Since the 90s were a decade filled with amazing R&B music, it’s only right that we pay tribute to the women who made it all possible.
Be it through their powerhouse vocals, sultry melodies, or simply by being trendsetters in the industry, these ladies helped to shape R&B into the genre we know and love today.
And while there are far too many talented women to include them all, we’ve rounded up a list of 100 of the best female R&B singers of the 90s. From household names like Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to lesser-known but equally talented artists like TLC and Monica, these are the women who defined R&B in the 90s.
Top Best Female R&B Singers of the 90s
There are so many great female R&B singers from the 90s, but these 10 artists are truly the cream of the crop. These ladies were directly or indirectly responsible for some of the greatest R&B hits of the decade, and their influence can still be felt today.
- 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
Not all of the best female R&B singers of the 90s were white. In fact, many of the most successful and talented R&B artists of the decade were black women.
Of course, they had to contend with racism and discrimination, but they persevered and carved out a place for themselves in the industry. From Alicia Keys to Anita Baker, these are the black female R&B singers who defined the 90s.
- Beyoncé
- Mariah Carey
- Alicia Keys
- Tracy Chapman
- Jill Scott
- Anita Baker
- Lauryn Hill
- Kelly Rowland
- Sade Adu
- Grace Jones
90s Female R&B Singers One Hit Wonders
Every era the industry has its share of one-hit wonders, and the 90s were no different. There were plenty of talented female R&B singers who only managed to score a single hit, but their contributions should not be overlooked. Although their time in the spotlight was brief, these women helped to make the 90s one of the greatest decades for R&B music.
That said, here are 10 of the best female R&B singers of the 90s one-hit wonders.
- Freak like Me by Adina Marie Howard
- He’s Mine by MoKenStef
- Centipede – Rebbie Jackson
- My Love Is the Shhh! by Somethin’ for the People (ft.Trina & Tamara)
- Swing My Way – K. P. & Envyi
- Heard It All Before – Sunshine Anderson
- Tell Me – Groove Theory
- Get Here – Brenda Russell
- Chante’s Got a Man – Chanté Moore
Early, Mid, Late 90s Female R&B Singers
The 90s were a lengthy decade, and the R&B landscape changed quite a bit over the course of those 10 years. In the early 90s, New Jack Swing was all the rage, while the mid-90s saw the rise of Hip Hop Soul.
And by the late 90s, a new crop of singers emerged on the scene. Groups like Destiny’s Child and TLC became popular with their catchy hooks and upbeat sound.
At the same time, solo artists like Aaliyah and Monica continued to dominate the charts with their soulful ballads.
Regardless of when they emerged, all of these artists helped to make the 90s one of the greatest decades for R&B music.
Early 90s Female R&B Singers
- Aaliyah
- Rhona Bennett
- Tamar Braxton
- Toni Braxton
- Missy Elliott
Mid 90s Female R&B Singers
- Agnez Mo
- Namie Amuro
- Melissa Bell
- Tanya Blount
- Brandy Norwood
Late 90s Female R&B Singers
- Alicia Keys
- Sunshine Anderson
- Beyoncé
- Trina Broussard
- Elise Estrada
Hispanic R&B Female Singers of the 90s
Although often overshadowed by their black and white counterparts, there were a few Hispanic R&B female singers who achieved mainstream success in the 90s.
Selena was one of them. Known for her powerful voice and upbeat music, Selena was a pioneer for Hispanic artists in the mainstream music industry. She released several successful albums and paved the way for other Hispanic female singers, before her untimely death in 1995.
Another successful Hispanic R&B singer of the 1990s was Gloria Estefan. She started her career as a member of the Miami Sound Machine and achieved mainstream success with her solo albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Gloria is still active in the music industry and has released several new albums in recent years.
Lastly, Shakira is another notable Hispanic R&B singer who achieved mainstream success in the 1990s.
Here are some more who contributed to the genre:
- Gloria Estefan
- Selena
- Jennifer Lopez
- Mariah Carey
- Christina Aguilera
- Shakira
90s Solo Female R&B Singers
There’s no doubt that the music industry is a collaborative effort. Musicians rely on one another to create beautiful music, and audiences enjoy hearing different voices and styles come together. However, solo artists are the backbone of the music industry. They are the ones who drive innovation and creativity, and their work often lays the foundation for new trends in popular music.
And while the 90s was a decade defined by collaboration, it was also a time when many solo female R&B singers achieved mainstream success.
Here are some of the bests.
- Angie Stone
- Deborah Cox
- Keyshia Cole
- Jill Scott
- Gwen Stefani
- Janet Jackson
- Diana King
- Shanice
- Nicole Wray
- Jennifer Lopez
British Female R&B Singers 90s
In the United States, when one thinks of R&B singers, the first names that come to mind are usually Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Beyoncé.
However, over in the United Kingdom, there was a different crop of R&B singers who were making waves in the early 1990s. These women were just as talented and successful as their American counterparts. Unlike American singers, they wrote their own material and brought a fresh perspective to the R&B genre.
Here are a few of the best British female R&B singers of the 90s.
- Mica Paris
- Lamya
- Beverley Knight
- Lisa Stansfield
- Sade Adu
- Caron Wheeler
- Alison Moyet
- Alice Russell
- Marsha Ambrosius
- The Floacist
- Michelle Gayle
Canadian Female R&B Singers of the 90s
The United States isn’t the only country with talented female R&B singers. In fact, Canada has produced some of the most successful and popular R&B artists of the past few decades. And 90s was a particularly successful decade for Canadian female R&B artists.
One such artist is Celine Dion. She started her career in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until the release of her album “The Colour of My Love” in 1993 that she achieved international superstardom. Celine has remained one of the most popular and successful female R&B singers of all time and has sold over 200 million records worldwide.
Here are some more Canadian female r&b artists from the 90s.
- Deborah Cox
- Jully Black
- Tamia
- Zaho
- Toya Alexis
- Esthero
- Celine Dion
Famous Female R&B Singers of the 90s
What makes a female singer famous? Is it their voice? Their looks? Their personality? Or is it their ability to connect with their fans and create music that resonates with them on a deep level?
For many of the female R&B singers on this list, it is all of the above. These women are not only talented singers, but they also have the charisma and star power to captivate audiences around the world.
Here are some more famous female R&B singers of the 90s.
- Whitney Houston
- Aretha Franklin
- Chaka Khan
- Janet Jackson
- Patti LaBelle
- Erykah Badu
- Diana Ross
- Tina Turner
- Jill Scott
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is 90s best female r&b singer?
If you look at the list above you will see that there are many great female R&B singers of the 90s. However, if we had to choose one, we would say that Whitney Houston is the best female R&B singer of the 90s. She was an incredible talent with a powerful voice that was unmatched by any other singer of her time.
