I mentioned way back when that singing can help to learn a language. Listening to artists in my target language is one of my favorite ways to boost my vocabulary and listening/speaking abilities. Here are some of my favorite artists for each language; give ’em a try! The more asterisks (*), the more I love them.
Chinese
* alan (c-pop j-pop) – Japanese, Mandarin
* Alex Fong (c-pop) – Cantonese
* Janice (c-pop) – Cantonese
** Jay Chou (c-pop) – Mandarin
Joey Yung (c-pop) – Cantonese
* Jolin Tsai (c-pop) – Mandarin
* Stephy Tang (c-pop) – Cantonese
Dutch
Eva De Roovere (folk pop)
* Jurk (nederlandstalig pop)
Finnish
* Loituma (folk)
French
* Anggun (alternative pop) – Eurovision 2012 (France)
Hélène Ségara (pop)
* Julie Zenatti (pop)
* Kate Ryan (eurodance)
* Lara Fabian (pop ballad) – Her voice is uncannily similar to Céline Dion’s.
** Najoua Belyzel (electronic pop)
Natasha St-Pier (pop)
German
Eric Fish (folk)
* Rammstein (industrial metal)
Greek
* Eleftheria Eleftheriou (electronic pop) – Eurovision 2012 (Greece)
* Ivi Adamou (dance pop) – Eurovision 2012 (Cyprus)
Notis Sfakianakis (folk pop)
Hawaiian
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (folk acoustic)
Icelandic
Eythor Ingi (pop rock) – Eurovision 2013 (Iceland)
Japanese
Ai Otsuka (j-pop)
** alan (c-pop j-pop) – Japanese, Mandarin
Aya Hirano (j-pop)
ayaka (j-pop)
* Ayaka Hirahara (j-pop ballad) – Wonderful ballad voice.
** Ayumi Hamasaki (j-pop)
** Utada Hikaru (j-pop)
** Chihiro Onitsuka (j-pop)
Crystal Kay (j-pop)
Do As Infinity (j-pop rock)
Hitomi Shimatani (j-pop)
Maaya Sakamoto (j-pop)
Mai Kuraki (j-pop)
Namie Amuro (j-pop r&b)
Nami Tamaki (j-pop)
* Rina Aiuchi (j-pop)
Yo Hitoto (j-pop)
YUI (j-pop rock)
Yuna Ito (j-pop)
Korean
DBSK (k-pop)
Norwegian
* Admiral P (reggae)
Bjørn Eidsvåg (folk)
* Gabrielle (pop) – Gabrielle’s clearly-spoken Norwegian is very easy for learners like me to understand!
* Robin og Bugge (house pop) – Very fun dance music!
Romanian
* Giulia (electronic pop)
* O-Zone (eurodance)
Russian
* Alexander Rybak (folk pop) – Eurovision 2009 (Norway). He sings in Russian and Swedish, but he’s Norwegian (and Belarusian)!
Russkiy Razmer (techno pop)
** t.A.T.u. (electronic pop)
Spanish
** Enrique Iglesias (latin pop)
* Shakira (latin pop)
Swedish
* Alexander Rybak (folk pop) – Eurovision 2009 (Norway). He sings in Russian and Swedish, but he’s Norwegian (and Belarusian)!
* Basshunter (electronic dance)
* Caramell (eurodance)
Kent (indie rock)
Lisa Nilsson (jazz pop)
Melissa Horn (folk)
* Nordman (folk rock)
Roger Pontare (schlager)
Sandra Dahlberg (pop)
Sanna Nielsen (pop schlager)
** Sarek (folk pop) – My inspiration for learning Swedish!
* September (dance pop)
Sofia Karlsson (folk)
Sonja Aldén (pop schlager)