New Edition had several hits at the start of the decade with Candy Girl, Cool It Now, and Mr. 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. 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. Their music was raw and edgy, and their lyrics were as expressive and provocative as any male punk singer. People like Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, and Anita Baker were churning out hits and selling millions of records. And in the 80s, there were a number of British female singers who found success in America. There were many others who managed to find success in the 80s, including Lionel Richie, Prince, and Stevie Wonder. The single was a success worldwide and spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and would earn Ma a Grammy Award. However, Turner launched what Billboard called one of the greatest comebacks in music history with 1984s Private Dancer. After helping form the Motown genre, she eventually broke away from the group. To celebrate their contribution to this decade, in this post, weve put together a list of 15 of the greatest and most famous black singers of the 1980s. Cyndi Lauper. She signed her first recording contract as a teenager with Interscope Records. Similarly, Toni Basils Mickey was a massive hit in the UK and helped to popularize new wave music. While most rap and hip-hop artists have traditionally been black, white rappers have found major success in the industry since the 80s. So if youre a fan of R&B music, then you owe a debt of gratitude to these female singers. 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. 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. These women were able to take their talents to the next level and find commercial success in the States. Turners success also crossed over into movies, where she co-starred alongside Mel Gibson in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. So, there you have it folks, a complete list of the hottest female singers of the 80s. With her mounds of curls and flawless brows, Karyn White wasnt just a Superwoman, she was also a great beauty! Tuned 1/2 step below standard tuning. Chapmans career began to fall off after she performed at Nelson Mandelas 70th birthday celebration. : African-American female singers. She made history for being the first black performer to appear as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. Some of the biggest were Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Whitney Houston, and Tina Turner. Despite the obstacles they faced, these singers managed to break down barriers and achieve commercial success. Related: For more like this, see our article on other black famous singers here. "Good Quality". She got her big break in 1986 when she was introduced to a manager at Elektra records that helped her break into the industry. Ruth B. makes singing look effortless, and that's why we love . From the early days of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper to the height of Whitney Houstons career, this list includes all the ladies who made the 80s such a great decade for music. Rappers like N.W.A., Public Enemy, and Beastie Boys were making a name for themselves with their controversial lyrics and innovative beats. Those that stayed went on to produce five albums in the span of a few short years. 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. 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. These women, listed in no particular order, have cemented their place in music history. The women that got everyone excited in the early 80s, the Pointer Sisters, is a singing group from Oakland, California. Best Answer. Image: Time. And who knows, maybe youll discover a new favorite singer from the past. These artists brought a new sound and a new perspective to the genre, which all together helped it become more mainstream. Her combined voice talent and love for music led her to pursue a career as a music teacher. She also provided two songs on the movies soundtrack, including the hit We Dont Need Another Hero (Thunderdome).. But thats not to say that these one-hit wonders were any less talented than the artists who found sustained success. 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." Many of the 80s female folk singers started out by performing at small coffeehouses and other intimate venues. However, sometimes, youre just in the mood to laugh. This list is based on the highest album sales, influence over the fans, and overall impact on the music industry during the 80s. There is no performer quite as compelling as the jazz singer. Whitney Houston was one of the first 80s female R&B singers to achieve mainstream success. Pearls's A Singer (8), Sunshine After The Rain (10), Lilac Wine (16), Don't Cry Out Loud (12) in 1978. Some of these women include Patti Smith, Debbie Harry, and Siouxsie Sioux. Here are some forgotten black singers of the 1980s. Come get a plate of goodness! Throughout the 80s, Ross received several American Music Awards, and in 1988, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In the Eighties, Janet Jackson was definitely in Control with her strong, basic makeup and jet black curls. Whitney Houston Hailing from Beverly Hill, California, first, we have 80s legend Whitney Houston who was a top-selling R&B female music artist of the 20th century. Janet Jackson ended the decade with another hit record in Rhythm Nation 1814, which went Platinum six times. If you want to add some action and fear into your movie nights, you wont go wrong picking a film from this list. Her follow-up album in 2001 was also a big success. Shanice showcased her three-and-a-half octave vocal range on a total of five studio albums from the late 90s to early 2000s. Lauper, in particular, was a pioneer in the world of Alternative music. But through it all, there were many incredibly talented black singers who managed to find success no matter what genre they were singing. Some of the most famous disco singers of the 80s include Irene Cara, Gloria Gaynor, and Diana Ross. The Equals (late-1960s) Long. -- gained wide renown among both black and white audiences. Still, Princes success did not explode into rock-god status until the release of 1984s Purple Rain. By Steve Peake. There, she was raised on the music her parents loved, including jazz, reggae, and calypso, all of which would influence her unique sound. She was only 15 at the time. The singer was born on the seventh of October, 1967, in a religious household. With her waterfall of ringlets and virgin brows, Perri Reid, aka Pebbles, was the ultimate in late Eighties cool. These singers were not only talented musicians, but they also had a powerful presence on stage. In the next couple of years, Aaliyah would gain further recognition for her soundtrack recordings on popular films Anastasia and Dr. Doolittle. 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 These women were brave enough to go against the norms of society and they inspired other women to do the same. 1. These women were not only talented, but they were also physically attractive. 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. As a result, they attracted large audiences with their soulful music and engaging personalities. 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. Known for R&B and Soul music, Desree is still releasing music today. Artists like Whitney Houston and Tina Turner topped the charts, set the trends, and built the foundation of powerful black women in music. Best 80s Female Singers - Top 80s Women Music Hits - playlist by Redlist Playlists | Spotify Home Search Your Library Create Playlist Privacy Center Privacy Policy Cookies Cookies Preview of Spotify Sign up to get unlimited songs and podcasts with occasional ads. Each of these brought something unique to the table with Michael Jackson leading the pack as the biggest pop star of them all. Some of them have faded into obscurity, while others continue to perform and release new music. 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. And as we are talking about the 1980s, it would be impossible to discuss R&B without mentioning some of the genres biggest stars. 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. Today, these women are still remembered for their contributions to the disco era. Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. And some of the singers who emerged in the 80s are still relevant today. Thanks to them, LGBTQ+ people had someone to look up to and their music helped spread awareness and acceptance. Noted for his sweet voice and romantic lyrics, Vandross released his debut album Never Too Much in 1981. Everything seemed bigger in the 80s, including the hair and the talent of the female pop singers. Youll find films featuring love triangles, murder mysteries, and religious con-men. It may have been her androgynous appearance, but her voice soon made them forget what she looked like. 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 albums single Un-Break My Heart became a musical sensation. All these women had successful careers in the 80s, but none of them were able to replicate their one-hit-wonder success. 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. The 90s saw the release of the bands fourth studio album, Love Deluxe, which peaked at number four on the U.S. Midnight Love would go on to sell over six million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of Gayes career. Topping our list of the best 80s female singers, Tina Turner delivered some of the decade's biggest hits while also becoming one of the most-revered live performers on the planet. 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. These are the women who had a few hits but never quite made it to the top of the charts. As you saw from this list, the 80s were a great decade for black singers. Since its launch in 1984, the channel has garnered millions of viewers each week who tune in to see powerful women rule the screen. 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. Here are some of the bests from all three periods. She has also received four Satellite awards and seven NAACP Image Awards. 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. She quickly rose to fame with her groundbreaking album Control and became one of the most successful black pop singers of all time. Renowned for her bold on-stage antics, Fassie earned the nickname Madonna of The Townships.Also dubbed the Queen of African Pop, Brenda Fassie won five South African Music Awards and three Kora Awards during her illustrious career.She was also named in the Top 100 Great South Africans list. The band would go on a long hiatus after this success and would not go on to record anything new until 2000. With her neon pink lips and back-combed curls, this diminutive cutie-pie was always at the height of 80s glamour. This led to her first recording contract and the release of her album The Right Stuff, which went gold. In honor of their contributions, here are the best black female singers of the 80s. This category is located at Category:African-American women singers. 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