The 20 Best Female Singers of the 90s

The 1990s were a great time for music. There were so many talented female singers who blessed us with their amazing voices and stunning performances. These women left an indelible mark on the music industry and continue to inspire fans around the world!

In this article, we will take a look at the 20 best female singers of the 90s.

1. Celine Dion

Celine Dion needs no introduction. The Canadian singer-songwriter is one of the most successful and influential artists of all time. Her voice and her ability to connect with her fans are undeniable. Dion rose to prominence in the early 1990s with her English debut album, “Unison”, which went on to sell more than 4 million copies worldwide.

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. There’s no doubt that she’s one of the best female singers of the 1990s – and of all time.

2. Alanis Morissette

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 Morissette’s place as one of the decade’s most successful artists.

The 90s was a great time for female singer-songwriters, and Morissette was one of the best. Her impact on the music industry is still felt today and she set the standard for what a successful female artist could be.

3. Mariah Carey

The 90s was a decade full of incredible music and there were plenty of talented female singers making their mark on the charts. Mariah Carey was one of the most successful artists of the decade, and her voice was truly unique. She could hit unbelievably high notes and had a massive range, belting out hits like “Vision of Love” and “Hero.”

She made history as the first female to debut with 5 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, and she went on to have an incredibly successful career. Carey is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with more than 220 million records sold worldwide. There’s no doubt that she helped shape the sound of pop music in the 1990s.

4. Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is one of the most successful artists of all time, with multiple Grammy Awards and Platinum-selling albums. She has a voice that you would instantly recognize and she knows how to connect with fans in an undeniable way.

She has also been a powerful force for social change, using her platform to speak out about issues like racism, sexism, and homophobia. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Janet Jackson is also an incredible dancer, choreographer, and actress. 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.

5. Kylie Minogue

The 90s saw the rise of many talented female singers who went on to have highly successful careers. Among them was Kylie Minogue, who got her start in the Australian soap opera “Neighbours” before making her debut as a pop singer in 1988. Throughout her career, she has sold more than 80 million records and earned countless awards, including Grammy, Brit, and ARIA nominations.

She rose to fame in the early 90s, recording various hit songs. In addition to her musical accomplishments, she is also known for her fashion sense and has been named one of the most stylish women in the world. Her popularity shows no signs of waning, and she remains one of the most beloved female singers of the past few decades.

6. Brandy (Brandy Norwood)

Though she only released her debut album in 1994, Brandy quickly established herself as one of the leading voices of the 90s. 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.

In the years that followed, Brandy continued to wow listeners with her powerful vocal performances. 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. Today, Brandy is widely considered to be one of the best female singers of the 90s.

7. Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani was one of the biggest stars of the 1990s, thanks to her work as the frontwoman of No Doubt. 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.

In addition to her work with the band, Stefani also released several solo albums, including the hugely successful “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.” Stefani’s solo career has continued to be successful in the 21st century, but she will always be remembered as one of the defining voices of the 1990s.

8. Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge was one of the most successful singer-songwriters of the decade. Her hits “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window” launched her into superstardom, and she quickly became one of the most popular female artists of the decade.

She had a powerful voice that could convey a wide range of emotions, and her songwriting was incredibly honest and relatable.  Even though she hasn’t had quite as much success in recent years, her 90s output is still highly revered by fans and critics alike. Etheridge is a true legend, and there’s no doubt that she belongs on this list.

9. Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton was one of the most successful R&B singers of the 1990s. She released her debut album in 1993, and it quickly shot to the top of the charts thanks to hits like “Another Sad Love Song” and “Breathe Again.”

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. Her voice was smooth and her music was both sensual and empowering. Braxton remains an iconic figure in the world of R&B, and she is still beloved by fans all over the world.

10. Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill is undoubtedly one of the best female singers of the 90s. 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. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” tackled difficult subjects like heartbreak and motherhood with brutal honesty, and its impact was universal.

Her unique blend of R&B, soul, and hip hop set her apart from her contemporaries, and she quickly became a role model for young women all over the world. More than two decades after its release, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” remains one of the most remarkable albums of the 90s.

11. Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera burst onto the scene as a teen with her debut album, “Christina Aguilera”, which topped the charts and made her an instant star. Before that, she was best known as a star of “The Mickey Mouse Club” and the singer of “Reflection”, the hit song from Disney’s Mulan.

Aguilera’s powerful voice and incredible range made her one of the most popular singers of the 1990s, and she quickly became a global superstar. She still continues to slay the stage today, but there’s no denying that her 1990s output was truly exceptional.

12. Britney Spears

Britney Spears is often hailed as the Princess of Pop, and for good reason. With hits like “…Baby One More Time” and “Oops!… I Did It Again,” she quickly became a global superstar. Her catchy melodies and danceable beats were impossible to resist, and she remains one of the most successful artists of all time. 

She was also a master of reinvention, constantly evolving her image and sound to stay fresh and relevant. 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.

13. Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow emerged in 1993 with her debut album, “Tuesday Night Music Club”. With her unique blend of folk, rock, and country influences, Crow quickly carved out a niche for herself in the music world. Her gutsy vocals and down-to-earth songwriting style resonated with fans, and her popularity steadily grew throughout the decade.

By the end of the 90s, Crow had established herself as one of the most successful female artists of her generation, with multiple Grammys and hit singles to her credit. In retrospect, it’s clear that Sheryl Crow was one of the best female singers of the 90s.

14. ‎Shania Twain

Shania Twain was one of the most successful country singers of the decade, and her crossover appeal helped to broaden the genre’s reach. The Canadian singer-songwriter released her debut album in 1993 and quickly found success with hit songs from her album.

Twain’s sound was a unique mix of country, pop, and rock, and she had a knack for writing catchy hooks that appealed to a wide range of listeners. By the end of the decade, she was one of the best-selling artists in the world.

15. Shakira

You can’t deny that Shakira is one of the most talented female singers of all time. The Colombian singer-songwriter rose to prominence in the late 1990s with her unique brand of Latin pop. Her breakthrough album, “Dónde Están los Ladrones?” catapulted her to international stardom, and she has continued to enjoy success throughout her career.

Shakira is known for her sultry voice and her ability to fuse a variety of genres, including Latin, pop, rock, and hip hop. She is considered the Queen of Latin Music, and it’s easy to see why.

16. Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with more than 200 million records sold worldwide. She was also one of the most successful female singers of the 90s, with seven consecutive number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Houston’s voice was truly unique, with a powerful range that could convey both emotion and strength. With hit songs like “I Will Always Love You” and “Saving All My Love For You,” she left a lasting impression on the music world. Houston’s impact on the music industry is still felt today, and she remains an inspiration to many aspiring vocalists.

17. Madonna

Another superstar on the list is the material girl herself, Madonna. She was one of the most popular female singers of the 1980s, and her popularity only grew in the 1990s. Madonna was known for her provocativeness and her willingness to push boundaries, both musically and visually.

She also had a knack for writing catchy pop songs that were impossible to resist. With hits like “Vogue” and “Like a Prayer,” Madonna cemented her place as one of the most iconic female singers of the decade.

18. Mandy Moore

While there were many talented vocalists during this era, some stood out more than others. Mandy Moore is one such singer. She first came to prominence with her debut album, “So Real”, which was released in 1999. The album spawned the hit single “Candy,” which helped to launch Moore’s career.

Since then, she has released several successful albums and singles. While her musical style has evolved over the years, Moore has always remained true to her pop roots, delivering catchy and hook-filled songs that have resonated with fans around the world.

19. Monica

Monica is a Grammy-winning R&B singer who first rose to prominence in the 1990s. She released her debut album, “Miss Thang”, in 1995, and the album quickly went platinum. Monica followed up this success with a string of hit singles, including “The Boy Is Mine” and “For You I Will.”

She has continued to enjoy success throughout her career, releasing several successful albums and singles. Monica is known for her soulful voice and her ability to connect with her fans through her music.

20. Cher

Wrapping up the list is Cher, a legendary singer, and actress who has been in the entertainment business for over 50 years. 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.

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.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, the 20 best female singers of the 90s. These talented women helped to shape the sound of the decade, and their influence is still felt today. There are many other great female singers from the 90s, but these 20 women are truly the best of the best!

Celine Dion Featured Image (Top-Left) by: Anirudh Koul, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mariah Carey Featured Image (Top-Right) by: WBLS, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Celine Dion Featured Image (Bottom-Right) by: jenniferlinneaphotography from Denver, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brian Clark

Brian Clark

I’ve been a writer with Musician Wave for six years, turning my 17-year journey as a multi-instrumentalist and music producer into insightful news, tutorials, reviews, and features.

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