If you’ve ever been shocked to discover the artist singing your favorite song is in fact not Black, then this one’s for you! The musical world is filled with Bobby Caldwell’s and Teena Marie’s, who give us life every time they open their mouths to sing. On top of their soulful voices, these white singers are also masters at storytelling and innovative songwriting that just can’t help but move you.
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It’s something in these 16 talented white singers’ voices that touches our spirits, and you can see exactly why. So now, we’re looking at some of the extremely talented white singers, who don’t just sing… they SANG!
Christina Aguilera
Starting off strong, you have to admit that if you never saw what powerful vocalist Christina Aguilera looks like, you could believe that she’s Black. Over the years, Aguilera has reminded us all of the true talent she has, and this tribute to James Brown is a testament to exactly that.
Lisa Stansfield
Ever so often, someone discovers that “All Around the World” was actually sung by an English woman named Lisa Stansfield. Everything about the track sounds like a Black woman would sing it, but Stansfield does the song justice and much more!!
Michael McDonald
Most Black folks largely recognize Michael McDonald’s “Keep Forgetting” from the 1994 track by Warren G and Nate Dogg “Regulate.” But while hip-hop has embraced McDonald’s song, it’s still shocking that such an amazing R&B record didn’t come from someone Black!
JoJo
When we say JoJo can sang, you have to know exactly why! Since she was a teenager, JoJo’s been singing her butt off. She became a teen sensation but fell back from the music business until just a few years ago. Now, her voice is even more amazing and soulful.
Teena Marie
Adding to the long list of white artists who had us all fooled: Teena Marie was a powerhouse singer in the ’80s. She famously had a professional and personal relationship with Rick James.
Average White Band
Despite the name of the band, Average White Band is anything but that! The Scottish group has had several Black members over the years, but even the original white members knew how to throw down!
Jessie J
You know her from hits like “Price Tag” and “Bang Bang,” but underneath that pop persona, Jessie J is one of the the most powerful voices of her generation. The British singer has been praised by musical icons like Smokey Robinson and Brandy. And check out her tribute to Whitney Houston, it can’t get more soulful than that!
Justin Timberlake
When Justin Timberlake went solo from NSYNC, he decided to take a major turn from what the boy band was sonically known for. This led to one of the craziest runs in R&B history. Timberlake dropped R&B hits like “My Love” and “Until the End of Time,” being fully embraced by the Black community. And it’s clear the influence Black music had on him too!
Tom Jones
Tom Jones’s “It’s not Unusual” first gained prominence in the ’60s, but after repeatedly being used in the ’90s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” the song became popular among Black folks. On the show, Carlton Banks often breaks out in song and dance anytime Jones’s hit comes on.
Ariana Grande
There’s a reason why singing legend Patti Labelle told Ariana Grande to “sing like that little white/Black girl that you are,” when asked for advice. The “Dangerous Woman” singer is known for her soulful voice. She was even tapped to sing at Aretha Franklin’s funeral, which is an impressive nod.
Bobby Caldwell
Be honest… How old were you when you finally realized that the man singing “What You Won’t Do for Love” is actually white? Bobby Caldwell’s silky sound has fooled many folks into mistaking him for a Black man over the years. His music has been sampled by plenty of Black musicians like Notorious B.I.G and Tupac Shakur. Caldwell’s other hits include “Coming Down from Love” and “Take Me Back to Then.”
Sam Smith
When Sam Smith first exploded onto the music scene, songs like “I’m Not the Only One” and “Stay with Me” had Black folks in a chokehold. Smith’s take on R&B and soul has secured his spot in the music history books. Over the years, Smith’s sound has transitioned to a more pop and dance vibe, but don’t be mistaken, he still has an amazing voice!
The Soul Survivors
Although The Soul Survivors’ members are all white, the soul/funk group out of the ’70s sure did know more than a little something about Black music. Their biggest hit “Expressway (to Your Heart)” caught the attention of all soul music lovers… especially the Black ones.
Robin Thicke
Okay, maybe we all knew Robin Thicke was white. As the son of late television star Alan Thicke, it was kind of impossible not to put the pieces together. But you have to admit, on first listen to “Lost Without U,” you had to double take.
Jon B.
Jon B. was another that one that fooled Black folks! He became a star in the contemporary R&B world with his hit “They Don’t Know,” but it wasn’t until the music video that many folks found out he was white.
Amy Winehouse
Before her untimely death, Amy Winehouse was a star in the singing world. Hits like “Back To Black” makes her one of the most notable British singers of all time. Winehouse often blended her soul music with jazz, R&B, and punk.
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