List of Motown artists

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "List of Motown artists" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

This is a list of artists signed to Motown or one of its many subsidiaries.

Overview of Motown acts  Name  | Signed  | Label  | Notes

|
|
|

98 Degrees | 1990s  | Motown  |
702 | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Akon | 21st century  | Motown  |
The Allens | 1970s  | Motown  |
Georgio Allentini | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Luther Allison | 1970s  | Motown  |
Gerald Alston | 1970s  | Motown  |
The Andantes | 1960s  | Motown Records | Backing vocal group used on several recordings
Another Bad Creation | 1980s/1990s  | Biv 10 Records |
Apollo | 1970s  | Motown  |
India Arie | 21st century  | Motown  |
Ashanti | 21st century  | Motown  |
Ashford & Simpson | 1960s  | Motown  | The duo worked at Motown as songwriters and producers primarily, but Valerie Simpson recorded albums with the label and the duo recorded albums as an act at other labels
Cholly Atkins | 1960s  | Motown  | Choreographer
Avery  | 21st century  | Motown  |
AZ | 21st century  | Motown  |
B.G.O.T.I.  | 1980s/1990s  | BGOTI  |
Babyface | 21st century  | Motown  |
Erykah Badu | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Bankroll Freddie | 21st century  | Motown  |
J. J. Barnes | 1960s  | Ric-Tic Records  |
Drake Bell | 21st century  | Motown  |
Yummy Bingham | 21st century  | Motown  |
Will Biondo | 21st century  | Motown  |
Black Coffey  | 21st century  | Motown  |
Blinky | 1960s  | Motown  |
Bobby M  | 1980s/1990s  | Gordy  |
Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers | 1960s  | Gordy  |
The Boys | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Boyz II Men | 1990s  | Motown  |
Brandy | 2020s  | Motown  |
Brass Monkey  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Toni Braxton | 21st century  | Motown  |
Trina Broussard | 21st century  | Motown  |
Dorsey Burnette | 1960s  | Mel-o-dy Records  |
G. C. Cameron | 1970s  | Motown  |
The Cats | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Vita Chambers | 21st century  | Motown  |
Charlene | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
The Chi-Lites | 1960s  |  |
Choker Campbell & His 16-Piece Band  | 1960s  | Motown Records  |
City Girls[1] | 21st century  | Motown  |
Chris Clark | 1960s  | V. I. P. Records  |
Tom Clay | 1970s  | MoWest Records |
Angela Clemmons | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Desiree Coleman | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Commodores | 1970s  | MoWest and Motown  |
The Contours | 1960s  | Gordy Records |
Caroline Crawford | 1960s  | Motown  |
Crystal Mansion  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Bobby Darin | 1970s  | Motown  |
Dazz Band | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Dean Debbie | 1960s  | Motown  |
DeBarge | 1980s  | Gordy  |
Bunny DeBarge | 1980s  | Motown  |
Chico DeBarge | 1980s  | Motown  |
El DeBarge | 1980s  | Gordy  |
Kiki Dee | 1970s  | Tamla  |
Donnie  | 21st century  | Motown  |
The Dynamic Superiors | 1970s  | Motown  |
Earl Van Dyke and the Soul Brothers  | 1960s  | Motown  |
The Easybeats | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Billy Eckstine | 1960s  | Motown  |
Duane Eddy | 1970s  | Motown  |
Dennis Edwards | 1970s  | Gordy  |
The Elgins | 1960s  | V. I. P.  |
The Fantastic Four | 1960s  | Ric-Tic and Soul Records  |
Jose Feliciano | 1980s  | Motown  |
Four Tops | 1960s  | Motown  |
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons | 1970s  | MoWest and Motown  |
Siedah Garrett | 1980s/1990s  | Gordy  |
Marvin Gaye | 1960s  | Tamla  |
Valerie George | 1980s/1990s  | Gordy  |
Nikita Germaine | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Johnny Gill | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Gladys Knight & the Pips | 1960s  | Soul Records |
The Good Girls | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Layton Greene | 21st century  | Motown  |
Guinn | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Sam Harris | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Hearts of Stone  | 1970s  | V. I. P.  |
High Inergy | 1970s  | Gordy  |
Eddie Holland | 1960s  | Motown  |
Dave Hollister | 21st century  | Motown  |
Brenda Holloway | 1960s  | Tamla  |
Patrice Holloway | 1960s  | V. I. P.  |
Thelma Houston | 1970s  | Tamla  |
Reuben Howell | 1970s  | Motown  |
Howl the Good  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Willie Hutch | 1970s  | Motown  |
Impact of Brass  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
The Isley Brothers | 1960s  | Tamla  |
Mila J | 21st century  | Motown  |
Chuck Jackson | 1960s  | V. I. P.  |
Jackie Jackson | 1970s  | Motown  |
Jermaine Jackson | 1970s  | Motown  | Remained with Motown after his brothers departed from the label in 1976, with Jermaine eventually leaving Motown in 1983
Michael Jackson | 1970s  | Motown  |
The Jackson 5 | 1970s  | Motown  | Also billed as the Jackson Five or the Jackson 5ive
Jada | 21st century  | Motown  |
Rick James | 1970s  | Gordy  |
Mable John | 1960s  | Tamla  |
Marv Johnson | 1960s  | Tamla  |
Wade Jones[2][3] | 1959  | Rayber  |
Jords | 2020s  | Motown  | First British rap act signed to Motown.[4]
Jr. Walker & the All Stars | 1960s  | Soul  |
Keff James | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Kem | 21st century  | Motown  |
Eddie Kendricks | 1970s  | Tamla  |
Sebastian Kole | 21st century  | Motown  |
Kreuz  | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Lakeyah | 21st century  | Motown  |
Latif | 21st century  | Motown  |
Stacy Lattisaw | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Bettye LaVette | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Lil Baby | 21st century  | Motown  |
Lil Durk | 21st century  | Motown  | The Voice of the Heroes with Lil Baby
Lil Yachty | 21st century  | Motown  |
Lindsay Lohan | 21st century  | Motown  | Only the single "Bossy")
London  | 21st century  | Motown  |
Lost Boyz | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
The Lost Nation | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Love Sculpture | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Lovesmith | 1960s  |  |
Michael Lovesmith | 1960s  |  |
Shorty Long | 1960s  | Soul  |
Magic  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Teena Marie | 1970s  | Gordy  |
Martha and the Vandellas | 1960s  | Gordy  | Also billed as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
The Marvelettes | 1960s  | Tamla  |
Mary Jane Girls | 1980s/1990s  | Gordy  |
Matrix  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
MC Trouble | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Michael McDonald | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Carrie McDowell | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Brian McKnight | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Barbara McNair | 1960s  | Motown  |
Meechy Baby  | 21st century  | Motown  |
Michael and the Messengers | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Chrisette Michele | 21st century  | Motown  |
Migos | 21st century  | Motown  |
The Miracles | 1960s  | Tamla  | Also billed as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
Misa  | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
The Monitors | 1960s  | V. I. P. Records  |
Debelah Morgan | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Mýa | 21st century  | Motown  |
Nelly | 21st century  | Motown  |
Frances Nero | 1960s  | Motown  |
Ne-Yo | 21st century  | Motown  |
Njomza | 21st century  | Motown  |
The Originals | 1960s  | Soul  |
The Ones | 1960s  | Motown  |
Matt Ox | 21st century  | Motown  |
Pal  | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Bonnie Pointer | 1970s  | Motown  |
The Pointer Sisters | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Poor Boys  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Power of Zeus  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Billy Preston | 1970s  | Motown  |
The Pretty Things | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Quavo | 21st century  | Motown  |
Queen Latifah | 1980s  | Motown  |
Barbara Randolph | 1960s  | Soul  |
Dina Rae | 21st century  | Motown  |
Rare Earth | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
The Rayber Voices | 1959  | Rayber  | A backing vocal group[5]

* Robert Bateman
* Brian Holland
* William "Sonny" Sanders

La'Porsha Renae | 21st century  | Motown  |
Repairs  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Lionel Richie | 1980s  | Motown  |
Jimmy Robbins | 21st century  | Motown  |
Smokey Robinson | 1970s  | Tamla  |
Rockwell | 1980s  | Motown  |
Diana Ross | 1970s  | Motown  |
Kevin Ross | 21st century  | Motown  |
Kelly Rowland | 21st century  | Motown  |
Bailey Rubero | 21st century  | Motown  |
David Ruffin | 1960s  | Motown  |
Jimmy Ruffin | 1960s  | Soul  |
Rustix | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
SafetySuit | 21st century  | Motown  |
Phyllis St. James | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Tiwa Savage | 21st century  | Motown  |
San Remo Golden Strings | 1960s  | Gordy  |
Remy Shand | 21st century  | Motown  |
Shanice | 1990s  | Motown  |
Sharissa | 21st century  | Motown  |
Shiny Toy Guns | 21st century  | Motown  |
Shontelle | 21st century  | Motown  |
Valerie Simpson | 1970s  | Tamla  |
Sounds Nice  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Sparkle | 21st century  | Motown  |
The Spinners | 1970s  | V. I. P.  | Also marketed as The (Original) Detroit Spinners in the United Kingdom to distinguish them from the British folk act
Vince Staples | 21st century  | Motown  |
Edwin Starr | 1960s  | Soul  |
Rose Stone | 1970s  | Motown  | Also known as Rose Banks
Stone City Band | 1980s/1990s  | Gordy  |
Dennis Stoner | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Stoney & Meatloaf  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Barrett Strong | 1959  | Tamla  |
Suai  | 21st century  | Motown  |
Sunday Funnies  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
The Supremes | 1960s  | Motown  | Also billed as Diana Ross & the Supremes
Switch | 1970s  | Gordy  |
Takeoff | 21st century  | Motown  |
Felicia Taylor | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
R. Dean Taylor | 1960s  | V. I. P.  |
The Temptations | 1960s  | Gordy  |
Three Ounces of Love | 1960s  | Motown  |
Tammi Terrell | 1960s  | Gordy  |
Toe Fat | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Today | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Tony! Toni! Toné! | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Trick Trick | 21st century  | Motown  |
UFO | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
The Underdogs | 1960s  | V. I. P.  |
The Undisputed Truth | 1970s  | Gordy  |
UnoTheActivist  | 21st century  | Motown  |
The Valadiers | 1960s  | Miracle  |
Vanity | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
The Veer Union | 21st century  | Motown  |
Táta Vega | 1970s  | Tamla  |
The Velvelettes | 1960s  | V. I. P.  |
Waii  | 21st century  | Motown  |
Leon Ware | 1970s  | Motown  |
Jason Weaver | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
Mary Wells | 1960s  | Motown  |
Kim Weston | 1960s  | Gordy  |
Bruce Willis | 1980s  | Motown  |
Mary Wilson | 1970s  | Motown  |
Wolfe  | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Stevie Wonder | 1960s  | Tamla/Motown  | Originally billed as Little Stevie Wonder
Syreeta Wright | 1960s  | Motown  | Also billed as Rita Wright and Syreeta
XIT | 1970s  | Rare Earth  |
Val Young | 1980s/1990s  | Gordy  |
YoungBoy Never Broke Again | 21st century  | Motown  |
Yours Truly  | 1980s/1990s  | Motown  |
P Yungin | 21st century  | Motown  |
Zhané | 1990s  | Illtown/Motown Records  |
Zion  | 21st century  | Motown  |

## Sources cited

[edit]

* Dahl, Bill (February 28, 2011). Motown: The Golden Years: More Than 100 Rare Photographs. Penguin Publishing Group. ISBN 9781440225574.
* Betts, Graham (June 2, 2014). Motown Encyclopedia. AC Publishing. ISBN 9781311441546.
* Waller, Don (1985). The Motown Story. New York City, New York, United States: Charles Scribner's Sons. ISBN 0684183471. LCCN 85002110.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "City Girls | Artists". Motown. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
2. ^ Betts 2014, Wade Jones.
3. ^ Waller 1985, p. 33.
4. ^ Savage, Mark (May 26, 2023). "How Jords became the first UK rap act on Motown records". Entertainment & Arts. BBC News. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
5. ^ Dahl 2011, Part 1: Motown 1959–1972: Defining the Sound of Young America.