Top 10 Underrated Modern Female Artists
Give that woman some credit! Join MsMojo as we countdown down our picks for the Top 10 Underrated Modern Female Artists
For this list, we're looking at active female artists who are underrated due to factors such as their lack of mainstream buzz despite critical acclaim, and their lack of ability to make it big in the US, which like or not, is a must for pop domination in the English speaking world. We're not saying that these artists are unsuccessful by any means, in fact they could have earned a few number one hits on the chart but overall their discography is not as appreciated or successful as it could be. For this particular ranking, we've excluded bands like Tegan and Sara, as well as groups like Little Mix.
Special thanks to our users greenred21r, Heber Gonzalez, Jelvey, and Jose Gasparfor submitting the idea on our Interactive Suggestion Tool at http://www.MsMojo.tv
#10: Estelle
A UK native, Estelle first received success with her song “1980”, proving her skills as both rapper and singer. But her real big break came in 2008, with her single “American Boy,” which featured Kanye West and won her a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2009. Oddly, Estelle's Grammy win hasn't seemed to kick the flood gates open for her, and that’s not to say she hasn’t been putting out good music since because she has! Her lyrics are poignant, and her unique vocals give her a delivery no one else has. It’s unclear why she's never quite exploded in the mainstream but it’s a crime against her musical talent.
#9: Emeli Sandé
This British singer both opened and closed the 2012 London Olympic Games, but she can’t seem to catch a break Stateside. She’s been invited to the White House, where she played the piano and sang Carole King’s, “Natural Woman,” but she isn’t a staple on American radio. Beloved in her native country, Emeli’s had 10 singles, both as lead and featured vocalist, crack the top 10 on the UK charts whereas in the US, her highest charting song was 2012’s “Next to Me,” which peaked at #25. The charts definitely aren’t everything but Emeli deserves more recognition for her stellar vocals that rival other, better known R&B/pop divas like Rihanna.
#8: Sky Ferreira
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People first started taking notice in singer Sky Ferreira in 2010 with “One”, the synthpop song that made it to #67 on the UK Singles chart before her label ultimately delayed Ferreira's debut album Night Time, My Time until 2013. She earned her street cred when she released the single “Everything is Embarrassing”, her standout and critically adored track. But despite critical buzz and a spot as the opening act on Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz tour, her music isn’t widely played and has yet to crack the mainstream even though she has the cool and uniqueness of someone like Lorde. Sky may be turning her sights towards acting with a coveted spot as the lead in the re-boot of David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” but fans can only hope new music isn’t too far off.
#7: Janelle Monae
Known for her CoverGirl good looks paired with her signature pompadour and tux, Janelle is one of the most dynamic, genre-bending artists out there today. Unafraid to experiment with her sound, it may explain why it’s hard for Janelle to find a larger fan base. Janelle has songs ranging from the oldies inspired pop sound of “Tightrope” to grittier, soul and funk inspired songs like “Q.U.E.E.N.” No matter what’s she’s doing she kills it vocally, even if it’s just a guest feature like in her chorus stealing moment on fun’s “We Are Young,” the 2011 number one hit that marked her first top 10 appearance on the Billboard charts. We hope that changes soon, and Janelle has more number ones up her sleeve.
#6: Tori Kelly
She’s been trying to break into the music industry since she was 10 but the Tori Kelly is only now finding success. In her quest for stardom Kelly has been on multiple competition shows, most notably “American Idol,” where Simon Cowell deemed her voice “annoying”. But lucky for fans, she ignored Simon and continued to focus on her craft. The Grammy nominated performer has more than 25 million views on her YouTube cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You” and has sung with Andrea Boccelli but despite all of this, she’s still relatively unknown without at top 10 hit in the US or UK.
#5: Charli XCX
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Pop princess she’s not, Charli’s the cool girl in school. She’s made a name for herself with collaborations like “Fancy” with Iggy Azalea and Icona Pop’s “I Love It,” both of which were in the Hot 100’s Top 10 but it's a feat she’s only accomplished once on her own with “Boom Clap,” a track made famous by the film “The Fault in Our Stars”. That’s nothing to sneer at, but her two albums True Romance and Sucker, are underappreciated despite the overwhelmingly positive reviews. With her sharp lyrics and slightly snarly voice, Charli’s stands out from the Taylor Swifts of the world and marches to a beat that's all her own.
#4: Sara Bareilles
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She’s never mentioned in the conversation of influential pop acts but Sara Bareilles has proved time and time again that her talent is undeniable. Since her 2007 breakthrough hit, “Love Song” reached number four on the US Billboard charts, she’s been steadily putting out critically acclaimed music which has earned her five Grammy nominations. Bareilles' proved that she’s a prolific writer with a New York Times best selling memoir and she wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical, “Waitress,” which earned her a Tony nomination. Despite all this, Sara's feel-good pop hasn’t made her a household name overseas and she is yet to manage another top 10 hit in the US.
#3: Marina and the Diamonds
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With one of the most unique voices in pop, it’s a head-scratcher to why Marina isn’t more famous. Comparable to a Florence Welch meets Katy Perry, Marina’s music is a fun mix of dance pop and dizzying vocals. She’s produced three full-length albums, all of which have highly favorable reviews from critics with 2015’s Froot becoming one of the best rated pop albums of the year. Marina has a cult following, as hardcore fans flocked to see her at festivals like Lollapalooza and Coachella, but despite opening for Coldplay and Katy Perry, she can’t seem to break into the mainstream. It may not matter to Marina, but a talent like hers deserves more recognition.
#2: Carly Rae Jepsen
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You’d think a song as big as “Call Me Maybe” would make an artist’s career for life but somehow Carly Rae is still an underdog. The pop artist, who started out on Canadian Idol, did follow up the 2011 single with another hit, “Good Time” alongside Owl City, but she’s had a hard time re-creating the success of her first hit, which most fans will tell you isn’t even her best song! Her catalogue is largely under appreciated by the public; her album Emotion, for example, was a 1980s inspired collection but was overshadowed by Taylor Swift’s 1989, despite being one of the highest rated pop albums of 2015 and appearing on many critics’ year-end lists. Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Betty Who Rachel Platten Rae Morris Bea Miller Yuna
#1: Robyn
Robyn has been out here killing the game since 1995 with breakthrough hits like “Do You Know (What It Takes),” making people pay attention. And they did in her native Sweden and other parts of Europe, where she’s considered one of the best artists in pop but in the US, she hasn’t had a song crack the Billboard charts since 1997! She’s a contemporary of popular artists like Britney Spears but unlike Brit-Brit, she’s an absolute critical darling. “Dancing On My Own” and “Call Your Girlfriend” are pop masterpieces, but are largely underrated for just how damn good they are. Robyn's music will stand the test of time but would some fame in her own time be too much to ask for? Do you agree with our list? Which underrated artist deserves more love? For more deserving Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.
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