20 Singers That Use Autotune

Autotune is a popular software program that is used by many singers to improve their vocal pitch and quality. While some singers use autotune sparingly, others use it more frequently, and still, others rely on it heavily to create their unique sound.

Although it became a controversial topic in recent years, autotune is still widely used by artists in many different genres. In this article, I will be discussing 20 well-known singers who frequently use autotune in their music.

Some of these artists are pop stars, while others are rappers or country singers. Regardless of genre, however, all of these singers have used autotune to help create their distinctive sounds.

1. Cher

Cher is known as the Goddess of Pop. She is often credited as the first artist to use autotune on a mainstream pop song. The song “Believe”, released in 1998, made heavy use of autotune to create Cher’s signature sound. Thanks to her, autotune became widely used in pop music and is now normalized and not as controversial.

With or without this effect, Cher’s unique voice has helped her to enjoy a long and successful career in the music industry. She isn’t a multi-platinum artist for no reason!

2. Rihanna

You might be surprised to see Rihanna on this list. After all, she is known for her powerful vocal performances. However, Rihanna has used autotune throughout her career, especially in her earlier work. Her voice is often pitch-corrected in her songs, giving her a unique sound that stands out from other pop singers.

In recent years, Rihanna has used autotune less frequently. This could be due to her growing confidence in her vocal abilities or simply because she prefers a different sound. Either way, she remains one of the most popular singers in the world.

3. Kesha

If you have heard any of Kesha’s songs, then you know that she loves to use autotune. Her overuse of the effect is often criticized by music fans. However, Kesha’s unique voice and sound are a big part of what makes her music so popular.

Her songs are often catchy and upbeat, perfect for dancing and having a good time. And even though she uses autotune frequently, Kesha is still a talented singer. She has proved this by her live performances that are vocally driven and don’t rely on heavy production.

4. Chris Brown

Chris Brown is a successful R&B singer, songwriter, and dancer. He first rose to fame with his self-titled debut album in 2005. Since then, he has released several more albums and singles, many of which have used a distinct nasal sound.

Chris Brown’s use of autotune often gives his songs a more unique and futuristic sound. He also stated in one of his interviews that this type of innovation in music should not be misinterpreted because it doesn’t necessarily make everything sound beautiful.

5. Britney Spears

It’s hard to believe that one of the most iconic pop stars of our generation is on this list, but it’s true – Britney Spears has used autotune on more than one occasion. While some may she doesn’t need to use it given her natural talent, there’s no denying that it does make her voice sound more polished.

Her hit songs “Toxic” and “Everytime” are both examples of tracks where you can tell that it was enhanced – and it’s not a bad thing! It helps to enhance her already powerful vocal performance.

6. Justin Bieber

Modern artists like Justin Bieber have certainly made autotune more popular in recent years. Though he’s faced a lot of criticisms may it be for his music or personal life, there’s no denying that he’s one of the biggest names in the industry right now.

Bieber’s use of the effect is quite subtle, but it’s definitely there. If you listen to tracks like “Sorry” and “What Do You Mean?,” you can hear it being used to smooth out his voice and give it a bit more depth.

7. Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean is a contemporary R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known for his unique vocal style, which often employs the use of falsetto. Ocean’s music is characterized by its mellow sound and introspective lyrical content.

His heavy use of auto-tune has been a subject of debate among music fans and critics. Some argue that it gives his voice an otherworldly quality, while others believe that it is a crutch that he relies on too heavily. Either way, we can’t deny that Ocean makes good use of it through his great tracks.

8. Jason Derulo

The American singer, songwriter, and dancer Jason Derulo is widely known for his pop hits such as “Whatcha Say,” “In My Head,” and “Ridin’ Solo.”

If you listen to these songs closely, you can hear the telltale signs of autotune. However, Derulo’s use of the software is not always to correct the pitch; sometimes he uses it for creative effect, as in the song “Whatcha Say.” His live performances are also often enhanced but not dominated by this effect.

9. Justin Vernon

Justin Vernon is the frontman of the indie folk band Bon Iver. He is also a solo artist, and his voice often takes on a higher pitch in his solo work than it does with his band.

He doesn’t deny using it and he even has an album that is completely autotuned. However, Vernon’s use of the software is tasteful and it doesn’t take away from the quality of his music.

10. James Blake

The next artist on this list is the british singer and songwriter James Blake. His music is often described as electronic soul or post-dubstep and incorporates elements of R&B, hip hop, and jazz. Blake’s use of autotune has become one of his signature sounds, helping to create the unique atmosphere of his music.

If you listen to Blake’s song “The Wilhelm Scream” you can hear his voice heavily processed with autotune. This use of the effect gives his voice a robotic quality that fits well with the song’s melancholy mood.

11. Miley Cyrus

Yup, Miley made the list. The former Disney star has come a long way since her days as Hannah Montana. These days she’s known for her wild child antics and her controversial music. And of course, she uses autotune.

Cyrus has used it on numerous occasions, most notably in her song “Party in the U.S.A.” The use of autotune is pretty subtle on this track, but it’s there if you listen closely. It helps to give her voice a smoother quality, which fits the carefree tone of the song.

12. Adam Levine

From the popular TV show “The Voice” to fronting the rock band Maroon 5, Adam Levine is one of the most successful singers in the world. He’s also no stranger to autotune. Levine has used it on several of Maroon 5’s hits, including “Moves Like Jagger” and “One More Night.”

13. Lady Gaga

Another music icon that uses autotune is the one and only Lady Gaga. This pop superstar has used the effect on several of her hits, including “Bad Romance” and “Telephone.” Gaga is known for her innovative and boundary-pushing music, so it’s no surprise that she would be open to using such popular effects.

She made an impact on the music industry with her unique sound and style, and she continues to push the envelope with her creative use of musical effects.

14. Justin Timberlake

Popular for his work as a solo artist and with NSYNC, Justin Timberlake has used autotune on many of his tracks. This includes songs like “Suit & Tie” and “Cry Me a River”. His use of autotune doesn’t fail to give his tracks that extra bit of oomph.

His genre is mostly pop, but he has dabbled in other genres like R&B, soul, and funk.  If you’re a fan of Justin Timberlake, then you’ve likely encountered his use of autotune firsthand.

15. Katy Perry

Katy Perry is a well-known pop singer who has undeniably used autotune in her music. Some of her most popular songs like “Firework”, “California Gurls”, and “Dark Horse” make use of the pitch-correcting software.

Perry’s over-the-top persona is part of what makes her so popular. Hitting the high notes is just another way she knows how to put on a good show. Seeing her perform live, you would never be able to tell that her voice has been enhanced.

16. Camila Cabello

From Fifth Harmony to going solo, Camila Cabello’s career has been on an upward trajectory. The singer has always been praised for her vocal abilities, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t made use of autotune.

Songs like “Havana” and “Consequences” feature Cabello’s voice heavily processed with autotune, giving her a distinct sound that has helped her stand out in the pop world.

17. Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato is known for having one of the most powerful voices in pop music. The singer has been open about her struggles with addiction and mental health, and her music often reflects her journey.

Lovato’s use of autotune is often more subtle, but it’s still an important part of her sound. She released multiple hit singles and there’s no doubt that she’s one of the most successful singers of all time.

18. Billie Eilish

Known for her unique blend of pop, hip-hop, and electronica, Billie Eilish is one of the most exciting new artists to emerge in recent years. While her music is undoubtedly catchy and accessible, there’s also a dark edge to it that sets her apart from her peers.

Eilish’s use of autotune has been a controversial topic among fans and critics alike. Some argue that it gives her an artificial sound that takes away from the emotion of her music. Others argue that it’s a clever production technique that allows Eilish to create her unique sound. Either way, she’s a singer that’s worth keeping an eye on in the years to come.

19. Halsey

Initially, Halsey rose to fame with her unique brand of dark pop music. Her debut album, Badlands, was a critical and commercial success, and it established her as one of the most exciting new artists in the industry.

Since then, Halsey has continued to experiment with her sound, and she frequently used autotune in her music. While some fans love her use of the effect, others feel that it takes away from the sincerity of her songs. Regardless, there’s no denying that Halsey is a talented singer with or without autotune!

20. Selena Gomez

Finishing off this list is Selena Gomez, one of the most successful singers in the world. Gomez first made a name for herself as an actress on the Disney Channel, but she’s since transitioned to a successful career in music.

Gomez has experimented with autotune in her music, and it’s often used to add depth and emotion to her songs. An example of this can be heard on her track “Kill Em With Kindness,” where the effect is used to great effect. One thing’s for sure, it’s working!

Final Thoughts

In the end, it’s up to the artist to decide whether or not to use autotune. There are pros and cons to using this effect, and ultimately, it’s a personal choice. It shouldn’t be surprising that so many artists use it – after all, it’s a tool that can help them create the perfect sound. What matters most is the quality of the music, not whether or not it was used.

Cher Featured Image (Top-Left) by: Raph_PH, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Justin Bieber Featured Image (Top-Right) by: Lou Stejskal, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jason Derulo Featured Image (Bottom-Left) by: SIGMA, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rihanna Featured Image (Bottom-Right) by: MTV International, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cher Image by: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rihanna Image by: SIGMA, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kesha Image by: Cosmopolitan UK, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chris Brown Image by: Marius Chaurescu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Britney Spears Image by: Drew de F Fawkes, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Justin Bieber Image by: Lou Stejskal, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frank Ocean Image by: Andras Ladocsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jason Derulo Image by: MTV International, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Justin Vernon Image by: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
James Blake Image by: Knar Bedian, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Miley Cyrus Image by: Raphael Pour-Hashemi, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Adam Levine Image by: MasterMind5991, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lady Gaga Image by: Carlos M. Vazquez II, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Justin Timberlake Image by: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Katy Perry Image by: CJ A. (@ChrisAntonacci1 on Twitter), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Camila Cabello Image by: Condé Nast (through Vogue Taiwan), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Demi Lovato Image by: Ashley Graham, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Billie Eilish Image by: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Halsey Image by: Justin Higuchi from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Selena Gomez Image by: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons