The Most Famous Female R&B Artist, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the artist you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 22, 2024 08:09

In the dynamic world of music, R&B has always had a significant impact, drawing audiences with its soulful melodies and powerful vocals. Female artists, with their unique voices and profound performances, have been pivotal in shaping this genre, engaging listeners with their emotional depth and musical versatility. However, there often isn't a clear consensus on which artists stand out the most due to varying tastes and preferences. This live ranking gives fans a chance to voice their opinions by voting for their top female R&B artists. By participating, users contribute to a real-time list that reflects the current trends and fan favorites. It's more than just a ranking; it's an interactive experience that celebrates the achievements of these talented artists and recognizes their contributions to music and culture.

Who Is the Most Famous Female R&B Artist?

1

45
votes
Beyoncé

With a career spanning over two decades, Beyoncé has become a household name and is considered one of the most influential and successful R&B artists of all time. Her distinctive voice, powerful stage presence, and iconic visuals have earned her numerous accolades and a massive fan following.
The "Beyoncé" smile is a radiant and natural-looking smile that features perfectly aligned, pearly white teeth with minimal gum display. It is named after the iconic singer and actress Beyoncé, who is known for her dazzling and confident smile.

Teeth alignment: Perfectly straight

Tooth color: Bright white

Gum display: Minimal

Tooth shape: Natural and proportionate to the individual's face

Tooth texture: Smooth and glossy
2

41
votes
Atlantic Records (Life time: Published before 1978 without a copyright notice) · Public domain

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin

Known as the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin was a trailblazing R&B singer whose impact on the genre is immeasurable. Her soulful voice and powerful performances were a source of inspiration for many artists that followed her.
The 'Aretha Franklin' version of 'Amazing Grace' is a soulful rendition of the popular hymn performed by the renowned American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin. It is widely regarded as one of her most iconic and memorable performances.

Year of Release: 1972

Genre: Gospel/Soul

Album: Amazing Grace

Recorded Live: At the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles

Length: Approximately 10 minutes
Aretha Franklin in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous African-American singer
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Gospel musician
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular version of 'Amazing Grace'
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous religious singer
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous celebrity from Tennessee
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous person born in March
3

19
votes
PH2 Mark Kettenhofen · Public domain

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston's incredible vocal range and soulful delivery made her one of the most successful R&B artists of all time. With hits like "I Will Always Love You" and "Greatest Love of All," Houston's music has become a staple of the genre.
Whitney Houston in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous African-American singer
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous religious singer
- Position 3 of 10 in Most beautiful voice in the world: the Quran
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous New Jersey member
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in New Jersey
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous deceased singer
4

14
votes
Mariah Carey

With over 200 million records sold worldwide, Mariah Carey is one of the best-selling R&B artists in history. Known for her five-octave vocal range, Carey's music has influenced countless artists and helped define the genre.
Mariah Carey in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult person to work with
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Christmas singer
- Position 7 of 10 in Most beautiful voice in the world: the Quran
- Position 9 of 10 in Most beautiful Aries woman
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous person from Long Island
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous American Idol judge
5

15
votes
Eva Rinaldi · CC BY-SA 2.0

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys' soulful voice and piano skills have earned her numerous accolades and a loyal fan base. Her music blends elements of R&B, soul, and hip-hop, resulting in a sound that is both unique and timeless.
Alicia Keys in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most beautiful celebrity without makeup
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Aquarius celebrity
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous coach on The Voice
6

3
votes
Rich Esteban · CC BY-SA 4.0

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson's music has been a staple of the R&B genre since the 1980s. With hits like "Nasty" and "Together Again," Jackson's music has helped shape the sound of modern R&B.
Janet Jackson in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person from Gary, Indiana
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Jackson
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous musician from Indiana
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Indiana
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous person from Indiana
7

3
votes
Tore Sætre · CC BY-SA 4.0

Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill's debut album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," is considered one of the greatest R&B albums of all time. Her unique blend of R&B, hip-hop, and reggae has influenced countless artists and helped redefine the genre.
Lauryn Hill in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous singer from New Jersey
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous New Jersey member
8

8
votes
VOGUE Taiwan · CC BY 3.0

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige's soulful voice and confessional lyrics have earned her a loyal fan base and numerous awards. With hits like "Real Love" and "No More Drama," Blige's music has become a staple of the R&B genre.
Mary J. Blige is a well-known American singer, songwriter, and actress. She has achieved great success in the music industry with her powerful and soulful vocals, blending elements of R&B, hip hop, and gospel. Mary J. Blige is often referred to as the 'Queen of Hip-Hop Soul' due to her unique style and the emotional depth she brings to her music.

Genre: R&B, hip hop, gospel

Vocal Style: Powerful, soulful

Title: Queen of Hip-Hop Soul

Nationality: American

Famous Albums: What's the 411?, My Life, The Breakthrough
Mary J. Blige in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular MJ
9

4
votes
Brandy

Brandy's distinctive voice and R&B-pop sound have earned her numerous hits and a loyal fan base. With hits like "I Wanna Be Down" and "The Boy is Mine," Brandy's music has become a defining sound of the 1990s R&B scene.
Brandy is a type of liquor made from fermented fruit juice, most commonly distilled from grapes. It is a renowned spirit enjoyed for its rich flavors, smoothness, and distinctive aromas. The creator of brandy can be traced back to the 12th-century wine distillers in the region of Cognac, France.

Raw Material: Fermented fruit juice (commonly grapes)

Distillation Method: Pot still or column still

Aging Process: Typically aged in oak barrels

Flavor Profile: Varies with the aging process, ranging from fruity and sweet to nutty and complex

Alcohol Content: Ranges from 35% to 60% ABV (alcohol by volume)
10

9
votes
Umusic · CC BY-SA 4.0

Toni Braxton

With hits like "Un-Break My Heart" and "Breathe Again," Toni Braxton's soulful voice and emotional delivery have made her one of the most successful R&B artists of all time.
Toni Braxton in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Braxton sister
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous broke person
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous celebrity from Maryland
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous person from Maryland

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Ranking factors for famous artist

Record Sales

An artist's record sales can be a good indication of their popularity and success in the music industry.
Awards and Accolades

The number and prestige of awards an artist has won can be a good gauge of their popularity and musical excellence.
Artistic skill

Vocal range, songwriting and musicianship are all qualities that make an artist successful.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous female R&B artist. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or artist is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2166 views
160 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each artist once every 24 hours. The rank of each artist is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous female r&b artist

R&B music has produced some of the most celebrated female artists of all time. These women have not only made a name for themselves in the music industry but have also influenced the cultural landscape with their work. From the soulful sounds of Aretha Franklin to the sultry voice of Whitney Houston, R&B has showcased some of the most powerful female voices in music history. In this article, we aim to identify the most famous female R&B artist of all time, by analyzing the opinions of our users through our platform. We have curated a list of some of the most iconic female R&B artists, and we are eager to see who comes out on top.