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30 Best 90s Female Singers (Most Popular & Famous)

December 8, 2023
90s female singers

I’ve gathered the most popular and famous best 90s female singers, artists who defined a decade with their groundbreaking talent and unforgettable hits.

This article celebrates the voices and stories of these iconic women who left a lasting impact on the music scene of the 1990s.

Top 90s female singers

  • Celine Dion
  • Mariah Carey
  • Madonna
  • Alanis Morissette
  • Aaliyah
  • Sinéad O’Connor
  • Gwen Stefani
  • Christina Aguilera
  • Beyoncé
  • Shakira

1. Celine Dion

One of the best female singers of the 90s, Celine Dion has a breathtaking voice that is unparalleled. 

She was one of the top singers of her decade and her songs have remained popular to this day. 

Celine Dion has sold over 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling artists. 

Her most iconic songs include “My Heart Will Go On” and “Because You Loved Me”. 

She has won five Grammy Awards and numerous other awards throughout her career.

2. Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. 

Carey got famous in the early 1990s with her five-octave vocal range and melismatic singing style. 

Her most famous song from the 1990s is “Hero”, a power ballad released in 1993. 

The song was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries and becoming one of Carey’s signature songs.

3. Madonna

She is widely considered one of the most influential figures in pop music and popular culture. 

Madonna first rose to prominence in the 1980s and continued to have success in the 1990s. 

She is known for her daring and provocative image, as well as her innovative approach to music and music videos. 

Some of her most famous songs from the 1990s include “Vogue,” “Justify My Love,” “Frozen,” and “Ray of Light.”

4. Alanis Morissette

There’s no denying that Alanis Morissette was a great female singer of the 90s era. 

With her amazing voice and chart-topping songs, she quickly rose to the top. 

After her 1995 album Jagged Little Pill hit the shelves, Alanis Morissette became an international superstar. 

The album featured songs like “You Oughta Know” and “Ironic” and has since been certified Diamond by the RIAA for selling over 33 million copies worldwide.

5. Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s career began when she was only 12 years old, singing on the TV show Star Search in 1991. 

She quickly gained recognition for her R&B, pop, and hip-hop-influenced music, becoming one of the 90s top singers. 

Her second album, One in a Million, released in 1996, cemented her status as a popular and successful artist. 

Her third album, Aaliyah, posthumously released after her tragic death in 2001, proved to be just as popular and successful as her first two albums.

6. Sinéad O’Connor

Sinéad O’Connor rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s with her unique, powerful voice and often controversial public image. 

O’Connor is known for her passionate and political lyrics, as well as her confrontational performances. 

Her most famous song from the 1990s is “Nothing Compares 2 U” a cover of a Prince song that became a worldwide hit in 1990 and helped establish her as a major star.

7. Gwen Stefani

She was the lead vocalist of the ska punk band No Doubt. 

After the success of No Doubt’s breakthrough album Tragic Kingdom (1995), Stefani launched a successful solo career. 

She is known for her distinctive voice, eclectic fashion sense, and energetic live performances.

Some of her most famous songs from the 1990s include “Don’t Speak,” “Just a Girl” and “Spiderwebs.

8. Christina Aguilera

As a popular female singer of the 90s, Christina Aguilera stands out as the decade’s leading singer.

With her beautiful voice, Aguilera was able to captivate audiences with her powerful and unique sound. 

She has released hit songs such as “Genie In A Bottle” and “Beautiful”, which have become classics to this day. 

Christina Aguilera remains a true symbol of the decade’s musical power and excellence.

9. Beyoncé

Beyoncé was born in Houston, Texas in 1981, she started singing and performing at a young age and joined Destiny’s Child when she was just 16 years old. 

After Destiny’s Child disbanded, Beyoncé launched a successful solo career and has since become one of the most successful female musicians. 

Beyoncé has won numerous awards and accolades, including 22 Grammy Awards.

10. Shakira

Shakira took the world by storm with her unique blend of Latin-inspired pop, rock, and R&B music. 

Shakira rose to international fame in 1995 with her breakout album Pies Descalzos, which catapulted her to stardom with hit singles like “Estoy Aqui”, “Donde Estas Corazon”, and “Ciega, Sordomuda”. 

Shakira’s career since then has been nothing short of remarkable. She’s released many more albums, earned numerous awards, and sold millions of records. 

11. LeAnn Rimes

Rimes was just 13 years old when she released “Blue,” and her powerful, soulful voice quickly made her a sensation. 

Over the next several years, Rimes continued to release successful albums and singles, and her music crossed over into the pop charts as well. 

She is known for her powerful voice and her ability to blend country, pop, and blues influences in her music. 

Some of her most famous songs from the 1990s include “How Do I Live”, “Looking Through Your Eyes”, and “Big Deal.”

12. Lauryn Hill

No list of the best female singers of the 90s would be complete without Lauryn Hill. 

Hill was a true pioneer in the 90s, showing the world that she was a powerhouse vocalist with an amazing voice. 

Hill was among the top singers of the 90s, producing several timeless hits such as “Doo Wop (That Thing)”, “Ex-Factor” and “Killing Me Softly”.

13. Whitney Houston

When it comes to the best female singers of the 90s, there is no one who can compare them to Whitney Houston. 

Known for her superb voice and captivating performances, Houston is among the most prominent female singers of the decade, and her influence continues to resonate today. 

Houston was a trailblazer in the music industry and her singles and albums achieved global success. 

Her hits “I Will Always Love You”, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” topped charts across the world.

14. Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue started her career in the late 1980s and early 1990s as an actress on the popular Australian soap opera “Neighbours”. 

Minogue later transitioned to a successful music career, and her debut album, “Kylie” (1988), was a hit in her native Australia and the UK. 

She is known for her distinctive voice, high-energy dance sound, and flamboyant fashion sense. 

Some of her most famous songs from the 1990s include “Better the Devil You Know”, and “Step Back in Time”.

15. Shania Twain

Shania Twain is a Canadian singer and songwriter, she started singing at a young age and released her first album, Shania Twain, in 1993

However, it was her breakthrough album The Woman in Me (1995) that established her as a major star, with its blend of country, pop, and rock influences, combined with her powerful voice. 

The album was a huge commercial success and helped to launch Twain’s career.

16. Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is a member of the famous Jackson family, However, it was her solo career that established her as a major star in her own right. 

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Jackson released a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums that showcased her powerful voice and her ability to blend R&B, pop, and dance influences in her music. 

She has won multiple Grammy Awards and other accolades, and she is widely regarded as a successful female pop star.

17. Sheryl Crow

Crow’s breakthrough album, Tuesday Night Music Club (1993), was a huge commercial success and helped to establish her as a major star. 

The album featured several hit singles, including “All I Wanna Do” and “Strong Enough,” and it won several Grammy Awards. 

In addition to her musical career, Crow is also known for her activism and her involvement in various social and environmental causes.

18. Britney Spears

Britney Spears is undoubtedly one of the top singers of the era. 

Her powerful voice and iconic hits have made her a timeless figure in the music industry, making her a top choice for many 90s music fans. 

From her powerful ballads to her signature dance anthems, Britney showcased an amazing vocal range that few artists could rival. 

She managed to consistently reach new heights with each album she released, cementing her place among the 90s top singers.

19. Annie Lennox

Annie Lennox is a Scottish singer, songwriter, and philanthropist. 

She was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1954 and rose to prominence as the lead singer of the influential 1980s synth-pop duo Eurythmics. 

With her powerful and soulful voice, Lennox quickly established herself as one of the leading female pop stars of the decade, and she won several awards. 

Some of her most famous songs from the 1990s include “Why”, “Walking on Broken Glass” and “Little Bird.”

20. Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple grew up in a musical family, with her father being a jazz drummer and her mother a singer. 

She began playing the piano at a young age and writing her own songs as a teenager. 

Apple’s debut album, Tidal, was released in 1996 when she was just 19 years old. 

The album was an instant success, thanks in part to the hit single “Criminal” which received widespread success. 

The album was praised for its powerful and soulful vocals, its introspective and deeply personal lyrics, and its intricate and emotional songwriting. 

21. Alicia Keys

She has an attractive voice that can easily hit the high notes and stay strong in the low range.

Her most popular songs from the 90s include “Fallin”, “A Woman’s Worth”, and “If I Ain’t Got You”. 

Alicia Keys’ soulful melodies, passionate lyrics, and incredible range have made her one of the top singers of the 90s.

22. Gloria Estefan

Gloria Estefan has been a prominent figure in the music industry for several decades, and her career has spanned several genres and styles.

She is considered one of the leading ambassadors of Latin music and has helped to popularize and promote the genre to a global audience. 

Estefan has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time.

23. Jennifer Lopez

With hits such as “If You Had My Love”, “Waiting for Tonight”, and “I’m Real”, she dominated the charts throughout the 90s and early 2000s. 

Her ability to blend R&B, Latin pop, hip-hop, and dance-pop styles made her one of the most popular female singers of the era. 

In addition to her success as a musician, Lopez also found success as an actress and entrepreneur. 

Her legacy continues to this day, making her among the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry.

24. Kate Bush

With her unique style and captivating stage presence, she became the most famous singer of the decade. 

Her use of distinct vocal techniques helped her craft memorable songs that showcased her range and talent. 

Her experimentation with unusual instruments and themes also helped to make her stand out as one of the 90s’ most daring and progressive artists. 

Her hits include “Wuthering Heights”, “Running Up That Hill” and “The Man With the Child in His Eyes”.

25. Missy Elliott

Elliott first gained recognition as a rapper and producer on the albums of other artists, and she quickly established herself as one of the leading figures in the hip-hop community. 

She released her first solo album, Supa Dupa Fly, in 1997, which was a commercial success. 

Missy Elliott has won several awards and accolades for her contributions to the music industry, including multiple Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

26. Avril Lavigne

She quickly rose to become one of the 90s top singers and captured the hearts of music fans everywhere. 

Her catchy hooks, heartfelt lyrics, and punk rock attitude defined her sound and made her stand out in the pop music scene. 

Hits like “Complicated”, “Sk8er Boi”, and “My Happy Ending” were among her most popular songs and still remain timeless classics today.

27. Nicole Wray

Nicole Wray’s breathtaking voice earned her the title of one of the 90s best singers, and she is still highly famous today. 

She is most well-known for her R&B hits like “Make It Hot” and “I Can’t See”. 

Nicole was signed to Missy Elliott’s record label, The Goldmind Inc., and released her debut album Make It Hot in 1998.

28. Lydia Lunch

Hailing from New York City, Lydia Lunch is among the great female singers of the 90s. 

Along with her heart-touching vocals and immense talent, she was considered an extraordinary female singer of the decade. 

As a part of No Wave and post-punk music, she achieved great success with her songs “Atomic Bongos” and “I Wanna Be Your Dog”.

29. Natalie Imbruglia

Natalia Imbruglia rose to fame in 1997 with her hit single “Torn”, which earned her an MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video. 

Her songs have earned her recognition from music critics and fans alike. 

Her debut album, Left of the Middle, was certified double platinum in Australia and achieved great success in the UK and the US.

30. Robin Beck

Robin Beck’s upbeat sound and soulful songwriting made her a true favorite among 90s music fans. 

She was also a great live performer, drawing enthusiastic crowds with her energy. 

Beck released several albums during the 90s, including Trouble or Nothin‘ and Do You Miss Me, both of which earned her recognition and critical acclaim.

90s Female Singers – Final Thoughts

The 1990s saw some of the best female singers to ever grace the music world. 

From Celine Dion and Whitney Houston to Karen Carpenter and Joni Mitchell, this list contains amazing voices from that era. 

Each singer has made a lasting impression in their own right, with many still being considered some of the best female singers. 

With so much talent, it’s hard to pick just one 90s top singer, but one thing is certain – the decade will go down in history as one of the most influential times for music.

Related Articles:

Best 80s Female Singers

Will Fenton

Will, the founder of MIDDER, is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for music and personal finance. As a self-proclaimed music and personal finance geek, he has a keen eye for futuristic technologies, especially those that empower creators and the public.

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