Female R&B Singers

List of the Top Female R&B Artists

Modern day rhythm and blues of female R&B singers can be dated back to the era of the 1980s when Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson were the main female R&B artists, during a time when male artists dominated the charts.

By the 1990s the rhythm and blues scene exploded, especially for women, with successful careers from solo female R&B artists and R&B groups through the likes of Beyonce and Destiny Child’s, TLC, Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and many more.

Entering the 2000s, the popularity was not nearly as close as the 1990s but with Keyshia Cole, Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Keri Hilson, and Ciara leading the way, along with top artists who made their debut during the 1990s continuing their success throughout the 2000s, it was not a disappointing era.

Today is a new era and a new generation is in control taking the rhythm and blues genre to new levels with a roster of gifted female R&B that displays no shortage of talented and powerful women that have become some of the music industries most accomplished artists.

Top 25 Female R&B Singers

1. SZA

While her earliest projects, See.SZA.Run and S, showed a glimpse of the artist that we know today, not until the 2017 release of Ctrl did SZA become a household name. One of the all-time greatest rhythm and blues albums featured a collection of hit songs, “The Weekend”, “Love Galore”, “Drew Barrymore” and “Broken Clocks”.

Follow on Instagram: @SZA and watch more on Youtube: SZA

2. Kehlani

After her short run with teen group Poplyfe and appearances on America’s Got Talent, the Oakland native would have her share of ups and downs before linking with Nick Cannon and eventually beginning a prosperous solo career. Starting with the 2014 release of Cloud 19 and the 2015 release of You Should be Here, Kehlani’s career would gradually rise over time, especially following the releases of her ffreshman and sophomore albums of SweetSexySavage and It Was Good Until It Wasn’t.

Follow on Instagram: @Kehlani and watch more on Youtube: Kehlani

3. Jhene Aiko

A veteran to the music industry, Jhene Aiko has been around since the early 2000s when she was originally working with boy group B2K. Not until her 2013 release of Sail Out did Jhene Aiko begin her journey becoming one of the top female R&B singers.

Follow on Instagram: @Jhene Aiko and watch more on Youtube: Jhene Aiko

4. H.E.R

A Bay Area singer that was destined to be a star with accolades and achievements that date back to her childhood performing at the Apollo Theater and numerous day time talk shows, while also making a few acting appearances. As most of her life has been consumed by music, H.E.R has become one of the most seasoned female R&B artists.

Follow on Instagram: @H.E.R and watch more on Youtube: H.E.R

5. Ella Mai

Discovered and backed by top West Coast producer DJ Mustard, the British star took over 2018 with the hit songs “Boo’d Up” and “Trip”. While her self-titled album Ella Mai is debut her album, the U.K. artist has three previous EPs, all produced and released through DJ Mustard’s imprint 10 Summers.

follow on Instagram: @Ella Mai and watch more on Youtube: Ella Mai

6. Queen Naija

A natural born star that went from being a top rising YouTuber to becoming one of the country’s top female R&B artists. Beginning her career as a successful Youtuber, in which to this day Queen Naija still releases vlogs on her YouTube channel, not until 2018 did her career as an artist begin to takeoff with the release of her self-titled EP Queen Naija, which featured the hit songs of “Medicine” and “Karma”.

follow on Instagram: @Queen Naija and watch more on Youtube: Queen Naija

7. Summer Walker

Fresh off the release of Still Over It, the Atlanta native has been making noise in the industry since 2018’s Last Day of Summer and only became more notarized with 2019’s Over It. A true Cinderella story, grinding from nothing Summer Walker’s self-reliance has led her to becoming 2021’s top rhythm and blues artist.

Follow on Instagram: @Summer Walker and watch more on Youtube: Summer Walker

8. Normani

A former member of the short lived, but legendary, girl group Fifth Harmony, Normani quickly transitioned into becoming a successful solo artist. Despite not having the most extensive catalog of music, Normani quickly gained respect as a solo artist with the hit songs of “Waves”, “Motivation”, and her recent release “Wild Side”.

follow on Instagram: @Normani and watch more on Youtube: Normani

9. Chloe x Halle

Two sisters, Chloe and Halle Bailey, began their careers years ago as rising children actresses. Equally successful in music and acting, the two sisters have appearances in movies alongside Beyonce, Queen Latifah, Tyler Perry, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Keke Palmer, along with co-starring on the hit television show Grown-ish. Despite a long history of acting, Chloe x Halle have always been active musically, but not until 2018’s The Kids Are Alright did fans begin to truly recognize the duo.

Follow on Instagram: @Chloe x Halle and watch more on Youtube: Chloe x Halle

10. Tinashe

An experienced artist that started as a child actress and made the passage into music, first with the pop group Stunners before making the jump into a career as a solo artist. Beginning with the self-release of her own music in 2012, Tinashe would eventually have an acclaimed career with the help of projects like 2014’s Aquarius.

Follow on Instagram: @Tinashe and watch more on Youtube: Tinashe

11. Ari Lennox

This soulful female R&B artist may have just come onto some fans’ radar after signing to J.Cole’s Dreamville and her 2019 release of Shea Butter Baby, but the DMV native has been mastering her craft as a neo-soul and rhythm and blues artist for some time now.

follow on Instagram: @Ari Lennox and watch more on Youtube: Ari Lennox

12. Kiana Ledé

A multi-talented actress and singer has been developing her career since the beginning of the 2010s. Beginning her journey in the entertainment industry as a teenager, Kiana Ledé has truly made an impressive career, from starring on the hit shows Scream and The Washingtons to a growing catalog of music that has included songs like “Ex” and albums like Kiki.

follow on Instagram: @Kiana Ledé and watch more on Youtube: Kiana Ledé

13. Teyana Taylor

The fan favorite Teyana Taylor has been making moves since the mid-2000s. The Harlemite began as a dancer appearing in music videos for artists like Jay-Z and Beyonce before being backed by Pharrell, which led to the 2009 release From a Planet Called Harlem. Her career as a R&B artist would truly begin to take form after linking with Kanye West and GOOD Music in 2012.

Follow on Instagram: @Teyana Taylor and watch more on Youtube: Teyana Taylor

14. DaniLeigh

Blessed into the music industry by the late icon Prince, the Dominican R&B artist would become known for hit songs like “Lil Bebe”, “No Limits”, “Easy”, and “Levi High”.

Follow on Instagram: @DaniLeigh and watch more on Youtube: DaniLeigh

15. JOJO

Hailing from the New England region, Jojo has had a long career that has consisted of a mixture of both pop music and rhythm and blues. Jojo’s music catalog dates back to 2004 with the release of her self-titled debut album Jojo, which featured hit songs like “Leave and Baby It’s You” featuring Bow Wow.

follow on Instagram: @JOJO and watch more on Youtube: JOJO

16. Ann Marie

Coming out of the South Side of Chicago, Ann Marie’s talent is undeniable. With songs like “Different”, “Unlove You”, “Secret”, “Stress Relief” and many more to prove the talent of the Chicago native, Ann Marie has been grinding since 2014 when she began making short YouTube clips.

Follow on Instagram: @Ann Marie and watch more on Youtube: Ann Marie

17. Layton Greene

With only a few years in, the Quality Control artist is the one of the fastest rising female R&B singers. Originally being from East St Louis, Layton Greene has made her way into becoming a special new talent with much momentum leading to a very promising career.

follow on Instagram: @Layton Greene and watch more on Youtube: Layton Greene

18. Snoh Aalegra

One of the top female R&B artists to originally come from Europe, Snoh Aalegra has been around since the beginning of the 2010s. Originally going by the moniker Sheri, Snoh Aalegra began to become more of an international artist after her 2014 release There Will Be Sunshine. Over the course of her career Snoh Aalegra has worked with Common, Vince Staples, Logic, Tyler the Creator, Pharrell, and a handful others.

follow on Instagram: @Snoh Aalegra and watch more on Youtube: Snoh Aalegra

19. Victoria Monét

Victoria Monét is one of the most accomplished and gifted songwriters as her songwriting credits include Ariana Grande, K-Pop group Blackpink, Chloe x Halle, T.I. and many more. Her debut as an artist was 2014’s Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1 and has continued a promising career releasing six EPs with Jaguar being her most successful.

follow on Instagram: @Victoria Monét and watch more on Youtube: Victoria Monét

20. Alina Baraz

Coming from the city of Cleveland, Alina Baraz has been one of the top rising female R&B artists ever since her debut of release of Urban Flora. Known for songs like “Buzzin” and “Floating” and for working with artists like 6LACK, Khalid, and Nas.

follow on Instagram: @Alina Baraz and watch more on Youtube: Alina Baraz

21. Inayah

Hailing from Houston, Inayah quickly rosed to stardom with the remake of Ella Mai’s “Boo’d Up”. Since releasing her own version of “Boo’d Up”, Inayah has truly solidified herself as an artist with hit songs like “Best Thing” and “Sugar Daddy”.

Follow on Instagram: @Inayah and watch more on Youtube: Inayah

22. Wolftyla

Embracing both her African American and Korean heritage, Wofltyla has slowly emerged as one of the top up and coming rhythm and blues artists. While to date her biggest song has been 2019’s “All Tinted”, the New York native has a strong resume to solidify her position as one of the top rising stars of R&B.

follow on Instagram: @Wolftyla and watch more on Youtube: Wolftyla

23. Toni Romiti

For over the past 8 years Toni Romiti has given fans songs like “Nothin On Me”, “Imma Dog Too”, and “Switch Up”. Since debuting, the Chicagoan has stayed consistent and has built a large following.

follow on Instagram: @Toni Romiti and watch more on Youtube: Toni Romiti

24. Melii

Despite the recent announcement that she is finished releasing music, due to the shady tactics of the music industry, Melii is still among the most talented female R&B artists. An Afro-Latina from the legendary neighborhood of Harlem, New York, Melii began with the remake of Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” and has continued her career as an artist with songs like “Balling”, “HML”, “See Me”, “No Hard Feelings”, and “You Ain’t Worth It”.

follow on Instagram: @Melii and watch more on Youtube: Melii

25. IV JAY

Originally being from New Jersey, the young artist is one of the top rising rhythm and blues stars. Known for hit songs like “Thirsty” and “Tweakin”, IV Jay is still a working progress, but her talent should not be questioned.

follow on Instagram: @IV JAY and watch more on Youtube: IV JAY

Honorable Mention Female R&B Singers:

Tayla Parx
follow on Instagram: @Tayla Parx and watch on Youtube: Tayla Parx

Janine
follow on Instagram: @Janine and watch on Youtube: Janine

Joyce Wrice
follow on Instagram: @Joyce Wrice and watch on Youtube: Joyce Wrice

Aleksa Safiya
follow on Instagram: @Aleksa Safiya and watch more on Youtube: Aleksa Safiya

Teenear
follow on Instagram: @Teenear and watch on Youtube: Teenear

Amaal
follow on Instagram: @Amaal and watch on Youtube: Amaal

Sonta
follow on Instagram: @Sonta and watch on Youtube: Sonta

TeaMarr
follow on Instagram: @TeaMarr and watch on Youtube: TeaMarr

Haley Smalls
follow on Instagram: @Haley Smalls and watch on Youtube: Haley Smalls

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Top 25 Female R&B Singers: 2021’s Best Female R&B Artists List