The 15 best female neo-soul artists of all time, ranked

Neo-soul is one of the most appreciated genres of music today. It can be described as a style of music that emerged from soul and contemporary RnB. Neo-soul artists make their sound a little less conventional than their RnB counterparts. Female neo-soul artists sing about love, societal issues, and life as a whole.

Most of the renowned black female neo-soul artists made the genre popular in the 80s and 90s. The artists also collaborated with musicians of other genres, making fusions that are enjoyed across genres. Neo-soul bands that were popular in the 90s still write and perform for audiences worldwide.

15 best female neo-soul artists

Singing from the heart about various topics that all can relate to is what accounts for neo-soul. Who are the best female singers? Here are the top 15 female artists of all time:

1. Jill Scott

Jill Scott dropped her debut album Who Is Jill Scott? in 2000. She is one of the most respected voices in neo-soul and continues to perform for audiences across America. She has more than a dozen albums and has three Grammys to her name.

Apart from singing, Jill Scott is also an actress. She has been featured in movies like Why Did I Get Married (2007), Get on Top (2014), and Baggage Claim (2013).

2. Les Nubians

Les Nubians is a French musical duo composed of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart. They are known for hit songs such as Makeda, Demain, and Tabou. The two originate from Paris, France, and have been actively singing since the 1990s. The sisters have four albums.

3. Erykah Badu

Neo-soul lovers will always commend Erykah Badu for her work through the 1990s and 2000s. The 50-year-old singer has an impressive discography, having released over ten albums. She is also an actress and has been featured in What Men Want (2019), The Land (2016), and Say My Name (2009), among other movies.

4. Floetry

Floetry was an English RnB and neo-soul duo comprising Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart. Their music spoke to the soul and topped charts both in Britain and the USA. Floetry was formed in 1997 and broke up in 2016. Before the split, the duo put out three impressive albums and even won 3 Grammys.

5. Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill is lauded for her contribution as a member of the group Fugees and being one of the most influential voices of black music in the 90s. The soulful female singer can sing melodiously and rap. The 46-year-old singer, songwriter, and actress has 8 Grammy Awards.

6. India Arie

You cannot ignore the Denver, Colorado native when speaking about influential neo-soul singers. India Arie has achieved a lot throughout her career, having sold over 3.3 million records in the US and 10 million worldwide. She also has 4 Grammy Awards

7. Corinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Bailey Rae is one of the most accomplished British neo-soul artists. The singer and songwriter became famous after her 2006 single Put Your Records On became an international hit. The star has six albums to her name. She also has 2 Grammy wins and six nominations.

8. Angie Stone

Angie Stone made a name for herself when she was a member of The Sequence. The American singer and songwriter has 14 albums out. She is known for hits like No More Rain, Wish I Didn’t Miss You and Brotha. She is one of the most notable singers of her generation.

9. Fantasia

Fantasia is a 36-year-old soul and RnB queen known for hits such as When I See You, Lose to Win, Truth Is, and Enough. She became famous after winning the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. She has six albums and has acted in a dozen movies and TV shows.

10. Amel Larrieux

Amel Larrieux sings R&B, soul, neo-soul, and jazz. She was one half of Groove Theory, a musical duo with Bryce Wilson. Her distinct vocals and unique performing style are what made her a reigning queen in these genres for decades. The star has five albums.

11. Jaguar Wright

Jaguar Wright was one of the most notable neo-soul names in the 90s. The 44-year-old performed alongside rap groups and hip-hop artists like Al Green, The Roots, Jay Z, and Blackalicious. She has four albums to her name.

12. Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae wears many hats; she is a singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and model. The RnB, soul, pop, and funk star got her big break in 2005 when Big Boi invited her to perform on several OutKast tracks. She became a household name after dropping her debut EP in 2007. Apart from music, she is also known for her unique sense of fashion.

13. Sunshine Anderson

Sunshine Anderson has been an active artist in the RnB, soul, and neo-soul genres since the late 90s. Some of her singles that became bangers include Lunch or Dinner, Something I Want to Give You, Force of Nature, and Wear the Crown. She has three studio albums.

14. UMI

UMI started singing at an early age. She learnt of YouTube beats while in high school and began writing songs. Her first major hit was Remember Me, which was released in 2018. Other hits by the RnB and soul singer include Happy Again and Down to Earth. The Seattle native has five extended plays.

15. Ledisi

The talented recording artist, songwriter, and actress has about ten albums. Popular songs by the jazz artist include Anything for You, I Blame You, Stay Together, and Same Love. Ledisi has one Grammy Award and two nominations. She is one of the most popular neo-soul artists.

The best female neo-soul artists always credit their pioneers. New artists are trying to follow what the founders of the genre had in mind. If you enjoy the genre, you can find many neo-soul playlists on streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube.

Tuko.co.ke outlined the top 25 female singers under 25 to watch out for in 2021. The singers are killing it in their respective genres and commanding huge followings, some even bigger than the musicians they look up to.

To be young and famous comes with its challenges. That is why many of the teen stars try to find a balance between their careers and personal lives and include messages of mental well-being in their music.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

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