When it comes to vocal range, technique, and the ability to simply outsing just about anybody, there really is only one person that comes to mind, Mariah Carey! The songbird supreme is known for her songwriting abilities and vocal range, mainly her use of the whistle register, which she shows off to this very day. Considering she popularized the technique following that of Minni Ripperton, Mariah has influenced countless singers of today to follow suit.
From the likes of Ariana Grande, Beyonce, all the way to Kelly Clarkson, here are 9 other singers who can hit a whistle note like the Queen of Christmas herself!
10 Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey popularized the whistle note back in 1990 when her self-titled debut album was released. Fans were mesmerized by her five-octave range, which can go as low as an F2 all the way to a G7, Maria's highest recorded note sung in her Hot 100 hit, "Emotions."
To this day, Mimi continues to hit whistle tones and claims that it is actually easier for her to whistle than it is to belt or sing in chest/head voice, considering her struggles with vocal nodes. Now, with 31 years of industry experience, Mariah is easily the first person who comes to mind when high notes are even mentioned, and the singer has since gone on to inspire countless artists to follow suit.
9 JoJo
When JoJo first stepped out on the scene with her hit single, "Leave (Get Out)" back in 2004, fans immediately dubbed her the "next Mariah Carey." Following her first single, JoJo showed off her stellar four-octave range when it came to her hit song, "Too Little Too Late" which has us all trying to mimic the talented singer.
Although JoJo can, in fact, hit whistle tones, she doesn't utilize that register as much as fans would like, mainly to keep her voice and vocal cords intact.
8 Ariana Grande
Speaking of the "next Mariah Carey" Ariana Grande was too labeled as such! Following her debut back in 2013, Ariana released her first single, "The Way" which utilized whistle tones in the very end. Listeners honed in on the singer's styling and compared it to that of Mariah Carey's.
Considering Ariana idolizes Mariah, it is only fitting for her to use many of Mimi's techniques in her own work. Grande has gone on to include notes of such great heights in many of her songs, however, nothing compares to when Ari covered Mariah's "Emotions" on her YouTube channel, giving one of the best covers of that song, ever!
7 Tori Kelly
Tori Kelly has come quite a long way since her days on American Idol and posting covers of songs on her YouTube channel. The "Nobody Love" singer is notorious for her vocal abilities and techniques that make her one of the most talented singers of today.
The star is widely known for being able to sing in her whistle register, which she has done a multitude of times, including during her performance at Toronto's Massey Hall, where she sang the song, "Expensive". Additionally, Tori hit an F#6 note during a collaboration on YouTube with SuperFruit stars, Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi, where she ended off the video with a whistle note that even shocked her!
6 Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera is yet another powerhouse vocalist who has claimed Mariah Carey inspired her styling, and it's totally apparent.
The singer, who first debuted on none other than the Mickey Muuse Club, found her voice back in 1999 when she sang a cover of Whitney Houston's "Run To You" where she was asked if she can up the ante and hit a high E above middle C, which she claims is the note that "changed my life forever." Aguilera has since showcases her range on countless performances and songs since, proving her to be one of the best!
5 Normani
Normani has certainly proven herself to be an artist worth keeping your eyes on because she is set to take over the music scene any day now! During her time as a member of Fifth Harmony, Normani put her vocal abilities on full display, proving that she can not only hit a whistle tone, much like Mariah Carey, but her fellow former members, Ally Brooke, and Dinah Jane, could also do it, too!
Normani famously hit a whistle note during a live performance, leaving fans beyond ecstatic. "Normani hit that whistle note and left NO crumbs behind," one Tweet wrote in response to that epic Eb7 note.
4 Hayley Williams
Hayley Williams has been crushing the game for years! The star may be known primarily as the lead singer and keyboardist for the group, Paramore, however, her stellar vocals certainly set her apart as one of the best.
The singer's ability to hit the whistle register was proven during a vocal warm-up with her vocal coach before a performance. Not only can she hit the right notes, but Hayley manages to do it so effortlessly, proving that it is a talent that comes very naturally to her.
3 Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson won the very first season of American Idol, and she did it with a vocal range unlike any other contestant the show has seen. During one of her final performances, Kelly sang the hit Aretha Franklin son, "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Woman" in which she hit a whistle note that sent shockwaves throughout the venue.
The judges themselves coulnd't even contain their excitement, showing just how incredible her vocal ability truly is. Although Kelly doesn't implement the whistle register in her songs, the singer's range is on full display and has been throughout her entire career.
2 Pentatonix
Pentatonix first came to prominence after winning the acapella talent series, The Sing-Off. The group, made up of Scott, Mitch, Kirstie, Kevin, and Matt, has become one of the biggest acapella groups in the world!
After taking home a series of Grammy's, and embarking on countless tours, it is no surprise that the group is also able to add in some whistle every now and again. Both Mitch Grassi and Kirstie Maldonado have showcased their whistle abilities, so much that they can do it while joking around, jut like they did when they hilariously sang Beyonce's "Single Ladies" in the highest key possible.
1 Grimes
Grimes first came about back in 2010 when her debt album, Geidi Primes was released. While the singer remains popular in the indie electropop scene, many aren't aware of her vocal abilities.
The singer is fully capable of hitting a whistle note, which she showcased in her 2012 song, "Circumambient" where she was able to hit a G#6 all the way to a Bb6, which is quite the impressive feat!
