Forbes’ entertainment editors certainly ruffled their fair share of feathers last year when they crowned Queen of neo-Soul Erykah Badu the “greatest R&B singer of all time,” but their newest musical index seems to have earned a bit more favor with the various hardcore fan bases of some of music’s biggest names.
The money magazine took a break from counting coins to counting down the “Top 30 Female Vocalists of the 90s,” a list that made its way to the net in celebration of March being Women’s History Month.
Considering female acts across multiple genres including (but not limited to) Pop, Rock, Rap, R&B, and more, Forbes said the divas’ ranking on the compilation was based on their critical acclaim, impact on society, longevity, and – of course – commercial impact during the time period.
Unsurprisingly, Mariah Carey – the best-selling female artist of the decade and only act to have a Hot 100 chart-topping hit each year from 1990-1999 – ranked at #1.
And while names like Anita Baker, Britney Spears, Aaliyah, Faith Evans, Kelly Price, Reba McEntire, Enya, Monica, and Natalie Cole were noticeably absent, major songstresses like Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, and Whitney Houston found prominent placement on the countdown.
Check out their top 10 below.
Forbes’ Top 10 Female Singers of the 90’s
1 – Mariah Carey
2 – Janet Jackson
3 – Whitney Houston
4 – Shania Twain
5 – Leanne Rimes
6 – Toni Braxton
7 – Celine Dion
8 – Madonna
9 – Mary J. Blige
10 – Sheryl Crow
Other notable entries include Lauryn Hill (#12), Brandy (#16), Cher (#20), Erykah Badu (#23), and Christina Aguilera (#28).
See the full list here.
She had the album sales slay age and hits to take the crown. But the Queen was the it girl. The cover girl. The trendsetter The poster girl all in one. It could go either way. We will take number two though
Top singers and Whitney is number 3? What was these millennials on when they made this list? Celine at 7. Mariah, Whitney and Celine are the vocal trinity in any era
Madonna owned the 80s and vast part of the 90s. Mariah could carry a tune if in the studio. Madonna started the whole concert experience that it became to this very day.
It seems this list was based on impact and influence rather than sheer vocal talent.
Why dead artists still count?💅🏽
Cuz it’s from the ’90s did you even read the article LOL
This list is accurate. It’s not about singing ability. It’s about who was running them charts with hit after hit. Mariah for the win. Janer next. Whitney third. Who has the best star spangled banner? Whitney first and second and third all the way down because nobody else could even think about coming close to matching it.
they didnt say this so dont speak for them and assume
Mariah and Janet was all about the 90s. People at that time knows what I mean. These girls been fire for the whole decade. Released unforgettable music !
Let em know, Boo. Set the record straight.
If you’re talking singers then Mariah, Whitney and Celine should be top 3 no matter what. Mariah is usually bested in these lists by Whitney and vocally, arguably, rightfully so. However, If you’re talking artistry, Mariah should always be at the top. 19 number ones, wrote or co-wrote 98% of her catalog and can we just talk about production and background vocals…stellar. She was a trendsetter and is often used as the blueprint. I’m a Whitney AND Mariah fan ’til the death of me but Mariah has always edged out the win for me.
Wait. Erykah Badu the “greatest R&B singer of all time,”? HA HA HA HAAAA😂😂😂😂
And ARETHA FRANKLIN AND WHITNEY HOUSTON ARE THE GREATEST VOCALISTS IN HISTORY. MARIAH is a once in a lifetime vocalist with a powerful gift, Im a BIG fan and Stan of hers.
But ARETHA and WHITNEY are the BEST SINGERS OF ALL TIME.