Top 10 Greatest Female R&B Singers

R&B has been shaped by countless incredible women whose voices have defined generations. From smooth, soulful melodies to powerful anthems of love, heartache, and resilience, female R&B singers have set the bar high with their talent and influence. Some have delivered unforgettable ballads that have stood the test of time, while others have redefined the genre with bold new sounds. Their music has filled dance floors, comforted broken hearts, and soundtracked some of the most important moments in life.

This list celebrates the greatest female R&B singers. Some of these artists have dominated the charts for decades, while others have gained recognition for their undeniable vocal ability, songwriting, or show-stopping performances. No matter the era, their contributions have shaped the sound of R&B and inspired countless artists who followed in their footsteps.

The Top Ten

Whitney Houston

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. Guinness World Records recognized her as the most awarded female artist of all time, with 411 career awards as of 2006, and named her the most awarded female act in 2009.... read more

I once read that Whitney Houston was asked to perform a recording in a studio. Interestingly, the producers requested that Houston not sing the song as powerfully as she usually did because she was just too dynamic. Well, as you have already figured out, Whitney Houston absolutely nailed the recording. The thing that got me was at the end of the recording, she asked, "How's that?" Can you imagine? To be asked to back off during a recording! That is what I call the next level.

Whitney Houston is one of the greatest female vocalists of all time. She is a true legend and deserves every bit of success she had.
She is in a league of her own. The queen.
Mary J. Blige

Mary Jane Blige is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and actress. She signed with Uptown Records in 1989 and released her debut studio album, What's the 411?, in 1992. She has released 15 studio albums, including My Life, The Breakthrough, and Gratitude.

Mary J. Blige is The Queen of Hip Hop Soul, and I think that sentence speaks for itself. This is a list of great female R&B singers, and Mary J. Blige is The Queen of Hip Hop Soul. That means she is the queen of R&B music on this list. She has the ability to make everyone feel her pain and suffering, which gives everybody goosebumps and chills. It is almost scary, like a cult, and I mean that in a good way.

Yes, she is one of the best. I have mad respect for Minnie R., Aretha, Gladys, Patti, and Teena. If I had to choose, it would have to be M.J.B., no doubt! Mary is great, and there's nothing like hearing her sing and feeling every word as if she was singing the song for you. I have been a fan of Mary's since '93. The real queen of hip hop and soul.
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

Come on, she's the Queen of Soul! All these people you have ahead of her are nothing compared to her. I mean, come on, this isn't that hard. Aretha is the Queen! She's always been Lady Soul and always will be. The fact that these people are ahead of Aretha will irritate me to no end! Aretha is true music. These days, people use so much damn autotune that anyone could sound great. Leave the singing to professionals! I mean, comparing Beyoncé and Aretha... come on! Beyoncé is great, but compared to Aretha, she might as well be a newbie!

Aretha can compose music, play the piano, and has a voice of soul. She is truly a great musician. She also can sing anything: classical, jazz, and gospel.
Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey, born March 27, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She's one of the best-selling music artists in history, with more than 220 million records sold worldwide and 19 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, the most by any solo artist.... read more

A true legend, Mariah Carey has a gift from God and is amazingly talented. She has pioneered the way for a lot of younger artists and definitely deserves a spot on this list. She has the most number ones and so many achievements. She's one of the few artists who actually writes her own songs and is involved in every step of the process. Mariah is the Songbird Supreme and a legend! Often imitated, never duplicated.
Looking at the negative comments makes me laugh because all I see is people attacking her looks and saying she just screams. Have a valid argument and let's hear some of you sing. I'll never understand why people dislike her so much.
Beyoncé

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who began her career as the lead singer of Destiny's Child. The group scored multiple Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, including "Say My Name," "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Independent Women Part I," and "Bootylicious." After the group... read more

She is amazing with outstanding vocals, vibrato, note duration, vocal range, and voice control, and she hardly overdoes it. She can sing different genres with ease. She is lovely, beautiful, and a great dancer. Highly respected by not just her fans but other artists and musicians too. She has been very successful on the business side of things, both as a part of Destiny's Child and as a solo artist. She has also successfully broken into the acting career. I admire her, and so do many others.

She is so pretty and has all it takes to be the best. She is a feminist and knows just when she is needed to run the show. She has a voice that captivates with very pleasant vocal cords. A good mom and a kind-hearted lady, she is indeed the best among the rest. When it comes to fashion, she knows just what is needed to make the red carpet tremble. Her success is what keeps me moved. She has got respect for all and is forever grateful to her fans. Love you, Queen B. You are the best.
Alicia Keys

Alicia Augello Cook, born January 25, 1981, and known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, and actress. A classically trained pianist, she began composing music at age 12 and released her debut album, Songs in A Minor, in 2001. Keys has sold more... read more

Her voice inspires every girl on the planet. Her lyrics are the best, and the songs are the most popular in the world. Alicia Keys and her talent make everyone feel better. She lives with music, songs, albums, and sheets.

I believe everything about this woman is beautiful. Her voice, her multiple talents. She is very gifted. As a person who writes music and does music, she is one of my top female R&B artists that I would love to do a song with.

The most talented and inspirational singer I ever had the privilege to listen to. She is what all women should aspire to: hard-working, sincere, and believing in yourself. Alicia Keys, I love your fire.
Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan is an American singer-songwriter whose career has spanned more than five decades. She gained fame in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the funk band Rufus, delivering hits like Tell Me Something Good and Ain't Nobody. Khan has won multiple Grammy Awards and is widely recognized as the Queen... read more

Chaka Khan is very underrated. It's a shame that the masses don't really know what talent this woman holds. She can sing any genre of music. She sings as effortlessly as one breathes or drinks water. In other words, she sings with ease. There is no straining when it comes to Chaka's singing. Her voice is just so very strong. No one can compare to the strength of her voice.
Famous singer Toni Braxton once said she can sing the highest notes without hardly opening her mouth. Famous writer and journalist Steve Ivory stated that Chaka sings as though she has seven lungs. He also continued to say that she just opens her mouth and it just comes out, and that there is no other female or male that comes on with such awesome force. I must say I concur because I have seen Chaka numerous times in concert, and her live shows are electrifying.
Now, there have been times when her shows aren't top-notch all the time, but then again, she is only human, and everyone has an off day every now and then. However, when you catch her when her voice is full of energy, let me tell you, you are in for a hell of a great show. The Queen of Funk/Goddess of Soul will rip the stage and venue down.
Gladys Knight

Gladys Maria Knight, known as the "Empress of Soul," is an American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author. She is best known for her work with Gladys Knight & the Pips. She has won multiple Grammy Awards over the course of her career.

She is amazing and by far among the top two R&B singers. She has nearly sixty years in the business and she is still going strong.

If you want a song to be sung the way it was meant to be, give it to Gladys. She truly is one of the greatest soul singers of all time.

Gladys has the best pure voice. Given the ascension of Adele, it should remind us of what a quality singer Gladys is.
Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger, born Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente on June 29, 1978, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She first rose to fame as the lead singer of the pop and R&B group the Pussycat Dolls. Scherzinger has also appeared as a judge on various talent... read more

Her voice is so great. In some songs, it can turn me on in a sexual way while at the same time bringing tears to my eyes because her voice is so beautiful. Yes, I'm a straight guy. Tears in my eyes when I hear her beautiful voice, like in songs like "I'll Be Your Love," and I am not some guy who cries a lot. I don't cry otherwise, but her voice is so amazing.

Nicole is amazing. She should be in the top under Whitney and Mariah. She is much better than most of these singers today. It beats me how Rihanna is in the top 15. Rihanna isn't even R&B. She's a pop singer who has R&B influences in her songs, but most of her songs are a combination of pop and hip hop. She can't sing anyway. She doesn't even have any real R&B songs. I just can't with Rihanna.
Dionne Warwick

Marie Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress, and television host. She was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and served as a United States Ambassador of Health. Warwick is also known for her string of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, many... read more

One of the very few singers who has total command of melisma, modulation, and communication of emotion without shouting, and the ability to navigate the time signature changes of the Bacharach-David songbook with apparent ease.
She is still recording and touring 50 years after her first hit song, Don't Make Me Over. A five-time Grammy winner and charter of about 60 songs, she is also a great humanitarian, giving back by supporting many causes and charities. The young divas of today should go to YouTube and study Dionne's technique and artistry, for she bridged the gap between R&B, Soul, and Pop and appealed to a wide audience spectrum: Black, White, younger, and older.

The Newcomers

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Solange Knowles

She is such an underrated artist. She deserves more recognition.
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Coco Lee

The Contenders

Aaliyah

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979, and died on August 25, 2001. She was a dancer, actress, model, and R&B singer. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was raised in Detroit, Michigan, and died in a plane crash near Marsh Harbour, Bahamas.... read more

In her short life, she touched and changed the way music was made. She created her own sound and style, making music that everyone could sing to, dance to, get married to, and reflect on.
She had her own style and grace, and she made everyone who came in contact with her feel special. The day she died, we cried and were in disbelief. But she left us something to remember: Get yourself up and try again. Dust yourself off, and don't give up. Try again.
She was our one in a million, and her legacy and music will go on and on. With her style and grace, Miss Aaliyah will always be a classic to those who knew her music and to those who will.

Aaliyah truly is one of the most well-known female R&B artists. Not only has she broken age and racial barriers, but she has also cemented herself as the reigning princess of R&B and the justified Queen of Urban Pop.
In the 90s, with two LPs that were 2x platinum, she was dominating the scene as an R&B star. She is like Janet Jackson due to her evolving and reinvention of herself with her three LPs. She has made Billboard history in the past and, last but not least, used her charm, wit, and beautiful, alluring voice and persona to win the hearts of many in her seven-year career, which to date marks over 20 years since her debut. She continues to inspire many across the R&B genre as well as reach out to people of different music genres.
Patti LaBelle

Patricia Louise Holte, better known by the stage name Patti LaBelle, is an American singer, author, actress, and entrepreneur. She gained fame as the lead singer of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, which later became known as Labelle. LaBelle is widely known as the Godmother of Soul for her powerful... read more

The real underrated Queen of Soul, who has been in the game for over five decades, with the most recognizable and unique voice on the entire list.

What has the world come to when the woman who inspired all of these ladies is not at the top of the list!

The one with the greatest range of all time. She easily goes from high to super high sopranos effortlessly.
Nicole Jackson

Okay, I'm pretty sure most people don't know who this is. I'm just lucky I came across her album on some site last summer. I decided what the heck, I'll give it a listen and was blown away by her amazing voice. It's a shame she only has one album, but it is amazing. She should make a comeback.
Etta James

Etta James was an American singer who performed in a variety of music genres, including blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz, and gospel. She is best known for hits such as At Last and Tell Mama. James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Umm, excuse me, how is Etta James 10? Have you heard the lyrics in her songs? Besides talking about promiscuous activities, she sings about her life, and you don't know if she talks about her love for her man or her love toward her M.I.A. father.

Etta James below Beyonce, Mary J? Are you kidding me? Beyonce's version of At Last didn't come close to Miss James!
Really, people, are you all twelve years old?

From blues, jazz, soul, country, and pop, no one does it like Ms. James, and over a longer span than many (1955-2011).
Anita Baker

Anita Denise Baker is an American singer-songwriter. She began her music career in the late 1970s with the funk band Chapter 8 and released her solo debut album, The Songstress, in 1983. Her second album, Rapture, released in 1986, achieved platinum status and featured the Grammy-winning single "Sweet... read more

Best. Female. Vocalist. Ever.
Just an amazing, amazing voice sent from Heaven. If you've ever heard a choir of angels sing, Anita would be the lead vocalist.
Underrated, extremely talented. "Rapture" is her best album. Buy it, you won't be disappointed. Maybe not the best female singer ever, but definitely the best vocalist, without a doubt.

Anita's voice is unmatched! She has contralto vocals. Her voice can go from alto to high pitch, then take it to church. Classic! She should be a top 5 vocalist!

I have loved Anita Baker since the beginning. Her voice and lyrics speak to all lovers. She's classic.
Lisa Stansfield

This girl is amazing. Oh my gosh, what a voice! She has great music that you can listen to all day. It's that good. It's a shame people like the overrated Beyonce and no-talent having Rihanna get so high on this list.
Kelly Price

Kelly Cherelle Price is a nine-time Grammy-nominated American R&B singer and songwriter. She first gained fame as a backing vocalist for Mariah Carey and later signed with the Def Soul label. Price has released several successful solo albums, including Soul of a Woman and Mirror Mirror.

Hands down, Kelly Price. She can sing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' and make it a hit!
Shanice

Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox, better known as Shanice, is a Grammy-nominated American R&B and pop singer, songwriter, and actress. She is best known for her 1991 hit single I Love Your Smile. Shanice began her career as a child performer and has also appeared in television and theater productions.

How is Shanice not on this list? She goes unnoticed for some reason. It's funny. I saw her on Family Matters and didn't even know of her before that, but she is amazing and should be at least top five. She sings like Janet Jackson, sort of, but much better. Janet should not be this high. She really can't sing that well.

Shanice should be much higher. Beyoncé and Aaliyah are a joke compared to her.
Keyshia Cole

Keyshia Cole is an R&B singer who rose to fame in the mid-2000s with songs like "Love," "Heaven Sent," "I Remember," and "Let It Go." Her music is known for its emotionally direct, hip-hop-influenced sound, which helped her stand out in the genre during that era. Tupac Shakur was one of her major inspirations... read more

Keyshia Cole is one of the greatest voices of all time. I have been a fan of all the greats. But this lady of soul has come through the door and created her own sound and soul. When she sings, it sounds like it's straight from the heart. She is truly not an entertainer but a singer.

I like your new song "Ice". Awesome!

So underrated. Her debut album 'The Way It Is' is one of my all-time favorite albums.
Minnie Riperton

She had the original whistle register. Minnie had exceptional range and was one of the first singers to showcase a sweet and soulful voice. She was Mariah before Mariah existed.
Brandy

Brandy Rayana Norwood, known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, model, and actress. She gained fame in the 1990s with her debut album, Brandy, and the hit single I Wanna Be Down. In addition to her music career, she starred in the television series Moesha and... read more

Brandy is a legend in her own right! Look up her credentials. The things she can do with her voice! She's not called the vocal bible for nothing. I'm surprised she is not at least in the top 10, if not top 5.

Brandy is honestly one of my all-time favorite female R&B singers of the 90s. She is truly the IT girl of 90s R&B Soul. She's a super, and I mean SUPER, talented vocalist and has made so many great songs! Baby is my all-time favorite song of hers. I actually found out about this girl after seeing her on this one show called Moesha.
Sade

Helen Folasade Adu, known professionally as Sade Adu or simply Sade, is an English singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer. She gained international fame as the lead vocalist of the band Sade, which became known for its smooth blend of soul, jazz, and soft rock. Some of the group's... read more

Sade is in a league of her own. Peerless. Listen to her sing Is It a Crime at Live Aid or Pearls. She has style to burn.

Sade is the only one in her league. It's hard to explain why Sade is special without sounding cliched.
Angie Stone

Angela Laverne Stone (née Brown. December 18, 1961 - March 1, 2025) is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, actress, and record producer. She rose to fame in the late 1970s as a member of the hip hop trio The Sequence. In the early 1990s, she became a member of the R&B trio Vertical Hold. Stone later... read more

In my opinion, she is a true soul/neo singer who is featured on the reality series R&B Divas Atlanta.
Faith Evans

Faith Renée Evans (born June 10, 1973) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actress.
Born in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in New Jersey, she relocated to Los Angeles in 1991 to pursue a recording career. Evans initially performed as a backing vocalist for R&B singers Al B. Sure! and Christopher... read more
Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Kate Hudson is an American singer, actress, producer, and television presenter. She rose to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, finishing in seventh place. Hudson went on to win an Academy Award for her role in Dreamgirls and has since earned Emmy, Grammy, and Tony... read more

Jennifer Hudson is clearly a better vocalist than many people on this list. I would rank her number one, above Whitney.

Not sure who is doing the ranking here, but Jennifer out-ranks Beyoncé even on her worst day. Shoot, even if she was hoarse.

She has a beautiful voice on her records, but it's even more beautiful and powerful when she sings live.