Top 10 Best Black Singers
Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson; August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael... read more He is the most wonderful, talented, handsome, and kindest man that has ever lived as a black artist. He inspired so many people to be what they want, thanks to his words and his music. He is a legend that will never die, even if it means that he is not here with us (if you know what I mean).
RIP "King of Pop."
He was number one in fame, charisma, best albums, best dance, you name it. No one has come along yet that can top him off.
Name anyone you know, if possible, that could have stood next to Michael Jackson and be as good as he was for just 50 seconds. Anyone!
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston is one of pop music's best-selling music artists of all-time, with an estimated 170–200... read more It's one thing to have the ability to sing and another thing to know how to sing. Whitney Houston knew how to sing. It's not so much about her vocal range as it is about her natural musical gift.
To paraphrase her Cinderella soundtrack, there is music in her!
She is so inspiring. She has died, but she still lives in my heart. I love her, and I still wish her the best. There is not a day that I go without listening to her beautiful voice. She is my icon, and I hope to be like her someday.
Whitney is the best! No other female singers of this era are worthy of even shining her high heels. Her matchless voice will be greatly missed! Beyonce only wishes she had a voice like "The Voice."
Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Stevie Wonder is the most prestigious black star ever, for he's endowed with qualities rarely found despite his impairment. I consider him above the other four stars: Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Ray Charles, and Jimi Hendrix.
Improvisor, multilingual, cheerful, and modest, there can't be a better singer in the whole world of black music. For me, he's the one, the only one.
Beyonce and Aretha, I understand, but Rihanna or Chris Brown (and I'm 19, I should like them) being ranked higher than him is ridiculous. All his songs are so uplifting and have so much music. Stevie can do absolutely anything with his voice. This is sad.
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, is an American singer and actress, who started out in the popular pop/r&b girl group Destiny's Child. They had multiple top 5 hits such as "No, No, No", "Say My Name", "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Survivor", "Independent Women", "Bootylicious", and "Jumpin', Jumpin" from... read more Probably one of the most humble artists in the industry to date. Beyoncé writes her songs and places her hooks and melodies. She is always present when it comes to the creation of her music, videos, performances, and documentaries.
People may go on and on saying that she is fake, etc., but Beyoncé is one of the most iconic and legendary voices and figures in the music industry, period. Not just in the black community, but in the human race.
I LOVE BEYONCÉ very much because she has a unique voice. She is a talented singer, and that's why I like her very much. She is a huge inspiration for me. Not like Mariah Carey, who is only dependent on her whistle. She is not really showing her real voice, so I can't judge if she can hit high notes.
Like BEYONCÉ, Charice, Celine, etc., I love Beyoncé when she is singing songs like Listen and others. Sorry, fans of Mariah, I just want to show Mariah her real voice, not whistle. Good luck. I LOVE YOU BEYONCÉ KNOWLES.
Tina Turner, née Anna Mae Bullock, was a singer, dancer, actress and author, whose career spanned more than half a century, earning her widespread recognition and numerous awards. She is an awesome woman! Strong-willed. Great singer. I love all her songs! That woman can dance! Up in age, but still kicking butt!
Tina Turner is a legend. When she covers a song, she makes it her own. She has a great voice and energy.
The most beautiful voice and great songs. Tina Turner speaks for herself.
Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister... read more Queen of Soul, she has been active for more than 60 years. Her music has been copied and carried on by millions of women and men around the world. Her legacy will live forever, just like Tina Turner's will.
For a legend who was born into a family of powerful singers, she really is one of the world's most powerful living music legends.
These people were the foundation of music. Had it not been for them, where would music be? These people like Aretha, Ella, and Gladys really have made an impact.
I only have a simple question for you: Which set of music had soul? (Listen to Common - I Used to Love H.E.R.)
Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian-American pop singer. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, she first entered the music industry by recording demo tapes under the direction of record producer Evan Rogers in 2003. She ultimately signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning... read more She has been crowned the best-selling black female artist, selling over 200 million records within ten years! She definitely deserves a place here.
Man, I love Rihanna. I am a big fan! I wish I could see her in real life. She has a uniqueness about her, and I like it!
Rihanna should be at least in the top ten. She is way better than Beyoncé!
Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac, was an American rapper and actor born on June 16, 1971 in East Harlem, New York. Tupac sold over 75 million records worldwide and has been referred to in multiple major publications such as Rolling Stone as one of the greatest music artists of all time. 2Pac was... read more Tupac was a legend along with everything he stood for. He had a good flow and lyrics that spoke to you.
Tupac Shakur is the best black singer after MJ! He should be placed second, after all. If you agree, vote then! Jay-Z and Ne-Yo aren't better than 2PAC!
He is supposed to be number one!
Usher Terry Raymond IV is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. Born in Dallas, but raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee was where he lived until moving to Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 12 where his mother put him in local singing competitions all over the city. I'm 57 years old, and I think Usher is such a great man. He loves and respects his mother, is a father to his boy, and has a beautiful smile. No matter what he goes through, God is there for him. He just has to go to that quiet place.
I have a son his age. Mommy, good job.
Usher rules! Especially his song "More."
Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. was an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Throughout his career, Vandross was an in-demand background vocalist for several different artists. Luther Vandross has the strongest male vocals of any black male singer. Whitney Houston once said, "No one can hold a note like Luther can." That pretty much sums it up.
Luther had the soul, the groove, the voice, and the passion. Luther for Life! Rest in paradise, brother.
Luther's voice is just one in a million. It gets you emotional. Beautiful voice and beautiful man!
No one beats Luther, believe you me. The rest are screaming cats. Luther, you were the man.
The Newcomers
Eleanora Fagan, professionally known as Billie Holiday, was an American jazz musician and singer-songwriter with a career spanning nearly thirty years.
O'Shea Jackson, born June 15, 1969 in Baldwin Hills, CA, known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and filmmaker. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A and later joined the seminal gangster rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989,... read more
Janet Jackson is a singer and dancer who is well known for her sexually graphic records, iconic performances, and slightly weak voice. She is regarded as a sex symbol through her songs and videos. Janet Jackson is a legend and idol. She can dance and sing and always was such a hit with her voice and moves. She needs to be number 2 because, without her, there ain't no Beyonce.
Janet Jackson is an idol. She should be on top. Without her, there would be no Rihanna, Pink, or Beyonce. Plus, she is a Jackson. Oh yeah, this is number one.
She should be No. 3 behind Michael and Whitney. Why the hell are Beyonce and Rihanna above her?
Gladys Maria Knight, known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian and author. The Empress of Soul is still great, better than all of her contemporaries, Aretha, Diana, etc.
Gladys has never gotten her due. She should definitely be in the top three with Aretha and Ella.
Christopher Maurice "Chris" Brown (born May 5, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and actor. Born in Tappahannock, Virginia, he was involved in his church choir and several local talent shows from a young age. He is most well known for his physical assault towards the singer Rihanna in... read more He is the best ever. I don't care what others were saying. Anyway, it's their choice. But it wasn't a nice thing to hate Chris Brown for what he had done to Rihanna. Hey, he was just nineteen at that time. He was still young, so he could still change his attitude.
You know, just forgive and forget. I love Chris Brown.
Chris Brown is really inspiring. I can't imagine my life without him. I adore this man. I know he hit Rihanna, but that was years ago. However, that still doesn't mean it's okay. It was an accident. Stop all the hate! I love you, Chris.
Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. He helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of hits, earning him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and... read more People who have heard of Marvin Gaye would have made sure he would be ranked above Chris Brown. He wrote meaningful songs that opened up difficult questions about society and the African American struggle for equality.
And what does Chris Brown write about? Sex, girlfriends, being a gangster. Does he even write his own songs?
Having Rihanna and Beyonce above him is just insulting! I guess 12-year-olds vote the most on this list!
Marvin should be in the top three, definitely the best black male singer of all time.
Shaffer Chimere Smith, better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. This guy should be the best love singer of all time. He can really inspire you. His songs are lyrical compared to other love singers nowadays. He is like "The Apprentice of Michael Jackson."
He is talented and smart-looking, and he is like a young, handsome man! His voice flows like a melody without music. His classic rapping songs are always engraved in your heart.
Definitely, he should be in the top 3 because he's just amazing with all the songs he has sung!
Peter Gene Hernandez, professionally known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and choreographer... read more I love him, and I know that when he sings with so much soul, you might think he is black, but he actually isn't. When I first heard him sing, I thought he was black, and I was very surprised to find out that he wasn't.
You all better be moving Bruno up to the top 5, and ASAP! 93!? Craziness. Chop chop, get this man moved up!
Ella Jane Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer often referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz and Lady Ella. Anybody wanting to learn how to become a vocalist should listen to The First Lady of Song.
She is the first lady of music. She is just the best and a truly humble lady.
Alicia Augello Cook, known by the pseudonym Alicia Keys, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Alicia Keys is amazing and deserves to be up in the top 10 at least. I bet more than 3/4 of the people who voted are white.
She has grown on me in the last couple of years.
Ray Charles Robinson, professionally known as Ray Charles, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and composer. For me, he is right up there, sharing first place with Nat King Cole.
Mariah Carey, born March 27, 1970, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is one of the biggest best-selling women in the music industry, with 18 number 1 records to her name. She is regarded as a sex symbol through her songs and music videos, and she is "well known" for her over-the-top... read more I don't understand why this beautiful talent is not in the top 3 of this list. Her voice is beyond amazing. Her talent is equivalent to Whitney's, and I know damn well that Mariah has way better vocals than Beyonce and Rihanna combined. They wish they could sing like her.
Besides Mimi's voice, she is also a highly acclaimed songwriter. All of her hits are written by her. Mariah's music is a true work of art and has inspired thousands of people to cultivate their own style of music similar to Mariah's.
She, Whitney, Michael, Prince, and Janet are the creators of today's contemporary music. Stevie Wonder needs to be on this list as well. I have nothing against Rihanna, Chris Brown, and Beyonce. I actually love them, but they are not true geniuses of music like Michael, Whitney, Mariah, Prince, Janet, and Stevie Wonder.
Jennifer Kate Hudson is an American singer, actress and spokesperson. She rose to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, coming in seventh place. She is the closest thing to Whitney, hands down. She is absolutely awesome, and I have followed her since the American Idol days. I hope Simon has eaten so much "crow" that he has choked on it. I bet he kicks himself each time he hears her sing.
She is the best. Her voice is so soulful, and she always puts her heart and soul into her music. Jennifer Hudson will always be my role model. I want to be her someday!
Amazing voice. She should be top three! What is she doing at number 33? She is amazing with high notes. Love you, Jennifer Hudson.
Theodore DeReese Pendergrass was an American singer–songwriter and composer. He first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in the 1970s before a successful solo career at the end of the decade. Teddy, during his Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and first solo years, will probably never be topped when it comes to sheer power, sexiness, and soul. In my humble opinion, his debut solo album is the best soul album of all time.
He should be ranked higher than Beyoncé!
Donny Edward Hathaway was an American jazz, blues, soul and gospel singer, songwriter, arranger and pianist. Why is this amazing man not in the top 5, or at least the top 10? To make it worse, he is ranked below Beyonce, the pretentious mainstream artist, Rihanna, who can't sing, and Chris Brown, who objectifies women in most of his songs.
Usher, Ne-Yo, and other good singers are good but not as great as Donny was. R.I.P.
Louis Armstrong, nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American trumpeter, composer and singer who was one of the most influential figures in jazz. I love Louis Armstrong. I found out about him in my music class. I wish I had known earlier who he was. He's a great trumpet player and an awesome man.
Louis Armstrong should be number 1. There never has been nor will there ever be another one like him.
Ye (born Kanye Omari West; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and fashion designer. He is regarded as one of the most influential, as well as controversial, artists of the 21st century... read more