[UPDATED: February, 2021]
Grimy Goods has a sensational playlist of the most influential black female singers and musicians. Spanning a variety of genres that include jazz, soul, rock, blues, indie, hip hop, pop, r&b, experimental, and yesteryear “girl groups” — this playlist features influential black female singers from modern cuts of music, as well as those classic oldies.
From the electric blues of Sister Rosetta Tharpe to the timeless jazz of Billie Holiday, this playlist also features experimental r&b acts like FKA Twigs and hip hop greats such as Missy Elliot and Lauryn Hill. If you’re looking to get your sing-along pop songs on, there’s even some Beyoncé and Tina Turner on there. Or you can go for something a little more classic with the Afro-Cuban dance tracks from Celia Cruz and the reggae / dancehall anthems from Sister Nancy. Many more black female greats to be heard and discovered.
Sandra Olinger
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Listly by Sandra Olinger
In honor of Black History Month, Grimy Goods is highlighting the most influential black female singers and musicians of all time. 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.
Source: https://www.grimygoods.com/2018/02/16/40-most-influential-black-female-singers-musicians/
Alicia Keys became an international star with her singular mix of classic and contemporary R&B. Behind the number one pop hit "Fallin," her debut album, Songs in A Minor, sold more than 50,000 copies during its first day of availability in 2001 and eventually moved over ten million units worldwide, thus setting the stage for the then-20-year-old's long career.
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Aretha Franklin is one of the giants of soul music, and indeed of American pop as a whole. More than any other performer, she epitomized soul at its most gospel-charged.
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The first major blues and jazz singer on record and one of the most powerful of all time, Bessie Smith rightly earned the title of "The Empress of the Blues." Even on her first records in 1923, her passionate voice overcame the primitive recording quality of the day and still communicates easily to today's listeners (which is not true of any other singer from that early period).
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Beyoncé
One of the most recognizable figures in contemporary music, Beyoncé rose to fame as the central member of pop-R&B group Destiny's Child before embarking on a multi-platinum, record-breaking solo career in 2001.
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The first popular jazz singer to move audiences with the intense, personal feeling of classic blues, Billie Holiday changed the art of American pop vocals forever.
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Celia Cruz was one of Latin music's most respected vocalists. A ten-time Grammy nominee, Cruz, who sang only in her native Spanish language, received a Smithsonian Lifetime Achievement award, a National Medal of the Arts, and honorary doctorates from Yale University and the University of Miami.
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Best known in the mainstream for her superb 1984 cover of Prince's "I Feel for You," R&B singer Chaka Khan enjoyed solo success as well as popularity as a member of the group Rufus.
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As a solo artist, Diana Ross is one of the most successful female singers of the rock era. If you factor in her work as the lead singer of the Supremes in the 1960s, she may be the most successful.
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Donna Summer's title as the "Queen of Disco" wasn't mere hype. Like many of her contemporaries, she was a talented vocalist trained as a powerful gospel belter, but she set herself apart with her songwriting ability, magnetic stage presence, and shrewd choice of studio collaborators, all of which resulted in sustained success.
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Ella Fitzgerald, Category: Artist, Albums: Cheek To Cheek: The Complete Duet Recordings, Ella At Zardi's (Live At Zardi’s/1956), Live at the Concertgebouw 1961, Someone To Watch Over Me, Live At Chautauqua Vol. 2, Singles: I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' (Mono), Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love), Someone To Watch Over Me, Merry Christmas From Ella Fitzgerald, Rhino Hi-Five: Ella Fitzgerald, Top Tracks: Dream A Little Dream Of Me - Single Version, Summertime, Sleigh Ride, Cheek To Cheek, Frosty The Snowman, Biography: Recognized worldwide as "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald is arguably the finest female jazz vocalist of all time., Monthly Listeners: 2927838, Where People Listen: London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, São Paulo, Paris
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Erykah Badu
She grew up listening to '70s soul and '80s hip-hop, but Erykah Badu drew more comparisons to Billie Holiday upon her breakout in 1997, after the release of her first album, Baduizm.
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Etta James
Few female R&B stars enjoyed the kind of consistent acclaim Etta James received throughout a career that spanned six decades; the celebrated producer Jerry Wexler once called her "the greatest of all modern blues singers," and she recorded a number of enduring hits, including "At Last," "Tell Mama," "I'd Rather Go Blind," and "All I Could Do Was Cry." At the same time, despite possessing one of the most powerful voices in music, James only belatedly gained the attention of the mainstream audience, appearing rarely on the pop charts despite scoring 30 R&B hits, and she lived a rough-and-tumble life that could have inspired a dozen soap operas, battling drug addiction and bad relationships while outrunning a variety of health and legal problems.
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FKA twigs
Crafting ethereal electronic R&B that evokes the heyday of Tricky and Massive Attack and the spare 2010s aesthetic of the xx, London's FKA twigs is the project of Twigs, aka Tahliah Barnett, a half-Jamaican native of Gloucestershire.
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One of the great soul singers, Gladys Knight was a performer from her childhood years, forming the Pips with her brother Merald and a couple cousins.
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Grace Jones
Grace Jones was one of the more unforgettable artists to emerge from New York City's hedonistic Studio 54 disco scene of the late '70s.
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Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and actor Janelle Monáe left her mark on 2010s R&B with an energized retro-futuristic sound wrapped in theatrical science fiction concepts.
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Janet Jackson didn't merely emerge from the shadows of her famous brothers to become a superstar in her own right.
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Jill Scott
A mature R&B vocalist who excelled with slower, sensual material ("Slowly, Surely," "I'm Not Afraid," "My Love") and was versatile enough to pack plenty of punch with anthems of pride and self-empowerment ("Golden," "Family Reunion," "Hate on Me"), Jill Scott grew up in north Philadelphia and began her performing career reading her own poetry.
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Kelela
Kelela synthesizes contemporary R&B and progressive electronic music with an aptitude for prompting club play as much as bedroom listening.
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Lil' Kim
After making her presence known on Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s debut album, Conspiracy, Lil' Kim launched a solo career in 1996 with the release of her first record, Hard Core.
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Little Simz
With her new single, North London hip hop artist Little Simz reminds us that she is not just a girl, she’s a boss. The song debuted on television’s current best place to hear new music: Issa Rae’s HBO show, Insecure. “Boss” comes on the heels of another brand new Little Simz cut called “Offence,” which came out last week. Both new tracks will leave you hoarse and empowered.
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Lizzo
Lizzo is like a one-woman variety show. The girl can sing, she can dance, she can rap and she can play the damn flute. Lizzo has endless wit and charm, and can work any stage (and I’m not just talking about her twerk werk, ya hear?).
But it don’t end there.
What’s most special about Lizzo, is how real she is. She is absolutely inspiring (“If I’m shiny, everybody gonna shine”). She never fakes the funk (“I’m a thick bitch, I need tempo…”) and always comes correct with who she is and / or who she was (“Once upon a time, I was a ho / I don’t even wanna ho no mo’…”).
Not to mention, Lizzo is absolutely gorgeous.
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Mariah Carey
The best-selling female performer of the 1990s and one of the most popular artists through the 2010s, Mariah Carey rose to superstardom on the strength of her stunning five-octave voice.
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When Mary J. Blige's debut album, What's the 411?, hit the street in July 1992, critics and fans were floored by its powerful combination of modern R&B and edgy rap production that glanced off of the pain and grit of the singer's New York upbringing.
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The tragic death of 31-year-old Minnie Riperton in 1979 silenced one of soul music's most unique and unforgettable voices.
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FAQs
Who is the greatest black female singer of all time? ›
Aretha Franklin
She is consistently cited as being in the top ten for the 100 greatest singers ever.
1: Aretha Franklin
Topping our list of the best female singers of all time, Aretha Franklin also stands as the most-charting female singer in history. Starting out in the gospel choir at her Baptist church, in Detroit, Franklin began her career as a recording artist in 1960, aged just 18.
Louis Armstrong
Not just one of the most influential music figures in American history. But one of the most important figures in general. No artist is more responsible for the sounds of modern jazz more than Louis Armstrong. Others like Duke Ellington and Jelly Roll Morton were also key.
In 1920, jazz singer Mamie Smith released a record called “Crazy Blues.” She was the first Black female singer to record and release a blues song.
Who are the top 5 female singers of all time? ›- Celine Dion. The inspiration behind this list is the fabulous Celion Dion, of course. ...
- Etta James. ...
- Madonna. ...
- Adele. ...
- Aretha Franklin. ...
- Cher. ...
- Whitney Houston. ...
- Mariah Carey.
Madonna is believed to have sold the most records among any female music artists in history, with 335 million records sold worldwide, recognized by the Guinness World Records and other major media outlets while the best-selling Latin artist of all time is Shakira with more than 80 million records sold.
Who is the most famous female in history? ›The mother of Jesus, Mary is venerated by both Christians and Muslims, and is probably the most famous woman in history. The actual details of her life are veiled as much as they are elucidated by the New Testament.
Who is the head of black music? ›In her new post, Gaba will work alongside Co-President, Black Music Mike Kyser. Based at Atlantic's New York headquarters, she reports jointly to Atlantic Chairman & CEO Craig Kallman and Chairman & COO Julie Greenwald.
Who was the black singer who changed the world? ›Aretha Franklin, “The Queen of Soul”, will go down in history as a remarkable musician, as well as a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Her hit song “Respect” served as an anthem for both the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Rights Movement.
Who is the biggest black singer? ›- Aretha Franklin.
- Prince.
- Whitney Houston.
- Michael Jackson.
- Rihanna.
- Marvin Gaye.
- Beyoncé
- Jimi Hendrix.
Who was the first Black woman to win a Grammy? ›
With the Grammys taking place during Black History Month, we looked at the illustrious career of Ella Fitzgerald, the first Black woman to win a Grammy. Tonight, the Recording Academy will host the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
Who was the first black singer to win a Grammy? ›African-American artists have been making history at the GRAMMYs since the awards were first presented on May 4, 1959. Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie each took home two awards that night.
Who is the most listened to female artist? ›As of March 2023, Canadian music artist Drake is the most-streamed artist of all time on Spotify, while American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is the most-streamed female artist.
Who has the greatest singing voice of all time? ›- 1 of 35. Celine Dion. Kevin Winter/Getty Images. ...
- 2 of 35. Barbra Streisand. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for BSB. ...
- 3 of 35. Etta James. ...
- 4 of 35. Nina Simone. ...
- 5 of 35. Aretha Franklin. ...
- 6 of 35. Whitney Houston. ...
- 7 of 35. Smokey Robinson. ...
- 8 of 35. Mariah Carey.
| Rank | Singer | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jackson | Pop, Soul, Funk, R&B, Rock, Disco, & Dance |
| 2 | Stevie Wonder | Soul, Pop, R&B, Funk, & Jazz |
| 3 | Marvin Gaye | Soul, R&B, Funk, Pop, & Jazz |
| 4 | Freddie Mercury | Hard Rock, Music Hall, Glitter, & Prog Rock |
Mariah Carey (USA) has topped the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on 19 different occasions.
What song has been number 1 the longest? ›"Old Town Road" holds the record for the longest stretch at No. 1 with 19 weeks.
Who are the top 10 female singers today? ›- Listen to Billie Eilish on Spotify. Cardi B. ...
- Listen to Cardi B on Spotify. Dua Lipa. ...
- Listen to Dua Lipa on Spotify. Ariana Grande. ...
- Listen to Ariana Grande on Spotify. Bhad Bhabie. ...
- Listen to Bhad Bhabie on Spotify. Anne-Marie. ...
- Listen to Bebe Rexha on Spotify. ...
- Listen to Destiny Rogers on Spotify. ...
- Listen to Selena Gomez on Spotify.
| Rank | Artist | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Taylor Swift | 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 |
| 2. | Rihanna | 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 |
| 3. | Ariana Grande | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021 |
| 3. | Adele | 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2022 |
Missy Elliott — With over 30 million records sold, this Virginia native is reportedly the top-selling female rapper of all time and deserves to someday be enshrined in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, alongside such fellow hip-hop heroes as Public Enemy and 2Pac.
What female singer has the most platinum albums? ›
Streisand is the leader among female artists for most gold albums (51) and platinum albums (30). Streisand landed her first gold album in May 1964, before such rivals as Mariah Carey and Celine Dion were even born. She has amassed eight Grammys, four Emmys, two Oscars, and a special Tony.
Who is a strong woman in history? ›1. Sybil Ludington: The Female Paul Revere. On the night of April 26, 1777, 16-year-old Sybil Ludington rode nearly 40 miles to warn some 400 militiamen that the British troops were coming. Much like the ride of Paul Revere, Ludington's message helped Patriot leaders prepare for battle.
Who is the most powerful woman in the world? ›News magazines from Time to Austria's Profil have put Volodymyr Zelenskiy on their covers as Person of the Year 2022. The business weekly Forbes's choice was a little more surprising: naming Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, “the world's most powerful woman”.
What is the rarest female voice? ›Contraltos are arguably the rarest of female voice types and they possess a tone so dark they often give the men a run for their money. If mezzos are like clarinets, contraltos are more like bass clarinets.
What is the deepest female voice? ›Contralto: the lowest female voice, F3 (F below middle C) to E5 (2nd E above Middle C). Rare contraltos possess a range similar to the tenor. Tenor: the highest male voice, B2 (second B below middle C) to A4 (A above middle C), and possibly higher.
What is the deepest female singing voice called? ›Contralto: this is the lowest female voice, ranging from F3 below the central C to F5. It is exceedingly rare, and often contralto roles are given to mezzos with dark tones.
Who are some important black figures? ›- Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Leader.
- Serena Williams, Pro Athlete.
- Malcolm X, Human Rights Activist.
- Katherine Johnson, Mathematician.
- Ruby Bridges, Civil Rights Activist.
- Duke Ellington, American Composer.
- Madam C.J. Walker, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist.
- Hunter Harris — Writer.
- Barry Jenkins — Filmmaker.
- Jillian Anderson — CoFounder of HERide App.
- Jahmal Cole - Founder & CEO My Block, My Hood, My City.
- Marie Beecham — Activist.
- Elaine Welteroth — Author.
- Eunique Jones Gibson - CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Culture Brands.
On September 29, 1958, Tommy Edwards became the first Black artist to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with “It's All In The Game,” an oldie swing song prophesying a couple's first kiss.
Who is the black woman record executive? ›Sylvia Rhone (born March 11, 1952) is an American music industry executive. Since 2019, she is the chair and CEO of Epic Records, a label owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Rhone served previously in senior positions at Vested In Culture, Universal Motown, Elektra Entertainment Group, and Atlantic Records.
Who was the first black music? ›
Earliest Black Recording Artists
In 1890 George W. Johnson became the first African American to record commercially. A common story is that Johnson, a former slave, was discovered singing on the streets of Washington, D.C., by Berliner recording agent Fred Gaisberg.
The earliest form of black musical expression in America, spirituals were based on Christian psalms and hymns and merged with African music styles and secular American music forms. Spirituals were originally an oral tradition and imparted Christian values while also defining the hardships of slavery.
Who was the first black musician on TV? ›To celebrate Black History Month, it is appropriate to mention another African American musician who was a pioneer on American television: Nat King Cole, jazz pianist and vocalist, was the first African American musician to host a nationally-broadcast musical variety show in the history of television.
Who is the black singer that won American Idol? ›In 1890, George W. Johnson, a former slave, became the first African-American musician to make commercial records. During his short but successful singing career, Johnson sold thousands of recordings.
Has a black person won a Grammy? ›African-American artists have been making history at the GRAMMYs since the awards were first presented on May 4, 1959. Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie each took home two awards that night.
Who are three prominent black musicians? ›- Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) ...
- Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) ...
- Ray Charles (1930-2004) ...
- Michael Jackson (1958-2009) ...
- Duke Ellington (1899-1974) ...
- Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) ...
- Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) ...
- NWA.
In the 65-year history of the Grammy Awards, only 11 Black artists have won album of the year. Stevie Wonder became the first Black artist to win in 1974 for "Innervisions." He has since won thrice. Jon Batiste took home the award in 2022 for "We Are," becoming the first Black artist to win since 2008.
What black person has the most Grammys? ›Aretha Franklin reigns as the queen of R&B. She has 18 GRAMMY wins to date, five recordings in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame, a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award (1994) and a GRAMMY Legend Award (1991).
What female artist won the most Grammys? ›At the 2023 GRAMMYs, Beyoncé made GRAMMY history. That night, she took home the GRAMMY for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for her 2022 album, Renaissance, securing her place as the artist with the most GRAMMY wins ever — counting 32 total GRAMMY wins across her decades-long career.
What black woman has the most Grammys? ›
After 88 career nominations, the superstar won her fourth trophy of the 2023 awards, giving her the record for most Grammy victories.
Who was the first black woman to win 5 Grammys? ›Today in black history: Lauryn Hill wins five Grammys, first black woman earns M.D. degree, and more.
Who was the last black woman to win Album of the Year? ›Only three Black women have won Album of the Year in the ceremony's 65-year history, the last time being when Lauryn Hill won for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1999. Before Hill, Natalie Cole won for Unforgettable…with Love in 1992 and Whitney Houston won for the soundtrack to The Bodyguard in 1994.
What female singers can hit 5 octaves? ›- Mariah Carey. With her 5-octave vocal range and her ability to reach notes in the 7th octave vocal range as well just go back, it should come as no surprise that Mariah is the top. ...
- Christina Aguilera. ...
- Hayley Williams (Paramore) ...
- Celine Dion. ...
- Beyoncé
| Rank | Singer | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jackson | Pop, Soul, Funk, R&B, Rock, Disco, & Dance |
| 2 | Stevie Wonder | Soul, Pop, R&B, Funk, & Jazz |
| 3 | Marvin Gaye | Soul, R&B, Funk, Pop, & Jazz |
| 4 | Freddie Mercury | Hard Rock, Music Hall, Glitter, & Prog Rock |
The seventh octave is the range of notes between C7 and C8. It is easier for very high coloratura sopranos to sing in this octave, but some people who are capable of singing in the bass range (like singers Adam Lopez, Virgo Degan, Nicola Sedda or Dimash Kudaibergen) can do it.
Which female singer has the highest note? ›Montserrat Caballé hits this note in Strauss' opera Salome. But it's Mariah Carey who takes the prize for the largest vocal range of all. She can reach a low F2 and hit an unbelievable G7, a note that dolphins would envy, and that only some dogs can hear.
What singer covers the most octaves? ›But it's not a famous face who has the most octaves of all.
This is Tim Storms, a singer in possession of an incredible 10 octaves!!! He's a Guinness World Record Breaker and has recorded material, although has never seen significant success in the industry. Watch this astounding video to see what he can do.
| Popularity ranking | Artist | |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Drake | Track artist |
| 02 | Rihanna | Track artist |
| 03 | Coldplay | Track artist |
| 04 | Eminem | Track artist |
- 1 Miley Cyrus97%
- 2 Beyoncé97%
- 3 Lady Gaga97%
- 4 Taylor Swift96%
- 5 Katy Perry96%
- 6 Justin Timberlake96%
- 7 Justin Bieber96%
- 8 Rihanna96%
Which singer has made the most songs in the world? ›
Currently, Mangeshkar's sister Asha Bhonsle is listed on the Guinness World Records for the record 'Most studio recordings - singles'. The record, which she holds since 2011, stated that Bhonsle has "reportedly recorded up to 11,000 solo, duet and chorus backed songs in over 20 Indian languages" since 1947.