<p>african american? That sounds really mlame, but im a 17 year old african american and the pieces I usually sing are from a white male, so my voice is kinda “faked” out in order to sound like how they sound. Is their a good song piece from the african american repetoire? Dreamgirls comes to mind…anything else?</p>
<p>A song from The Color Purple maybe? I don’t know what’s considered overdone though.</p>
<p>try once on this island, color purple, dreamgirls, ragtime…</p>
<p>Those shows are fairly current and tend to be overdone. Try going back in time a bit further, and look at Porgy and Bess, Showboat, Pippin, Little Shop of Horrors, Purlie, The Me Nobody Knows…all have good songs for AA singers. Do keep in mind that many roles can be color-blind. Just don’t try to “fake” your sound – be yourself.</p>
<p>My D who is also AA did a review of black musicals back years ago (what cute 10 year old she was!) YOu might also look at Raisin, Black and Blue, The Wiz (although with the revival may not be good), I am trying to remember the program cover that had the album covers on it because I know there were more. If I can dig it up I will see if there are others.</p>
<p>Does anyone know SPECIFIC songs?</p>
<p>Sure. But it’s impossible to recommend songs for you without knowing you or ever having heard you sing. As a performer, you need to do some research and get familiar with lots of shows – if you listen to them, you will most likely be drawn to some songs which may work for you.</p>