The future of music

20 Best 90s Girl Bands (90s Girl Groups)

December 12, 2023
90s Girl Bands

I’ve selected the best 90s girl bands, the iconic girl groups that dominated the decade with their catchy tunes and empowering messages.

This article revisits the harmonies and styles of these trailblazing bands, celebrating their lasting impact on music and culture.

Top 90s girl bands

  • Destiny’s Child
  • Spice Girls
  • TLC
  • All Saints
  • Ace Of Base
  • The Bangles
  • Shakespears Sister
  • Salt-N-Pepa
  • Indigo Girls
  • Babes in Toyland

1. Destiny’s Child

They don’t make them like Destiny’s Child anymore.

The iconic R&B girl group from the late 1990s and early 2000s comprised music icons Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams.

The trio released four studio albums with several chart-topping singles, such as “Say My Name” and “Survivor.”

They are credited with popularizing female empowerment in pop culture and ushering in a new era of female groups.

Despite their split in 2006, they remain one of the best-selling girl bands ever.

2. Spice Girls

Spice Girls are arguably one of the best girl bands of all time.

And one of the most popular acts from the ’90s.

The five-member English band comprised Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, and Melanie Chisholm.

They rose to fame in 1996 with their debut single “Wannabe” and became a pop culture phenomenon in both the U.K. and the U.S.

Throughout their career, Spice Girls sold over 100 million records worldwide and are famously credited with inspiring young girls worldwide.

Their catchy dance songs topped the international charts, securing their place in pop culture.

3. TLC

TLC was one of the most popular R&B girl groups of the ’90s and is known for their conscious lyrics, unique fashion sense, and amazing music videos.

Their debut album, Ooooooohhh…The TLC Tip was released in 1992 and included hits such as “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg” and “What About Your Friends.”

Other successful releases include the band’s multi-platinum album CrazySexyCool, which won 4 Grammy Awards, making TLC one of the best-selling female groups.

4. All Saints

All Saints was an active English girl group from 1993 to 2001 and rose to fame with their cover of the Shocking Blue hit “Never Ever.”

They released two multi-platinum albums, achieving five number-one singles in the U.K., including the international hit “Pure Shores.”

After their 2000 hiatus, they regrouped in 2006 for a comeback album, which spawned the hit single “Rock Steady.”

They were lauded for their eclectic style and dance-inspired songs and are widely considered one of the major influences on the R&B girl groups of the early 2000s.

5. Ace Of Base

The Swedish band, Ace Of Base, is well-known for its infectious bubblegum-pop sound, catchy hooks, and upbeat melodies.

The group was formed in 1990 and is composed of siblings Ulf Ekberg (Joker) and Jonas Berggren (Joy) and sisters Linn Berggren (Lori) and Jenny Berggren (Jane).

The band is best remembered for their smash hits “All That She Wants,” “The Sign,” and “Don’t Turn Around.”

Even though Ace Of Base disbanded in 2003, their classic hits remain staples of radio stations worldwide.

Their success paved the way for many Europop acts in the ’90s, solidifying their name as one of the defining girl bands of the decade.

6. The Bangles

The 1990s was a great decade for female empowerment anthems, and one of the most influential girl bands of the era was The Bangles.

The Los Angeles quartet was formed in 1981 and became a mainstream success in 1985 with their hit single “Manic Monday.”

They released more hits such as “Walk Like An Egyptian,” “Eternal Flame,” and “Hazy Shade of Winter.”

The Bangles were celebrated for their fun, infectious songs, tight harmonies, and no-nonsense attitude, inspiring generations of female artists.

7. Shakespears Sister

Shakespears Sister is a British alternative pop-rock band formed in 1988 by singers Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit.

The band achieved their greatest success with the single “Stay,” which spent eight consecutive weeks at #1 on the U.K. Singles Chart in 1992.

It earned them a Brit Award for Best British Single.

The band’s other hit singles include “I Don’t Care,” “You’re History,” and “Hello (Turn Your Radio On).”

While the musical duo officially disbanded in 1993, they remain an iconic girl band of the ’90s that influenced new generations of female artists.

8. Salt-N-Pepa

Salt-N-Pepa was an iconic rap and hip-hop group that emerged in the late 1980s.

They dominated the charts in the ’90s with hit singles “Push It,” “Shoop,” “Whatta Man,” and “Let’s Talk About Sex.”

The trio made waves with raunchy lyrics, groundbreaking beats, and animated music videos.

They released multiple hits, becoming one of the most popular 90s girl bands.

9. Indigo Girls

Formed in the mid-1980s, the folk-rock duo Indigo Girls are regarded as one of the most popular 90s female bands.

The band comprises Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, best known for their thoughtful, honest lyrics and beautiful harmonies.

The duo rose to fame in 1989 with their self-titled third album and the breakthrough single “Closer To Fine.”

The album peaked at #22 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and launched the Indigo Girls into superstardom.

Throughout the ’90s, the duo consistently released critically acclaimed albums that spawned hit singles such as “Galileo” and “Power of Two.”

Indigo Girls are considered pioneers of the modern folk-rock movement and are still active in the contemporary music scene.

10. Babes in Toyland

Babes in Toyland were an alternative punk-rock trio from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Founded in 1987, the band quickly gained attention in the underground punk scene with its unique sound and energetic live performances.

In 1990, they signed with Reprise Records and released the breakthrough album Spanking Machine, featuring the hit single “Bruise Violet.”

The album established Babes in Toyland as one of the leading alternative bands of the ’90s, earning them a place in history books as one of the decade’s biggest acts.

Although the band split in 2001, its legacy inspires punk fans worldwide.

11. Sleater-Kinney

Sleater-Kinney was one of the most influential American punk-rock bands of the ’90s.

Formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994, the band drew inspiration from riot grrrl culture and the DIY punk scene.

Led by vocalist/guitarist Corin Tucker and vocalist/guitarist Carrie Brownstein, the band fused punk, post-punk, and indie rock elements.

They released seven full-length studio albums throughout the ’90s, each gaining critical acclaim and commercial success.

The band is renowned for its socially conscious lyricism, tight musicianship, and dynamic energy.

Years later, Sleater-Kinney is still influential in independent and alternative rock scenes.

12. The Go-Go’s

The Go-Go’s formed in the late 1970s as one of the first all-female punk-rock bands.

The band’s sound blended pop and punk sensibilities, creating a unique style that cemented their name in the music industry.

Their 1981 album, Beauty and the Beat, catapulted them to international stardom, becoming the first record by an all-female rock group to reach #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

Singles like “We Got the Beat” and “Vacation” were the icing on the cake, making them one of the most commercially successful all-female bands in history.

It’s impossible to ignore the band’s influence on the mainstream market.

And it’s no surprise it got inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

13. En Vogue

En Vogue was another hugely successful girl group in the 1990s, combining jazz, R&B, and hip-hop elements.

Their 1992 debut album Funky Divas went platinum, with smash hits like “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” and “Giving Him Something He Can Feel.”

The ladies of En Vogue were also known for their powerful vocal performances and inspiring fashion statements.

14. Hole

Hole was formed by Courtney Love and featured guitarist Eric Erlandson and bassist Kristen Pfaff.

The grunge rockers shot to fame with their 1991 debut album, Pretty on the Inside, garnering praises from critics and alternative music fans.

Their follow-up album, Live Through This, cemented their place in the alternative music landscape.

The critically acclaimed record produced fan favorites like “Miss World” and “Doll Parts,” which received heavy rotation on MTV.

Building on initial success, the American alternative rock band released more songs until they disbanded in 2002.

15. The Chicks

The Chicks, formerly The Dixie Chicks, was an all-female country music band.

Despite the name, the group’s sound evolved from traditional country music to a blend of bluegrass and alternative rock.

Their 2002 album, Home, spawned several hit singles, including “Long Time Gone” and “Wide Open Spaces.”

The Chicks have become icons in the country music scene and are praised for their activism and timeless music.

16. Innosense

Innosense was an American teen-pop girl group that enjoyed mild success in the late 90s.

After minor chart success with their 1999 self-titled debut album, they achieved mainstream recognition with their 2001 single “Say No More,” peaking at #17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The group also had several other singles and collaborated with numerous artists, including 98 Degrees and Justin Timberlake.

Though they disbanded in 2003, the band members share a strong bond and frequently reunite for charity events and concerts.

Many people argue that the group members were only teenagers when they disbanded.

But there’s no doubt they are a beloved part of the ’90s girl-band culture.

17. Blaque

Blaque was an R&B girl group from the late ’90s with several hit songs, including their breakout single “808.”

The group featured celebrated singers and childhood friends Natina Reed, Shamari Fears, and Brandi Williams.

They released two albums in 1999 and 2002, with several charting singles becoming fan favorites.

Blaque’s music is often praised for its modern yet soulful sound and optimistic lyrics about embracing yourself and celebrating life.

The group disbanded in 2003, but its timeless message has always remained relevant.

18. Bikini Kill

Bikini Kill was an influential rock group formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1990.

The group became a cornerstone of the early-90s punk movement.

Their music was heavily influenced by feminism and explored topics of female empowerment.

They released several E.P.s and singles and two full-length albums in their 10-year run, including 1993’s groundbreaking debut studio album, Pussy Whipped.

19. 7 Year Bitch

7 Year Bitch was a punk/grunge group formed in Seattle in 1989.

Their 1994 album Severance Package attracted positive reviews and was certified gold for selling over 500,000 copies.

The group’s sound was rooted in punk, combining garage, grunge, and metal elements.

They became famous for their brash and sexually charged lyrics and intense live performances.

7 Year Bitch had an impressive roster of supporting acts, including Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Hole.

The group announced their split in 1997 due to personal differences, but their legacy lives on through modern grunge bands.

20. Elastica

Elastica was a British rock group formed in London in 1992.

The band members blended punk, post-punk, and new-wave elements.

Elastica’s 1995 debut album became a worldwide success, selling over 1.2 million copies.

Singles from the album, such as “Connection” and “Stutter,” put the British rock group on par with other celebrated 90s girl bands.

Despite disbanding in 2001, many modern indie-rock bands cite Elastica as a major influence on their careers, thanks to their unique blend of musical styles.

Best 90s Girl Bands – Final Thoughts

There’s no doubt these legendary girl bands left their mark on 90s music.

They got everything you’d expect from a celebrated girl band and will be remembered for their bravery in a male-dominated music industry.

From Destiny’s Child to Spice Girls, we hope you find a favorite group from our list of high-profile 90s girl bands. 

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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