She rose to fame in the early 90s, recording various hit songs. Where do you even start with Mariah and her ever involving image? Me and Emma ticked off something on our concert bucket list last year by seeing her in concert, where she was absolutely incredible. She was also a master of reinvention, constantly evolving her image and sound to stay fresh and relevant. Last updated 19th May 2022 The 1990s were a truly iconic time for music, with some of the most widely known and beloved singers in history coming to prominence during the decade. Shes also a judge on Indonesian X-Factor and Indonesias Got Talent. She started as a chubby country star when she released How Do I Live in 1997, which must have been one of the most overplayed songs of the year, if not the decade. Id forgotten about her! She released a few singles which were undoubtedly rejected by Steps and faced extremely minor controversy when Smash Hits revealed her to be a bit older than she was making out (although to be fair, even I have a showbiz age, so cant hold that against her too much). She then recorded a cover of REMs Losing my Region and got the majority of the words wrong so I was out at that point. Alanis Morissette burst onto the scene with her album Jagged Little Pill, which featured the smash hit Ironic. The album sold more than 33 million copies worldwide and won five Grammy Awards, cementing Morissettes place as one of the decades most successful artists. Most underrated artist of the 90s in my humble opinion. Address: Indigo Media Ltd, 8 The Green, Suite #14648 Billie was 100% one of my guilty pleasures in the 90s because quite frankly I was old enough to know better. Email: contact@musicianwave.com. What she probably means is Ive been a fan of Robyns since the very beginning when she was a Swedish pop pixie, long before she was a cool trendy techno chick. When it was announced that Natalie was leaving Neighbours to embark on a pop career everyone assumed shed be the next Kylie. There were so many talented female singers who blessed us with their amazing voices and stunning performances. Here we list the top 100+ best female country singers from 1990 until 1999 - a definitive compilation honoring the outstanding singers who defined this era of country music. Kylie is another one of those people who can do no wrong in my eyes (apart from maybe the single she did with Nick Cave which is the expectation that proves the rule). sheena easton. ADVERTISEMENT. Always forever known for her single Oooh Ah (Just a Little Bit) which was, by Eurovision standards, quite the banger, however he second single (yes, there was a second single) called I Belong To You was actually much better IMO. Before that, she was best known as a star of The Mickey Mouse Club and the singer of Reflection, the hit song from Disneys Mulan. Her smooth, soulful sound was unlike anything else on the radio at the time, and her first single, I Wanna Be Down, quickly rose to the top of the charts. Too much cheese gives you nightmares. She came back a few years later as part of duo Little Jackie who released (another great one hit wonder) The World Should Revolve Around Me in 2008. Another superstar on the list is the material girl herself, Madonna. There was a speight of soap actors becoming pop stars in the 90s (Sean Maguire, John Alford, Adam Rickett swoon) but I might go so far as to say Michelle Gayle was one of my favourites. Although the album was decent, Legend was head and shoulders the best single on there. Houstons voice was truly unique, with a powerful range that could convey both emotion and strength. Fact fans. When her album Supa Dupa Fly came out in 1997, nobody expected that her rhymes, presence, and spectacular production would change the way people look at Hip-hop. I think I preferred Monica to Brandy. In addition to her work with the band, Stefani also released several solo albums, including the hugely successful Love. Sadly despite a successful first album she never really set the world on fire much after that. Her last album in 2015 was partially funded by a Kickstarter campaign, which is never a good sign is it? Etheridge is a true legend, and theres no doubt that she belongs on this list. Standing apart from the glossy production styles that dominated much late-90s hip-hop, Hill's solo . The follow up single Youre Making me High is lyrically utter filth (in a good way) and she also went to dabble in reality TV and collaborate more with her sisters again. She quickly established herself as a global superstar with hits like The Power of Love and My Heart Will Go On. Throughout her career, Dion has sold over 200 250 million records and won five Grammy Awards. For me, the Velvet Rope era was my favourite, and is the kind of artist that if I saw live, Id have to veto the setlist but considering shes still touring at past 50, you cant knock the lass. What do Madonna and Jon Bon Jovi have in common? Mandy Moore is one such singer. Not to be a dick about it. 1 Adele 2 Aretha Franklin 3 Beyonce 4 Billie Holiday ADVERTISEMENT 5 Carly Simon 6 Celine Dion 7 Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera 8 Cilla Black 9 Diana Ross 10 Dolly Parton 11 Donna Summer 12 Edith Piaf (1915-1963) ADVERTISEMENT 13 Ella Fitzgerald Probably one of my favourite female singers after Madge. Neneh Cherry was one of my all-time favourites in the 80s and 90s after seeing the video for Buffalo Stance on my VHS of Now Thats What I Call Music 14, followed by the equally excellent Manchild. 9. do you know how many songs of hers i know? Her first album Enjoy Yourself was one of the first albums I ever had and I always maintain that if Dave and I were ever invited to an 80s/90s themes party we would go as Kylie and Jason. Im definitely in the former category as I feel she totally lost her way after the Honey album where everything was over produced, had too many guest rappers on and she wore far too few clothes. Shes continued to release music and tour in her native Australia and her 2012 wedding was featured in a glossy mag so shes still kind of a big deal over there. Carey is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with more than 220 million records sold worldwide. jenniferlinneaphotography from Denver, CO, USA, The Fascinating Origins Of 20 Iconic Band Names, Victor Wooten All You Need to Know About The Bass Virtuoso, Home Recording Studio Setup The 7 Absolute Essentials, 10 Great Music Collaboration Websites and Apps, How to Start a Band Mailing List Quick Start Guide, How to Get Your Songs On iTunes and Spotify for Free, How to Create a Music Website Quick Start Guide. Be it with their pop and rock anthems or their alternative sound, these female singers all brought something special to the table. Sheryl Crow emerged in 1993 with her debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club. Madonna Madonna - Vogue (Official Video) The "Material Girl" wasted no time moving into the new decade. In 2001 she rebranded herself as a rock chick but neither her new single or album managed to sell. Most remember for the anthemic Jagged Little Pill Im also rather partial to second album Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, which was torn a new one by critics. Houstons impact on the music industry is still felt today, and she remains an inspiration to many aspiring vocalists. When Taylor Swift was just a twinkle in her dads eye, Shania Twain was boot slapping and yee-hawing her way through the 90s pop charts with her quite frankly rubbish pop hits. Early, curly haired, denim shorts wearing, frolicking in fields of corn Mariah, or gold bikini wearing, midriff showing, bumping n grinding on boats with hunky men Mariah. She achieved mainstream success with her work as a member of the hip-hop group Fugees, but it was her solo album that truly cemented her place as a musical icon. and who doesnt love singing Your Herat Will Go On anytime youre on a boat? 1. Riding very much on the crest of the Alanis Morrissette wave, when Meredith Brooks released Bitch in 1997 I think even blind Freddie could see it had one hit wonder written all over it. There you have it, the 20 best female singers of the 90s. She followed up her debut with a string of equally successful albums, cementing her place as one of the most popular female singers of the decade. In the 1990s, Cher still dominated the music charts with hits like Believe and If I Could Turn Back Time. She has continued to perform and release new music throughout her career, and she remains one of the most popular female singers of all time. Shania Twain was one of the most successful country singers of the decade, and her crossover appeal helped to broaden the genres reach. These women left an indelible mark on the music industry and continue to inspire fans around the world! With hits like Vogue and Like a Prayer, Madonna cemented her place as one of the most iconic female singers of the decade. The one thing that put me off her was speaking to Beki from 90s girlband Solid Harmonie (check me out) who told me she was a but of a tit to them when they had to share a dressing room for a show. Again, a fine example of someone where the second single is better than the one everyone knows. Even though she hasnt had quite as much success in recent years, her 90s output is still highly revered by fans and critics alike. She first came to prominence with her debut album, So Real, which was released in 1999. Im starting to sound like a broken record here but the facts dont lie, and Sober is a much better song than Crush. She held Hip-hop from one end and turned it completely around in the 90s. She had a string of singles which all sounded identical in 1997 and 1998 and allegedly dated Howie from the Backstreet Boys so already achieved more of my dreams in the space of 18 months than I have in 36 years. Throughout her career, she has sold more than 80 million records and earned countless awards, including Grammy, Brit, and ARIA nominations. Against my better judgement because I really wanted to dislike her. I seem to remember she had a good couple of singles in the years to follow but nothing too chart worrying. Missy Elliott was an artist the world had been desperately waiting for. Some of the most famous short-haired female singers of the 80s include Annie Lennox, Madonna, and Deborah Harry. Toni Braxton was one of the most successful R&B singers of the 1990s. She was a better singer than she ever was an actress in Eastenders thats for sure and her songs Sweetness, Looking Up, Freedom and Do You Know are all on my Spotify playlist. Louise, on the other hand, I thought was brilliant and was probably my favourite female popstar of the 90s. She worked heavily with Glen Ballad so produced song after song of guitary Alanis Morsiette-y Anastacia-y type stuff. You know what one of the funniest things about having two of your best friends being 5 years younger than you is? After her pop beginnings she went a bit dancy in the late 90s, then (unpopular opinion) was one of the best judges the X-Factor has ever seen. She has a voice that you would instantly recognize and she knows how to connect with fans in an undeniable way. She did do a surprisingly good cover album in 2003 which contained a brilliant version of The Whole of the Moon. Gwen Stefani was one of the biggest stars of the 1990s, thanks to her work as the frontwoman of No Doubt. I also maintain that her album, Dont Stop the Music, is one of the best pop albums of all time, so its such a shame it was never released in the UK. From her duet with Monica on The Boy Is Mine to her signature hits like Have You Ever and Sittin Up in My Room, she proved that she was a force to be reckoned with. She seemed to have one massive hit per album; Dreams (from Find Your Way) Give Me A Little More Time (from Gabrielle) and Rise (from er, Rise) but for me it was some of her minor hits or album tracks that were really good. I loved Britney, I still love Britney other than her story is a bit of a sad one and watching her perform these days makes me want to put a blanket round her and say its ok pet, you dont need to do this anymore. In this article, we will take a look at the 20 best female singers of the 90s. Straight Up is an absolute pop banger which still sounds modern today. Her voice and her ability to connect with her fans are undeniable. Stefani had a unique style that combined elements of ska and punk with a pop sensibility, and her charisma and talent helped to make No Doubt one of the most popular bands of the decade. The 90s were known for a lot of things, for me it was for a shed load of one hit wonders. Spears is one of the most iconic female singers of the 1990s, and she continues to be a force to be reckoned with even today. The Female Singers From The '90s We LOVE Elena Nicolaou Last Updated November 20, 2018, 5:05 AM Photo: Bob Berg/Getty Images. I loved a bit of Paula Abdul long before Britney and Christina came along and long before she revealed herself as being a a few sandwiches short of a pic nic on American Idol. Very much pitted as a rival to more squeaky clean Britney, kind of like a Tiffany vs Debbie Gibson of the late 90s. I mean do I really have to explain who Britney is or what happened to her? Needless to say, Im a fan. She went from being Michaels chubby baby sister to a totally ripped badass rnb queen. These women were feisty songwriters who pushed the boundaries. Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas comprised the band's most well-known line-up, and they were outrageously influential in the genre. The 90s was a great time for female singer-songwriters, and Morissette was one of the best. That was all we ever heard of her in the UK but shes continued to release music in Germany and Switzerland. Another one who probably flew under the radar for most people and Im only really aware of here because she support BSB on tour in 1997. The 1990s were a great time for music. Jewel was almost the 90s Taylor Swift having one solid album which soundtracked lots of 90s shows like Dawsons Creek. The Genie in a Bottle video made me want to own a pair of orange parachute pants though. I always forget that Jessica Simpson was cute as a button once upon a time when all I can think of when I think of her in that gratuitous teeny bikini in the These Boots Were Made for Walking video. I was ob-sessed with the single Legend of a Cowgirl when it came out in 1997, back when I was a boy-hating angsty 15-year-old and eagerly awaited the album that followed hoping this Imani would replace the Alanis Morissette shaped void in my soul. Then went into TV, then back to music again. A few years ago I wrote a post about 90s Girlbands, then followed it up last year with a post about 90s male solo stars, 90s female solo stars and 90s Boy Bands. She was one of the most popular female singers of the 1980s, and her popularity only grew in the 1990s. TLC defined the 90s for plenty of young R&B listeners. She began her career as part of the pop duo Sonny & Cher in the 1960s, and she went on to have a successful solo career in the 1970s and 1980s. Hot on the heels of Britney, Christina and Jessica was Mandy who released the poptastic Candy in 1999. Megan Lewis May 2, 2023 The 1990s was one of the most defining decades for music in American history. It peaked at 28 in the UK singles chart and Meredith was never heard of again. Which made me laugh, but is probably largely true. Remember the uproar when Geri left the Spice Girls? My personal favourite version of Kylie is indie Kylie; and the song Did It Again is just brilliant. Monica followed up this success with a string of hit singles, including The Boy Is Mine and For You I Will.. She started life on Broadway before venturing into pop and released two albums in 1991 and 1995 respectively but sadly died from colon cancer in 2010. Theres no doubt that she helped shape the sound of pop music in the 1990s. Mariah Carey was one of the most successful artists of the decade, and her voice was truly unique. Her popularity shows no signs of waning, and she remains one of the most beloved female singers of the past few decades. Also, a very important song for any Dawsons Creek fans, I, however, in my pedantry, much prefer second single Tell Me. Popularising a melodic vocal style as part of Fugees, Hill broke barriers for women in a male-dominated hip-hop scene. Britney Spears is often hailed as the Princess of Pop, and for good reason. The Best 90s Bands With Female Singers Akansha Kakkad Updated June 23, 2023 330 votes 63 voters Over 60 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best 90s Bands With Female Singers The music scene of the 1990s was bustling with rebellion and new sounds, especially in the rock scene. Along with bands, there were also many solo artists who separated themselves from your average pop star. She was the first Indonesian woman to appear in Madam Tussauds. Her impact on the music industry is still felt today and she set the standard for what a successful female artist could be. I then went so far as to buy her debut album with my own pocket money which contained a cover of Just be Good to Me. Monica is known for her soulful voice and her ability to connect with her fans through her music. I mean its proper fromage, but its good cheese. Christina Aguilera Just scraping into the 90s by the skin of her teeth but worthy of a mention nontheless. Again, not particularly popular in the UK whoever she did appear on an alarming amount of rnb completion CDs (who am I kidding cassettes) in the 90s. Since then, she has released several successful albums and singles. Very much pitted as a rival to more squeaky clean Britney, kind of like a Tiffany vs Debbie Gibson of the late 90s. There was a lot of musical style that was incorporated into the music of Veruca Salt and it all tied together very nicely into a package of pop, punk and grunge all in one. The '90s saw a lot of females who fronted rock bands. A lot of people wont even remember Martine McCiucheon was a popstar for 30 seconds, then again a lot of people wont remember Martine McCutcheon was an actress once upon a time as well, since all she seems to do is flog yogurts these days. 2: Lauryn Hill. Her two biggest singles; Dont Be a Stranger and The Perfect Year (both released in 1993) were bore-fests of epic proportions however didnt stop her winning the award for Best British Female at the 1994 Brit Awards. Shes also become one of the biggest selling Vegas shows of all time (after the Backstreet Boys haha!) More than two decades after its release, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill remains one of the most remarkable albums of the 90s. She headlined Caesars Palace in Vegas for a two residency in 2103 and a second due to start in December 2019. The I figured why stop there? Another almost Beyonce but a lot more soulful and a lot deeper. She sang all the best bits in The Boy is Mine and *fact fans* she had an absolutely banging single, essentially about being on your period called Just One of Dem Days a few years prior. These talented women helped to shape the sound of the decade, and their influence is still felt today. She had a few more minor pop hits in the early 00s but never really worried the top ten all that much. Braxton remains an iconic figure in the world of R&B, and she is still beloved by fans all over the world. And turns out she never married any of the Backstreet Boys so maybe were more similar than I first thought. She has truly achieved greatness in every aspect of her career, and she is without a doubt one of the best female singers of the 90s. Last time I was playing Heads Up with Ang on a train, the clue she gave me for Robyn was Swedish singer that only you like. Another unpopular opinion. Multiculturalism led to a rise in alternative music with the hip hop, rave, pop punk and grunge scenes becoming some of the most prominent mainstream movements. She even managed to go a little more street with elegance by sampling Wu Tang Clan in her song Beautiful Inside. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Janet Jackson is also an incredible dancer, choreographer, and actress. I wrote a while ago about when youre going through hard times you find a song that you listen to over and over again because for those 4 minutes you forget about whats on your mind. BUT what sixth form party was complete without all the girls sassing along to Man I Feel Like A Woman and That Dont Impress Me Much. While there were many talented vocalists during this era, some stood out more than others. If we are going to compare 90s teenpop apples though (and im not talking about Britneys boob job) then I was probably Team Britney. The video she did when she appeared to be in a relationship with a cartoon cat was a bit weird though. She released a second album in 2000 but it wasnt well promoted and she was dropped by her label. This page may contain affiliate links. Which isnt very nice is it Gabs? Lets be honest though if youre going to be remembered for only one song then Nothing Compares 2 U (written by Prince, fun fact) is a good one. Musician Wave is owned and operated by Indigo Media Ltd. Now this lass was right up my street when she came out with All I Wanna Do. She had her biggest hit in the mid 90s with You Might Need Somebody but her follow up single Youre The One I Love was poppier and more upbeat so much better in my humble opinion. Since 2006 shes been writing and producing music for film and TV soundtracks and is a Sunderland AFC ticket holder, for her sins. Cant have a 90s guide to 90s singers without ballad queen Celine and her orange lipstick can we? However, much in the same vein as Neneh Cherry and Gabrielle, she did turn out a few minor soulful pop hits in the shape of Alright and I Like The Way (the lyrics to which are very cheeky). And Ill be perfectly honest there was a long time when I didnt realise her and Delores ORiordan were different people (both bald Irish women). Whitney Houston Mariah Carey Mary J. Blige Toni Braxton Missy Elliot Brandy Aaliyah Vanessa Williams Monica Faith Evans Black Female R&B Singers of the 90s And when she did her album Never Say Never was never far from my 3 disc CD changer. Kele Le Roc was british though and had the number 8 single Little Bit of Lovin in 1998, which was a strong effort (well, I liked it anyway). Have you ever tried to sing along to a Toni Braxton song? In the 90s she released the anthemic Woman which started a move of female empowerment which was later picked up and ran with by the Spice Girls. Oh and in 2009 she released a single Beautiful Lie with my main man Nick Carter, which he sounds amazing on (and looks really fit in the video). If you are a fan of all things pop, you will have a lot to say. I long to one day be as cool as she is. Which is weird. When she went all skinny however and released Its Raining Men she jumped the shark for me and I was out. She was all the rage for a year or so in the mid 90s. Im looking forward to her next offering. Check out Forgot about the World from Gabrielle and Tell Me What You Dream from Rise and you wont be disappointed. I mean, a short paragraph seems arbitrary since Ive written actual full length blog posts about this woman. Beyonc wrote in 2003 that "TLC has influenced just about every female group that's out there . The list below showcases the best female pop singers of the '80s and '90s. So imagine our surprise when she came out as this really cute indie pixie. Biggest pop news in my lifetime (up to that point) so I just flailed around all day hoping that Baby was ok. Confession time now, I actually really loved Look At Me as a single, and Lift Me Up, and Mi Chico Latino. Sleeping Satellite by Tasmin Archer was one of those songs for me when I split up with my first boyfriend. And i 100% guarantee it will be the same song you know.