Martha Wash

Martha Wash, born on December twenty-eighth, nineteen fifty-three, is a celebrated American singer and songwriter renowned for her powerful and distinctive voice. She first gained prominence as one half of the duo Two Tons O' Fun, alongside Izora Armstead. The pair provided backing vocals for the iconic disco artist Sylvester, contributing to his signature hit, 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)'. Their own record deal led to the release of three consecutive dance chart hits, all peaking at number two.

In nineteen eighty-two, the duo rebranded as the Weather Girls, achieving mainstream success with their top-selling single 'It's Raining Men'. This track catapulted them into the pop spotlight, and they went on to release five albums while remaining integral to Sylvester's musical projects. However, after disbanding in nineteen eighty-eight, Wash transitioned into house music, becoming a featured artist on numerous successful tracks.

Wash's remarkable achievements on the Billboard dance chart have earned her the title of The Queen of Clubland, with an impressive total of fifteen number-one songs to her name. Beyond her musical contributions, she played a pivotal role in advocating for vocal credits in the music industry, sparking legislation in the early nineteen nineties that mandated proper recognition on CDs and music videos. This was a response to her experiences of being uncredited for her studio work, including the multi-platinum hit 'Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)'.

Despite her significant contributions, Wash was often overshadowed, leading music critic Jason Newman to label her as 'The Most Famous Unknown Singer of the '90s'. In December twenty-sixteen, Billboard magazine recognized her as the fifty-eighth most successful dance artist of all time, solidifying her legacy in the music industry.