Greatest Female R&B Singers
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 million records sold worldwide. She released seven studio albums and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification. I once read, W. Houston was asked to perform a recording in a studio. Interesting however, was the request by the producers.W. houston was asked not to sing the song as powerful as she had sung it because she was just to dynamic. Well of course as you have already figured out.W. houston absolutely nailed the recording. The thing that got me was at the end of the recording she asked "How's that". Can you emagine? To be asked to back off during a recording! That is what I call the next level. Tylarik, "that's Real Music" Google Tylarik
She is the greatest and should be ranked 1. Her voice is second to none beyonce dionne warwick, mary j blige, chaka khan, beyonce and all others are below her shoes. And where is jennifer hudson and celine dion they should be ranked top 3. I can't believe you put charice and alicia keys on top 15 their voices sucks
She is the best all time. Aretha Franklin is good too and had a longer career but Whitney man Whitney her voice was beautiful. She hits all the notes and perfectly. Never has anybody else given me more goosebumps or bring me to tears more then when she sang. I felt it
Whitney should be #1 or 2 on any list of "soul" singers, period. Her vocal abilities were incomparable, regardless of what one might think of her material. Along with Aretha and Chaka Khan, she was the master of this genre.
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. Mary J. Blige is The Queen Of Hip Hop Soul and I think that sentence only speaks for itself because this is a R&b List of Great R&B female singers and Mary J. Blige is The Queen Of Hip Hop Soul so that means she is the (Queen) of R&B music on this List, and has the ability of making everyone feel her pain and suffering and it just gives everybody Goosebumps and the Chills, it is almost scary, 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, 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 ever 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.
Raw, raspy, soulful, street, gospel, real, an authentic artist. She's the blue print to all female singers that came after her. She inspired the veterans before her to embrace hip hop culture. She's more than an icon, more than a Queen, more than a legend. Mary J Blige is an R&B Goddess.
I have to Mary J as well for she has kept the past relevant, the future today and rolled it all into the present. She is the reason why R&B still exists cause it was fading. From Faith Evans to Keyshia Cole to Sam Smith this woman has inspired so many and still is.
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 amazing, outstanding vocals & vibrato, note duration, vocal range, 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, as both a part of destinys child and a solo artist. She has also successfully broke into the acting career. I admire her, and so do many others.
She is so pretty and has got 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 mum 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 greatful to her fans. love you Queen B. you are the best
I love beyonce she is stylish and some times unique in her own ways. The song best I never had was great the video was plain but she found a way to make it creative and fun.
She does everything from singing to producing her own music videos. If it were up to me I would want everyone in this world to be just like her.
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 sexy poses and for having breast implants. She is also known to be a diva, and she is well known for her high-demands. She won 5 Grammys and starred in her documentary movie "Glitter." Mariah Carey started her fame by releasing her song, Vision of Love and also released her first album "Mariah Carey" but before that, in 1988, she accompanied Brenda K Starr, a rising pop singer in the 80s to Columbia ...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 and she's one of few artist that actually writes her own songs and that 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 arugmuent and let's hear some of you sing. I'll never understand why people dislike her so much.
As a vocalist she is exepcional. We cannot forget all the tricky complicated melodies she wrote and the styles of melisms that influenced all a generation. She is the pupil of Stevie Wonder, a great singer and composer.
Definitely her songs changed a lot from Soul, R&B, to Pop...
Maybe she doesn't have the same quality of music and voice nowadays but we have to recognize her and her more than 20 years of career and talent
Amazing, brilliant, legendary singer- songwriter. powerful, woman amazing talnted artist that worked hard for many years and saved many people lives, With legendary titles, awards and hits in the first place, a successful Christmas song (and an album), a lot of sales, successful albums, inspiration for the music industry for people, and other singers.
Mariah is the definition of a true artist who never fails to impress. She is just beyond beautiful and beyond talented. Her five octave range is unsurpassable and very pleasant to the ear.
Alicia Augello Cook, known by the pseudonym Alicia Keys, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Alicia Keys is so powerful with her music I listen to her music like everyday and some of her songs are so underrated and unwatched these newer songs are pushing her back to the unknown.
Her voice inspires every girl on the planet. Her texts 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 talent. She is very gifted. As a person who write music and do music she is one of my top female R&B artist 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 believe in your self. Alicia Keys I love your fire.
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.
Referred to as the "Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". With global sales of over 75 million records, Franklin is one of the best-selling music artists from the second half of the 20th century to the present. 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 Peopole use so much Damn Autotone that anyone could sound Great Leave the singing to Professionals! I mean Comparing Beyonce and Aretha I mean Come on! Beyonce 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.
CMOON Who is voting. Aretha has the best voice ever. Rolling stone has her number one representing all music. Youtube one of her old songs and you will see.
Greatest powerful and sensual voice out there her singing ability made you believe the mood of the song was for real.
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/r&b group The Pussycat Dolls. Her voice is so great...in some songs it can turn me own in a sexual way while at the same time bring tears to my eyes because her voice is so beautiful. Yes I'mma 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
She has a great vocal range and strong voice and is truly an amazing singer who should have more diva songs to release of her own. Her talent is often missed because of her beauty and personality on TVs.
Many might not know, but Nicole can play the piano. She has a voice of soul and is truly a great musician. She also can sing classical, musical theater, opera, r&b/soul, pop, and Jazz.
Marie Dionne Warrick is an American singer, actress and TV-show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health. One of the very few singers who has total command of melisma, modulation, 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 You Tube and study Dionne's technique and artistry, for she bridged the gap between R&B,
Soul, and Pop and she appealed to a wide audience spectrum - black, white,
Younger and older.
One of the very best singers of the 20th century and still recording and touring well into the 21st! One of three great singers born on December 12th in Manhattan's Jersey suburbs, the other two being Frank Sinatra and Connie Francis.
No way! She sounds horrible. I can not believe she would be listed as number 1 when there are amazing singers like diana ross and aretha franklin.
An amazing lady I have admired for 50 odd years and it radiates from the inside out!
Gladys Maria Knight, known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian and author. She is amazing and by far among the top two are and be 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 on of the greatest soul singers of all time.
Gladys is the best pure voice. Given the ascension of Adele, it should be a reminder of what a quality singer Gladys is.
Glady Knight and Aretha Franklin go hand in hand, they should be nothing less than 1 and 2.
Chaka Khan is an American singer-songwriter whose career has spanned four decades, beginning in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. 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 like one breathing or drinking water. In other words she sings so easy. 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 most highest notes without hardly opening her mouth. Famous writer and journalist Steve Ivory said that Chaka sings as though she has 7 lungs. He also continued on to say 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 ...more
Chaka has a very rare voice. Second to no one Chaka can take notes to where all others can only dream. Her range is incalculable. And when I say her voice is rare I mean it ranks with Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn. She can sing anything and has the vocal ability to sing in 8 genres. I am sorry but "Ain't Nobody" can do it like Chaka.
Chaka is a vocal master! She can mimic any instrument, She can take a song that is either written or sung by someone else and not only make it her own but she can make you feel it so deep in your spirit its like euphoria. She Beautiful, a Philosopher, and from meeting and speak with her... SHE"S 100% REAL yet still humble within. She not afraid to give you honesty in everything she does and music in the purest form... It gets no better that THE QUEEN OF FUNK... THE CHAKA KHAN!
Chaka ranks with up there with Aretha with her sheer power and vocal range.
She is very underrated. One of the best female vocalist ever...
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...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.
Patricia Louise Holt-Edwards better known under the stage name Patti LaBelle, is an American singer, author, actress, and entrepreneur. 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 of greatest ranges of all time. Easily goes from high to super high sopranos effortlessly.
Ummm, I'm not going to belittle the artists listed prior to her but I'll say 1. Pure talent 2. Career longevity 3. Live performances 4. Name recognition
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. Time to make a lot of people mad. I'm sorry, Aaliyah is not a great vocalist, vocally she is on Ciara's level. If she were alive she would not be looked on as such a great singer by people. Rest in peace though. There's no denying that Age Ain't nothing' But a Number was an amazing album (mostly to R. Kelly's production/adlibs), but an amazing singer she is not. Not hating or saying she is trash...just telling the truth. She is not a bad artist like rihanna or anything like that but she is not a good singer either. She is a good artist maybe but not a good vocalist if that makes sense.
Aaliyah truely is one of the most well known female R&B Artists. Not only has she broken an Age barrier and Racial barrier. But cemented her self as the reigning princess of R&B. As well the justified Queen of Urban Pop.
In the 90's with 2 LP's 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 3 LP's. She has made billboard history in the past as last but not least used her charm, wit, & beautiful alluring voice and persona to win the hearts of many in her 7 years career which to date marks 20+ years since her debute. She continues to inspire multiple across the R&B genre aa well as reach to other people of different music genres.
Aaliyah sadly is not number one because she was at a time where she was going to be OUT OF THIS WORLD huge! And come face to face with Beyonce but due to her death in 2001 at just aged 22, she didn't get that big chance. However, just in her teenage years to young adult years, she showed a great level of maturity in every single way and was still very modest but truly fantastic! Her dance skills were WOW! I'm still glad she's higher than Beyonce on the list. Mary J. Blige is the greatest but I'd put Aaliyah as no.2!
The reason Aaliyah should be on this list, is because she helped create a new genre of music. She was the one that started a classically trained voice over a hip-hop beat. Always pushing to be better, changing her image, and even her sound. She was always one step ahead of the game. Music that is still valid to this day. You can't deny her star power, her name alone creates a buzz even in this present day, not many people can hold that.
Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox, better known as Shanice, is a Grammy-nominated American R&B/pop-rock singer, songwriter, and actress. How is Shanice not on this list...she goes unnoticed for some reason...funny I saw her on Family Matters 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 lol...Janet should not be this high...she really can't sing that well
Shanice should be much higher, beyonce and Aaliyah are a joke compared to her.
Kelly Cherelle Price is a six-time Grammy-nominated American R&B singer and songwriter, formerly on the Def Soul label. Hands down Kelly Price. She can sing twinkle twinkle little star and make it a hit!
This girl is amazing...oh my gosh what a voice...and she has great music that you can listen to all day...it's that good...it's a shame people like overrated beyonce and no-talent having rihanna get so high on this list
In my opinion she is a true Soul/Neo Singer who is featured on a reality series R&B Divas Atlanta.
How could you leave her off!
Keyshia Cole is an r&b diva who was popular in the mid 2000's with songs like "Love", "Heaven Sent", "I Remember" and "Let It Go." Keyshia's r&b is known for it's 'hood' edge to it, and a lot of this is due to one of her biggest inspirations being Tupac Shacur. 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 thru the door and created her own snd and soul.. When she sings it snds like its straight from the heart, she is truly not an entertainer but a singer
Like your new song "Ice" Awesome!
So underrated her debut album 'The Way It Is' is one of my all time favourite albums
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. Jennifer Hudson is clearly a better vocalist than a lot of people on this list. I would rank her #1 above Whitney.
Not sure who the heck is doing the ranking here but Jennifer out ranks Beyonce on her worst day...shoot even if she was horse
Beautiful voice on her records, but more beautiful and powerful when she sings live.
Whitney Houston over Jennifer Hudson you serious, someone is Tone, never mind...
Etta James was an American singer who spanned a variety of music genres including blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz and gospel. 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 to 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 cone 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)
Come on faith
Teena Marie is my soul sister. I love her from my toes to the hairs on the top of my head. There will never, ever be another singer, song-writer, producer like Teena Marie; she is a LEGEND. She will truly be missed, but never, ever forgotten. I have followed her career from the very beginning. In tribute to her, I painted my interpretation of the cover of her first album. I love Teena Marie, she is Beautiful, just like the name of her album which was released on January 15th, 2013. She planted the seed of writing the songs, laying down the recordings, and her daughter, Alia Rose, watered and nurtured that seed into a blossoming album called Beautiful; including a song (Beautiful) written for Alia. The album is a 10; I am in love with every song on the CD.
There has never been another voice that could come close to comparing with Teena's. I have been a fan of Teena Marie since her first album and she will always be my favorite female vocalist. This lady has a voice that is impossible to duplicate but she never got the credit or rewards she deserved for her amazing talent. How many other female r&b singers wrote he own songs, produced and played some of the instruments that are used in
Her music. This lady is an incredible talented artist and she is missed and loved by all of her fans, friends and family.
Teena Marie is the most underrated singer of all time in my opinion. I seen her live twice and she sounded perfect, it was like I was listening to her cd. She had the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. My all time favorite song of hers is Happy with Rick James. Whoever is reading this do yourself a favor and look it up... Incredible... Man I miss her.
RIP Teena Marie, you were and will always be my favorite singer of all time. You are truly missed.
Thank you for the beautiful music that will forever live on!
Teena Marie has inspired and influenced many current female singers including Beyonce. She worked her butt off, but didn't sell out and always remained true to herself and the people who were influential in her life and career. Teena was and remains the most under-rated female singer, writer, musician, in many of our lifetimes. She was gifted with a truly beautiful, powerful and individual voice and personality. She is the greatest!
KATHY SLEDGE! Seriously, come on people, she's one of the most talented ladies to ever get near a microphone. She doesn't even need one. Her sweet and powerful raspy voice is unmatchable. Just listen to sing 'We Are Family' once and know why that song will live forever. Also, her album 'Heart'(1992) will melt yours.
Her voice is exceptional. Such power but at the same time moving, clear and with masses of personality which many current singers seem to lose over sterile slickness.
Keep up the good work Kathy and get some new tracks out to us asap!
I've had the opportunity to see her perform multiple setting to include: theatre, jazz, and R&B. She has any amazing talent in all areas of vocal performance. And yes, of we know the iconic song of We Are Family.
Vote for Kathy Sledge, she definitely should be top 20 or higher. Her talent is exceptional. Probably better than some that are in the top 10 now. From an iconic singing family.
Brandy Rayana Norwood, known professionally by her mononym Brandy, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, model, and actress. 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.
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
I've been A HUGE fan since I was a little kid! I Love this woman! Her music, her voice, everything about her takes me to brighter places! I'm thankful for this woman!
#22. That's really shocking. She should be top 10. Girl has accomplished so much and80% of the industry is influenced by her voice. Not to mention she's the vocal bible
Jill Scott is an American singer-songwriter, model, poet and actress. Her 2000 debut, Who Is Jill Scott? Beautiful voice, powerful lyrics and humble presence!