16 Best Black Female Singers: Iconic Voices & Rising Stars

Black female singers have shaped music history with their powerful voices, resilience, and groundbreaking contributions. From Aretha Franklin’s soul-stirring ballads to Whitney Houston’s breathtaking vocals, these iconic women have not only dominated the stage but also redefined the industry.

Across jazz, R&B, gospel, and pop, they have broken barriers, set new standards, and inspired generations. Their influence extends far beyond music, leaving a legacy that continues to resonate.

Let’s celebrate their journeys, impact, and the lasting mark they’ve made on the world.

Top 16 Black Female Singers

16: Chaka Khan

Date of Birth: March 23, 1953, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Best Songs:

• I’m Every Woman
• I Feel for You
• Through the Fire
• Like Sugar
• What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me

Accolades:

• BET Award
• Grammy Award
• Soul Train Award
• MOBO Award
• UK Music Video Awards
• Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Chaka Khan, crowned the “Queen of Funk,” credits her deep-rooted love for music to her grandmother, who introduced her to jazz, rhythm, and blues as a child. That early exposure ignited a passion that would propel her into music history.

In the early 1970s, Khan captivated audiences as the powerhouse lead vocalist of the funk band Rufus.

By 1978, she launched her solo career with Chaka, a debut album that went platinum, driven by the timeless disco anthem I’m Every Woman. Effortlessly blending R&B, soul, funk, pop, disco, jazz, and gospel, she carved a path unlike any other.

With a career spanning over five decades, Khan has earned three gold albums, three gold singles, and one platinum album, cementing her status as one of the most influential Black female singers of all time.

In 2016, Billboard ranked her as the 65th most successful dance club artist. In 2023 she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame under the Musical Excellence category—further proof that her impact as a Black female singer remains undeniable.

15: Mary J. Blige

Date of Birth: January 11, 1971, New York City, USA

Best Songs:

• Be Without You
• Family Affair
• Real Love
• No More Drama
• Just Fine

Accolades:

• American Music Award
• BET Award
• Grammy Award
• World Music Award
• Emmy Award

Mary J. Blige hailed as the “Queen of R&B” and the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” transformed music with her signature blend of raw emotion and infectious beats.

Emerging in the late 20th century, she became a defining voice of R&B and hip-hop, bridging the gap between the two genres while leaving an indelible mark on mainstream pop culture.

Her journey began in 1988 when Uptown Records founder Andre Harrell recognized her talent and signed her, paving the way for a groundbreaking career. In 1992, Blige’s debut album, What’s the 411?, introduced a bold fusion of R&B and hip-hop, reshaping the sound of contemporary music.

Her follow-up album, My Life (1994), became a cultural and emotional cornerstone, with both albums earning spots on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Over the years, Blige has released 15 studio albums, four of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Beyond music, she expanded her influence into acting, starring in films like Rock of Ages (2012), Betty and Coretta (2013), and Black Nativity (2013).

Her critically acclaimed role in Mudbound (2017) earned her Academy Award nominations, further cementing her status as a multifaceted icon.

14: Jennifer Hudson

Date of Birth: September 12, 1981, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Best Songs:

• Spotlight
• Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight
• And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going
• If This Isn’t Love
• Love You I Do

Accolades:

For Music:

• BET Award
• Grammy Awards
• Hollywood Music in Media Award

For Acting:

• Academy Award
• Black Reel Award
• British Academy Film Award
• Critics’ Choice Movie Award
• Golden Globe Award

Jennifer Hudson’s musical journey began in the heart of Chicago, where she started singing in her church choir at just seven years old. As a teenager, she honed her craft at wedding receptions, local talent shows, and musical theater performances.

Her breakthrough came in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, where, despite finishing seventh, she left an unforgettable impression.

In 2008, Hudson released her self-titled debut album under Arista Records, which soared to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Known for her powerful, gospel-infused vocals, she seamlessly blends R&B, soul, and pop with unmatched emotional depth. As one of the most influential Black female singers of her generation, her music continues to inspire audiences worldwide.

Beyond music, Hudson made a stunning film debut as Effie White in Dreamgirls (2006), a performance that earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress—making her the youngest African-American to receive the honor.

13: Alicia Keys

Date of Birth: January 25, 1981, New York City, USA

Best Songs:

• If I Ain’t Got You
• Fallin’
• Girl on Fire
• A Woman’s Worth
• You Don’t Know My Name

Accolades:

• American Music Award
• Billboard Music Award
• Grammy Award
• MTV Europe Music Award
• Soul Train Music Award

Alicia Keys began composing songs at just 12 years old and signed with Columbia Records by 15, setting the stage for a remarkable career. Rising to fame in the early 2000s, she mesmerized audiences with her signature blend of R&B and soul, paired with her classically influenced powerhouse vocals.

Her debut album, Songs in A Minor (2001), released under J Records, became a global sensation, earning critical acclaim and selling over 12 million copies worldwide. In 2004, her duet with Usher, a R&B singer, My Boo, became her second No. 1 single in the U.S., further solidifying her status as an R&B powerhouse.

With over 90 million records sold worldwide, Keys is one of the best-selling artists of all time. Her music seamlessly fuses R&B, soul, jazz, and pop, earning her a place among the industry’s most influential voices.

In 2024, she continued to leave her mark with Kaleidoscope, the lead single from the Hell’s Kitchen soundtrack, proving her artistry remains as powerful as ever.

12: Anita Baker

Date of Birth: January 26, 1958, Toledo, Ohio, USA

Best Songs:

• Sweet Love
• Caught Up in the Rapture
• Same Ole Love
• Angel
• You Bring Me Joy

Accolades:

• BET Award
• Grammy Award
• American Music Award
• Soul Train Music Award

Anita Baker, celebrated for her soulful ballads, three-octave range, and deeply emotive delivery, rose to international prominence in the 1980s and ’90s.

Her musical journey began at just 16, performing R&B in Detroit nightclubs, where she honed the rich, velvety voice that would later define her career.

Baker’s professional breakthrough came in the late 1970s as the lead singer of the funk band Chapter 8. She later embarked on a solo career, releasing her debut album, The Songstress, in 1983.

However, it was her second album, Rapture (1986), that catapulted her to stardom, earning Platinum status and cementing her as a force in contemporary R&B.

Recognized as one of the most influential Black female singers in urban contemporary music, Baker’s impact remains undeniable.

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked her No. 92 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, a testament to her enduring legacy. Even today, her music continues to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.

11: Beyoncé

Date of Birth: September 4, 1981, Houston, Texas, USA

Best Songs:

• Formation
• Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
• Sorry
• Get Me Bodied
• Black Parade

Accolades:

• American Music Award
• BET Award
• Brit Award
• Grammy Award
• MTV Video Music Awards

Beyoncé, also one of the richest female singers, renowned for her vocal prowess, musical versatility, live performances, and culturally significant works, has significantly influenced the music industry. In 1997, she gained fame as a member of Destiny’s Child, a renowned girl group known for its high-selling records.

Her singing style is a blend of power, precision, and versatility, attracting audiences worldwide. Her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love (2003), became a 21st-century best-selling album, spawning the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles Crazy in Love and Baby Boy.

With over 200 million records in sales, she is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Beyoncé made history at the 2025 GRAMMYs by becoming the first Black woman to win the Best Country Album award.

In addition, Beyoncé founded her own management business, Parkwood Entertainment, and created monocultural events through acclaimed concept albums.

10: Nina Simone

Date of Birth: February 21, 1933, North Carolina, USA

Date of Death: April 21, 2003, Carry-le-Rouet, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Best Songs:

• I Loves You, Porgy
• My Baby Just Cares for Me
• Feeling Good
• I Put a Spell on You
• Four Women

Accolades:

• She was listed as one of the greatest vocalists of all time by Rolling Stone.
• Degree from the Curtis Institute of Music

Eunice Kathleen Waymon, better known as Nina Simone, a renowned jazz singer, developed a passion for music early in life, initially dreaming of becoming a concert pianist.

After studying at Juilliard, she played piano in Atlantic City nightclubs, adopting the stage name Nina Simone to keep her performances hidden from her family.

Deeply influenced by classical composers like Bach, Simone infused jazz, blues, and gospel into her music, creating a distinctive and timeless sound.

Her hauntingly beautiful contralto voice and deeply emotive performances made her a powerful force, especially as she used her platform to address racial injustices during the civil rights movement.

Songs like Feeling Good and I Put a Spell on You remain iconic, blending artistic brilliance with social activism.

Over her prolific career, Simone released more than 40 albums, capturing the complexities of race, identity, and resilience in America. Her influence endures, cementing her status as one of the most impactful Black female singers in history.

9: Patti LaBelle

Date of Birth: May 24, 1944, Pennsylvania, USA

Best Songs:

• You Are My Friend
• If Only You Knew
• Love, Need, and Want You
• New Attitude
• Stir It Up

Accolades:

• Grammy Awards
• Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame
• Inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame
• Inducted into the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame

Patti LaBelle’s musical journey began in the early 1960s as the lead singer of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, a group that later transformed into Labelle, known for its bold harmonies and vibrant sound. Her evolution as an artist is a testament to her lasting impact on music.

With a dramatic soprano range spanning three octaves, LaBelle masterfully blends R&B, soul, and gospel, captivating audiences with her powerful and deeply emotive delivery.

Her ability to convey raw emotion is evident in classics like You Are My Friend, solidifying her status as one of the most expressive vocalists of all time.

Over the course of her career, LaBelle has sold over 50 million records worldwide which is a testament to her influence and staying power in the music industry.

Beyond her vocal prowess, she has been a trailblazer for black female singers in R&B, paving the way for future generations with her talent, resilience, and groundbreaking contributions.

8: Gladys Knight

Date of Birth: May 28, 1944, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Best Songs:

• Midnight Train to Georgia
• That’s What Friends Are For
• I Heard It Through the Grapevine
• Missing You
• Licence to Kill

Accolades:

• Grammy Award
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
• National Medal of Arts recipient

Gladys Knight’s musical journey began in childhood, singing in church and competing in local talent shows. From an early age, she developed a signature style—a rich fusion of soul, R&B, and gospel—that set her apart.

Her smoky, sultry voice carries both warmth and power, captivating audiences with its depth and emotional resonance.

Knight gained fame as the lead singer of Gladys Knight & the Pips, a group that featured her brother and cousins.

With timeless hits like Midnight Train to Georgia, she became a defining voice in soul music, known for her heartfelt delivery and remarkable vocal range.

Beyond her own success, Knight’s influence extends across generations, inspiring countless artists and leaving an indelible mark on the legacy of soul music.

Her contributions continue to shape the industry, solidifying her place as one of the most revered voices in music history.

7: Diana Ross

Date of Birth: March 26, 1944, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Best Songs:

• Good Morning Heartache
• Home
• Upside Down
• Touch Me in the Morning
• Endless Love

Accolades:

• Academy Award nomination for Lady Sings the Blues
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actress
• Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2012, 2023)

Diana Ross’s musical journey began with a resilient spirit and unwavering determination. As a child, she sang in the gospel choir of a Baptist church, a humble beginning that laid the foundation for her unique vocal style.

At the age of 15, she co-founded The Primettes, a group that later evolved into The Supremes. Under the mentorship of Motown founder Berry Gordy, she emerged as the lead singer, showcasing her silky smooth voice and dynamic stage presence.

Ross’s signature style combined glamour and heartfelt emotion, making songs like Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Endless Love unforgettable.

Furthermore, her powerful influence reshaped pop music, inspiring countless new generations of artists and solidifying her status as one of the greatest female singers in history.

6: Billie Holiday

Date of Birth: April 7, 1915, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Date of Death: July 17, 1959, New York, USA

Best Songs:

• Strange Fruit
• God Bless the Child
• Solitude
• Blue Moon
• Easy Livin

Accolades:

• Grammy Award
• Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan, began her musical career at a young age, performing in Harlem nightclubs where she was discovered by John Hammond (producer). Her unique vocal style was deeply emotive, blending jazz influences to curate a distinctive sound that showcased her improvisational skills. Holiday’s artistry is exemplified in her ability to convey complex emotions through her songs, often tackling difficult subjects like racism and heartbreak.

Holiday’s pioneering recordings in the 1930s and 1940s, alongside artists like Teddy Wilson, cemented her place in jazz history and propelled the genre forward. Despite grappling with personal challenges, including legal battles and substance abuse, her vocal brilliance at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall underscored her enduring impact on music.

5: Tina Turner

Date of Birth: November 26, 1939, Tennessee, USA

Date of Death: May 24, 2023, Küsnacht, Zürich, Switzerland

Best Songs:

• Proud Mary
• What’s Love Got to Do with It
• River Deep – Mountain High
• Private Dancer
• The Best

Accolades:

• Grammy Awards
• Admitted twice to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Kennedy Center Honors recipient

Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan, began her musical journey in Harlem nightclubs, where her raw talent caught the attention of producer John Hammond. With a deeply emotive vocal style, she blended jazz influences and improvisational finesse to create a sound that was uniquely her own.

Holiday’s ability to convey profound emotion made her one of jazz’s most compelling voices, tackling themes of love, loss, and racial injustice.

Her pioneering recordings in the 1930s and 1940s, alongside legends like Teddy Wilson, not only cemented her place in jazz music history but also helped shape the genre’s evolution.

Despite facing personal struggles, including legal battles and substance abuse, Holiday’s brilliance shone through in unforgettable performances at venues like Carnegie Hall. Her legacy endures, influencing generations of artists and solidifying her as one of the most iconic jazz vocalists of all time.

4: Ella Fitzgerald

Date of Birth: April 25, 1917, Virginia, USA

Date of Death: June 15, 1996, Los Angeles, California, USA

Best Songs:

• Summertime
• Misty
• A-Tisket, A-Tasket
• Airmail Special
• How High the Moon

Accolades:

• Grammy Awards
• National Medal of Arts
• NAACP’s President’s Award
• Presidential Medal of Freedom

Ella Fitzgerald, better known as the First Lady of Song, captivated the world with her extraordinary vocal talent and magnetic stage presence.

She rose to fame at just 16 after joining the Chick Webb Orchestra, quickly becoming a standout performer who helped bring jazz into the mainstream.

Fitzgerald’s impeccable diction, rich tone, and unmatched ability to scat sing—an improvisational technique that mimics instrumental sounds—set her apart as a true innovator.

With a staggering catalog of over 200 albums, her interpretations of the Great American Songbook remain some of the most revered recordings in jazz history.

Her collaborations with legends like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington further enriched her artistry and solidified her influence on generations of musicians.

As one of the most celebrated Black female singers of all time, Fitzgerald’s legacy continues to inspire and shape the world of jazz.

3: Etta James

Date of Birth: January 25, 1938, California, USA

Date of Death: January 20, 2012, California, USA

Best Songs:

• At Last
• I’d Rather Go Blind
• Tell Mama
• Something’s Got a Hold on Me
• The Wallflower

Accolades:

• Grammy Awards
• Blues Music Awards
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
• Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame
• Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame

Etta James launched her singing career in 1954, quickly making a name for herself with a powerful, soulful voice that seamlessly bridged rhythm and blues with rock and roll. Her versatility allowed her to thrive across multiple genres, including blues, soul, jazz, and gospel.

Known for her raw and deeply emotive vocal style, James captivated audiences and critics alike, earning recognition as one of the most influential Black female singers in history.

Despite personal struggles, including addiction and incarceration, she staged a remarkable comeback during the late 1980s, reaffirming her enduring place in the music industry.

James’s ability to convey profound emotion and forge a deep connection with listeners made her a trailblazer in R&B, solidifying her legacy as the Matriarch of R&B and an icon whose music continues to inspire generations.

2: Aretha Franklin

Date of Birth: March 25, 1942, Tennessee, USA

Date of Death: August 16, 2018, Michigan, USA

Best Songs:

• Respect
• I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)
• Amazing Grace
• Rock Steady
• You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman
• Chain of Fools

Accolades:

• Grammy Awards
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
• National Medal of Arts
• Presidential Medal of Freedom

Aretha Franklin, revered as the Queen of Soul, started her journey in the music industry by singing gospel in her father’s church, where she cultivated the powerful voice that would later captivate the world.

Her breakthrough came in 1966 when she signed with Atlantic Records, launching a career that redefined soul music and produced a string of iconic hits, marking her as one of the top soul singers.

Blending R&B, soul, and gospel, Franklin’s unparalleled vocal range and emotive delivery made her music deeply resonant.

Her signature call and response technique, paired with raw, heartfelt performances, not only set her apart but also made her a powerful voice for social justice.

Over her six-decade career, Franklin sold over 75 million records worldwide, earning 112 charted singles on the Billboard charts—including 73 Hot 100 entries and 20 No. 1 R&B hits.

1: Whitney Houston

Date of Birth: August 9, 1963, New Jersey, USA

Date of Death: February 11, 2012, California, USA

Best Songs:

• I Wanna Dance with Somebody
• I have Nothing
• I Will Always Love You
• Saving All My Love for You
• One Moment in Time
• Greatest Love of All

Accolades:

• Grammy Awards
• American Music Awards
• Billboard Music Awards

Whitney Houston’s journey into music began in her church choir, where she was guided by her mother, renowned gospel singer Cissy Houston. With her skill, she has also solidified her status among the top pop singers.

From an early age, her extraordinary vocal talent set her apart, showcasing a powerful, emotive delivery and unparalleled range that allowed her to seamlessly navigate genres from pop to gospel.

What truly distinguished Houston was her ability to forge a deep emotional connection with audiences, elevating her from a singer to a global icon. Her influence reshaped popular music, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of artists.

Beyond music, Houston’s impact extended to film, with The Bodyguard and its legendary soundtrack—featuring I Will Always Love You—becoming cultural milestones.

Her voice, presence, and trailblazing achievements solidified her legacy as one of the most influential and celebrated artists in history.

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