Top 20 Female Artists with the Lowest Singing Voices

Top 20 Female Artists With the Lowest Singing Voices

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for our favorite women who can sing remarkably deep.

#20: Macy Gray

Taking our twentieth spot is Macy Gray, a defining figure of R&B and soul music. She first became massively famous in 1999, with her hit single “I Try.” Since then, she’s sold millions of records globally. Gray’s voice is instantly recognizable on account of its signature raspy style. This is the primary reason she’s on our list, but she’s surprisingly only considered a mezzo-soprano, not a contralto. Still, she has a pretty wide range, estimated to span from A2 to D6, which means she can comfortably sing in the alto range. This makes it almost 3 and a half octaves wide in total.

#19: Anne Murray

Next up is the Canadian country and pop singer, Anne Murray. She was originally born in Nova Scotia, then became the first Canadian woman to top the U.S. charts for her 1970 track, “Snowbird.” Her range isn’t remarkably wide, with estimates claiming it spans from A2 to F#5. This places her comfortably in the contralto range, though, meaning her voice is best suited to lower tones. Murray’s career spanned over 40 years, with her retiring in 2008, after winning a ton of awards. This is a decision she’s not once regretted, since she’s having a relaxed retirement after such a monumental career.

#18: Ruth Pointer

The Pointer Sisters were one of the most famous vocal groups of the '70s and '80s. The trio released a plethora of massive hits, such as “Automatic,” “Jump (For My Love)”, and “I’m So Excited”. It was initially a trio, but then Ruth joined in 1972, who had the deepest voice by far. Since then, she’s been the longest remaining member of the group, still being part of The Pointer Sisters in 2025. Her range made her a confident contralto, making her one of the best-known women with a deep voice in music history.

#17: Tina Turner

Also known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” few artists can match the reputation Tina Turner acquired during her 65-year career. Like almost every woman on this list, she was a powerful contralto vocalist. Estimates claim her range spans all the way from A2 to F6, placing her firmly in the alto region. It’s just one of the many reasons she was considered such a talented musician. Her skill and passion for her craft led her to become one of the highest-grossing musicians of all time, alongside breaking far too many records for just one video.

#16: Alison Moyet

Next up is the English singer who used to be better known as Alf. She was initially a member of Yazoo, or Yaz in America, but her solo career proved more successful. Since starting her career in 1981, she’s sold over 23 million records globally. Her range is approximately 3 and a half octaves, estimated to go from G#2 to D6, making her a contralto. Moyet’s defining voice is a major factor in how her career has been so successful. She’s been most popular in her home country of the UK, where all of her albums have reached the top 30 charts.

#15: Tanita Tikaram

We have yet another British singer, but this time one who is primarily pop and folk. Her debut album was the most famous of her works, released in 1988 under the title “Ancient Heart.” She’s yet another one of the most renowned contraltos in modern history. Tikaram’s range is believed to span from G#2 to D5, which is approximately 2.5 octaves. Technicality isn’t a priority of her singing, though. It’s her one-of-a-kind style and uniquely deep voice that make her stand out. Since her debut, she’s kept releasing music at a fairly consistent rate, with albums still coming out in the 2020s.

#14: Grace Jones

Few vocalists can match the monumentally wide range possessed by Jones. By analysing her songs, people have estimated she can comfortably sing from E2 to C7, which is an immense 4.67 octaves. She initially began her career as a model, then pivoted to music, which proved to be an amazing decision. While you could consider her a contralto, her range is so massive that she can sing across all major ranges. It’s not only singing and modelling she’s talented at, she’s also a talented actor, famously playing May Day in the 80s Bond flick, “A View to a Kill.”

#13: Stevie Nicks

Fleetwood Mac can easily be considered one of the most famous rock bands of all time. Vocalist Stevie Nicks joined the group in 1975 and was a member during their peak. Then, she went on to pursue a highly lucrative solo career. Nicks is a relatively technical singer, having a range generally estimated to be about 3.5 octaves wide. This covered the lower range of notes, meaning we can confidently classify her as a contralto. She can nail higher registers as well, though. Her mastery of both low and high notes is just one of many factors that made her music so successful.

#12: Anita Baker

You probably know Baker best by her 80s soul ballads. This soul jazz vocalist has been in show business since 1979, and has kept a career going since, on account of her remarkable talents. Baker initially sang with Chapter 8, a '70s funk group, but began pursuing a solo career in the '80s. She wouldn’t make it big until her second album, “Rapture,” was released in 1986. Currently, she’s won 8 Grammy awards, with four of her albums going Platinum. If you’ve heard her sing once, you’ll instantly be able to recognise her powerful contralto voice.

#11: Sade

This British-Nigerian singer is the lead vocalist for the band Sade, named after her. She first formed them in 1982, and their debut album in 1984 became an immense success. Sade’s vocal range is estimated to be just over three octaves wide, with emphasis on the lower register. When you think of contralto vocalists, she’s likely one of the first to come to mind. Few artists can match her confidence when it comes to deep singing. For her major contributions to music, Sade was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2002, then a Commander in 2017.

#10: Lorde

In 2013, New Zealand singer Lorde achieved global fame after releasing her hit single “Royals.” She has an instantly recognizable voice and a talent for singing impressively low. For example, in her hit track “Perfect Places” from the album “Melodrama,” her background vocals and harmonies reach as low as G2. She has remarkable control over her lower range, often staying in registers most female pop stars shy away from. This gives her a dramatic and distinct vocal style few can match. She may not be as skilled as a classically trained contralto, but compared to the average pop star, her lower vocal range is highly impressive.

#9: Fiona Apple

Since her debut album in 1996, Fiona Apple has become known as one of the most unique pop stars of her generation. She frequently sings in the lower registers, often with remarkable power and emotional intensity. Her voice has matured over the years, becoming a deep and raw instrument. No song of hers showcases her vocal talents as well as “Hot Knife,” sung by her and her sister. It’s not just her range that makes her vocals so good; it’s her complex phrasing and delivery, which adds intensity to every song. The only complaint we can make about Apple is that she releases music way too infrequently.

#8: Nina Simone

Simone’s career lasted almost 50 years. During that time, she became one of the most influential musicians in history. Her range was fairly limited, restricted to approximately one octave. Despite this, she was a force to be reckoned with when it came to lower registers. She arguably became the archetype for low and powerful female vocals in pop music. Her delivery on tracks like “Feeling Good” showcases her amazing talent. Only a handful of musicians can deliver such booming low notes with the same level of clarity and control Simone did.

#7: Amy Winehouse

Few musicians receive as much praise for their contralto vocals as Amy Winehouse does. She tragically died while only 27, but managed to become one of the most acclaimed singers in history during her lifetime. Her voice was defined by a deep, velvety tone, frequently singing in the lower registers. This gave her a unique sound countless musicians have tried to emulate since her breakthrough. Winehouse’s low notes hit hard, not just because of her pitch, but because of the power and intensity she delivered them with. Her early death will always be remembered as one of the most tragic losses in music history.

#6: Karen Carpenter

As one half of the Carpenters, Karen became highly praised for her three-octave range, alongside her confidence in lower registers. Low notes sounded entirely natural to Carpenter’s low voice. Unlike other singers who make such notes sound dramatic, she delivered them gently with impressive subtlety. Producers would construct songs around her voice, making her talent the centrepiece. It’s crazy to think that she started as the duo’s drummer rather than singer. Unfortunately, she developed a severe eating disorder in 1975, which eventually claimed her life. Carpenter died at only 32 years old, but will forever be remembered as one of history’s greatest singers.

#5: Toni Braxton

Her career began in 1989, and since then, Toni Braxton has become one of the biggest names in R&B. She’s sold over 70 million records globally. Her mastery of lower registers is one of her sound’s most defining features. Braxton’s voice is frequently described as “husky, sultry” and “elegant,” as showcased by hit tracks like “Un-Break My Heart.” Her voice is so deep that she looks to male singers as vocal style models. Now, she’s considered a trailblazer for the use of contralto in popular music and R&B.

#4: Adele

The best-selling album of the century so far is “21” by Adele, released in 2011. It made Adele a household name globally. Unlike other entries on this list, she’s a mezzo-soprano, not a contralto. You’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise; that happens fairly often. Still, she can and does hit amazingly low notes and has an exceptionally strong lower register. Adele has no issues hitting incredibly high notes as well, having a mastery of almost three octaves. She has one of the most impressive voices in the world, and she has no shortage of fans who believe she’s the greatest singer ever.

#3: Tracy Chapman

There’s no chance Tracy Chapman wouldn’t have made it into our top 3. She’s one of the most iconic examples of a female pop star with a naturally deep vocal style. Chapman possesses an amazingly deep and powerful voice that’s instantly recognizable. Her major hit “Fast Car” is a brilliant example of this. But she doesn’t hold back on a single track. And she doesn’t simply dip into low notes; it’s her comfort zone. Chapman has become one of the gold standards for contraltos in pop, folk, soul, and blues.

#2: Annie Lennox

New wave icon Annie Lennox became famous as a member of Eurythmics in the ‘80s. The Aberdeen singer is one of the most celebrated contraltos in pop history. She’s so acclaimed that VH1 named her “The Greatest White Soul Singer Alive.” Lennox’s vocals have an operatic intensity to them, which she delivers with mindblowing ease. Not only did her voice define Eurythmics, it became a staple of the new wave movement. Lennox doesn’t just dip her toes into lower registers; she makes them her own and builds exceptional melodies around them.

#1: Cher

Also known as the “Goddess of Pop,” there’s little debate over Cher’s status as the greatest contralto in modern pop music. Cher possesses a true contralto voice, giving her a natural singing range lower than the vast majority of female singers. This has made her voice instantly identifiable. She’s also maintained her strong voice for an astoundingly long time. Outside of her technically impressive singing, she’s also become a cultural icon. Cher defied expectations for female pop singers; they don’t have to be high-pitched and sweet, but can be deep and commanding. She set the standard for contraltos in pop, making her more than deserving of the top spot on this list.

Were there any vocalists we forgot to include? Let us know in the comments below!