Female soul singers have shaped the music industry with their powerful voices and emotional performances.

Many music lovers find themselves drawn to these artists but struggle to explore beyond the most famous names.

This gap in knowledge can limit your appreciation of the genre’s rich history and diversity.

This blog post will introduce you to 120 iconic female soul singers, expanding your musical horizons and deepening your understanding of soul music.

From classic Motown legends to modern R&B powerhouses, we’ll cover a wide range of talented artists who have left their mark on the industry.

Get ready to discover new favorites, revisit beloved classics, and gain insights into the lives and careers of these remarkable women who have defined and continue to shape soul music.

Top Famous Female Soul Singers

1. Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul,” is celebrated for her powerful vocals and deep emotional delivery. She is one of the most influential figures in music history.

• Years Active: 1956–2018
• Birth Date: March 25, 1942
• Major Albums:I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, Lady Soul, Amazing Grace
• Major Achievements: 18 Grammy Awards, first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)

2. Etta James

Etta James was known for blending gospel, blues, and jazz elements, which earned her a place among the most respected soul singers in history.

• Years Active: 1954–2012
• Birth Date: January 25, 1938
• Major Albums:At Last!, Tell Mama, The Second Time Around
• Major Achievements: 6 Grammy Awards, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1993)

3. Tina Turner

Tina Turner, often referred to as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” transitioned from soulful pop to rock and captured audiences worldwide with her electric performances.

• Years Active: 1958–2009
• Birth Date: November 26, 1939
• Major Albums:Private Dancer, What’s Love Got to Do with It, Foreign Affair
• Major Achievements: 12 Grammy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors (2005)

4. Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight, the “Empress of Soul,” is known for her rich voice and passionate performances, both solo and with her group, The Pips.

• Years Active: 1952–present
• Birth Date: May 28, 1944
• Major Albums:Neither One of Us, I Feel a Song, Just for You
• Major Achievements: 7 Grammy Awards, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1996)

5. Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle is recognized for her wide vocal range and versatility in music styles, from soul to pop to R&B.

• Years Active: 1960–present
• Birth Date: May 24, 1944
• Major Albums:Winner in You, Patti, Gems
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, Hollywood Walk of Fame star (1993)

6. Diana Ross

Diana Ross rose to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes, one of Motown’s greatest acts, before having a successful solo career.

• Years Active: 1959–present
• Birth Date: March 26, 1944
• Major Albums:Diana, The Boss, Touch Me in the Morning
• Major Achievements: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), Kennedy Center Honors (2007)

7. Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan, often called the “Queen of Funk,” became famous both as a solo artist and as the lead vocalist of the band Rufus.

• Years Active: 1970–present
• Birth Date: March 23, 1953
• Major Albums:I Feel for You, Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Funk This
• Major Achievements: 10 Grammy Awards, Hollywood Walk of Fame star (2011)

8. Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston, known for her exceptional vocal range and pure tone, is one of the best-selling music artists ever.

• Years Active: 1977–2012
• Birth Date: August 9, 1963
• Major Albums:Whitney, The Bodyguard Soundtrack, I’m Your Baby Tonight
• Major Achievements: 6 Grammy Awards, Guinness World Records for most awarded female artist of all time

9. Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack is known for her smooth and soothing vocals, which have impacted the soul and pop genres.

• Years Active: 1968–present
• Birth Date: February 10, 1937
• Major Albums:Killing Me Softly, First Take, Feel Like Makin’ Love
• Major Achievements: 4 Grammy Awards, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)

10. Mavis Staples

Mavis Staples began her career as part of The Staple Singers and is known for her gospel and soul-infused voice.

• Years Active: 1950–present
• Birth Date: July 10, 1939
• Major Albums:We’ll Never Turn Back, One True Vine, If All I Was Was Black
• Major Achievements: Kennedy Center Honors (2016), Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2005)

11. Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige, the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” is known for blending soulful singing with hip-hop beats, bringing raw emotion into her music.

• Years Active: 1989–present
• Birth Date: January 11, 1971
• Major Albums:My Life, Share My World, The Breakthrough
• Major Achievements: 9 Grammy Awards, first person nominated for both acting and songwriting Oscars in the same year (2018)

12. Donna Summer

Donna Summer, known as the “Queen of Disco,” was a major figure in the disco era and excelled in soul and pop music.

• Years Active: 1968–2012
• Birth Date: December 31, 1948
• Major Albums:Bad Girls, On the Radio, Love to Love You Baby
• Major Achievements: 5 Grammy Awards, first African-American woman to win a Grammy in the rock category

13. Anita Baker

Anita Baker is known for her deeply soulful voice and for helping to shape the “quiet storm” sound in the 1980s.

• Years Active: 1979–present
• Birth Date: January 26, 1958
• Major Albums:Rapture, Giving You the Best That I Got, Compositions
• Major Achievements: 8 Grammy Awards, star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2013)

14. Martha Reeves

Martha Reeves, lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, was a prominent voice during Motown’s heyday with numerous hits that became soul classics.

• Years Active: 1960–present
• Birth Date: July 18, 1941
• Major Albums:Heat Wave, Dance Party, Black Magic
• Major Achievements: Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

15. Teena Marie

Teena Marie, known as “Lady T,” was a versatile soul artist who effortlessly blended R&B, funk, and rock.

• Years Active: 1964–2010
• Birth Date: March 5, 1956
• Major Albums:Wild and Peaceful, It Must Be Magic, La Doña
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award nominations, trailblazer for female artists in soul and R&B

16. Jill Scott

Jill Scott is a modern soul artist who is celebrated for her poetic lyrics and ability to blend soul with elements of jazz and hip-hop.

• Years Active: 1999–present
• Birth Date: April 4, 1972
• Major Albums:Who Is Jill Scott?, Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2, The Light of the Sun
• Major Achievements: 3 Grammy Awards, NAACP Image Award winner

17. Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys is a classically trained pianist and one of the most successful contemporary soul artists. She is known for her powerful voice and songwriting.

• Years Active: 1996–present
• Birth Date: January 25, 1981
• Major Albums:Songs in A Minor, The Diary of Alicia Keys, As I Am
• Major Achievements: 15 Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Decade Award

18. Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu, often called the “Queen of Neo-Soul,” is known for her electrifying style and soulful blend of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop.

• Years Active: 1994–present
• Birth Date: February 26, 1971
• Major Albums:Baduizm, Mama’s Gun, New Amerykah Part One
• Major Achievements: 4 Grammy Awards, BET Award for Best Female R&B Artist

19. Sade

Sade, the frontwoman of her eponymous band, is known for her smooth, jazzy voice and cool, sophisticated approach to soul music.

• Years Active: 1982–present
• Birth Date: January 16, 1959
• Major Albums:Diamond Life, Promise, Lovers Rock
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to music

20. Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill, a former member of The Fugees, made a significant mark as a solo artist with her blend of soul, hip-hop, and R&B.

• Years Active: 1991–present
• Birth Date: May 26, 1975
• Major Albums:The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
• Major Achievements: 8 Grammy Awards, first woman to win five Grammys in one night (1999)

21. Natalie Cole

Natalie Cole, daughter of Nat King Cole, successfully blended jazz, pop, and soul in her career, continuing the family legacy.

• Years Active: 1956–2015
• Birth Date: February 6, 1950
• Major Albums:Unforgettable… with Love, Inseparable, Everlasting
• Major Achievements: 9 Grammy Awards, Hollywood Walk of Fame star

22. Millie Jackson

Millie Jackson is known for her sassy, no-nonsense approach to soul music, delivering songs filled with humor and raw emotion.

• Years Active: 1964–present
• Birth Date: July 15, 1944
• Major Albums:Caught Up, Feelin’ Bitchy, Back to the S**t!
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award nominations, renowned for her contributions to Southern soul

23. Phyllis Hyman

Phyllis Hyman was celebrated for her emotionally intense performances and sultry voice, which made her stand out in soul and jazz.

• Years Active: 1971–1995
• Birth Date: July 6, 1949
• Major Albums:Living All Alone, Somewhere in My Lifetime, Prime of My Life
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award nominations, Broadway Theatre World Award winner

24. Deniece Williams

Deniece Williams is best known for her four-octave vocal range and her ability to seamlessly blend gospel and soul music.

• Years Active: 1970–present
• Birth Date: June 3, 1950
• Major Albums:This Is Niecy, Songbird, Let’s Hear It for the Boy
• Major Achievements: 4 Grammy Awards, contributions to the gospel and soul genres

25. Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse, with her soulful and jazzy vocals, became an instant sensation with her raw, emotional delivery and personal lyrics.

• Years Active: 2002–2011
• Birth Date: September 14, 1983
• Major Albums:Back to Black, Frank
• Major Achievements: 6 Grammy Awards, first British woman to win 5 Grammys in one night

26. Sharon Jones

Sharon Jones, lead singer of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, was a major player in the revival of soul and funk music.

• Years Active: 1996–2016
• Birth Date: May 4, 1956
• Major Albums:Naturally, I Learned the Hard Way, Give the People What They Want
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award nominations, helped lead the modern soul revival movement

27. Macy Gray

Macy Gray’s raspy voice and distinctive style have made her a unique presence in contemporary soul.

• Years Active: 1996–present
• Birth Date: September 6, 1967
• Major Albums:On How Life Is, The Id, The Trouble with Being Myself
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, MTV Video Music Award winner

28. Joss Stone

Joss Stone, a British soul singer, became a sensation in her teens, known for her deep, soulful voice and mature sound.

• Years Active: 2001–present
• Birth Date: April 11, 1987
• Major Albums:The Soul Sessions, Mind Body & Soul, Introducing Joss Stone
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist

29. Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton’s sultry contralto voice has made her one of the best-selling female artists of all time. Her music blends soul, R&B, and pop.

• Years Active: 1989–present
• Birth Date: October 7, 1967
• Major Albums:Secrets, The Heat, Toni Braxton
• Major Achievements: 7 Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Award winner

30. Betty Wright

Betty Wright, known for her powerful voice and range, was a pioneer in the Miami soul scene. She had hits across several decades.

• Years Active: 1966–2020
• Birth Date: December 21, 1953
• Major Albums:My First Time Around, Clean Up Woman, Mother Wit
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, influential in shaping Miami soul

31. Ruth Brown

Ruth Brown, known as “Miss Rhythm,” helped shape the sound of R&B and soul music in the 1950s with her powerful voice and groundbreaking hits.

• Years Active: 1948–2006
• Birth Date: January 12, 1928
• Major Albums:Rock & Roll, Ruth Brown Sings, Blues on Broadway
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1993)

32. Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday, also known as “Lady Day,” is one of the most iconic jazz and soul vocalists. She is known for her emotional depth and distinctive voice.

• Years Active: 1933–1959
• Birth Date: April 7, 1915
• Major Albums:Lady in Satin, Billie Holiday Sings, Solitude
• Major Achievements: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1987), inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame

33. Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald, the “First Lady of Song,” had an extraordinary vocal range and was one of the most influential jazz and soul singers ever.

• Years Active: 1934–1993
• Birth Date: April 25, 1917
• Major Albums:Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook, Ella and Louis, The Best of Ella Fitzgerald
• Major Achievements: 13 Grammy Awards, Presidential Medal of Freedom (1992)

34. Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin, a blues and soul-influenced rock singer, was known for her raw and powerful vocals, making her a leading figure in the late 1960s music scene.

• Years Active: 1962–1970
• Birth Date: January 19, 1943
• Major Albums:Pearl, Cheap Thrills, I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!
• Major Achievements: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2005), inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1995)

35. Stephanie Mills

Stephanie Mills is known for her powerful voice and emotive ballads, particularly her soul, R&B, and musical theater work.

• Years Active: 1966–present
• Birth Date: March 22, 1957
• Major Albums:What Cha’ Gonna Do with My Lovin’, Stephanie, Home
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, Tony Award for her role in The Wiz (1975)

36. Melba Moore

Melba Moore is known for her work in soul and R&B as well as on Broadway, blending her vocal talents across various musical styles.

• Years Active: 1967–present
• Birth Date: October 29, 1945
• Major Albums:Peach Melba, This Is It, A Lot of Love
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award nominations, Tony Award winner (1970)

37. Yolanda Adams

Yolanda Adams is a gospel and soul singer known for her uplifting messages and her smooth, powerful voice.

• Years Active: 1982–present
• Birth Date: August 27, 1961
• Major Albums:Mountain High… Valley Low, Believe, The Best of Me
• Major Achievements: 5 Grammy Awards, NAACP Image Award winner

38. Ledisi

Ledisi is known for her soulful voice and ability to blend gospel, jazz, and R&B into her music, becoming a leading figure in contemporary soul.

• Years Active: 1995–present
• Birth Date: March 28, 1972
• Major Albums:Turn Me Loose, Pieces of Me, Let Love Rule
• Major Achievements: 2 Grammy Awards, NAACP Image Award winner

39. Leela James

Leela James is celebrated for her gritty, old-school soul sound combined with contemporary R&B influences.

• Years Active: 2003–present
• Birth Date: June 2, 1983
• Major Albums:A Change Is Gonna Come, My Soul, Did It for Love
• Major Achievements: Soul Train Music Award nominations, well-regarded in the neo-soul movement

40. India Arie

India Arie is known for her soothing voice and positive, spiritual messages. Her music blends elements of soul, folk, and R&B.

• • Years Active: 1999–present
  • Birth Date: October 3, 1975
  • Major Albums:Acoustic Soul, Voyage to India, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship
  • Major Achievements: 4 Grammy Awards, NAACP Image Award winner

41. Chrisette Michele

Chrisette Michele has made her mark with a distinctive voice that blends soul, jazz, and R&B, creating deeply emotional performances.

• Years Active: 2006–present
• Birth Date: December 8, 1982
• Major Albums:I Am, Epiphany, Better
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, Soul Train Music Award winner

42. Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Barrino gained fame by winning American Idol and has since become a powerhouse in contemporary soul and R&B.

• Years Active: 2004–present
• Birth Date: June 30, 1984
• Major Albums:Free Yourself, Side Effects of You, Back to Me
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, Broadway Theater World Award winner

43. Tamia

Tamia is a Canadian singer known for her smooth voice and ability to blend contemporary R&B with classic soul.

• Years Active: 1995–present
• Birth Date: May 9, 1975
• Major Albums:A Nu Day, More, Love Life
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award nominations, Juno Award winner

44. Angie Stone

Angie Stone is a major figure in the neo-soul movement, known for her rich voice and skillful blending of old-school soul with contemporary R&B.

• Years Active: 1979–present
• Birth Date: December 18, 1961
• Major Albums:Black Diamond, Mahogany Soul, The Art of Love & War
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award nominations, Soul Train Music Award winner

45. Estelle

Estelle is a British singer with a distinctive voice who blends soul, R&B, hip-hop, and reggae elements.

• Years Active: 2004–present
• Birth Date: January 18, 1980
• Major Albums:Shine, All of Me, True Romance
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, MOBO Award winner

46. Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe is known for her eclectic music style, which blends soul, funk, and pop with futuristic and innovative concepts.

• Years Active: 2003–present
• Birth Date: December 1, 1985
• Major Albums:The ArchAndroid, Dirty Computer, The Electric Lady
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award nominations, Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award (2013)

47. Adele

Adele is known for her soulful voice and emotionally charged performances. Her music blends elements of soul, pop, and jazz.

• Years Active: 2006–present
• Birth Date: May 5, 1988
• Major Albums:21, 25, 30
• Major Achievements: 15 Grammy Awards, Oscar winner for Best Original Song (“Skyfall”)

48. Shirley Caesar

Shirley Caesar is a gospel and soul icon known for her inspiring music and decades-long influence on both genres.

• Years Active: 1951–present
• Birth Date: October 13, 1938
• Major Albums:Fill This House, I Remember Mama, Good God
• Major Achievements: 12 Grammy Awards, NAACP Image Award winner

49. Dionne Warwick

Dionne Warwick is one of the most-charted female vocalists of all time. She is known for her smooth voice and her long-standing collaborations with Burt Bacharach.

• Years Active: 1955–present
• Birth Date: December 12, 1940
• Major Albums:Dionne, Heartbreaker, Then Came You
• Major Achievements: 5 Grammy Awards, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

50. Brandy

Brandy became a pop and R&B icon in the 1990s, known for her soulful voice and hits that blended contemporary R&B with classic soul elements.

• Years Active: 1993–present
• Birth Date: February 11, 1979
• Major Albums:Never Say Never, Full Moon, *Afrodisiac
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, Billboard Music Awards Female Artist of the Year (1995)

Lesser-Known But Talented Female Soul Singers

Wrapping It Up

Let’s wrap up our journey through the world of female soul singers. We’ve explored 120 iconic voices that have shaped the genre from its early roots to today’s chart-toppers.

Each artist has contributed something unique to soul music, leaving an extraordinary mark on the industry.

What’s next? Take time to listen to these incredible women. Create a playlist featuring songs from different eras and styles.

Pay attention to the emotions their voices convey and the stories they tell through their music. Share your favorites with friends and family, spreading the joy of soul music.

Remember, this list is just the beginning. Many more talented female soul singers are out there waiting to be discovered.

Keep exploring, listen, and let the power of soul music enhance your life.