Music has gone through quite a 360 degree change in the last 20 years.
If you make a contrast with the R&B and Hip-Hop influenced era of the early 2000’s and then straight to the past couple of years, ruled by Rap and Trap-inspired artists, like Cardi B, Doja Cat, Ariana Grande – to name a few, it really does seem like an entirely different space in time.
However what hasn’t changed through this is what we except from great voices and powerful vocalists. From the start of the new millennium with voices like Christina Aguilera and Beyonce, to the most recent success achieved by vocalists like – Ariana Grande and Adele – there might have been a slight shift to the styles of singing, but no dearth of talent whatsoever.
Looking back at the last 20 years of music only, here are the top 10 best female singers, who are ranked not just on the basis of the technicalities of their instrument, but also on their ability to emote and tell a story through their songs.
The 10 best female voices (2001 to 2021):
10) Christina Aguilera
Aguilera’s voice has seen some major changes in the last one decade, but her work in her first 3 albums alone make her one of the best voices of the generation. What she did in the studio, with songs like ‘Soar’ and ‘Voice Within’, make her one of the most skilled and extraordinary vocalists of our time.
9) Adele
Adele’s voice was a standout to us starting from her debut album ’19’, way before she gained international recognition with her trademark hit single – ‘Rolling In The Deep.’ The British diva has transformed herself into one of the biggest selling stars of present, but beyond all that commercial glory – her talent as a singer and a songwriter, and her ability to render her heart to her songs – are truly her “unique-selling points.”
8) Lady Gaga
Gaga’s vocal talent was perhaps part of her ‘shock value’. Most naysayers did not expect this multi-faceted performer to blow them away with her vocals, when she popularized herself for other reasons during the start of her career as this generation’s “Madonna.” You didn’t expect a vocalist, who could belt out Star Spangled Banner, Bang Bang, Edge Of Glory, Million Reasons, Till It Happens To You – the way she did, until she went out and did it. And she totally blew everyone away with it.
7) Beyonce
From her high-octane, well-choreographed performances to her – awe-inspiring and groundbreaking visuals, Beyonce has always been a perfectionist. And that drive to perfection is probably the reason why she outshone everyone else in Destiny’s Child. The same growth has been witnessed in her vocals, which have constantly been evolving ever-since she made her debut with the vocal group, back in the 90’s. Beyonce is utterly skilled as a vocalist, and her gorgeous chesty tonal quality is the icing on that cake.
6) Jessie J
Another unsung performer of our time – thanks to the subpar music and songs, that have done no justice to her gift. But if we are to judge the singer, notwithstanding their musical output – then Jessie J is right up there. As a vocalist, she boasts of the prowess of Celine Dion and the agility of Mariah Carey; and the sheer control of her instrument, that she often showcases in her live performances, is jaw-dropping.
5) Natasha Bedingfield
The chirpy, imperfect sound of Natasha Bedingfield served as a fresh breather in the midst of all the perfected sounds in Popular music back in the early 2000’s. Her debut studio album ‘Unwritten’ gave everyone a glimpse of her amazing talent as a singer and a songwriter, and her unique tonal quality gave character to her songs and made her standout in a crowd of similar-sounding Pop voices. Her vocal talent is exemplified in songs like – Stumble, Happy and Wild Horses. (Do check them out!)
4) Jennifer Hudson
Former American Idol Alumni Jennifer Hudson, achieved Oscar and Grammy glory early-on in her career, courtesy of her starring role in Dreamgirls. So much so she managed to snatch all the attention from none other than – Beyonce, who also starred in the film, around that time. But despite all the acclaim, JHud couldn’t replicate the same success on her own albums, in the years that followed. But for a voice – that has often been labeled – ‘the best of the generation’, there certainly needs to be a better team of musicians and composers, to help bring out the best in her and let her talent shine globally. Nevertheless, Miss Hudson remains one of the best vocalists of our time.
3) Joss Stone
With some brief success and Grammy glory during the start of her career back in the early to mid 2000’s, this British blue-eyed Soul singer, can easily be deemed the ‘better version’ of Adele, in terms of more controlled and soulful vocals. Her entire ‘Mind, Body & Soul’ album is filled with some of the best RnB songs that released around that time, and her voice never missed a note, even if she’d break-free and let loose during a live performance. Truly an underrated vocalist, and one of the bests – of the last 20 years.
2) Yolanda Adams
An underrated queen of vocals, who has mostly dominated the Gospel genre with the sheer prowess of her vocals. With a voice that is a combination of – power and soul, with equal amounts – Yolanda manages to bring anyone to their feet when she gets to singing a song. Her tributes to icons like Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston – have often exemplified her vocal talent and how she can take the most difficult of songs head-on, and make them even more difficult to sing. All we can say is – Yolanda needs to do more of Pop/Rnb and secular music, to let the whole world be aware of her monumental vocal gift.
1) Amy Winehouse
The most standout voice of the last 20 years is hands-down that of Amy Winehouse’s. Her exceptional talent and her ability to infuse emotion and soul in her lyric, bringing out the meaning behind each word she sang – made her one of the most acclaimed performers, among a string of “American Idol wannabes.” With a touch of ‘old-school’ in her retro-inspired looks, music and voice – Amy still maintained her originality, and catapulted into iconic status with mere 2 studio albums, before her untimely passing in the year 2011. Although the world of music could have gained a lot more from a talent like this, had she lived longer, but Amy still managed to prove enough with whatever years she gave to the biz. And here she is at #1 on our list.
Honorable mention to some other standout voices of the era:
Kelly Clarkson
Alicia Keys
Ariana Grande
Nicole Scherzinger
Sia
P!NK