Absolute Best Black Female Singers of All Time
Digital and Radio Facts: Who Are the Top Black Female Singers of All Time? – Any way that you look at it black women singers have made an indelible mark on the history of soul music as everything from soul singers, to crossing over to pop music singers. Whatever genre you want to call it, R&B Music, race music, black music or pop music … black singers cannot be denied their own place in its history. These are the women who have taken the industry by storm since the inception of the music industry.
From the Blues to Jazz to R&B the riffs, scats, octaves, and emotion black women singers have mastered over the decades have without a doubt played an integral part in the music industry it’s a rich history. Like “Soul Food” we have, or at least HAD a plethora of Soul Music to choose from. \
Black female singers were there during the highs and the lows of our community from the ins and outs of love go through the Civil Rights movement.If we were to close the music history books today and list the best black female singers of all time is this list complete? Absolutely not, you would literally have to write a book on all the great black women in music, but these are our choices in who we think the top ones are. Do you agree or disagree? Well, you can be the judge. Click NEXT below to see the next singer we picked
Whitney Houston
Only a fool could deny the late Whitney Houston’s amazing talent. She had one of the most spectacular voices of the century and sold millions of albums and singles in a career that spanned 30 years. No list would be complete without including her as one of the best black female singers of all time.
Aretha Franklin
The late Aretha Franklin had etched her space in history as the undeniable Queen of Soul decades ago. As one of the pioneering black women in the best singing category, her career spanned more than 50 years.
Nancy Wilson
The late Nancy Wilson was always a bit underrated but she made up for it with her Jazz tinged sexy vocals that won fans worldwide and earned her space as a great singer of many genres, including jazz and soul. She was the epitome of class and elegance and one of the few black women on our list that transcended musical genres.
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick was the whitney houston of the 60s, teaming up with Burt Bacharach for some of the most memorable hits in the history of music like I Say a Little Prayer and Walk on By. She ranked high as one of the few black women on the pop charts in those days and her legacy continues to be one of the greatest black female singers of all time.
Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight has one of the most recognizable and BEST voices in R&B. She is still going strong today
Chaka Khan
chaka Khan has solidified her space as one of the premier singers in R&B history. Her range and interpretation is second to none.
Natalie Cole
Natalie Cole was a multi-dimensional singer that can do standards, soul, jazz and even Latin music. Her troubled past and her poor relationships fueled her talent to incredible heights. Out of all the women on the list, Natalie and Mariah Carey probably has the best range.
Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle was never meant to be a gracious and plastic singer off stage or on. She never had a problem rolling on the floor and kicking off her shoes to the delight of fans and singing her heart out.
Mariah Carey
Mariah is not a soul singer or a pop singer she is JUST a GREAT singer. Her unique ability to sing in the whistle register is only matched by Rachelle Ferrell … Mariah is probably the wealthiest woman on the list as she wrote MOST of her smash hits so she will have a great payday for life. Best Black Female Singers
Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis was so incredibly underrated and she deserved SO much more recognition for her amazing voice. ironically her music sounds just as good today as it did 20 years ago RIP.
Sarah Vaughn
Sarah Vaughn was so talented with such great range and wonderful jazzy style that there were times she could sing like a man and bridge a baritone key into a soprano with amazing ease. She was truly one of the best singers in the world.
BEST BLACK MALE SINGERS OF ALL TIME
Is there anything that can’t be said about the amazing Ella Fitzgerald?
No one has mentioned Leona Horn, Candi Staton, Dorothy Moore, Jill Scott, but Jennifer Lopez. You could’ve use Seline Deon, not to mention those great that never got their reconition.
I like to know who took the pole for the votes. Whom ever it was they was certainly off point with J -Lo .
No one has mentioned Leona Horn, Candi Staton, Dorothy Moore, Jill Scott, but Jennifer Lopez. You could’ve use Seline Deon, not to mention those great that never got their reconition.
I like to know who took the pole for the votes. Whom ever it was they was certainly off point with J -Lo .
Chante Moore should definitely be on this list. It’s your list, but you know we take our music seriously. The #10 spot was no place for a”joke.”
Chante Moore should definitely be on this list. It’s your list, but you know we take our music seriously. The #10 spot was no place for a”joke.”
Any list of vocalists without Ella Fitzgerald is incomplete
Any list of vocalists without Ella Fitzgerald is incomplete
This is not to take away from any of the names listed, but it is just not possible to do this sort of list without acknowledging Diana Ross.
Are you mad? Lopez? Really?
This is not to take away from any of the names listed, but it is just not possible to do this sort of list without acknowledging Diana Ross.
Are you mad? Lopez? Really?
DENIED!! J-Lo?? Seriously? Better than Tina Turner, Ella Fitzerald, Lena Horn, Billie Holiday?
Undeniably poor list.
DENIED!! J-Lo?? Seriously? Better than Tina Turner, Ella Fitzerald, Lena Horn, Billie Holiday?
Undeniably poor list.
What an empty and pathetic list this is!! If the great and glorious Mahalia Jackson is going to be snubbed, then this whole list is garbage. Yeah, she may have been a gospel singer, but that shouldn’t ostracize her from being at the top of this list. If she would have broken her integrity, she would’ve buried every one of these singers. How DARE you try to bury her because of her integrity!!
What an empty and pathetic list this is!! If the great and glorious Mahalia Jackson is going to be snubbed, then this whole list is garbage. Yeah, she may have been a gospel singer, but that shouldn’t ostracize her from being at the top of this list. If she would have broken her integrity, she would’ve buried every one of these singers. How DARE you try to bury her because of her integrity!!
You lost me with Jennifer Lopez. We were all good up until then. SMH
You lost me with Jennifer Lopez. We were all good up until then. SMH
WHEN IT COMES TO MUSIC, I MUST ADMIT THE 70’S TO THE EARLY 90’S IS WHERE THE REAL R&B WAS. NOT LIKE TODAY THIS MUSIC THEY CONSIDER R&B IS NOT R&B IT’S RHYTHIMIC SOUL…..I SAY THE BEST THAT EVER DID IT..PHYLLIS HYMAN, PATTIE LABELLE, STEPHANIE MILLS, MELBA MOORE…POWERFULL LADIES!!!!!!!!!!
r and b yes but the classics of the 60s are stil in my heart……
WHEN IT COMES TO MUSIC, I MUST ADMIT THE 70’S TO THE EARLY 90’S IS WHERE THE REAL R&B WAS. NOT LIKE TODAY THIS MUSIC THEY CONSIDER R&B IS NOT R&B IT’S RHYTHIMIC SOUL…..I SAY THE BEST THAT EVER DID IT..PHYLLIS HYMAN, PATTIE LABELLE, STEPHANIE MILLS, MELBA MOORE…POWERFULL LADIES!!!!!!!!!!
r and b yes but the classics of the 60s are stil in my heart……
i have a problem with this… where is Nancy Wilson? i seen dionne, phyllis, natalie, even etta… WHERE IS NANCY WILSON IN THIS 12? THIS SHOULD BE REDONE OVER!
i have a problem with this… where is Nancy Wilson? i seen dionne, phyllis, natalie, even etta… WHERE IS NANCY WILSON IN THIS 12? THIS SHOULD BE REDONE OVER!
NANCY WILSON HAS BEEN RECORDING SINCE 1960. EVEN THOUGH, SHE IS RETIRED NOW, YOU SHOULD GIVE HER DUE! SHE DESERVES IT!
NANCY WILSON HAS BEEN RECORDING SINCE 1960. EVEN THOUGH, SHE IS RETIRED NOW, YOU SHOULD GIVE HER DUE! SHE DESERVES IT!
Minnie and Phyllis should be a lot closer to #1 (although maybe they are not in a particular order?) . And no mention of Deniece Williams or Angela Bofill???!! Angela winbush is also one of the very best and wait!!! Jean Carn should absolutely be on that list. If you go see her live (even today) you’ll know why. She could go toe to toe with ANY of those mentioned.
Minnie and Phyllis should be a lot closer to #1 (although maybe they are not in a particular order?) . And no mention of Deniece Williams or Angela Bofill???!! Angela winbush is also one of the very best and wait!!! Jean Carn should absolutely be on that list. If you go see her live (even today) you’ll know why. She could go toe to toe with ANY of those mentioned.
J.Lo?????? I had no idea she was BLACK!!!! Really? Does she know she is black? You left out JEAN CARNE and REGINA BELLE!
J.Lo?????? I had no idea she was BLACK!!!! Really? Does she know she is black? You left out JEAN CARNE and REGINA BELLE!
Omg ….it gotta be a joke MIKI HOWARD is not on the list!
Omg ….it gotta be a joke MIKI HOWARD is not on the list!
This list is STUPID. Sarah, Ella, Nancy not on the list = invalid list. And Dionne — she’s good but seriously? Same with Natalie. I’d replace those two easily.
This list is STUPID. Sarah, Ella, Nancy not on the list = invalid list. And Dionne — she’s good but seriously? Same with Natalie. I’d replace those two easily.
Oh, and Stephanie Mills!
Oh, and Stephanie Mills!
With my music experience, along with being involved in the music industry and extensive record collection, my top 12 would be much different from this. I have already started compiling a list of the greatest 300 black women vocalists. My list is based totally on skills and range. Nothing to do with sales or popularity. The #1 spots should have gone to either Minnie Riperton or Ella Fitzgerald. Their vocal skills are simply unmatched.
That singer from here in Houston, that’s ‘married’ to the rapper, is not even in my top 5,000. Wait! She’s not on my list at all. [maniacal laughing] I just stumbled across this, looking for something else.
With my music experience, along with being involved in the music industry and extensive record collection, my top 12 would be much different from this. I have already started compiling a list of the greatest 300 black women vocalists. My list is based totally on skills and range. Nothing to do with sales or popularity. The #1 spots should have gone to either Minnie Riperton or Ella Fitzgerald. Their vocal skills are simply unmatched.
That singer from here in Houston, that’s ‘married’ to the rapper, is not even in my top 5,000. Wait! She’s not on my list at all. [maniacal laughing] I just stumbled across this, looking for something else.
Yeah, J-Lo was a mistake here. She’s Puerto Rican and many PRs are of a wide array of races and mixed race, so I checked out her parents to be sure and they don’t look mixed or black. However, I don’t know her family descent so I can’t say. Plus, you can’t assume that just because someone is Latino/a that they aren’t black. We can be both. My issue is that she isn’t that great of a singer in my opinion. Not to say she isn’t good, her talent just isn’t comparable to the other singers on the list. So it’s a mistake. I would prefer to see Tina Turner on the list. There are others that could also be on the list, but it’s 12, so everybody can’t be on the list.
Yeah, J-Lo was a mistake here. She’s Puerto Rican and many PRs are of a wide array of races and mixed race, so I checked out her parents to be sure and they don’t look mixed or black. However, I don’t know her family descent so I can’t say. Plus, you can’t assume that just because someone is Latino/a that they aren’t black. We can be both. My issue is that she isn’t that great of a singer in my opinion. Not to say she isn’t good, her talent just isn’t comparable to the other singers on the list. So it’s a mistake. I would prefer to see Tina Turner on the list. There are others that could also be on the list, but it’s 12, so everybody can’t be on the list.
The Person who should be included on this list is LINDA JONES She sang (Hypnotized … and Not On The Outside) This lady had the best vocal control of any woman . Listen to these songs on Youtube and then tell me who can match her voice. …NO ONE .
The Person who should be included on this list is LINDA JONES She sang (Hypnotized … and Not On The Outside) This lady had the best vocal control of any woman . Listen to these songs on Youtube and then tell me who can match her voice. …NO ONE .
Minnie riperton best ever!!!! Hands down
Minnie riperton best ever!!!! Hands down
Diana Ross.
Diana Ross.
Hard to take a list like this seriously when you leave out Ella Fitzgerald, Lady Day, Nina Simone, Lena Horn, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRea, Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson while including Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez (no offense but WTF!?!?)
Hard to take a list like this seriously when you leave out Ella Fitzgerald, Lady Day, Nina Simone, Lena Horn, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRea, Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson while including Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez (no offense but WTF!?!?)
Haha…just because Jennifer Lopez thinks she’s black doesn’t make her black.
Haha…just because Jennifer Lopez thinks she can sing doesn’t mean she can sing.
Haha…just because Jennifer Lopez sang a few half-assed songs in the last decade doesn’t mean she is an “undeniable top female singer of all time.”
Whoever created was either joking, confused, or stupid…I’m gonna go with the latter. The fact that “All-Time” is hyphenated in the title speaks volumes to this person’s intelligence and education. Haha
Haha…just because Jennifer Lopez thinks she’s black doesn’t make her black.
Haha…just because Jennifer Lopez thinks she can sing doesn’t mean she can sing.
Haha…just because Jennifer Lopez sang a few half-assed songs in the last decade doesn’t mean she is an “undeniable top female singer of all time.”
Whoever created was either joking, confused, or stupid…I’m gonna go with the latter. The fact that “All-Time” is hyphenated in the title speaks volumes to this person’s intelligence and education. Haha
I agree with John. Linda Jones was one of the best singers ever!! She definitely should be on any list of best or favorite African American female singers.
I agree with John. Linda Jones was one of the best singers ever!! She definitely should be on any list of best or favorite African American female singers.
How can you forget Stephanie Mills and Regina Bell?
How can you forget Stephanie Mills and Regina Bell?
She’s good. But top 12?
She’s good. But top 12?