A coming-of-age tale set to thumping bass and wheezing synths, ‘Kaleidoscope’ saw Kelis set the standard for a new era of experimental R&B.
Rising to fame with James Brown’s revue, Lyn Collins fought for female artists during a difficult period, leaving a trail of soul and funk classics behind.
So much more than a blues singer, Bessie Smith was an icon for her race and gender, and her legend resonates like no other in the history of blues singers.
Today, legends are ten a penny. When Billie Holiday was given the accolade it meant something: she was one of, if not the, best jazz singers of all time.
The singer-songwriter’s highly anticipated debut album has already earned wide acclaim for its impactful, raw lyricism and genre-defying sound.
By staying true to her roots and refusing to compromise, Jessie Reyez has perfectly set the stage for her introduction to the world.
From singing in Motown’s biggest girl group to earning Oscar nods and becoming a fashion icon, Diana Ross set the template for future stars to follow.
From subversive subject matter to affairs of the heart, the best female songwriters are often the most insightful, as this list proves.
Her new single, ‘Twinkle Twinkle’, offers a taste of the Sturgill Simpson-produced LP.
“Billie Eilish has taken the world by storm with her incredible voice and genre-defying sound.”
From The Supremes to Martha & The Vandellas and beyond, the best Motown girl groups defined a strain of soul music that keeps us dancing in the street.
Shania Twain opened the door for a range of female country singers, with some joining her pop-rock crossover, while others are going the traditional route.
There is no shortage of talented vocalists, but the best female jazz singers possess unique voices which hold their own against their male counterparts.
“I found out hosts got to listen to music every day and talk about it, I knew at that moment I needed to be in radio.”
One of punk’s biggest achievements was in balancing gender equality, allowing charismatic female punks to break through and speak with authority.
