R&B is a broad based genre that encompasses a wide array of elements and styles that include rhythm and blues, soul, pop, funk, hip-hop and dance. This space showcases a broad spectrum of the best female R&B singers.

While the origins or R&B are unclear, the emergence of R&B in contemporary forms has its roots in the 60s and 70s. Contemporary R&B was a result of experimentation in disco and dance music. The polished sound and textural layers in R&B songs add distinctive flavor and feel to songs in this genre. Lush vocal and music arrangements set to the backdrop of dance inspired beats have made R&B a popular genre in commercial circles. R&B songs in present times showcase strong electronic and dance beat influences laced with hip-hop. Since the 60s female singers have been showcasing their vocal prowess in Soul and R&B.

 

The R&B Music Genre

Majority of recording artists in the R&B genre are African-American. Needless to say the gospel and soul influences shine through in R&B songs.  A number of female singers in the R&B genre are known for their dynamic vocal range. A large crop of R&B singers are known for incorporating melisma in their songs. Since the 70s female singers with astoundingly different voice textures have been an integral part of the R&B genre. The rhythmic elements in R&B evolved over the years. In present times layout of song structures in R&B has changed a great deal. What makes R&B popular with music aficionados is rhythmic beats encompassed with elements of funk, silk-smooth-soul, pop grooves, ballads and awe-inspiring melody.

The R&B sound in the 80s and 90s

Being an amalgamation of various genres, R&B does not have what you can call a typical sound. Furthermore, while you find the rhythmic explorations of disco, R&B is interspersed with funk-laden dance friendly beats that gets your foot tapping in accordance with tempo changes. Synthesizer driven melodies, programmed drum machine beats, percussive elements, and sound effects are an integral part that form structure for lyrics and music in R&B. Hip-hop and rap sensibilities have become exceedingly popular in R&B songs in recent years. A number of all-female bands doing R&B songs emerged in the 80s and the trend continued through the 90s. R&B duets became incredibly popular in the 80s and 90s and this trend has continued. 

The R&B Hip-Hop sound post 2000

Since the 2000s many crossover artists have been bringing a new sound in the realms of R&B. While purists are of the opinion the R&B sound has shifted from its traditional roots, many industry experts also believe the change in musical direction is the way forward in reaching a larger audience globally. The foundation of R&B remains intact with layers hip-hop and rap interspersed in the length of a song. While the silk-smooth rhythmic structures form the foundation of an R&B song, there’s a lot of instrumentation with complex vocal parts that happen in the given time frame. A new breed of female R&B singers will emerge. R&B will get bigger in the years ahead, and an ultra-urban sound will make its presence in the realms of traditional.

100 Greatest R&B Female Singers

1. Whitney Houston
2. Aretha Franklin
3. Gladys Knight
4. Minnie Ripperton
5. Dionne Warwick
6. Patti LaBelle
7. Mariah Carrey
8. Diana Ross
9. Tina Turner
10. Chaka Khan
11. Aaliyah
12. Brandy
13. Mary J Blige
14. Beyonce
15. Toni Braxton
16. Mary Wells
17. Alicia Keys
18. Sade
19. Kelly Price
20. Rachelle Ferrell
21. Erykah Badu
22. Janet Jackson
23. Mavis Staples
24. Corrine Bailey Rae
25. Jill Scott
26. India Arie
27. Lauryn Hill
28. Joss Stone
29. Monica
30. Betty Wright
31. Macy Gray
32. Syleena Johnson
33. Jennifer Holliday
34. Deborah Cox
35. Adele
36. Teena Marie
37. Anita Baker
38. Christina Aguilera
39. Miki Howard
40. Faith Evans
41. Amy Winehouse
42. Ashanti
43. Mya
44. Natalie Cole
45. Kelly Rowland
46. Patti Austin
47. Lisa Stansfield
48. Chante Moore
49. Blu Cantrell
50. Fantasia
51. Ciara
52. Des’ree
53. Ledisi
54. Keyshia Cole
55. Chrisettte Michele
56. Rihanna
57. Tamia
58. Karyn White
59. Regina Belle
60. Sy Smith
61. Cheryl Lynn
62. Vesta Williams
63. Trina Broussard
64. Jhene Aiko
65. Jennifer Hudson
66. Natasha Bedingfield
67. Lalah Hathaway
68. Elle Varner
69. Michelle Williams
70. Cherrelle
71. Fontella Bass
72. Jody Watley
73. Christina Milan
74. Sunshine Anderson
75. Jazmine Sullivan
76. Conya Doss
77. Stephanie Mills
78. Tinashe
79. Shirley Murdock
80. Tamar Braxton
81. Sharon Jones
82. K. Michelle
83. Jamelia
84. Sevyn Streeter
85. Jully Black
86. Divine Brown
87. Meli’sa Morgan
88. Kelis
89. Heather Headley
90. Melanie Fiona
91. Leela James
92. Patrice Rushen
93. Amel Larrieux
94. Deniece Williams
95. Tracie Spencer
96. Gina Thompson
97. Angela Winbush
98. Caron Wheeler
99. Angela Bofill
100. Estelle Fanta Swaray

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Thank you for visiting my profile. I am a Freelance Content Writer. I like to learn something new every day. When I’m not at the computer, I’m either reading or on vacation. I dwell in peace, I hope you do too. My Favorite Quote “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”- Dalai Lama

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