Female Vocalists, Singers and Vocalists

30 White Female Singers Embracing Black Musical Traditions

Addressing the topic of white female singers who sound black requires sensitivity, as it touches on complex cultural nuances.

This blog highlights 30 talented white female singers whose soulful, powerful voices have often been compared to those of African-American artists.

Known as “blue-eyed soul,” this phenomenon bridges cultural divides and showcases the universal appeal of soulful music.

These artists have significantly contributed to music, from pioneers like Teena Marie and Janis Joplin to contemporary stars like Adele and Yebba.

Their emotional delivery and rich vocal styles deeply resonate with audiences, highlighting the significant influence of soul and R&B on diverse musical talents.

White Female Singers Who Sound Black

1. Teena Marie

Notable Songs: “Lovergirl,” “Square Biz”
Famous Album: “Irons in the Fire”
Impact: Known as the “Ivory Queen of Soul,” Teena Marie’s powerful voice and R&B hits made her a standout figure, bridging racial divides in music.

2. Janis Joplin

Notable Songs: “Piece of My Heart,” “Cry Baby”
Famous Album: “Pearl”
Impact: Her raw, powerful delivery and influence from African-American blues singers positioned her as a legendary figure in blues rock.

3. Dusty Springfield

Notable Songs: “Son of a Preacher Man,” “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”
Famous Album: “Dusty in Memphis”
Impact: A 60s icon, Springfield’s soulful voice and passionate performances solidified her status in pop and soul music.

4. Adele

Notable Songs: “Someone Like You,” “Rolling in the Deep”
Famous Album: “21”
Impact: Renowned for her rich, expressive voice, Adele’s heartfelt ballads and soulful sound have earned her critical acclaim and commercial success.

5. Christina Aguilera

Notable Songs: “Beautiful,” “Genie in a Bottle”
Famous Album: “Stripped”
Impact: Aguilera’s versatile voice and powerful performances have drawn comparisons to African-American singers, influencing pop and R&B genres.

6. Amy Winehouse

Notable Songs: “Rehab,” “Back to Black”
Famous Album: “Back to Black”
Impact: Her deep, expressive voice and ability to channel soul and R&B music made her a standout artist in contemporary music.

7. Joss Stone

Notable Songs: “Super Duper Love,” “Right to Be Wrong”
Famous Album: “Mind Body & Soul”
Impact: Stone’s mature, soulful voice has garnered acclaim in the soul and R&B genres, making her a prominent figure in blue-eyed soul.

8. JoJo

Notable Songs: “Leave (Get Out),” “Too Little Too Late”
Famous Album: “The High Road”
Impact: JoJo’s powerful vocals and R&B influences have showcased her versatility and soulful sound, especially in her pop music career.

9. Tori Kelly

Notable Songs: “Nobody Love,” “Should’ve Been Us”
Famous Album: “Unbreakable Smile”
Impact: Known for her impressive vocal range and soulful delivery, Kelly’s music spans various genres, including R&B and soul.

10. Yebba (Abbey Smith)

Notable Songs: “Evergreen,” “October Sky”
Famous Album: “Dawn”
Impact: Yebba’s captivating voice and emotional delivery have drawn comparisons to legendary African-American artists, earning her critical acclaim.

11. Snoh Aalegra

Notable Songs: “I Want You Around,” “Find Someone Like You”
Famous Album: “Ugh, Those Feels Again”
Impact: Aalegra’s soulful and sultry vocals and her emotionally rich songs have established her as a rising star in the R&B genre.

12. Duffy

Notable Songs: “Mercy,” “Warwick Avenue”
Famous Album: “Rockferry”
Impact: Duffy’s retro-inspired, soulful voice and powerful performances have earned her recognition and comparisons to African-American artists.

13. Ariana Grande

Notable Songs: “Thank U, Next,” “7 Rings”
Famous Album: “Sweetener”
Impact: Grande’s powerful vocals and R&B-infused tracks have showcased her soulful side, making her a prominent figure in contemporary pop music.

14. Jessie J

Notable Songs: “Price Tag,” “Bang Bang”
Famous Album: “Who You Are”
Impact: Jessie J’s versatile vocal abilities and R&B influences have led her to create soul-infused pop music, earning her critical acclaim.

15. Rachel Platten

Notable Songs: “Fight Song,” “Stand by You”
Famous Album: “Wildfire”
Impact: Platten’s strong, soulful vocal presence in her pop hits has made her a standout artist in contemporary music.

16. Anastacia

Notable Songs: “I’m Outta Love,” “Left Outside Alone”
Famous Album: “Freak of Nature”
Impact: Known for her powerful, soulful voice, Anastacia has achieved international success and critical acclaim in pop and soul genres.

17. Paloma Faith

Notable Songs: “Only Love Can Hurt Like This,” “Picking Up the Pieces”
Famous Album: “Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?”
Impact: Faith’s blend of pop and soul and her distinctive voice have made her a notable figure in the music industry.

18. Jem

Notable Songs: “They,” “Just a Ride”
Famous Album: “Finally Woken”
Impact: Jem’s soulful, expressive voice and versatile musical style have earned her recognition in pop and soul music.

19. Lisa Stansfield

Notable Songs: “All Around the World,” “Never, Never Gonna Give You Up”
Famous Album: “Affection”
Impact: Stansfield’s distinctive, soulful voice and successful career have solidified her status as an icon in blue-eyed soul.

20. Samantha Sang

Notable Songs: “Emotion”
Famous Album: “Emotion”
Impact: Known for her hit “Emotion,” Sang’s powerful voice and soulful style have left a lasting impact on pop and soul music.

21. Eva Cassidy

Notable Songs: “Over the Rainbow,” “Fields of Gold”
Famous Album: “Songbird”
Impact: Cassidy’s broad repertoire and soulful renditions have earned her posthumous acclaim and a dedicated following.

22. Freya Ridings

Notable Songs: “Lost Without You,” “Castles”
Famous Album: “Freya Ridings”
Impact: Ridings’ rich, soulful voice and emotionally charged songs have established her as a rising star in the music industry.

23. Ava Max

Notable Songs: “Sweet but Psycho,” “Kings & Queens”
Famous Album: “Heaven & Hell”
Impact: Max’s strong, soulful vocal influences in her pop hits have made her a standout artist in contemporary music.

24. Celeste

Notable Songs: “Strange,” “Stop This Flame”
Famous Album: “Not Your Muse”
Impact: Celeste’s powerful, expressive voice has earned her comparisons to legendary African-American artists and earned her critical acclaim.

25. Bishop Briggs

Notable Songs: “River,” “White Flag”
Famous Album: “Church of Scars”
Impact: Briggs’ music has earned her critical and commercial success by blending alternative rock with soulful vocals.

26. Lauren Daigle

Notable Songs: “You Say,” “Rescue”
Famous Album: “Look Up Child”
Impact: Daigle’s soulful voice and powerful performances in contemporary Christian music have made her a significant figure in the genre.

27. Clare Maguire

Notable Songs: “Ain’t Nobody,” “The Last Dance”
Famous Album: “Light After Dark”
Impact: Maguire’s powerful, haunting voice and versatile musical style have earned her critical acclaim.

28. Maggie Rogers

Notable Songs: “Alaska,” “Light On”
Famous Album: “Heard It in a Past Life”
Impact: Rogers’ soulful vocal qualities and indie pop style have made her a notable figure in contemporary music.

29. Julia Michaels

Notable Songs: “Issues,” “Heaven”
Famous Album: “Nervous System”
Impact: Michaels’ pop hits with a soulful edge have earned her recognition and success as a singer-songwriter.

30. Nina Nesbitt

Notable Songs: “Stay Out,” “The Best You Had”
Famous Album: “The Sun Will Come Up, The Seasons Will Change”
Impact: Nesbitt’s blend of pop with soulful influences has established her as a rising talent in the music industry.