The 90s were a golden era for R&B, with female artists dominating the charts and shaping the sound of a generation.

Many music fans agree that this decade produced some of the most talented and influential women in R&B history. 

This blog post promises to take you on a musical journey through the 90s, highlighting more than 35+ iconic female R&B singers who left an unforgettable mark on the genre.

We’ll explore their standout hits, unique vocal styles, and lasting impact on the music industry.

Get ready to revisit the smooth vocals, catchy hooks, and soulful melodies that defined 90s R&B.

Top Female R&B Singers of The 90s

1.Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige is known as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” blending R&B with hip-hop, and has had a lasting influence on both genres.

• Birth Date: January 11, 1971
• Major Albums: What’s the 411?, My Life, Share My World
• Major Achievements: Nine Grammy Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2.Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton’s deep, sultry voice made her one of the most iconic voices of the 90s, with hits like “Un-Break My Heart.”

• Birth Date: October 7, 1967
• Major Albums: Toni Braxton, Secrets, The Heat
• Major Achievements: Seven Grammy Awards, numerous Billboard Awards

3.Aaliyah

Aaliyah was a trendsetter with a smooth voice, known for her innovative style and blending of genres.

• Birth Date: January 16, 1979
• Major Albums: Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number, One in a Million, Aaliyah
• Major Achievements: Multiple MTV Video Music Awards, credited with redefining R&B

4.Brandy

Brandy’s career spanned music and television, with hits like “The Boy Is Mine” and her role on Moesha.

• Birth Date: February 11, 1979
• Major Albums: Brandy, Never Say Never, Full Moon
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award, four Billboard Music Awards

5.Monica

Monica’s powerful vocals helped make “Don’t Take It Personal” and “Angel of Mine” memorable R&B classics.

• Birth Date: October 24, 1980
• Major Albums: Miss Thang, The Boy Is Mine, After the Storm
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award, Billboard Music Awards

6. Whitney Houston

One of the best-selling artists of all time, Whitney Houston’s unforgettable voice made her a global superstar.

• Birth Date: August 9, 1963
• Major Albums: Whitney, I’m Your Baby Tonight, The Bodyguard Soundtrack
• Major Achievements: Six Grammy Awards, over 200 million records sold

7.Faith Evans

Faith Evans was a key figure in Bad Boy Records and is known for her soulful hits, such as “Soon As I Get Home.”

• Birth Date: June 10, 1973
• Major Albums: Faith, Keep the Faith, Faithfully
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award, recognition as one of the top female R&B artists of the 90s

8.Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey dominated the 90s with her five-octave range, delivering numerous number-one hits.

• Birth Date: March 27, 1969
• Major Albums: Mariah Carey, Music Box, Daydream
• Major Achievements: Five Grammy Awards, 19 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

9.Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill gained fame with the Fugees, and her solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill became a cultural milestone.

• Birth Date: May 26, 1975
• Major Albums: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
• Major Achievements: Five Grammy Awards for a single album, including Album of the Year

10. Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu is a pioneer of the neo-soul movement, known for her unique voice and artistic expression.

• Birth Date: February 26, 1971
• Major Albums: Baduizm, Mama’s Gun
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award for Best R&B Album, credited with shaping neo-soul

11.Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson became a cultural force in the 1990s with her iconic performances and blending of pop and R&B.

• Birth Date: May 16, 1966
• Major Albums: janet., The Velvet Rope
• Major Achievements: Five Grammy Awards, recognized as one of the most successful female artists

12.Chanté Moore

Chanté Moore’s smooth ballads and impressive vocal range made her a standout in the R&B world.

• Birth Date: February 17, 1967
• Major Albums: Precious, A Love Supreme
• Major Achievements: NAACP Image Award, critical acclaim for her vocal abilities

13.Angie Stone

Angie Stone is a key figure in the neo-soul movement, blending traditional R&B with contemporary elements.

• Birth Date: December 18, 1961
• Major Albums: Black Diamond, Mahogany Soul
• Major Achievements: Grammy nominations, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist

14. Adina Howard

Adina Howard gained fame with her edgy hit “Freak Like Me,” which became an anthem for female empowerment.

• Birth Date: November 14, 1973
• Major Albums: Do You Wanna Ride?
• Major Achievements: Platinum album, hit singles in the U.S. and abroad

15. Tatyana Ali

Tatyana Ali, known for her role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, also succeeded as an R&B singer in the 90s.

• Birth Date: January 24, 1979
• Major Albums: Kiss the Sky
• Major Achievements: Platinum-certified debut album, hit single “Daydreamin'”

16.Tamia

Tamia’s smooth vocals and soulful performances earned her recognition in the R&B scene.

• Birth Date: May 9, 1975
• Major Albums: Tamia, A Nu Day
• Major Achievements: Grammy nominations, successful R&B singles like “So Into You”

17.Deborah Cox

Deborah Cox’s powerful voice made her a standout in 90s R&B, especially with her hit “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here.”

• Birth Date: July 13, 1974
• Major Albums: Deborah Cox, One Wish
• Major Achievements: Multiple Juno Awards, critical acclaim for vocal range

18.Mýa

Mýa rose to fame in the late 90s with her smooth vocals and successful debut single, “It’s All About Me.”

• Birth Date: October 10, 1979
• Major Albums: Mýa, Fear of Flying
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, numerous top 10 hits

19.Kelly Price

Kelly Price became known for her powerhouse vocals, both as a solo artist and a background vocalist for major acts.

• Birth Date: April 4, 1973
• Major Albums: Soul of a Woman, Mirror Mirror
• Major Achievements: Grammy nominations, multi-platinum certified albums

20.Teena Marie

Teena Marie, known for blending R&B, soul, and funk, was a major force throughout her career, including in the 90s.

• Birth Date: March 5, 1956
• Major Albums: Ivory, Passion Play
• Major Achievements: Grammy nominations, paved the way for other female artists blending genres

21. Tracie Spencer

Tracie Spencer gained fame as a teen star in the early 90s with her hit single “Tender Kisses.”

• Birth Date: July 12, 1976
• Major Albums: Make the Difference
• Major Achievements: Billboard Award for Best R&B Single, youngest female artist to achieve a number-one hit at the time

22.Joi Elaine Gilliam

Joi was influential in blending R&B with alternative rock, bringing a unique sound to the 90s music scene.

• Birth Date: January 25, 1972
• Major Albums: The Pendulum Vibe, Amoeba Cleansing Syndrome
• Major Achievements: Influenced future artists in blending R&B with other genres, critical acclaim

23.Pebbles

Pebbles found success with her hit singles in the late 80s and early 90s, including “Girlfriend.”

• Birth Date: August 29, 1964
• Major Albums: Pebbles, Always
• Major Achievements: Platinum-certified albums, managed TLC during their rise to fame

24.Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan, though already an established star in the 70s and 80s, continued to influence R&B in the 90s with her timeless voice.

• Birth Date: March 23, 1953
• Major Albums: The Woman I Am
• Major Achievements: Ten Grammy Awards, recognized as the “Queen of Funk”

25. Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams transitioned from a successful acting career to music, delivering soulful hits like “Save the Best for Last.”

• Birth Date: March 18, 1963
• Major Albums: The Comfort Zone, The Sweetest Days
• Major Achievements: Grammy nominations, Billboard Music Awards, multi-platinum albums

26.Lisa Fischer

Lisa Fischer is best known for her Grammy-winning hit “How Can I Ease the Pain” and her work as a background vocalist for major artists.

• Birth Date: December 1, 1958
• Major Albums: So Intense
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance

27.Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell Ndegeocello was a pioneer in the neo-soul genre, blending jazz, R&B, and rock into her music.

• Birth Date: August 29, 1968
• Major Albums: Plantation Lullabies, Peace Beyond Passion
• Major Achievements: Grammy nominations, widely recognized for expanding the boundaries of R&B

28.Sybil

Sybil found success in the late 80s and early 90s with her smooth voice and covers of classic hits.

• Birth Date: June 2, 1965
• Major Albums: Sybil, Good ‘N’ Ready
• Major Achievements: Gold-certified albums, international hit singles

29.Amel Larrieux

Amel Larrieux, as part of Groove Theory, became known for her distinctive voice and soulful sound in the 90s.

• Birth Date: March 8, 1973
• Major Albums: Groove Theory
• Major Achievements: Grammy nomination, influence on neo-soul movement

30.Shanice

Shanice is best known for her upbeat hit “I Love Your Smile,” which made her a breakout star in the early 90s.

• Birth Date: May 14, 1973
• Major Albums: Inner Child
• Major Achievements: Grammy nominations, hit single “I Love Your Smile”

31.Tisha Campbell

Tisha Campbell, known primarily for acting, also had a brief but successful music career with hits like “Push.”

• Birth Date: October 13, 1968
• Major Albums: Tisha
• Major Achievements: NAACP Image Award, notable hit singles

32.Blu Cantrell

Although Blu Cantrell’s rise to fame came in the early 2000s, she began making her mark in the late 90s.

• Birth Date: March 16, 1976
• Major Albums: So Blu
• Major Achievements: Grammy nomination, multiple Billboard chart-topping singles

33.Jill Scott

Jill Scott gained recognition in the late 90s with her smooth, soulful voice, becoming a significant part of the neo-soul movement.

• Birth Date: April 4, 1972
• Major Albums: Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award, NAACP Image Awards, credited for redefining contemporary soul

34. Heather Headley

Heather Headley made her mark in the late 90s, and she is known for her emotionally charged voice and powerful performances.

• Birth Date: October 5, 1974
• Major Albums: This Is Who I Am, In My Mind
• Major Achievements: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, Grammy nomination for Best New Artist

35.Trina Broussard

Trina Broussard became known in the late 90s for her smooth, soulful voice and contributions to the R&B genre.

• Birth Date: October 8, 1969
• Major Albums: Inside My Love
• Major Achievements: Gained critical acclaim for her powerful vocal delivery and collaborations with major artists

36. KeKe Wyatt

KeKe Wyatt, with her wide vocal range and soulful performances, became a notable name in the R&B scene during the late 90s.

• Birth Date: March 10, 1982
• Major Albums: Soul Sista
• Major Achievements: Platinum-selling singles, known for her powerful duets with Avant

37.Sade

Though Sade gained fame in the 1980s, her smooth, soulful voice continued to influence R&B throughout the 1990s.

• Birth Date: January 16, 1959
• Major Albums: Love Deluxe, The Best of Sade
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance, known for hits like “No Ordinary Love.”

38. Adriana Evans

Adriana Evans contributed to neo-soul in the 90s, blending traditional R&B with jazz and hip-hop influences.

• Birth Date: January 1974
• Major Albums: Adriana Evans
• Major Achievements: Gained a cult following for her innovative blend of genres, known for her hit “Seein’ Is Believing.”

39.Monifah

Monifah rose to prominence in the mid-90s with her sultry voice and hits like “I Miss You (Come Back Home).”

• Birth Date: January 28, 1972
• Major Albums: Moods…Moments, Mo’Hogany
• Major Achievements: Platinum-certified albums, Billboard chart-topping singles

40. Oleta Adams

Oleta Adams became known in the early 90s for her powerful voice and gospel-inspired R&B, most notably with her hit “Get Here.”

• Birth Date: May 4, 1953
• Major Albums: Circle of One, Evolution
• Major Achievements: Grammy nominations, international recognition for the song “Get Here”

41. Des’ree

Des’ree gained fame in the 90s with her uplifting and soulful voice, particularly with the global hit “You Gotta Be.”

• Birth Date: November 30, 1968
• Major Albums: I Ain’t Movin’, Supernatural
• Major Achievements: Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist, international success with multiple chart-topping singles

Wrapping It Up

As we wrap up our journey through the world of 90s female R&B singers, it’s clear these talented women shaped more than just music – they influenced fashion, culture, and generations of artists to come.

Their powerful voices and memorable songs continue to connect today, proving the lasting impact of their contributions to the genre.

What’s your favorite memory of 90s R&B? Perhaps it’s belting out a Whitney Houston ballad or dancing to TLC at a school dance. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

For more music nostalgia, explore other iconic artists from different eras and genres on our blog.

And don’t forget to share this post with fellow 90s R&B fans – let’s keep the music alive!

Remember, the rhythm of the 90s lives on through these magical women and their timeless tunes.