No matter what era you explore in music, there are always standout female singers who have left their mark.
And the 90s was no different, as there were many popular female singers of the decade who released some great music. Be it with their pop and rock anthems or their alternative sound, these female singers all brought something special to the table.
So, it’s only right to give them their due credit and honor the great female singers of the 90s. From those who were a part of girl groups to solo artists, here are some names you may recognize and others that you need to get familiar with.
Top Best Female Singers of the 90s
There are many great female singers out there, but these 10 ladies mentioned below have truly left their mark on the music industry. They’ve sung some of the most memorable and well-loved songs in history, and their voices have touched millions of hearts.
Note: This list is based on nothing but the highest album sales, commercial success, and overall popularity.
- Madonna
- Celine Dion
- Mariah Carey
- Britney Spears
- Christina Aguilera
- Kylie Minogue
- Shakira
- Shania Twain
- Alanis Morissette
- Aaliyah
Country Female Singers of the 90s
Females in country music have been around since the beginning. In fact, one of the first commercially successful country artists was a woman named Maybelle Carter.
But, it wasn’t until the late 1970s and early 1980s that female country artists started to gain widespread popularity.
And, in the 90s, females in country music reached new heights with the success of artists like Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and LeAnn Rimes.
These singers not only had great voices but also broke down barriers and helped to change the face of country music. Without them, country music wouldn’t be what it is today.
Here are some of the most popular female country singers of the 1990s.
- LeAnn Rimes
- Shania Twain
- Trisha Yearwood
- The Judds
- Martina McBride
- Dixie Chicks
- Faith Hill
- Kathy Mattea
- Lisa Brokop
- Mindy McCready
90s Female R&B Singers
Imagine a world without Beyonce, Rihanna, or Alicia Keys. It’s hard to do, right?
Well, if it weren’t for the success of female R&B singers in the 1990s, these ladies might not be where they are today.
The 90s saw the resurgence of R&B music, and female singers like Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, and Whitney Houston were at the forefront.
These ladies ruled the airwaves with their soulful voices and smooth harmonies and helped to make it one of the most popular genres of the decade.
While each singer had her own unique sound, they all shared a similar flair for drama and emotion in their music. Telling stories of love and heartbreak that resonated with listeners. Not to mention, their songs still hold up to this day and continue to be popular among fans of classic R&B music.
- Mary J. Blige
- Whitney Houston
- Toni Braxton
- Aaliyah
- Vanessa Williams
- Lauryn Hill
- Brandy Norwood
- Monica Arnold
- Faith Evans
- Kelly Price
Black Female Singers of the 90s
Not all great female singers of the 1990s were white. In fact, there were many black female singers who made a name for themselves in the music industry.
Of course, they had to face the added obstacle of racism, but they persevered and made a place for themselves in the music world.
From R&B and soul to hip-hop and pop, these ladies brought a new level of soul and passion to their music that was unmatched by any other artist of the decade.
Among the most popular black female singers of the 1990s were Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, and Lauryn Hill.
While each singer had her own unique style, they all shared a common thread of success. Selling millions of records and winning numerous awards worldwide.
- Macy Gray
- Whitney Houston
- Erykah Badu
- Lauryn Hill
- Mary J. Blige
- Janet Jackson
- Toni Braxton
- Tracy Chapman
- Brandy Norwood
- Kelly Rowland
Alternative Female Singers of the 90s
In the early 1990s, alternative music was on the rise. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden were gaining popularity, and the Seattle scene was becoming well known. However, there was another side to the alternative music scene in the 90s that often gets overlooked. This was the female-led alternative music scene.
Although not as popular as their male counterparts, these ladies brought a new level of energy and attitude to the genre.
Some of the most popular were Tori Amos, Bjork, Alanis Morissette, and Liz Phair. Each singer had her own unique sound, but they all pushed boundaries and challenged the status quo.
Tori Amos, in particular, was one of the most controversial and outspoken singers of the decade. With songs that addressed rape, religion, and politics, she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind.
While her music wasn’t always commercially successful, she developed a cult following among those who appreciated her raw talent and honesty.
- Gwen Stefani
- Courtney Love
- PJ Harvey
- Fiona Apple
- Björk
- Tori Amos
- Liz Phair
- Alanis Morissette
- Dolores O’Riordan
- Kathleen Hanna
90s Female Pop Singers
Throughout history, there have been many great female pop singers. But, the 1990s was a particularly strong decade for the genre.
With the introduction of new technologies, like MTV and CDs, pop music became more accessible to people around the world. And, female singers like Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera took advantage of this.
With their flashy clothes, catchy hooks, and sexy dance moves, these ladies knew how to put on a show. Their music was fun and upbeat, and their videos were often filled with controversy.
But, despite the criticism, they persevered and became some of the most successful singers of the decade. Selling millions of records and gaining a global fanbase.
- Mariah Carey
- Christina Aguilera
- Jennifer Lopez
- Britney Spears
- Kylie Minogue
- Gina G
- Mya Harrison
- Sarah McLachlan
- Sade Adu
- Anastacia
90s Female Rock Singers
Women have blessed the rock world with their talents for decades. And the 90s were no exception. With the grunge scene on the rise, there was a new appreciation for raw talent and emotion in music.
And, female singers like Courtney Love, Shirley Manson, and Paige Hamilton were at the forefront of this movement.
Whether they’ve been acknowledged for it or not, these ladies have made a significant impact on the rock music scene of the 90s. And, we can see their influence in recent artists like Halsey, Billie Eilish, and Lana Del Rey.
What’s more, their songs still hold up to this day and continue to be popular among fans of classic rock music.
- PJ Harvey
- Courtney Love (Hole)
- Tanya Donelly ( Throwing Muses, The Breeders, Belly)
- Gwen Stefani (No Doubt)
- Bjork
- Liz Phair
- Donita Sparks (L7)
- Shirley Manson (Garbage)
- Jill Cunniff (Luscious Jackson)
- Juliana Hatfield (The Blake Babies, Juliana Hatfield Three)
90s One Hit Wonder Female Singers
There was a string of one-hit wonders by female singers in the 90s. These women were typically singers who had limited experience in the music industry and were launched into fame with a single song.
But, while these artists may have only had one hit song, they made a lasting impression on the music world. And, their songs are still popular today, nearly 30 years later.
Among the most popular one-hit-wonder female singers of the 90s are Chumbawamba, Natalie Imbruglia and Meja. Each artist had a different style, but they all achieved massive success with their one-hit song.
- Trisha Yearwood (How Do I Live)
- Natalie Imbruglia (Torn)
- Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black (When I Said I Do)
- Chumbawamba ( Tubthumping )
- Sinéad O’Connor ( Nothing Compares 2 U )
- Oleta Adams (Get Here)
- Meja (All ‘Bout the Money)
Forgotten Female Singers of the 90s
This decade has been full of amazing female singers. But, there are always a few that get left behind. These are the forgotten female singers of the 90s.
Some of these ladies had moderate success in the music industry, but they never quite made it to the top. Others were highly talented but didn’t have the right opportunity to showcase their skills.
And, while they may not be as well-known as some of the other female singers on this list, they’re still worth mentioning.
So, without further ado, here are the forgotten female singers of the 90s.
- Brandy Norwood
- Tracy Chapman
- Mandy Moore
- Sarah McLachlan
- Alanis Morissette
- Meredith Brooks
- Paula Cole
- Shawn Colvin
- Jewel
- Fiona Apple
- Monica
90s British Bands with Female Singers
There’s something special about a British band with a female singer. Maybe it’s the accent, or maybe it’s the fact that they just seem to ooze cool.
Whatever the case may be, these bands were some of the most popular of the 90s. And, they continue to be popular today, nearly 30 years later.
Some of the most popular British bands with female singers include Elastica, Garbage, Eurythmics, and The Pretenders.
Here are some more.
- Emma Anderson (Lush)
- Louise Wener (Sleeper)
- Justine Frischmann (Elastica)
- Skin (Skunk Anansie)
- Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders)
- Lauren Laverne (Kenickie)
- Saffron (Republica)
- Shirley Manson (Garbage)
- Kelli Ali (former singer – Sneaker Pimps)
- Shelly Poole (Alisha’s Attic)
90s Female Tejano Singers
Tejano music is a genre of music that originated in Texas and is heavily influenced by Mexican culture.
The term “tejano” refers to the people of Texas, who are of Spanish descent. The first tejano music recordings were made in the early 1920s, and the genre reached its peak in the 1990s.
During this time, there were many female singers who helped popularize tejano music. Some of these singers include Selena Quintanilla-Perez, Graciela Beltran, and Lisa Lopez.
Tejano music is still popular today and has been embraced by both Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Americans.
- Elida Reyna
- Selena Quintanilla
- Laura Canales
- Esmi Talamantez
- Shelly Lares
- Jennifer Peña
- Rebecca Valadez
- Gloria Estefan
- Suzette Quintanilla
- Thalía Sodi
- Alejandra Guzmán
Canadian Female Singers 90s
Canada is known for many things like maple syrup, hockey, and cold winters. But, it’s also home to some of the best female singers in the world.
These talented singers include Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Alanis Morissette, and Sarah McLachlan.
Celine Dion in particular was one of the biggest stars in the world during the 1990s. Born in Quebec, she rose to fame with her 1990 album Unison and went on to sell over 200 million records.
Shania Twain is another Canadian female singer who achieved massive success in the 90s. She is the best-selling female artist in country music history and has won five Grammy Awards.
This itself shows that Canada is a hotbed for talented female singers and is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
- Nelly Furtado
- Celine Dion
- Anne Murray
- Shania Twain
- Alanis Morissette
- Joni Mitchell
- Sarah McLachlan
- Vanity
- k.d. lang
- Lara Fabian
Hot 90s Female Singers
How do you define “hot?” Is it based on looks, talent, and personality? or a combination of all three?
Well, we’ll leave that up to you to decide.
But, one thing is for sure these female singers mentioned below were not only talented but they were also considered to be some of the hottest women in the world.
To name a few, we have Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera.
These ladies were not only at the top of their game in the 90s, but they’re still killing it today.
- Madonna
- Aaliyah
- Mya Harrison
- Gina G
- Liv Kristine
- Jennifer Lopez
- Kylie Minogue
- Tori Amos
- Britney Spears
- Shakira
90s Female Folk Singers
Folk music in its truest form is music that is passed down from generation to generation.
It’s a genre of music that is often associated with acoustic instruments and storytelling.
And, while the 90s may not have been the peak of folk music, there were still a number of talented female singers making great music.
Some of these singers include Jewel, Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris, and Natalie Merchant.
What’s interesting is that many of these singers started their careers in the 80s, but they continued to have success in the 90s with their folk music.
- Patty Griffin
- Cerys Matthews
- Kate Rusby
- Beth Gibbons
- Shawn Colvin
- Jill Gibson
- Iris DeMent
- Suzy Bogguss
- Rebecca Pidgeon
- Tracy Chapman
90s Alternative Rock Female Singers
Since the inception of rock music, there have been many different subgenres that have emerged.
One of these subgenres is alternative rock, which became popular in the early 1990s.
Alternative rock is a type of rock music that usually has a more mellow sound and is often characterized by introspective lyrics. Not to mention its DIY ethic that was made popular by bands like Nirvana.
And while this genre is heavily dominated by male artists, there are a number of talented female singers that killed it in the 90s.
Here are ten of those singers :
- Neko Case
- Carrie Akre
- Amy Lee
- Sarah McLachlan
- Anneke van Giersbergen
- Juliana Hatfield
- Donita Sparks
- Jenny Lewis
- Kate Pierson
- Annie Lennox
90s Female Soul Singers
Singing from the soul is a term that is often used to describe singers who pour their heart and soul into their music.
And, there were many female singers in the 90s who did just that.
Some include Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, and Diana Ross.
These ladies have soothed, empowered, and inspired us with their music and have left a lasting impression on the world.
In fact, Whitney Houston is the only artist to have seven consecutive number-one Billboard Hot 100 hits.
And, Mariah Carey is the only artist to have nineteen number-one Billboard Hot 100 singles. That’s pretty impressive!
- Amy Winehouse
- Chaka Khan
- Diana Ross
- Roberta Flack
- Alicia Keys
- Mary J. Blige
- Whitney Houston
- Jill Scott
- Angie Stone
- Toni Braxton
Conclusion
So, there you have it, folks. A list of some of the most popular female singers of the 90s.
Did we miss anyone? Well, we don’t think so. But, feel free to add your own suggestions in the comment section below.
And, if you’re a fan of any of these singers, then be sure to check out their music. You won’t be disappointed.
We hope that you enjoyed this article and that you learned something new. If so, then be sure to share it with your friends and family.
Thanks for reading!
