world the #1 single Truly. Richie followed up that album with 1983s Cant Slow Down, which produced Hello and All Night Long (All Night), another pair of #1 singles. This American singer, musician and author was the lead singer of the Go-Go's making it one of the most successful pop music bands of this era. From pop to R&B, this musical era saw a surge of female black singers, and their songs ranked on the charts. Eve spent time after graduating from high school in New York. Ross was eventually named the Female Artist of the Year in the mid-70s, and her career only grew from there. The lyrics were often dark and introspective, dealing with topics like love, loss, and betrayal. Its not a hidden secret that the 80s were all about big hair. In the next couple of years, Aaliyah would gain further recognition for her soundtrack recordings on popular films Anastasia and Dr. Doolittle. Initially, she planned to pursue a career in fashion but shifted to music and songwriting while in school. 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. This Puerto Rican/Black soul singer turned heads with her impossibly lush pout and expressive, dark eyes. 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. Sign up free 0:00 0:00 Company About Jobs For the Record She was the daughter of Sonja and Willie Norwood, a successful gospel singer. The following are some of the most notable Black celebrities that died in 2022. These singers were not only talented musicians, but they also had a powerful presence on stage. They appeared on Sesame Street and the Grand Ole Opry and went on to win a Grammy, just to give you an idea of their range. Each of these artists brought something unique to the table, with Madonna leading the pack as one of the most innovative and controversial performers of her time. If youre thinking of Madonna, then youre on the right track. It was re-released a couple of years later with additional tracks. Soon after, she was the first black woman to be crowned Miss America. But 1982s Thriller cemented Jacksons legacy. Note: This category should be empty. Male Reference photos Resources Photography Reference Humans Standard Use License USD $10. 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. All in all, the group performed from the early 70s to the 2010s before their careers seemingly ended. Here are some forgotten black singers of the 1980s. Brandy looked up to artists like Whitney Houston and dreamed of becoming a professional singer when she was only seven years old. The album was a huge success, reaching the top of the R&B charts and selling over a million copies. Her first breakthrough came in the form of a role in the movie The Pick Up Artist in 1987. But I have a lot of music and will send it to you if I have it. The space below showcases a list of female singers who had considerable success in the 80s and 90s. The Equals (late-1960s) Long. 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. These days, shes inspired everyone from Rihanna to Lady Gaga. Although Ross was nominated for twelve Grammy awards, she never won any of them. 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 later joined a hip-hop group with a couple of friends called Edjp. Black Female Performers From 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. The Best Black Male Singers of the 80s In my opinion, some of the top black male singers of the 80s were: Luther Vandross, Prince, Michael Jackson, James Ingram, Freddie Jackson, Lionel Richie, Peabo Bryson, Johnny Gill, Eddie Levert, Babyface, Teddy Pendergrass and Barry White. We lost so many talented and inspirational people in 2022. Summer grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, and was dubbed the Queen of Disco in the late 70s. The 1980s was Michael Jacksons decade (part of the 1990s too), and there is no comparison. Not to mention, they also had the looks to match their stellar voices. 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. in Lists. Race & Ethnicity RevealedContinue, Comedy still seems to be a world that is dominated by men, but not for long! 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. & Rakim, Run-DMC, and LL Cool J. The platinum-haired Saturday Love singer brought a 1930s aesthetic to her look wavy bob, pale eyeshadow and bee-stung lips. 70's & 80's R&B group best know for their lead Vocalist and band's melodic jazz-funk fusion cycopations. Geffen Records and Interscope Records have artists like Donna Summer and Whitney Houston to thank for helping them get off the ground. Billboard 200. 1985s Thats What Friends Are For went to #1 on three different Billboard charts and raised money for the American Foundation for AIDS Research. But they soon began to gain wider recognition, thanks in part to their appearances on various television shows. 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. Summer had several certified Gold records released during the decade as well. 1. The Pointer Sisters epitomized 80s cool, with their teased tresses, purple eyeshadow and bold, berry-stained lipgloss. Despite this, she continues to release albums that dont garner extreme attention but still exemplify her incredible singing voice and lyrical genius. Though some of them are not with us anymore, their music continues to inspire millions. After all, without these female singers, the 80s just wouldnt be the same. The early part of the decade was all about synthesizers and new wave music. And in many ways, they were ahead of their time. Some of these women include Carrie Lucas, Chaka Khan, and Anita Baker. 1. Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn as Aaliyah Dana Houghton in 1979. Im Dan and I run this website. Despite her death at a young age, Whitneys music continues to touch people and make them move on the dance floor. 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. Some of these singers include Debby Boone, Toni Basil, and Tiffany. In 1994, Williamss third album, The Sweetest Days, also went platinum and earned her two Grammy nominations. She was only 15 at the time. 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. Possibly the queen of 80s pop, Ms. Houston is a legend and rightfully makes it onto every dance playlist. The album sold over a million copies and went platinum. She released her first studio album in 1991, titled Whats the 411? The album was produced by Sean Puffy Combs and helped establish Blige as the queen of her own genre, a mix of soul and hip-hop music. All these women had successful careers in the 80s, but none of them were able to replicate their one-hit-wonder success. Imagine a world without Janet Jackson or Whitney Houston. Youll find films featuring love triangles, murder mysteries, and religious con-men. 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. Dominating their respective fields, women were taking their careers into their own hands. Famous for her belly-baring buckskins in the 70s, Chaka Khan made fluffy hair and kissable plum lips the thing in the 80s. A record eight Grammys in 1984 for that album gave him all the credibility he needed. It was also a time when some of the most iconic and influential rappers emerged, including Eric B. Brandy Norwood was born in February of 1979 in Mississippi. This groundbreaking event opened the door for a flourishing mainstream rap culture as we headed into the 1980s. 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. They also won numerous awards for their music, including Grammy Awards and Country Music Association Awards. The black female singers trio consisted of Brenda (December 7, 1954-April 3, 2017), Valorie (April 17, 1956-December 2, 2001) and Shirley (born September 22, 1953). With her mounds of curls and flawless brows, Karyn White wasnt just a Superwoman, she was also a great beauty! 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 . Found success in the 80s just wouldnt be the same black soul singers who found success in the 80s wouldnt. 80S pop, Ms. Houston is a collection of movies that touch on kinds! Black singers of the most notable black celebrities that died in 2022 a impact! 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