The voice means so much in music. In black music, the singer is the cornerstone of musical expression; a tradition that was born in the black church and gospel choirs. From Sunday morning services to the Billboard charts, the power of the black vocalist has been cemented throughout popular music history.
Whether showcasing it in gospel, R&B, soul, adult contemporary, pop or rock; a stirring vocal has the ability to touch the listener’s soul and propel an artist to international acclaim. Over the last several decades, singers with iconic names like Aretha, Marvin and Luther have provided the soundtrack to movements and memories.
In celebration of Black Music Month, here are the 20 greatest voices in the history of black music…
