Top 10 Best Black Female Music Artists of All Time

This list is a reflection of the phenomenal talent that has shaped the music industry over decades, where each artist has delivered exceptional performances and has been an inspiration to many. These powerhouses of talent and creativity span various music genres like R&B, hip hop, pop, soul, jazz, and blues, among others.

Dive in, explore the richness of these artists' works, and don't forget to vote for your favorites. Let's honor the immense contributions they've made and the enduring legacy they've built in the world of music
The Top Ten
1 Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston is one of pop music's best-selling music artists of all-time, with an estimated 170–200... read more

Whitney had a unique recognizable voice that had depth and height in octaves. Her songs are like stamps...forever!

Whitney is and will always be the greatest. A voice with that power, soul, and emotional depth will never be again...

She paved the way for Beyoncé and Alicia Keys... No disrespect to Alicia or Bey, I love them too.

2 Beyonce Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, is an American singer and actress, who started out in the popular pop/r&b girl group Destiny's Child. They had multiple top 5 hits such as "No, No, No", "Say My Name", "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Survivor", "Independent Women", "Bootylicious", and "Jumpin', Jumpin" from... read more

She is a singer, dancer, performer, and producer. She can only be matched by the greats like Mariah and Whitney. She's is the greatest singer of this generation by far. Forget Ariana, who is a Mariah wannabe, and the others who think they can perform like Beyoncé. She is queen.

She is the best singer in the whole world! She shows confidence, beauty, and toughness! She's awesome, the best female, and her daughter and husband! She gives me confidence!

3 Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister... read more

Aretha, Etta, and Gladys... The trifecta of exquisite vocal instrumentation, from the heart, from the gut, from the soul.

4 Mariah Carey Mariah Carey, born March 27, 1970, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is one of the biggest best-selling women in the music industry, with 18 number 1 records to her name. She is regarded as a sex symbol through her songs and music videos, and she is "well known" for her over-the-top... read more

Hold up, she is black? Did not see that coming.

Though good artist.

She looks white...but doesn't matter what race she is I love her so much.

5 Alicia Keys Alicia Augello Cook, known by the pseudonym Alicia Keys, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress.

Even she disappointed me by taking that woman's husband (Swizz stop - I still love you both), she is the greatest example of female excellence. Smart, beautiful, and can read, write, and play music and multiple instruments. She defines what we strive for our daughters to be (without the taking another woman's man part). Still love you, Keys (smooches).

Incredible and doesn't get as much respect and acknowledgement as she deserves.

My husband was out of town and sent one of her songs to me.

6 Janet Jackson Janet Jackson is a singer and dancer who is well known for her sexually graphic records, iconic performances, and slightly weak voice. She is regarded as a sex symbol through her songs and videos.

The best female dancer of all time. She broke multiple barriers and multiple records in her 20-something years. She can only be touched by Aaliyah, in terms of dancing.

She pioneered what it means to make a visual album.

Come on! She should be higher! Janet is a legend.

7 Patti LaBelle Patricia Louise Holt-Edwards better known under the stage name Patti LaBelle, is an American singer, author, actress, and entrepreneur.

Patti has had her moments when she was right up there with the big three.

8 Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes Lisa Nicole Lopes better known by her stage name Left Eye, was an American rapper, singer, dancer, musician, and songwriter. She was apart of the hit girl group, TLC. She was born May 27th 1971 in Philadelphia and died April 25th 2002 in a car accident during her stay in Honduras.
9 Mary J. Blige Mary Jane Blige is an American singer, songwriter, rapper and actress. She started her career as a backing singer on Uptown Records in 1989. She has released 13 studio albums, eight of which have achieved multi-platinum worldwide sales.
10 Tina Turner Tina Turner, née Anna Mae Bullock, was a singer, dancer, actress and author, whose career spanned more than half a century, earning her widespread recognition and numerous awards.
The Contenders
11 Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian-American pop singer. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, she first entered the music industry by recording demo tapes under the direction of record producer Evan Rogers in 2003. She ultimately signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning... read more

Rihanna is hot and makes great music. She has done very well so far, and she should be in the top 5. Young and Beautiful.

What! Rihanna should be in the top 5. Gosh, people don't know how to vote.

She's broken more records than all of these other girls!

12 Queen Latifah Dana Elaine Owens, known professionally by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, model, television producer, record producer, comedian, and talk show host.

She's so beautiful, so talented, so fierce, and dope. I love her energy!

13 Missy Elliott Melissa Arnette Elliott is an American musician, hip hop recording artist, dancer and record producer.
14 Anita Baker Anita Denise Baker is a retired American singer-songwriter. Starting her career in the late 1970s with the funk band Chapter 8, Baker eventually released her first solo album, The Songstress, in 1983. In 1986, she rose to stardom following the release of her platinum-selling second album, Rapture, which... read more

Such an amazing voice, so talented, a legend, and icon!

15 Diana Ross Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, actress, and record producer. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ross rose to fame as the lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes.

Set the standards. Not only opened the door but walked right through it!

16 Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins
17 Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas
18 Toni Braxton Toni Michele Braxton was October 7th 1967 in Severn, Maryland the oldest of six siblings.She has sold 67 million records worldwide. She is been named the ''Queen of R&B'' and has one of the most distinctive voices of the late 20th century.
19 Etta James Etta James was an American singer who spanned a variety of music genres including blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz and gospel.
20 Pamela Williams
21 Rasheeda
22 Jennifer Hudson Jennifer Kate Hudson is an American singer, actress and spokesperson. She rose to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, coming in seventh place.
23 Aaliyah Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16th 1979 and died August 25th 2001. She was a dancer, an actress and an R&B singer. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, raised in Detroit, Michigan and died at Marsh Harbour, Bahamas... read more

WHAT? Aaliyah at no 28? Who made this list for real..? Aaliyah is the greatest.. Even Beyonce knows..

She is a pioneer and a legend in R&B. She had it all; singing, dancing, and acting. I'm glad that we had her while we did. Rest in peace Princess of Urban Pop. "Baby Girl, better known as Aaliyah"

24 Sheila E
25 Nicki Minaj Onika Tanya Maraj, known professionally as Nicki Minaj (born December 8, 1982) is a Trinidadian/American rapper / pop music artist. Minaj is most known for her songs such as "Anaconda", "Super Bass", "Starships" and her feature on "Bang Bang"... read more

This is the all-time queen. Should have topped the list before Missy or Latifa. Bite me!

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