[1990s] Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers in Western Music
The Western music scene of the 1990s was a transformative era, with bands and artists labeled as grunge and alternative rock overturning conventional hit-chart norms, while club music saw a steady stream of hits emerging from new genres like hip-hop and neo-soul.
This time, we’re focusing on female singers who, amid that turbulent scene, used their unique styles and talents to profoundly influence later generations of artists, presenting a diverse lineup that cuts across genres.
Alongside artists who debuted in the ’90s, we’re also featuring those active since the ’80s.
Enjoy the voices of the female singers who defined the vibrant landscape of the 1990s—a decade that has been receiving renewed appreciation in recent years!
- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1990s
- All masterpieces! Western pop ballads that were hits in the ’90s
- Great Western pop masterpieces and hit songs of the 90s
- Ranking of Popular Songs by Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s [2026]
- Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 1980s Western Music
- Female Western music artists who are good singers
- [Back to the '90s!] Dance Music from Western Hits of the 1990s
- Western songs from the 90s featured in commercials. A roundup of CM songs.
- Debut song by a 90s Western girls' band
- Western music popular among women in their 40s. World-famous classics and hit songs.
- Looking back at the gem-like debut songs of female singers who debuted in 1990
- Top Female Singer-Songwriters and Popular Songs of the 2000s [2026]
- [Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by female artists from the 1970s
[1990s] Still Shining! Recommended Female Western Music Singers (21–30)
Un-Break My HeartToni Braxton
She is an R&B singer and actress from the U.S.
state of Maryland.
Both her debut album and her second album, released in the ’90s, were worldwide hits, and her signature ballad “Un-Break My Heart” was a massive success, spending 11 consecutive weeks at No.
1 in the United States.
Though her life has had its ups and downs—including filing for bankruptcy—her rich, sultry voice has continued to be loved well into the 2000s and beyond.
We Belong TogetherMariah Carey
Mariah Carey, an American singer, continues to captivate music fans around the world with her astonishing five-and-a-half-octave range and mastery of the whistle register.
She made her debut in 1990 with her self-titled album, Mariah Carey, establishing a unique style that blends R&B, pop, and gospel.
She has an outstanding record of achievements, including six Grammy Awards and twenty Billboard Music Awards.
In her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, she candidly recounted her tumultuous life, drawing significant attention.
Her songs, woven with overwhelming vocal power and expressive nuance, are characterized by sophisticated melodies and deep emotional expression, making them highly recommended for anyone seeking a voice that truly resonates.
Sweet LoveAnita Baker
A legendary singer known for her powerful vocals and deep emotional expression.
Anita Baker captivated many from the 1980s through the ’90s with her unique style that blends soul, R&B, and jazz.
She made a major breakthrough with her 1986 album Rapture, winning her first Grammy Award.
She continued to release hits like Giving You the Best That I Got and went on to earn a total of eight Grammy Awards over the course of her career.
While balancing family and music, she made a triumphant return in 2004 with My Everything.
Anita’s richly expressive voice is recommended to anyone seeking music that resonates with the heart.
DressPJ Harvey
PJ Harvey is a female singer from England.
In 1991, she released her debut single, “Dress,” on an independent label, and its raw sound earned her recognition from Rolling Stone as one of the best songwriters.
Her debut album, Dry, in particular, was cited as a favorite by Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, the charismatic rock band of the ’90s grunge scene, clearly showing how strongly she influenced other artists of her generation.
In conclusion
As mentioned at the beginning, the music scene of the 1990s was literally an era of mixtures, and as you can see from the artists introduced this time, brand-new talents emerged one after another from a wide range of fields among female singers.
It was also a period when many remarkable frontwomen appeared not only as solo artists but also in bands and groups, so be sure to dig deeper!