The 1980s was a truly magical time for R&B music, filled with talented female vocalists whose soulful voices and heartfelt lyrics had the power to move audiences deeply.
This blog post is a loving tribute to 30 of the most influential and beloved R&B queens who reigned supreme during that iconic decade.
From chart-topping divas who became household names to underrated gems whose artistry deserves more recognition, we’ll embark on a nostalgia-filled journey.
Get ready to rediscover these groundbreaking women’s iconic art and their unforgettable hit songs.
This is a celebration of the 1980s R&B royalty who poured their souls into their craft and gave us memories to cherish forever.
Top 80s R&B Female Singers
1. Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston was an American singer and actress known for her powerful voice and emotive ballads.
She began singing in church and later pursued a modeling career before her music breakthrough.
Houston’s debut album in 1985 became the best-selling debut by a woman at the time. Known for her hits like “I Will Always Love You” and “Greatest Love of All,” she became one of the best-selling music artists ever.
Her career also included acting roles, notably in “The Bodyguard.”
Houston’s legacy as a music icon endures despite her struggles with personal issues.
- Famous songs: “I Will Always Love You,” “Greatest Love of All,” “How Will I Know”
- Awards: 6 Grammy Awards, 22 American Music Awards, 2 Emmy Awards
- Years Active: 1977–2012
2. Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who emerged as a pop icon in the 1980s.
She began her career on television shows like “Good Times” before transitioning to music.
Her third album, “Control,” marked a significant turning point, showcasing her independence and musical innovation.
Jackson is known for her socially conscious lyrics and elaborate stage performances.
She has maintained a successful career spanning several decades, with hits across multiple genres.
- Famous songs: “Nasty,” “Rhythm Nation,” “That’s the Way Love Goes”
- Awards: 5 Grammy Awards, 11 Billboard Music Awards, 9 MTV Video Music Awards
- Years Active: 1973–present
3. Anita Baker
Anita Baker is an American singer-songwriter renowned for her soulful voice and emotional depth.
She started her career in the late 1970s with the band Chapter 8 but found solo success with her 1983 album “The Songstress.”
Her follow-up album, “Rapture,” cemented her status with hits like “Sweet Love.”
Baker’s music is characterized by smooth jazz and R&B influences, and she remains a beloved figure in contemporary R&B.
- Famous songs: “Sweet Love,” “Caught Up in the Rapture,” “Giving You the Best That I Got”
- Awards: 8 Grammy Awards
- Years Active: 1979–present
4. Sade
Sade is a British-Nigerian singer known for her smooth, soulful voice and sophisticated style.
She formed the band Sade in 1982 and achieved success with their debut album, “Diamond Life,” in 1984.
The band blends soul, jazz, and soft rock elements, producing timeless hits like “Smooth Operator” and “Your Love Is King.”
Sade’s music continues influencing artists across genres, and the band’s work remains popular worldwide.
- Famous songs: “Smooth Operator,” “No Ordinary Love,” “Your Love Is King”
- Awards: 4 Grammy Awards, 1 Brit Award
- Years Active: 1982–present
5. Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan, also known as the “Queen of Funk,” is an American singer-songwriter known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence.
She first gained fame as the lead vocalist of the funk band Rufus before embarking on a successful solo career.
Khan’s music spans R&B, funk, and jazz, with hits like “Ain’t Nobody” and “I’m Every Woman.”
Her influence on the music industry is profound, and she remains a celebrated figure in popular music.
- Famous songs: “Ain’t Nobody,” “I’m Every Woman,” “Through the Fire”
- Awards: 10 Grammy Awards
- Years Active: 1970–present
6. Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle is an American singer, actress, and entrepreneur renowned for her powerful voice and passionate performances.
She first achieved fame as the lead singer of the vocal group Labelle, known for their hit “Lady Marmalade.”
LaBelle later enjoyed a successful solo career with hits like “If Only You Knew” and “New Attitude.”
Her contributions to music and her enduring influence have earned her the title “Godmother of Soul.”
- Famous songs: “Lady Marmalade,” “If Only You Knew,” “New Attitude”
- Awards: 2 Grammy Awards, 1 American Music Award
- Years Active: 1960–present
7. Stephanie Mills
Stephanie Mills is an American singer and actress known for her rich, powerful voice. She gained early fame as Dorothy in the original Broadway run of “The Wiz.”
Her music career began with hits like “Never Knew Love Like This Before” and “Home.”
Mills’ soulful sound and stage presence have made her a beloved figure in R&B music.
- Famous songs: “Never Knew Love Like This Before,” “Home,” “I Feel Good All Over”
- Awards: 1 Grammy Award, 3 American Music Awards
- Years Active: 1966–present
8. Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight, the “Empress of Soul,” is an American singer and actress who is celebrated for her powerful voice and passionate performances.
She first found success with her group, Gladys Knight & the Pips, producing hits like “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
Knight’s career spans over seven decades, and she has made significant contributions to soul and R&B music.
Her music remains influential, and she continues to perform and record.
- Famous songs: “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Neither One of Us,” “If I Were Your Woman”
- Awards: 7 Grammy Awards
- Years Active: 1952–present
9. Jody Watley
Jody Watley is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer known for her eclectic musical style and fashion-forward image.
She began her career as a member of the R&B group Shalamar before launching a successful solo career in the late 1980s.
Watley’s solo hits include “Looking for a New Love” and “Real Love.”
She is celebrated for her contributions to dance and R&B music and her influence on fashion and music videos.
- Famous songs: “Looking for a New Love,” “Real Love,” “Don’t You Want Me”
- Awards: 1 Grammy Award
- Years Active: 1977–present
10. Angela Winbush
Angela Winbush is an American singer, songwriter, and producer known for her strong vocal abilities and songwriting talent.
She first gained recognition as one-half of the R&B duo René & Angela before starting a solo career. Winbush’s hits include “Angel” and “I’ll Be Good.”
Her work as a producer and songwriter has also been highly influential in the R&B genre.
- Famous songs: “Angel,” “I’ll Be Good,” “Your Smile”
- Awards: NAACP Image Award
- Years Active: 1977–present
11. Evelyn “Champagne” King
Evelyn “Champagne” King is an American singer known for her hit disco and post-disco songs of the late 1970s and 1980s.
While working as a cleaning woman, she was discovered, and her debut album produced the hit “Shame.”
King’s music career includes popular tracks like “Love Come Down” and “I’m in Love.” She remains an enduring figure in the dance and R&B music scenes.
- Famous songs: “Shame,” “Love Come Down,” “I’m in Love”
- Awards: 1 American Music Award
- Years Active: 1977–present
12. Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Hyman was an American singer and actress known for her powerful contralto voice and emotional delivery.
She began her career in the late 1970s and succeeded with hits like “You Know How to Love Me” and “Living All Alone.”
Hyman’s music often dealt with themes of love and heartache, and she remains a beloved figure in the R&B genre despite her untimely death in 1995.
- Famous songs: “You Know How to Love Me,” “Living All Alone,” “Old Friend”
- Awards: 1 Soul Train Music Award
- Years Active: 1971–1995
13. Karyn White
Karyn White is an American singer known for her powerful voice and hit songs in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
She gained fame with her debut album, which included the hit “Superwoman.”
White’s music career includes several other popular tracks, and she is celebrated for her contributions to the New Jack Swing era of R&B music.
- Famous songs: “Superwoman,” “The Way You Love Me,” “Secret Rendezvous”
- Awards: 1 Soul Train Music Award
- Years Active: 1986–present
14. Deniece Williams
Deniece Williams is an American singer known for her wide vocal range and expressive singing style.
She first gained attention as a backup vocalist for Stevie Wonder and then found solo success with hits like “Free” and “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.”
Williams’ music spans R&B, soul, and gospel, and she has received multiple awards for her contributions to music.
- Famous songs: “Free,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Silly”
- Awards: 4 Grammy Awards
- Years Active: 1970–present
15. Teena Marie
Teena Marie was an American singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and unique blend of R&B, funk, and rock.
She began her career with Motown Records and found success with hits like “Lovergirl” and “Square Biz.”
Marie’s music broke racial barriers in the industry and remains a beloved R&B and soul music figure.
- Famous songs: “Lovergirl,” “Square Biz,” “Fire and Desire”
- Awards: NAACP Image Award
- Years Active: 1964–2010
16. Miki Howard
Miki Howard is an American singer and actress known for her rich, soulful voice and passionate performances.
She began her career in the late 1970s and gained fame with hits like “Come Share My Love” and “Love Under New Management.”
Howard’s music spans R&B, soul, and jazz, and she remains a respected figure.
- Famous songs: “Come Share My Love,” “Love Under New Management,” “Ain’t Nobody Like You”
- Awards: 1 Soul Train Music Award
- Years Active: 1979–present
17. Natalie Cole
Natalie Cole was an American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her powerful voice and versatility.
She was the daughter of Nat King Cole and found success with hits like “This Will Be” and “Unforgettable,” a posthumous duet with her father.
Cole’s music career spanned several decades, and she is celebrated for her contributions to R&B, soul, and jazz.
- Famous songs: “This Will Be,” “Unforgettable,” “Inseparable”
- Awards: 9 Grammy Awards
- Years Active: 1956–2015
18. Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin, known as the “Queen of Soul,” was an American singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist.
She began her career singing gospel before transitioning to secular music and achieving mainstream success.
Franklin’s powerful voice and passionate delivery made her a cultural icon, with hits like “Respect” and “Natural Woman.”
Her influence on music and society remains profound.
- Famous songs: “Respect,” “Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools”
- Awards: 18 Grammy Awards, Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Years Active: 1956–2018
19. Regina Belle
Regina Belle is an American singer-songwriter known for her powerful voice and romantic ballads.
She gained fame in the late 1980s with hits like “Baby Come to Me” and “Make It Like It Was.”
Belle’s music spans R&B, jazz, and gospel and remains respected in the music industry.
- Famous songs: “Baby Come to Me,” “Make It Like It Was,” “A Whole New World”
- Awards: 1 Grammy Award
- Years Active: 1985–present
20. Cheryl Lynn
Cheryl Lynn is an American singer known for her powerful voice and hit disco songs of the late 1970s and 1980s.
She gained fame with her debut single “Got to Be Real,” which became an enduring classic.
Lynn’s music career includes several other popular tracks, and she remains a beloved figure in the dance and R&B music scenes.
- Famous songs: “Got to Be Real,” “Encore,” “Shake It Up Tonight”
- Awards: 1 American Music Award
- Years Active: 1976–present
21. Vesta Williams
Vesta Williams was an American singer known for her powerful voice and passionate performances.
She gained fame in the late 1980s with hits like “Congratulations” and “Sweet Sweet Love.”
Williams’ music spans R&B and soul, and she remains a respected figure in the genre despite her untimely death in 2011.
- Famous songs: “Congratulations,” “Sweet Sweet Love,” “Once Bitten Twice Shy”
- Awards: 1 Soul Train Music Award
- Years Active: 1986–2011
22. Joyce Kennedy
Joyce Kennedy is an American singer known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence.
She gained fame as the lead vocalist of the funk band Mother’s Finest before embarking on a solo career.
Kennedy’s music spans rock, funk, and R&B, and she remains a beloved figure in the music industry.
- Famous songs: “Baby Love,” “Piece of the Rock,” “Love Changes”
- Awards: NAACP Image Award
- Years Active: 1970–present
23. Shirley Murdock
Shirley Murdock is an American singer-songwriter known for her rich, soulful voice and dynamic performances.
She gained fame in the mid-1980s with hits like “As We Lay” and “Go on Without You.”
Murdock’s music spans R&B and gospel, and she remains a respected figure in both genres.
- Famous songs: “As We Lay,” “Go on Without You,” “Husband”
- Awards: 1 Soul Train Music Award
- Years Active: 1984–present
24. Melba Moore
Melba Moore is an American singer and actress known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence.
She gained fame in the 1970s with hits like “This Is It” and “Lean on Me.”
Moore’s career spans R&B, soul, and Broadway, and she remains a celebrated figure in the entertainment industry.
- Famous songs: “This Is It,” “Lean on Me,” “Love’s Comin’ at Ya”
- Awards: 1 Tony Award, 1 Grammy Award
- Years Active: 1967–present
25. Millie Jackson
Millie Jackson is an American singer-songwriter known for her powerful voice and candid lyrics.
She gained fame in the 1970s with hits like “If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want to Be Right)” and “Hurts So Good.”
Jackson’s music spans soul, R&B, and funk, and she remains a respected figure in the music industry.
- Famous songs: “If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want to Be Right),” “Hurts So Good,” “Caught Up”
- Awards: NAACP Image Award
- Years Active: 1964–present
26. Jennifer Holliday
Jennifer Holliday is an American singer and actress known for her powerful voice and passionate performances.
She gained fame in the early 1980s with her role in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, in which she performed the iconic song “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”
Holliday’s music spans R&B, soul, and gospel, and she remains a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
- Famous songs: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” “I Am Love,” “I’m On Your Side”
- Awards: 1 Grammy Award, 1 Tony Award
- Years Active: 1979–present
27. Linda Clifford
Linda Clifford is an American singer and actress known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence.
She gained fame in the late 1970s with hits like “If My Friends Could See Me Now” and “Runaway Love.”
Clifford’s music spans disco, R&B, and soul, and she remains a beloved figure in the dance and R&B music scenes.
- Famous songs: “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “Runaway Love,” “Bridge over Troubled Water”
- Awards: NAACP Image Award
- Years Active: 1972–present
28. Meli’sa Morgan
Meli’sa Morgan is an American singer known for her powerful voice and passionate performances.
She gained fame in the mid-1980s with hits like “Do Me Baby” and “Fool’s Paradise.”
Morgan’s music spans R&B and soul, and she remains a respected figure.
- Famous songs: “Do Me Baby,” “Fool’s Paradise,” “Love Changes”
- Awards: 1 Soul Train Music Award
- Years Active: 1982–present
29. Lillo Thomas
Lillo Thomas is an American singer known for his smooth voice and romantic ballads.
He gained fame in the mid-1980s with hits like “I’m in Love” and “Just My Imagination.”
Thomas’ music spans R&B and soul, and he remains a respected figure.
- Famous songs: “I’m in Love,” “Just My Imagination,” “Your Love’s Got a Hold on Me”
- Awards: NAACP Image Award
- Years Active: 1983–present
30. Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams is an American singer, actress, and former Miss America known for her powerful voice and versatile talents.
She gained fame in the late 1980s with her debut album “The Right Stuff,” which included the hit single “Dreamin’.”
Williams’ career spans music, television, and film, and she has received critical acclaim for her work in these mediums.
She remains a celebrated figure for her contributions to music and acting.
- Famous songs: “Save the Best for Last,” “Dreamin’,” “The Right Stuff”
- Awards: 1 Grammy Award, 1 Emmy Award, 1 NAACP Image Award
- Years Active: 1983–present
Conclusion
In an era overflowing with incredible talent, these 30 R&B vocalists stood out as true gems.
From Whitney Houston’s earth-shattering range to Anita Baker’s velvety tones, their artistry transcended genres and generations.
As we revisit their iconic hits and indelible legacies, we’re reminded of the pure soul and passion they poured into every note.
While their music will forever soundtrack our lives, the influence of these legendary women extends far beyond the 80s.
They paved the way for today’s R&B artists and inspired people worldwide with honesty and vocal brilliance.
