Favorite Women Musicians or Performers
by SmokyBrownEyes | created - 29 Nov 2014 | updated - 30 Nov 2014 | PublicI really love music, different genres, different eras and always have. My top Woman Artists (I hate using the word female) are listed either because of their big voices, unique beauty, rebelliousness, weirdness, catchy songs or their ability to push the envelop (and often times get away with it). Many of these artists I find to be very interesting and I'll probably be listening to for the rest of my life. Here is my list in no particular order...
1. Sheila E.
Music_department | Man of Steel
Daughter of musician Pete Escovedo, Sheila E. became one of the top female musicians during the 1980s due to her fierce drumming style and her Latin rhythms. A former protégé of Prince, Sheila became a drummer in his band before branching off into solo musical projects. In addition to being ...
Glamorous Life Hold Me Koo Koo A Love Bizzare
2. Sade
Soundtrack | A Wrinkle in Time
Sade was born on January 16, 1959 in Ibadan, Nigeria. She is a music artist and composer, known for A Wrinkle in Time (2018), True Lies (1994) and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010). She was previously married to Carlos Scola.
Is it a Crime? Turn My Back on You No Ordinary Love Your Love is King Mermaid I Couldn't Love You More
3. Grace Jones
Actress | A View to a Kill
Grace Jones was born on May 19, 1948 in Spanish Town, St Catherine, Jamaica to Marjorie Jones (née Williams) and Reverend Robert W. Jones. When she was 12 she moved to Syracuse, New York, joining her family who had already moved there. She studied acting at Syracuse University and appeared in her ...
La Vie En Rose Private Life I'm Not Perfect Slave to the Rhythm My Jamaican Guy
4. Annie Lennox
Soundtrack | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Annie Lennox was born on December 25, 1954 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), Scrooged (1988) and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992). She has been married to Mitch Besser since September 15, 2012. ...
Why Who's the Girl? Would I Lie to You Sweet Dreams Don't Ask Me Why Missionary Man
5. Jill Scott
Actress | Why Did I Get Married?
Three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, New York Times best-selling poet, and critically acclaimed actor are only a few titles held by Jill Scott. Before having the #1 album in the country with "The Light of The Sun", performing at The White House, being named People Magazine's Top TV ...
A Long Walk He Loves Me Golden Cross My Mind Love Rain The Way
6. Madonna
Soundtrack | A League of Their Own
The remarkable, hyper-ambitious Material Girl who never stops re-inventing herself, Madonna has sold over three hundred million records and CDs to adoring fans worldwide. Her film career, however, is another story. Her performances have consistently drawn scathing or laughable reviews from film ...
Live to Tell Into the Groove Justify My Love Vogue Dress You Up Rain Oh Father Hung Up Lucky Star Get Together
7. MC Lyte
Actress | Girls Trip
A philanthropist who has presented almost $900,000 in scholarships over the past seven years, an actress on Power, Queen of the South, SWAT, and more, MC LYTE is ONLY female solo hip hop artist to receive the BET I Am Hip Hop ICON Award. First female to perform hip hop in the White House and first ...
Paper Thin Lyte as a Rock Ruffneck Poor Georgie Cha Cha Cha
8. Björk
Soundtrack | Dancer in the Dark
Born in 1965 in the Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik, the daughter of Gudmundur Gunnarsson (an electrician) and Hildur Hauksdóttir who divorced before her second birthday, Björk grew up in a hippie-type community with her mother and her seven siblings. She started to study classical music at the...
Big Time Sensuality Violently Happy Pagan Poetry Army of Me Enjoy Isobel Aurora Hidden Place Unravel Pluto Hunter
9. Tori Amos
Soundtrack | Twister
At age one, Tori and her family moved to Baltimore, where she spent much of her childhood. She started playing piano at a very early age (2 1/2). At the age of five, she was accepted to the Peabody Conservatory of Music (Arts school); she was the youngest person to be accepted to the school. ...
Space Dog Crucify Tear in Your Hand God Black Dove (January) She's Your Cocaine Waitress Lust Datura Cruel
10. Teena Marie
Soundtrack | Top Gun
Teena Marie was born on March 5, 1956 in Santa Monica, California, USA. She was an actress and composer, known for Top Gun (1986), The Goonies (1985) and Maid in Manhattan (2002). She died on December 26, 2010 in Pasadena, California, USA.
Square Biz Deja Vu Ooh La La La Fire and Desire Lovergirl Portuguese Love A Rose by Another Name Out on a Limb
11. Erykah Badu
Actress | The Cider House Rules
Erykah Badu was born on February 26, 1971 in Dallas, Texas, USA. She is a music artist and actress, known for The Cider House Rules (1999), Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) and What Men Want (2019).
Bag Lady Tyrone Window Seat Didn't Ya Know On and On Love of my Life Next Lifetime
12. Anita Baker
Soundtrack | Blockers
Anita was born January 26, 1958 in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She began singing in church choir when she was 12 and at 16 sang in a local group along with high school friends. In 1975 she successfully auditioned for the group Chapter 8, having been approached by bass player ...
Angel Sweet Love Body and Soul Good Love No One in the World Mystery Fairy Tales
13. Tina Turner
Soundtrack | Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
With almost fifty years in the music business, Tina Turner became one of the most commercially successful international female rock stars. Her sultry, powerful voice, her incredible legs, her time-tested beauty and her unforgettable story all contributed to her legendary status.
Born to a ...
What's Love Got To Do With It? Let's Stay Together We Don't Need Another Hero Golden Eye Private Dancer Proud Mary (Rollin' on a River)
14. Alice Smith
Soundtrack | The Harder They Fall
Alice Smith's soul-stirring combination of fiercely honed pop drenched in notes of soul, orchestral arrangements and multi-hued harmonies is nothing short of intoxicating and will leave you wanting more of this Grammy-nominated powerhouse.
Her highly-anticipated EP "Mystery", compiled of all ...
Be Easy Fool For You Dream Gary's Song Do I
15. Marsha Ambrosius
Soundtrack | Guess Who
Marsha Ambrosius is known for Guess Who (2005), The Birth of a Nation (2016) and Floetry Feat. Common: SupaStar (2005). She has been married to Dez Billups since 2012. They have one child.
Floetic Late Nights Early Mornings Stronger Than Pride Say Yes Super Star
16. Whitney Houston
Soundtrack | The Bodyguard
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born into a musical family on 9 August 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of gospel star Cissy Houston (née Emily Lee Drinkard) and John Russell Houston, Jr., and cousin of singing star Dionne Warwick.
She began singing in the choir at her church, The New Hope ...
You Give Good Love So Emotional Saving All My Love for You I'm Every Woman I Have Nothing Greatest Love of All It's Not Right But It's Okay How Will I Know?
17. India Arie
Soundtrack | Miami Vice
India Arie was born on October 3, 1975 in Denver, Colorado, USA. She is an actress and composer, known for Miami Vice (2006), Don't Say a Word (2001) and Radio (2003).
Video Ready For Love Cocoa Butter I Am Not My Hair Little Things Brown Skin
18. Patti LaBelle
Soundtrack | Miami Vice
Patti LaBelle was born Patricia Louise Holte on May 24, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Patti began her career in the early 1960s as lead singer of the band Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. A decade later the group changed their name to Labelle and recorded the hit song "Lady Marmalade". Patti...
Hey Mister If Only You Knew If I Asked You To On My Own Somebody Loves You Lady Marmalade New Attitude
19. Siouxsie Sioux
Soundtrack | Last Night in Soho
Siouxsie Sioux, the lead singer of Siouxsie and the Banshees (1976-1996), one of the original punk bands, was born Susan Ballion in London, England, to a Belgian Walloon father and an English/Scottish mother. The band evolved from punk, to goth and psychedelia to a more accessible sound in more ...
Swimming Horses Cities In Dust Kiss Them For Me Face to Face Happy House Spellbound Arabian Knights Fireworks
20. Janet Jackson
Soundtrack | Poetic Justice
Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966 in Gary, Indiana, to Katherine Jackson (née Katherine Esther Scruse) and Joe Jackson, a musician. She is the youngest of ten children. Before her birth, her brothers formed a band later called The Jackson 5. She lived at home with her sisters, while ...
Anytime Anyplace Velvet Rope Pleasure Principle If What Have You Done For My Lately Let's Wait Awhile What About Because of Love This Time Make Me Son of a Gun
21. Cyndi Lauper
Soundtrack | Cyndi Lauper: Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Cyndi Lauper was born on June 22, 1953 in Ozone Park, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. She is a music artist and actress, known for Cyndi Lauper: Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1983), Vibes (1988) and Mad About You (1992). She has been married to David Thornton since November 24, 1991. They have...
Time After Time True Colors What's Going On? I Drove All Night Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Change of Heart She Bop Money Changes Everything
22. Eve
Actress | Barbershop
Eve was born on November 10, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Barbershop (2002), xXx (2002) and Whip It (2009). She has been married to Maximillion Cooper since June 14, 2014. They have one child.
23. Meshell Ndegeocello
Soundtrack | Fallen
Meshell Ndegeocello was born on August 29, 1968 in Berlin, Germany. She is a composer and actress, known for Fallen (1998), Love & Basketball (2000) and Batman & Robin (1997).
I'm Diggin' You (Like an Old Soul Record) Dred Loc Mary Magdalene Ecclesiastes: Free My Heart Who Is He and What is He to You Two Lonely Hearts (On the Subway) Outside Your Door Grace Wasted Time Bitter Beautiful
24. Faith Evans
Soundtrack | Girls Trip
Faith Evans was born on June 10, 1973 in Lakeland, Florida, USA. She is a music artist and actress, known for Girls Trip (2017), Puff Daddy Feat. Faith Evans & 112: I'll Be Missing You (1997) and The Fast and the Furious (2001). She has been married to Stevie J since July 17, 2018. She was ...
25. Queen Latifah
Actress | Chicago
Often considered hip-hop's first lady, the woman behind the moniker Queen Latifah was born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970, in East Orange, New Jersey. She is the daughter of Rita (Bray), a teacher, and Lancelot Owens Sr. She came from a police family-both her father and her older brother were ...
Dance For Me Fly Girl U.N.I.T.Y Just Another Day I Can't Understand Come Into My House Ladies First Latifah Had It Up To Here How Do I Love Thee
26. Angela Winbush
Soundtrack | Friday
Angela Winbush is known for Friday (1995), Notorious (2009) and Next Friday (2000). She was previously married to Ronald Isley.
Angel You Don't Have to Cry I'll Be Good Your Smile My First Love
27. Neneh Cherry
Soundtrack | The Long Kiss Goodnight
Neneh Cherry was born on March 10, 1964 in Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden. She is an actress and composer, known for The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), Alone in the Dark (2005) and The Fan (1996). She has been married to Cameron McVey since 1990. They have two children. She was previously married ...
Manchild Buffalo Stance Move With Me I Got You Under My Skin 7 Seconds Sassy Phony Ladies Love Ghetto Inna City Mamma Buddy X Peace In Mind
28. Phyllis Hyman
Soundtrack | Set It Off
Deep-voiced and statuesque, Phyllis Hyman sang with a life-affirming energy and emotional intensity found in few other female vocalists. Born in Philadelphia in 1949 (and raised in Pittsburgh), her professional career began in New York City where, during an engagement, she was spotted by producer ...
29. Mary J. Blige
Soundtrack | Mudbound
Mary J. Blige was born on January 11, 1971 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. She is a music artist and actress, known for Mudbound (2017), Rock of Ages (2012) and The Help (2011). She was previously married to Kendu Isaacs.
30. Kate Bush
Soundtrack | The Line, the Cross & the Curve
Kate Bush began playing piano at a young age and, by her mid-teens, had composed over 200 songs. Her talent caught the notice of David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd) who assisted in arranging her contract with EMI. The first song she released, "Wuthering Heights", soared to #1 in England in 1978. Since ...
Running Up That Hill This Woman's Work Don't Give Up
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