In Japan, when people say “Western music,” I think they usually mean American music.
In fact, from a commercial standpoint, the American music scene is the largest in the world.
This time, I’ll be introducing American singers.
Rather than simply featuring artists who scored massive hits, I’ve selected those who had a major impact on the music scene.
As a result, you’ll also get to learn about the history of American music.
I’ve selected tracks from a variety of genres—soul, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, hard rock, and more—so please take your time and enjoy.
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American singers who shocked the world (1–10)
Billie JeanMichael Jackson
Michael Jackson is an artist well known by many people in Japan as well.
As the King of Pop, he set numerous hit records around the world.
Even teenagers have probably at least heard his name.
What makes Michael Jackson so captivating, above all, is his catchy performance.
His upbeat musical style and dance performances instantly grab listeners’ attention.
He has a large catalog of songs, so why not give some of the lesser-known albums a listen?
Can’t Help Falling In LoveElvis Presley
Elvis Presley, the great American singer known as the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, is familiar to many people in Japan as well.
He is recognized as the best-selling solo artist in history, with record sales reaching 500 million worldwide.
His music is crafted to be highly catchy, supporting that level of popularity, and is characterized by a style that appeals to both children and adults.
If you want to experience his musicality, you should listen to rockabilly, the genre he excelled at the most.
24K MagicBruno Mars
Bruno Mars, the Hawaii-born singer-songwriter who’s hugely popular in Japan as well.
If you’re anywhere from your teens to your forties, you’ve probably heard his songs at least once.
His appeal lies in his foresight.
Even while standing at the forefront of the scene, he doesn’t prioritize sales by making catchy tunes; instead, he consistently digs into the genres he truly wants to pursue.
As a result, the musical styles he explores often become trends a few years later, and the now-popular genre of city pop was something he had already released back in the 2010s.
A Song For YouDonny Hathaway
When discussing Black music, the presence of Donny Hathaway is indispensable.
He was one of the key figures who supported the neo-soul boom of the 1970s, and unlike many other Black artists, he was born into a wealthy family and studied classical music from a young age.
As a result, his soul music contains many classical elements, and you can sense a distinctive musicality when you listen to it.
He’s someone you can’t avoid if you want to understand the roots of Black music, so be sure to check him out.
Purple RainPrince
Prince, a singer-songwriter who was hugely active in the 1980s as a counterpart to Michael Jackson, was known as an artist of exceptional skill and had a major influence on accomplished musicians like D’Angelo and Andy Allo.
Above all, Prince’s greatest appeal was his mastery of composition.
His songwriting ability was extraordinary, and he reportedly had an enormous vault of material; in his later years, he often arranged and released works that had not previously seen the light of day.