Every decade has its share of one-hit wonders, and the 80s is no exception. You may not even realize it, but his work produced nine albums in the 1980s, starting with 1980s Dirty Mind and capping off the decade with 1989s Batman. She also has a BET Lifetime Achievement Award and a Soul Train Award. The group opened for popular Black male 80s sensations like New Edition and Bobby Brown. 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. Their first singles in the early 70s brought them hits in the UK and Japan, leading them to perform in Tokyo and a boxing match in Africa along with superstar James Brown. Their next two singles hit the charts in the UK, making their first four UK singles all top 10 hits. Featuring a variety of genres that include jazz, soul, rock, blues, indie, hip hop, pop, r&b, experimental, and early "girl groups" -- this playlist features all the greatest influential black female singers. Commercial success finally followed with 1982s 1999, which spawned several hit songs such as Little Red Corvette, Delirious, and of course, 1999.. Lets get started. They were one of the first female rap groups and the first to achieve worldwide popularity. 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. The mark Whitney Houston left on the music industry will never fade. But infighting in the group forced them to oust founding member Bobby Brown in 1985, leading to a new line-up. However, the collaboration with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder gave her a massive hit with a message. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. She sang in the gospel choir when she was young but found success upon the release of her first album Miss Thang at age 15. In 1981, he worked with Diana Ross to write and produce the duet Endless Love. The song became one of the best-selling singles and is considered the greatest duet of all time. Lastly, we have Ashanti Douglas. Two years later, she starred in the movie Dreamgirls, where she demonstrated her vocal abilities with the song And I Am Telling You Im Not Going.. Each of Princes albums achieved massive amounts of critical success. The 1980s was Michael Jacksons decade (part of the 1990s too), and there is no comparison. These women were not only talented, but they were also physically attractive. Her brother, Michael Jackson, dominated the charts, but Janet was no slouch during the 80s either. Samoan? With more than 200 million records sold worldwide, she is one of the best-selling artists of all time. Toni Braxton was a 90s music sensation. In 1976, they sang as R&B singer Sylvesters backup duo Two Tons O Fun. The fact that many black singers found success in the United Kingdom is often overlooked. After performing R&B in Chicago and gaining a fanbase, they changed their name to The Emotions. 1985 rolled around, and Richie worked with Michael Jackson to write the charity tune We Are The World, raising millions for Africa. The group recorded many songs that people still listen to today, but Diana Ross always had extra star power. Their breakthrough song came in 1982 with the success of their single Its Raining Men, a #1 Dance Chart hit and a #2 single in the UK. 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. While there were many talented women who contributed to the decades pop sound, a few singers rose above the rest and achieved massive commercial success. Im Dan and I run this website. They had several songs on the R&B and Dance Club Songs charts with this and their next album, Rejoice, which was certified platinum. Fitzgerald was the most recognized jazz singer in the country for nearly fifty years, selling over 40 million records. | Essence The nine Black performers won our hearts with their 1980's hit songs. And while there were many talented female singers in the decade, there were also a few who were considered to be the hottest. Possibly the queen of 80s pop, Ms. Houston is a legend and rightfully makes it onto every dance playlist. Some movies have Black actors in lead roles powerful enough to stand out, while others have larger casts and tell stories that resonate. Rihanna has released eight studio albums and sold over 250 million records worldwide. The tune hit #1 on the pop and R&B charts. Welcome to Hello Music Theory! They brought soul and R&B music to the forefront and paved the way for future generations of black artists. 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. Next up, we have iconic singer Aaliyah Dana Haughton. These singers released dozens of hit singles throughout the decade, and their albums consistently topped the charts. Telephone Man.. Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin certainly left her imprint on the world with her vocal range and ability to capture the crowd when she sang. Etta James. Nevertheless, she is an icon in the music industry and paved the way for many black female artists on this list. These are the singers who helped change the game and made a lifelong impact on the music industry. She and her band, also called Sade, dominated the airwaves in the '80s. She rose to prominence in 1985 with the release of her debut album, Whitney Houston. These women were trendsetters in the world of music and fashion, and they inspired other women to be bold and experiment with their looks. But thats not to say that these one-hit wonders were any less talented than the artists who found sustained success. In 1971, they signed a recording deal that didnt launch them into stardom, but Send Him Back became a Northern soul favorite in the UK and Europe. It landed her a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. Most Black female singing groups of the 80s had a long recording history before they had breakout hits that made them stars. Her hit single with fellow singer Monica, The Boy Is Mine, is her greatest yet, topping charts in several countries, including the US. Wuletich dressed like a dominatrix, Wells a cheerleader or valley girl type, McDuffie was tough and street-wise, and Ghant looked like a supermodel. Hit single after hit single, Platinum record after Platinum record, Jackson transformed what it meant to be a pop star starting with 1979s Off The Wall. Considered the inventor of punk-funk, he lived quite a rock-star life. For example, Tiffany was one of the first teen pop stars, and her debut album was a huge success. The 1980s was Michael Jackson 's decade (part of the 1990s too), and there is no comparison. Some of the most famous short-haired female singers of the 80s include Annie Lennox, Madonna, and Deborah Harry. They performed on small tours and sang backup for well-known artists at the time like Boz Scaggs and Grace Slick. Some of these women include Carrie Lucas, Chaka Khan, and Anita Baker. Alicia Augello Cook, known by fans as Alicia Keys, is best known for being able to play the piano and sing simultaneously. This list is based on the highest album sales, influence over the fans, and overall impact on the music industry during the 80s. Hudson released her self-titled first album in 2008, which sold more than one million copies globally. He based his platform of positivity and roll-up-your-sleeves attitude on this slogan, which carried him into the oval office. The disco era of the 1970s was all about glitter, glamour, and big hair. Bernadette Cooper formed Klymaxx in 1979 with members Cheryl Cooley, Lorena Porter Shelby, Lynn Malsby, and Robbin Grider. In honor of Black History Month, Grimy Goods is highlighting the most influential black female singers and musicians of all time. Kathy, Kim, Debbie, and Joni Sledge formed their group in 1971 while the oldest girls were still in high school. Best Black Female Singing Groups of the 80s, Final Thoughts. The similarities in Vesta and Chaka's tone and style are immediately. This genre was called Alternative.. It featured bands with unique sounds and unusual instruments. Along with this album came Ashantis other big hits: Rock wit U (Awww Baby), Rain on Me, and Breakup 2 Makeup (Remix).. Furthermore, depending on the childs age, these conversations are best approached in different ways. Another group of sisters from Pennsylvania became one of the most popular Black female singing groups of the 80s called Sister Sledge. And it all came from the hard work and raw talent of these artists. sheena easton. Female Pop Singers of the '90s. While Off The Wall was a late 70s release, Jacksons Shes Out Of My Life was a top-10 hit in 1980 and showed off his range. These women were not only successful but they were also considered to be very attractive. 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. While the mid-80s saw the rise of hair metal and hard rock. For too long, popular novels like Fifty Shades of Grey have overlooked women of color. The Pointer Sisters remain one of the most successful female groups in history. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Vandross also worked with other artists during the decade, including his favorite artist, Dionne Warwick (more on her in a moment). Outside of Michael Jackson, no one else had a more prominent decade than Prince. But if it werent for the contributions of these and other female R&B singers, the 80s just wouldnt be the same. But Houston wasnt the only R&B singer making waves in the 80s. Last but not least, we have Marvin Gaye. Monica has had a successful career, selling over five million albums in the US. Private Dancer had five top-40 hits, including her #1 Whats Love Got To Do With It. She also notched a Record of the Year Grammy for that effort. This success gives Salt-N-Pepa the distinction of being the first female rap act to sell over 1 million copies of an album. The song earned them a Grammy nomination for best R&B performance. James went on to win three Grammys awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll and the Blues Halls of Fame. Black women could be rock stars because Tina Turner said so. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Biracial? Yvette Marie Stephens, or as we know her, Chaka Khan, has had an illustrious career lasting over 50 years, selling more than 70 million records. 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." There were many others who managed to find success in the 80s, including Lionel Richie, Prince, and Stevie Wonder. But through it all, there were many incredibly talented black singers who managed to find success no matter what genre they were singing. 1 hits by the black female singers of the '70s. 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. Scott began her musical career in 2000 when she released her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? In 1988, Mel and Kim urged British hospitals to include cancer wards for teenage patients on an episode of Good Morning Britain. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ae479c5698eac3ffbfd66987e2269d30" );document.getElementById("if75a4498f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *, Careers Contact Us Privacy Policy CookiePolicy Win. Having sold more than 90 million records globally, Keys is regarded as one of the worlds best-selling music artists. Is The Rock Black? Still, his success during that decade did not end there. During her solo career, she produced many hits, including I Still Believe and Endless Love, which continue to crush the souls of romantics worldwide. As a result, they attracted large audiences with their soulful music and engaging personalities. Your email address will not be published. Shavar Ross was born on March 4, 1971 in Bronx, New York, USA. She followed this with songs like Endless Love, and Chain Reactionboth massively successful singles. But 1982s Thriller cemented Jacksons legacy. R&B has its roots in the blues, which was created by black Americans in the early 1900s. When the group stopped recording for a few years, Knowles released her debut album in 2003, Dangerously in Love. These singers released dozens of hit singles throughout the decade, and Harry! 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