Pop Music’s Greatest Contraltos

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Contraltos are the lowest-singing women, and some of the most powerful vocalists in all of pop music. Here are 10 of the greatest contraltos in pop music history.

Introduction

The contralto is the lowest female singing voice. It has a range that lies between the F below middle C to the second F above middle C. Such record-breaking female vocalists as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and Rihanna are all noted for their Hits in the contralto register. Contraltos are relatively rare; in classical music, they represent only about 5 percent of women singers. In pop music, they are even more uncommon.

Contraltos often have a warm, rich lower register and a powerful upper register. Their voices are full and deeply emotional. Many contraltos have a wide range that allows them to sing both pop and classical music with ease.

The greatest contraltos in pop music history include some of the most successful and popular singers of all time. Here are ten of the best:

1) Mariah Carey
2) Whitney Houston
3) Alicia Keys
4) Beyonce
5) Rihanna
6) Celine Dion
7) Barbra Streisand
8) Adele
9) Christina Aguilera
10) Judy Garland

What is a contralto?

A contralto is a person who sings in a range lower than that of a soprano or mezzo-soprano, but higher than that of a bass. In music, the term “contralto” is applied to both men and women. A contralto’s range is typically from about the G below middle C (G3) to the second F above middle C (F5), although some can sing higher or lower.

Some famous female contraltos in pop music include Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Beyonce, and Christina Aguilera.

The greatest contraltos in pop music

There are many great contraltos in pop music, but who are the best of the best? This list will countdown the greatest contraltos in pop music, starting with the fifth greatest contralto and working our way to the greatest contralto of all time.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was an American singer and actress. She was one of the world’s best-selling music artists, with an estimated 200 million records sold worldwide. Houston released seven studio albums and two soundtrack albums, all of which have been certified diamond, multi-platinum, platinum, or gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her crossover appeal on the pop charts as well as her prominence on MTV influenced several African American women artists who followed in her footsteps.

Houston began singing in church as a child and became a background vocalist while in high school. With the guidance of Arista Records chairman Clive Davis, she signed to the label at the age of 19. Her first two studio albums, Whitney Houston (1985) and Whitney (1987), both reached number one on the Billboard 200 in the United States and became two of the world’s best-selling albums of all time. She became the only artist to have seven consecutive number-one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, from “Saving All My Love for You” in 1985 to “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” in 1988.

Houston made her screen debut as herself in The Bodyguard (1992). She recorded seven songs for the film’s soundtrack, including “I Will Always Love You”, which received the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and became the best-selling single by a woman in music history. The soundtrack album received Diamond status by selling more than 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. After starring in several more films and their accompanying soundtracks in the 1990s, including Waiting to Exhale (1995) and The Preacher’s Wife
(1996), Houston released her fifth studio album, My Love Is Your Love (1998). It sold over 22 million copies worldwide becoming one of only three female artists to have five or more diamond certified albums throughout their career.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. She rose to prominence with her self-titled debut album in 1990. Carey is the second artist in history (after Whitney Houston) to have their first five singles top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, from “Vision of Love” to “Someday”. Throughout her career, Carey has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She has achieved numerous career milestones, including 18 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (the most for a female artist), and becoming the only artist in history to have achieved a number one single in each of the last four decades.

Carey’s contralto vocal range spans three-and-a-half octaves (from C3 to G6), and her songs are noted for their use of melisma. As of 2012, she is ranked as the second-most successful artist of all time by Billboard magazine. In terms of record sales, she is ranked as the third best-selling female recording artist in history and is one of only three female artists (along with Barbara Streisand and Dionne Warwick) to have achieved sales of over 200 million albums.

Celine Dion

Dion has been one of the most successful pop artists of all time. She has sold more than 200 million albums and has won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Dion is also known for her powerful vocal range, which spans more than four octaves.

Why are they the greatest?

There are many contraltos in pop music, but there are only a few that can be considered the greatest. This is because they have a unique voice that is able to convey emotion and convey a message through their music. They are also able to connect with their audience on a personal level.

Their vocal range

Contraltos are the lowest female voice type and the rarest. They usually have a vocal range that extends from the low F below middle C (F3) to the second F above middle C (F5). A few contraltos have been able to sing even lower, down to a low E-flat (E♭3).

What sets them apart is not just the depth of their voices but also the quality. Contraltos often have a rich, dark timbre that is both powerful and emotive. They tend to be very expressive singers, able to communicate a wide range of feelings through their music.

While contraltos are not as common as other voice types, there are still many famous and successful singers who fall into this category. Here are just a few of the greatest contraltos of all time:

Their vocal power

In order for a singer to be classified as a contralto, their vocal range must extend below C3. This means that their vocal range is lowest of all the female voices. They are often described as sounding “mature” for their age. Many contraltos have a striking resemblance to males in terms of their vocal cords and therefore have very deep voices. This lends them a level of gravitas and authority on stage which can be extremely powerful.

Their ability to connect with their fans

Contraltos are not just the lowest women’s voices, they are the foundation of the harmonies that make pop music great. From Beyoncé to NSYNC to Alicia Keys, these powerhouse singers have made a lasting impression on the music industry with their unique talent and ability to connect with their fans.

What sets contraltos apart from other singers is their ability to sing low notes with a powerful, full sound. They have a rich, resonant tone that can add depth and emotion to any song. And while they may not always get the top billing, they are often the glue that holds a group or performance together.

While there are many great contraltos in the world of pop music, these five women have truly stood out for their exceptional vocal abilities and contributions to the industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the greatest contraltos in pop music are a diverse group of women with powerful voices that have captured the hearts of fans around the world. From Whitney Houston to Adele, these singers have made an indelible mark on the music industry and will continue to be remembered for their incredible talents.

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