List of African-American singers

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "List of African-American singers" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

This is a list of notable African-American singers that gives their year of birth and music genres with which they are associated.

0–9

• 4Batz: R&B, hip-hop

A

• Aaliyah (1979–2001): R&B, pop
• Alicia Keys (born 1981): pop
• Gregory Abbott (born 1954): soul, R&B, his father was born in Venezuela
• Yolanda Adams (born 1961): gospel
• Ivie Anderson (1904–1949): jazz
• Marian Anderson (1897–1993): opera
• Louis Armstrong (1901–1971): blues, jazz
• Martina Arroyo (born 1936): opera
• Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar (born 1992): hip-hop
• Jhené Aiko (born 1988): R&B, neo soul
• Ashanti (born 1980): R&B, hip-hop, soul
• Amerie (born 1980): R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul, funk, go-go

B

• Erykah Badu (born 1971): neo soul, R&B, funk, hip-hop
• Chloe Bailey (born 1998): R&B
• Halle Bailey (born 2000): R&B
• Pearl Bailey (1918–1990): vaudeville
• LaVern Baker (1929–1997): R&B
• Florence Ballard (1943–1976): R&B, pop, soul
• Azealia Banks (born 1991): hip-hop, pop, hip house
• Fantasia Barrino (born 1984): R&B, soul, gospel
• Fontella Bass (1940–2012): R&B, soul
• Kathleen Battle (born 1948): opera
• Madeline Bell (born 1942): soul
• Denée Benton (born 1992): Broadway, pop
• Brook Benton (born 1931–1988): pop, R&B, soul
• Chuck Berry (1926–2017): rock
• Andy Bey (born 1939): jazz
• Beyoncé (born 1981): R&B, pop
• Blind Blake (1896–1934): ragtime, blues
• Bobby Bland (1930–2013): blues
• Jules Bledsoe (1897–1943): opera, Broadway
• Mary J. Blige (born 1971): R&B, soul, hip-hop soul
• Lucille Bogan (1887–1948): blues
• Brandy (born 1979): R&B
• Breland (born 1995): country trap
• Dee Dee Bridgewater (born 1950): jazz
• Brian McKnight (born 1969): R&B
• James Brown (1933–2006): soul, funk
• Oscar Brown Jr (1926–2005): jazz
• Peabo Bryson (born 1951): soul, R&B
• Grace Bumbry (born 1937): opera
• Solomon Burke (1940–2010): blues, gospel, R&B, soul, rock and roll
• Chris Brown (born 1989): R&B, hip-hop, soul, pop
• Kandi Burruss (born 1976): R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul
• Toni Braxton (born 1967): R&B, soul, pop, dance-pop, hip-hop

C

• Cab Calloway (1907–1994): jazz
• Alyson Cambridge (born 1980): operatic soprano and classical music, jazz, and American popular song singer
• Mariah Carey (born 1969): R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul
• Jean Carn (born 1947): jazz, pop
• Betty Carter (1929–1998): jazz
• Doja Cat (born 1995): hip-hop, R&B, pop, pop rap
• Cool Boy F (born 2005): R&B
• Gene Chandler (born 1931): R&B, soul, disco
• Tracy Chapman (born 1964): folk
• Ray Charles (1930–2004): R&B, soul, blues, gospel, country, jazz, pop, rock and roll
• Ciara (born 1985): R&B, hip-hop, pop
• Tasha Cobbs (born 1981): contemporary Christian music, urban contemporary gospel
• Freddy Cole (1931–2020): jazz
• J. Cole (born 1985): hip-hop
• Nat King Cole (1919–1965): jazz, swing, pop
• Natalie Cole (1950–2015): R&B, pop
• Mitty Collier (born 1941): soul, R&B, gospel
• Sam Cooke (1931–1964): soul, gospel, R&B
• Ida Cox (1888 or 1896–1967): blues, jazz
• Randy Crawford (born 1952): jazz, R&B, disco
• Kid Cudi (born 1984): hip-hop, alternative rock
• 50 Cent (born 1975): hip-hop
• Keyshia Cole (born 1981): R&B, hip-hop, hip-hop soul
• Tameka Cottle (born 1975): R&B, soul

D

• Sammy Davis Jr. (1925–1990): pop, jazz, easy listening, swing
• Jason Derulo (born 1989): R&B, hip-hop, pop
• Bo Diddley (1928–2008): R&B, rock and roll
• Raheem DeVaughn (born 1975): R&B, neo soul
• Fats Domino (1928–2017): rock and roll, boogie-woogie, New Orleans rhythm and blues
• Shea Diamond (born 1978): soul, R&B
• Drake (born 1986): hip-hop

E

• Billy Eckstine (1914–1993): jazz, pop
• Betty Everett (1939–2001): soul
• Cassandra Extavour: classical singer
• Faith Evans (born 1973): R&B, hip-hop, soul
• Etta James: old soul

F

• Fantasia (born 1984): R&B
• Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996): jazz
• Roberta Flack (born 1937): jazz, pop
• Aretha Franklin (1942–2018): soul, gospel
• Erma Franklin (1938–2002): gospel, soul
• Kirk Franklin (born 1970): soul, gospel
• Future (born 1983): hip-hop
• Jamie Foxx (born 1967): R&B, pop, hip-hop

G

• Marvin Gaye (1939–1984): R&B, soul, funk, jazz, pop
• Gloria Gaynor (born 1943): disco, R&B
• Jamie Grace (born 1991): Christian pop, gospel
• Al Green (born 1946): R&B, soul
• Ginuwine (born 1970): R&B
• Diana Gordon (born 1985): R&B, dance-pop, house
• Kevin Gates (born 1986): hip-hop
• Gabrielle Goodman (born 1969): jazz, soul, gospel

H

• Halsey (born 1994): Pop
• H.E.R
• Adelaide Hall (1901–1993): jazz
• Ciara Harris (born 1985): R&B, hip-hop, crunk&B, pop, dance
• Donny Hathaway (1945–1979): soul, jazz, gospel, R&B, blues
• Richie Havens (1941–2013): folk rock, funk, blues, soul
• Isaac Hayes (1942–2008): blues, jazz, soul, funk, disco
• Nicole Heaston: opera
• Jon Hendricks (1921–2017): jazz
• Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970): rock guitarist, singer-songwriter
• Nona Hendryx (born 1944): funk, soul, pop, R&B, rock
• Lauryn Hill (born 1975): R&B, neo soul, hip-hop, folk, reggae
• Z. Z. Hill (1935–1984): blues
• Billie Holiday (1915–1959): soul, blues
• Jennifer Holliday (born 1960): R&B, soul, pop, house, dance, gospel
• Shirley Horn (1934–2005): jazz
• Lena Horne (1917–2010): jazz, pop
• Cissy Houston (born 1933): soul, gospel, disco
• Thelma Houston (born 1946): R&B, soul, disco, Motown, gospel
• Whitney Houston (1963–2012): R&B, pop, soul, gospel
• Jennifer Hudson (born 1981): R&B, soul, pop
• Phyllis Hyman (1949–1995): soul, R&B quiet, jazz, disco
• Keri Hilson (born 1982): R&B
• Adina Howard (born 1973): R&B, hip-hop, soul

I

• James Ingram (1952–2019): R&B, pop, soul
• Luther Ingram (1937–2007): R&B, soul
• Ronald Isley (born 1941): R&B, soul
• Ali Peracha
• Ice Spice (born 2000): Hip-Hop, Rap

J

• Ray J (born 1981): R&B
• Jackson family: pop, R&B, soul, dance
  • Rebbie Jackson (born 1950)
  • Jackie Jackson (born 1951)
  • Tito Jackson (born 1953)
  • Jermaine Jackson (born 1954)
  • La Toya Jackson (born 1956)
  • Marlon Jackson (born 1957)
  • Michael Jackson (1958–2009)
  • Randy Jackson (born 1961)
  • Janet Jackson (born 1966)
• Chuck Jackson (born 1937): R&B
• Freddie Jackson (born 1956): soul
• Mahalia Jackson (1911–1972): gospel
• Millie Jackson (born 1944): soul, disco, R&B
• Randy Jackson (born 1956)
• Etta James (1938–2012): blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel
• Al Jarreau (1940–2017): jazz, R&B, soul
• Robert Johnson (1911–1938): blues
• Etta Jones (1928–2001): jazz
• Howard Jones (born 1970): rock
• Valerie June (born 1982): folk, blues, soul, bluegrass, pop
• Jeremih (born 1987): R&B, hip-hop
• Montell Jordan (born 1968): R&B, hip-hop, soul
• Lyfe Jennings (born 1978): R&B, soul
• Joe (born 1973): R&B
• Jacquees (born 1994): R&B

K

• Alicia Keys (born 1981): R&B, soul, pop, hip-hop
• Chaka Khan (born 1953): R&B, pop, soul, disco, jazz, gospel
• Eartha Kitt (1927–2008): cabaret, torch, jazz
• Gladys Knight (born 1944): soul, R&B, pop
• Ben E King (1938–2015): R&B
• Solange Knowles (born 1986): R&B, pop, soul, hip-hop, funk
• R. Kelly (born 1967): R&B
• Kelis (born 1979): R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul, electronic
• Chief Keef (born 1995): hip-hop, drill
• Lenny Kravitz (born 1964): rock, pop rock, progressive soul

L

• Patti LaBelle (born 1944): R&B, soul, disco, dance, gospel, funk
• Kendrick Lamar (born 1987): hip-hop, rap
• John Larkin (1877–1936): minstrel, vaudeville
• Kenny Lattimore (born 1970): R&B
• Bettye LaVette (born 1946): soul, blues, rock and roll, funk, gospel, country
• Huddie Ledbetter (1888–1949): folk, blues
• Swae Lee (born 1993): hip-hop, R&B
• John Legend (born 1978): pop, R&B, soul
• Coi Leray (born 1997): hip-hop
• Abbey Lincoln (1930–2010): jazz
• Lil Nas X (born 1999): hip-hop, pop, country, trap
• Lizzo (born 1988): R&B, pop
• Frankie Lymon (1942–1968): R&B, doo-wop, pop, swing
• Queen Latifah (born 1970): hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, dance

M

• Johnny Mathis (born 1935): pop, jazz
• Curtis Mayfield (1942–1999): soul, funk, R&B
• China Anne McClain (born 1998): R&B, pop
• Lauryn McClain (born 1997): R&B, pop
• Sierra McClain (born 1994): R&B, pop
• Carmen McRae (1920–1994): jazz
• Nicki Minaj (born 1982): hip-hop, pop
• Wanya Morris (born 1973): R&B, soul
• Janelle Monáe (born 1985): funk, R&B, psychedelic soul, hip-hop
• YNW Melly (born 1999): hip-hop, trap, R&B
• Mýa (born 1979)
• Miguel (born 1985): R&B
• K. Michelle (born 1982): R&B, soul
• Teairra Marí (born 1987): R&B
• Mario (born 1986): R&B
• Monica (born 1980): R&B, soul, hip-hop soul
• Victoria Monét (born 1989): pop, R&B
• Chrisette Michele (born 1982): R&B, hip-hop, soul, jazz

N

• Rico Nasty (born 1997): hip-hop, rock, rap rock
• Meshell Ndegeocello (born 1968): funk, soul, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, rock
• Anthony Nelson (born 1975): gospel
• Aaron Neville (born 1941): R&B, soul, country, gospel, jazz, pop
• Jessye Norman (born 1945): opera
• Brandy Norwood (born 1979): R&B, pop, hip-hop
• Lil Nas X (born 1999): hip-hop, LGBT hip-hop, pop rap, country rap
• Ne-Yo (born 1979): R&B
• Nivea (born 1982): R&B, hip-hop
• Noname Gypsy (born 1991): hip-hop
• Normani (born 1996): pop, R&B

O

• Alexander O'Neal (born 1953): R&B, soul
• Jeffrey Osborne (born 1948): R&B, soul
• Frank Ocean (born 1987): R&B
• Omarion (born 1984): R&B
• Offset (born 1991): hip-hop

P

• Billy Porter: (born 1969): R&B, soul
• Pleasure P (born 1984): R&B
• Paul Pena (1950–2005): Delta blues, jazz, morna, flamenco, folk, rock, Tuvan throat singing
• Teddy Pendergrass (1950–2010): R&B, soul, disco, funk
• Richard Wayne Penniman (Little Richard) (1932–2020): rock & roll, R&B, gospel, soul
• Wilson Pickett (1941–2006): R&B, soul
• Gregory Porter (born 1971): jazz
• Billy Preston (1946–2006): R&B, rock, soul, funk, gospel
• Prince (1958–2016): pop, rock
• Leontyne Price (born 1927): opera
• Charley Pride (1934–2020): country
• Arthur Prysock (1924 or 1929–1997): jazz, R&B, easy listening
• Kelly Price (born 1973): gospel

R

• Ma Rainey (1882 or 1886–1939): blues
• Otis Redding (1941–1967): soul, R&B, blues
• Della Reese (1931–2017): jazz, gospel, pop
• Dianne Reeves (born 1956): jazz
• Martha Reeves (born 1941): R&B, pop
• Lionel Richie (born 1949): soul, R&B, pop, country, gospel
• Flo Rida (born 1979): hip-hop, hip house, pop rap
• Minnie Riperton (1947–1979): soul, R&B, jazz, disco
• Paul Robeson (1898–1976): Americana, pop, spirituals, classical, folk
• Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878–1949): minstrel, vaudeville, jazz, pop
• Smokey Robinson (born 1940): R&B, soul, pop
• Diana Ross (born 1944): R&B, soul, disco, jazz, pop, dance
• Kelly Rowland (born 1981): R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul, dance
• Patrice Rushen (born 1954): R&B
• Trippie Redd (born 1999): hip-hop
• RuPaul (born 1960): dance, pop

S

• Jill Scott (born 1972): R&B, soul, neo soul, hip-hop, spoken word, jazz
• Jimmy Scott (1925–2014): jazz
• Peggy Scott-Adams (born 1948): blues, R&B
• Travis Scott (born 1991): hip-hop
• Dee Dee Sharp (born 1945): R&B, blues, soul
• Marlena Shaw (born 1942): jazz, blues and soul
• Nina Simone (1933–2003): jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, pop
• Jordin Sparks (born 1989): R&B, pop
• Ronnie Spector aka Veronica Yvette Bennett (1943–2022): R&B, pop, soul, doo-wop
• Bessie Smith (1894–1937): blues
• O. C. Smith (1932–2001): R&B, jazz, soul
• Elias Soriano (born 1975): rock
• Mavis Staples (born 1939): soul, gospel, R&B
• Edwin Starr (1942–2003): soul, R&B, funk, disco
• Candi Staton (born 1940): soul, R&B, gospel, dance, disco
• Dakota Staton (1930–2007): jazz
• Angie Stone (born 1961): R&B, soul
• Sly Stone (born 1943): funk, R&B
• Jazmine Sullivan (born 1987): R&B
• Maxine Sullivan (1911–1987): jazz
• Donna Summer (1948–2012): disco, rock, dance, R&B
• Sisqó (born 1978): R&B, hip-hop soul, pop
• Raven-Symoné (born 1985): R&B, hip-hop
• SZA (born 1989): R&B
• Keith Sweat (born 1961): R&B, new jack swing, hip-hop, soul, urban
• Sylvester (1947–1988): disco

T

• T-Pain (born 1984): R&B, hip-hop, pop rap
• Tammi Terrell (1945–1970): R&B, soul, pop
• Joe Tex (1935–1982): R&B, soul, funk, disco
• Rufus Thomas (1917–2001): R&B, funk, soul, blues
• Ike Turner (1931–2007): R&B, blues, rock and roll, funk
• Tina Turner (1939–2023): R&B, pop, soul, dance, rock and roll
• The-Dream (born 1977): R&B
• Tinashe (born 1993): R&B, pop
• Young Thug (born 1991): hip-hop
• Tyrese Gibson (born 1978): R&B
• Tweet (born 1971): R&B
• Tyga (born 1989): hip-hop
• Teyana Taylor (born 1990): R&B, hip-hop, pop
• Terry Blade: singer-songwriter

U

• Usher (born 1978): R&B, pop

V

• Bobby V (born 1980): R&B
• Brooke Valentine (born 1984): R&B, pop, hip-hop, crunk
• Luther Vandross (1951–2005): soul
• Sarah Vaughan (1924–1990): jazz
• Vedo: R&B
• Tommy Vext (born 1982): rock

W

• Fats Waller (1904–1943): jazz, pop
• William Warfield (1920–2002): opera, pop
• Dionne Warwick (born 1940): gospel, R&B, soul, pop
• Dinah Washington (1924–1963): jazz, blues, R&B, gospel, traditional pop
• Gino Washington (born 1946?): R&B, rock
• Ethel Waters (1896–1977): blues, jazz, Broadway, big band, pop
• Lil Wayne (born 1982): hip-hop
• Mary Wells (1943–1992) R&B,^[1] pop, soul, rock
• Kanye West (born 1977): hip-hop, pop, R&B, Christian hip-hop, gospel
• Barry White (1944–2003): soul, R&B, pop
• will.i.am (born 1975): hip-hop, pop, R&B
• Bert Williams (1874–1922): Broadway, vaudeville, minstrel
• Joe Williams (1918–1999): jazz
• Lenny Williams (born 1945): soul, R&B, jazz
• Marion Williams (1927–1994): gospel
• Pharrell Williams (born 1973): hip-hop, R&B, funk, pop
• Jackie Wilson (1934–1984): R&B, soul
• Nancy Wilson (1937–2018): jazz
• CeCe Winans (born 1964): gospel
• Mario Winans (born 1974): R&B
• Lawrence Winters(né Lawrence Lafayette Whisonant) (1915–1965): opera, concert
• Bill Withers (1938–2020): soul, R&B, smooth soul, blues, funk
• Lajon Witherspoon (born 1972): rock
• Juice Wrld (1998–2019): SoundCloud rap, emo rap, alternative rock, pop
• Howlin' Wolf (1910–1976): blues
• Stevie Wonder (born 1950): soul, pop
• Bobby Womack (1944–2014): soul, R&B
• Brenton Wood (born 1941): soul, R&B, pop
• Betty Wright (1953–2020): soul, R&B
• Lizz Wright (born 1980): jazz, gospel
• O. V. Wright (1939–1980): blues

References