Whitney Houston was a star that shined on her best and worst of days. The talent that she possessed was truly God given and will forever be felt by her adoring fans throughout the world. Born in Newark and raised in East Orange in a musically gifted family, Houston wasted no time wowing the audiences with her breathtaking performances. From church to the stage, her success and voice has reached into the hearts of all colors and creeds. There is a beauty in her voice that cannot be duplicated. Here are just a couple of reasons why we will always love you Ms. Houston.
Trailblazer
Whitney Houston set the stage for acts to come out of northern New Jersey cities Newark and East Orange, that are home to artists such as Queen Latifah, Lauren Hill, Wyclef Jean, Naughty By Nature amongst others. Not only did Whitney open the doors for Jersey natives, she set the stage for female artists that would take the Pop/R&B stage later such as Beyonce and Rihanna.
I think it is safe to say with a track record which garnished her 415 awards, that include 2 Emmy Awards, 6 Grammy awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards, she paved the way for the future and created a standard for women of color.
As a multi-talented entertainer she acted in a number of movies starting with The Bodyguard, which she co-starred with Kevin Costner. The late singer showcased songs such as “I Will Always Love You,” “Run To You” and “I’m Every Women” throughout the film. Her theatrical performances in Waiting To Exhale and Preacher’s Wife have also become classics and show how dynamic she was as an artiste. Houston was working on a new film entitled Sparkle that was set to come out this year. If her career does not prove she is an innovator I don’t know what will.
Hitmaker
In this day and age artists would give their left arm to sell half the records that she sold. Whitney Houston has had seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits: “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love of All,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “So Emotional,” “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.”
These classic songs are friendly for all audiences, the songs are not just hits they are melodic words that spoke to people and their experiences.
Authentic
Coming from the tough streets of Essex County, New Jersey you have to be as real as possible. Whitney throughout her career has always shown a level of vulnerability which made her music genuine. Her songs gave a piece of herself even when she sung Pop records. It is no secret that Houston had her far share of trials and tribulations, but the constant fight that made her the women that she was.
Family-Oriented
Whitney’s family was instrumental in making her into the success that she became. Many of her family members were notable figures in the gospel, R&B, and Pop genres. They helped mold and define the mega-star called Whitney Houston. Cissy Houston a gospel singer has always been at the foundation of Whitney life. Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick were both successful soul and R&B artists whom were instrumental in the development. Aretha Franklin a powerhouse in the genres of Gospel and R&B was a mentor, honorary aunt and godmother.
Bobby Brown and Whitney seemed to have a lot in common. We can venture to say that one of those things was love despite their rocky relationship.
Family/Music Connection: Cissy Houston (Mother), Dionne Warwick (Cousin), Dee Dee Warwick (Cousin), Aretha Franklin (Godmother), Bobby Brown (Ex-husband)
This article is in celebration of her life. Whitney and her voice was a gift and her fans are thankful. Hopefully Whitney has helped people to avoid some of those shortcomings and inspired those same people to follow their dreams.
R.I.P. Whitney Houston
We Love You!
—— By: DOC
Whitney Houston was an icon—a talented, beautiful, and inspiring woman whose music touched millions of people around the world. She had a voice that could move mountains, lyrics that spoke to our hearts, and a stage presence that was captivating beyond compare. It’s no wonder why we will always love Whitney Houston; her legacy lives on through her music and has left us with countless memories to cherish forever.
From stunning ballads like “I Will Always Love You” to hit dance songs like “How Will I Know?,” Whitney filled the airwaves with timeless classics that have been loved for generations. Her powerful vocal range spanned four octaves, making it possible for her to perform in different genres from soul to pop—allowing us all to connect with her on some level or another. No matter what style she sang in, every song Whitney released felt like it came straight from her heart and into ours.
The impact she made on the music industry is still palpable today—and so is our love for Whitney Houston. While we may never get over losing such an iconic figure too soon, our appreciation for everything she gave us will remain eternal.
Music Career Highlights
Whitney Houston was one of the most celebrated singers and entertainers of our time. She had a unique vocal range that captured millions around the world, and her songs have become anthems for many different generations. From her powerful voice to her incomparable stage presence, Whitney’s music career has left its mark on popular culture.
Her debut single ‘Saving All My Love For You’ topped charts in 1985, making it her first number-one song. Later hits like ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)’ and ‘Greatest Love Of All’, cemented her position as a pop icon and earned her critical acclaim from fans and critics alike. These tracks also established Whitney as one of the highest selling female artists of all time.
Aside from chart success, she won several awards throughout her career including six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards and two Emmy Awards – just to name a few! Her incredible talent is still remembered today; so much so that even after passing away in 2012 at age 48, we will always love Whitney Houston for being such an amazing artist.
Legacy And Cultural Impact
Whitney Houston’s impact on popular culture is undeniable. Her songs have been covered by countless artists and featured in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials. She was a trendsetter whose influence continues to be felt today in the music industry. In fact, her legacy has inspired many of today’s biggest stars such as Beyonce and Rihanna.
Her cultural significance goes beyond musical success though; she was an important figure for racial equality during the 1980s and 1990s when there were few African-American female performers at the top of the charts. As one of the most influential singers ever, she showed that black women can achieve great things with hard work and dedication – something her fans continue to admire till this day.
To commemorate Whitney’s contributions to music, several awards have been created in her honor including The Billboard Millennium Award and The Lifetime Achievement Award from BET Awards.The Recording Academy also honored her posthumously with their lifetime achievement award in 2020. These are just some of the ways we pay homage to a truly remarkable artist who will never be forgotten!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Whitney Houston was a music icon who has left us with an incredible legacy. She had an amazing career that spanned four decades and produced some of the most beloved songs in history, including “I Will Always Love You” and “The Greatest Love Of All”. Her influence on popular culture is undeniable; her powerful voice, captivating performances, and inspiring messages helped to shape our collective understanding of what it means to be a strong woman.
Her death in 2012 was met with sadness around the world; she will forever remain one of the greatest singers of all time. Despite this tragic loss, her memory lives on through her music and continues to inspire generations. We will always remember Whitney for her immense talent, beauty, courage and grace – qualities that have made her an enduring symbol of strength and resilience over many years. Our love for Whitney will never fade away as long we keep listening to her timeless recordings and celebrating her remarkable life.
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