Top 20 Iconic Female Singers of the 2000s

#20: Norah Jones

When she released her debut album “Come Away with Me” in 2002, Norah Jones was only 22 years old. But her voice carried the weight of someone far beyond her years. That smoky voice made Jones a breath of fresh air. “Come Away with Me” was very unusual, with its unique blend of jazz, country, folk and pop, and it completely defied expectations. The album sold over 27 million copies and earned Jones five Grammys in one night. She followed up with 2004’s “Feels like Home” and 2007’s “Not Too Late,” both of which topped the charts and went on to sell millions. By the end of the decade, this soft-spoken pianist had redefined pop music and emerged as one of its most distinctive voices.

#19: Kylie Minogue

After dominating the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Kylie Minogue experienced a career lull. But she made a dazzling return in the 2000s, most notably with her 2001 album “Fever.” Powered by “Can't Get You Out of My Head,” which topped the charts in over 40 countries, “Fever” went multi-platinum worldwide. It also featured “Come into My World,” which won Minogue her first Grammy Award. Throughout that decade, Minogue churned out a string of dance-pop hits, each taking on a new persona and distinct perspective. Even after a brief hiatus due to a breast cancer diagnosis, Minogue returned with her tenth album “X” in 2007 and a triumphant world tour. Hers would be a regular comeback story, but her resilience, reinvention and pure pop power have made her a true 2000s icon.

#18: Ashanti

Even before releasing her solo music, Ashanti was already making history, becoming the first woman to hold the top two spots on the Hot 100, with “Always On Time” and “What’s Luv?”. When her self-titled debut album dropped in 2002, it became clear why. Led by the chart-topping breakup anthem “Foolish,” the album showcased Ashanti as a powerful new voice in R&B. It earned her the inaugural Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album and set her on a path to global stardom. While her follow-ups didn’t get the same critical acclaim, both went multi-platinum. Despite career setbacks caused by the legal troubles of her label boss Irv Gotti, Ashanti’s music and style undeniably shaped the sound and fashion of the 2000s.

#17: Carrie Underwood

One of the biggest success stories from “American Idol,” Carrie Underwood won the show’s fourth season and quickly established herself as a country powerhouse. Her debut single, “Inside Your Heaven,” shot straight to number one on the Hot 100, a rare feat for a country artist. On her first album “Some Hearts,” Underwood showcased the commanding vocals everyone had come to love, while swapping some of her farmgirl charm for a grittier edge, especially on “Before He Cheats.” That song, as well as “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” proved she had crossover appeal. As she released more albums, Underwood brought a high-gloss approach to country music – layered with infectious synths and thunderous arena guitars. Yet, beneath the sheen, the righteous rage of that bat-swinging heroine remained intact.

#16: Ciara

With her 2004 debut single “Goodies,” Ciara made an unforgettable entrance into the music scene and instantly became known as the First Lady of Crunk&B. Ciara positioned herself as a bridge between hip-hop and R&B, and used all of her music and performance skills to reflect that vision. Her first album delivered high-energy, danceable hits like the Missy Elliott-assisted “1, 2 Step.” But then, going into her second album, “The Evolution,” Ciara seemingly flipped a switch, embracing a more sensual sound, most notably on the Prince-inspired track “Promise.” Just two albums in, Ciara had already proven she had smooth vocals, polished dance moves and a unique sonic mashup of genres – qualities that often take other artists many years to develop.

#15: Nelly Furtado

When this Canadian singer debuted in 2000, no one knew what box to put her in. Her first album “Whoa, Nelly!” was a playful blend of folk, rock, urban pop and R&B that earned her a Grammy for the breakout hit “I’m Like a Bird.” Before the end of the decade, Furtado would take flight into a radically different territory, finding full liberation on the 2006 album “Loose.” Teaming up with producer Timbaland, Furtado showcased a more provocative side with the global smash hits “Promiscuous,” “Maneater” and “Say It Right.” She continued to push her boundaries, releasing the Spanish album “Mi Plan,” which won her a Latin Grammy Award. A constantly evolving artist, Furtado is easily one of the most versatile female singers of the 2000s.

#14: Gwen Stefani

Few artists captured the eclectic spirit of the 2000s quite like Gwen Stefani. She first rose to fame as the lead singer of No Doubt, but launched a solo career after the band went on hiatus. Her debut album “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.” featured a wide range of songwriters and producers, resulting in a sound that was chaotic in the best way. It produced the ubiquitous “Hollaback Girl,” which topped the charts and became the first digital single to sell over a million copies in the U.S. Stefani continued her hot streak with the 2006 album “The Sweet Escape,” whose title track was simply inescapable, breaking into the top 10 in several countries. No doubt, Stefani’s explosion of sound and style paved the way for many artists after her.

#13: Amy Winehouse

A once-in-a-generation artist, Amy Winehouse’s impact stretches far beyond the decade she reigned supreme. She first came onto the scene in 2003 with “Frank,” a jazz-inspired album, whose brutally honest songwriting landed Winehouse on the Mercury Prize shortlist. But this was only a glimpse of her immense talent. Her true breakthrough came with “Back to Black,” which revived retro soul for a new generation, with hits like “You Know I’m No Good” and “Rehab.” And it wasn’t in sound alone. Winehouse brought the beehive hair and Motown flair of ‘60s girl groups back into the mainstream. “Back to Black” might have been the apex of her way-too-brief career, but it burned a flame that lit the path for artists like Adele and Lady Gaga, who emerged at the tail end of the decade.

#12: Mary J. Blige

Already crowned the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul in the ‘90s, Mary J. Blige entered the new millennium with a renewed purpose: to mature as an artist. She launched the decade with 2001’s “No More Drama,” which gave us the empowering title track, as well as her first Hot 100 number one single “Family Affair.” Following the lukewarm reception of 2003’s “Love & Life,” Blige made a triumphant comeback in 2005 with “The Breakthrough.” The album debuted at number one, sold over three million copies in the U.S. and earned her a long-overdue win for Best R&B Album. If the ‘90s were about finding her voice, the 2000s were when she mastered it and used it to captivate the world.

#11: Kelly Clarkson

Just a small-town girl from Burleson, Texas, this powerhouse vocalist sang her way to Hollywood in 2002. And by winning “American Idol”, Kelly Clarkson not only became perhaps the first reality sensation of the 21st century, but she proved the show’s worth for young, talented artists. Her debut album unsurprisingly hit number one, but then came 2004, when Kelly released “Breakaway” and thoroughly owned the pop rock vibe. She had the personality and the voice going for her, and once the entire pop star persona came together, Kelly’s message extended far beyond the Billboard charts.

#10: Avril Lavigne

This Canadian rocked the pop punk vibe when her contemporaries were still selling bubblegum pop. Although Avril Lavigne was only 17 when her iconic debut single “Complicated” dropped, her confidence transcended the usual posturing of the time. A sophomore slump? Not with Avril, as she released a number-one album with “Under My Skin” in 2004 and came through again with “The Best Damn Thing” three years later. As the world transitioned into the era of YouTube, Avril’s unique aesthetic offered up an alternative to the more girly pop productions, all the while establishing her as a fashion icon as well.

#9: Pink

In early 2000, this forceful lady hit the scene with that fresh pink cut, a toned physique and a sound that conveyed a willingness to mix it up. Lyrically, Pink cut a little bit deeper than most, touching on themes of isolation and heartbreak, yet she’s also been known to pump out a party anthem here and there. This woman truly “worked” during the 2000s, releasing five studio albums and delivering on stage with acrobatic performances. Surprisingly, Pink never landed a number-one U.S. album during the decade, but she was the epitome of consistency and pure artistry in a world of evolving trends.

#8: Missy Elliott

For the first half of the noughties, Missy Elliott kept the competition in check, because she always brought something new to the table. The flow. The videos. The dance routines. Missy got her freak on and essentially passed the torch to a new generation. She was out. Six studio albums and that was it from Missy E. By collaborating with her existing crew of Timbaland and Pharrell Williams, Missy put her mark on the music industry and made sure that no one could touch her creative vibe.

#7: Shakira

The hips. The voice. That Colombian flavor. When Shakira dropped her English debut in 2001, America essentially went nuts, and how could you not. It was “Laundry Service,” a blend of potent pop hits, complemented by the singer’s natural Latin American aesthetic that established her as an international star. The crossover was a success, and Shakira continued with ease as she teased North America with her album “Oral Fixation.” “La Tortura.” “Hips Don’t Lie.” For the larger part of the 2000s, Shakira just may have been THE most influential Latin American singer in the world, blending sexuality with her beautifully feminine vocals.

#6: Rihanna

Before she became a billionaire mogul, Rihanna was a teenager from Barbados with a dream, and a voice that couldn’t be ignored. After signing to Def Jam Records in 2005, Rihanna released her debut single “Pon de Replay,” a dancehall-infused track that immediately set her apart. While her early music reflected her Caribbean roots, she shifted towards mainstream pop with 2007’s “Good Girl Gone Bad.” Featuring hits like “Umbrella” and “Don't Stop the Music,” Rihanna showed she was not just a flash in the pan. She was here to stay. Her newfound edgy image was solidified with “Rated R,” which came just at the close of the decade. By 2009, Rihanna had scored multiple number-one singles, won her first Grammy, and established herself as a beauty and fashion trendsetter.

#5: Christina Aguilera

All you need to do is explore the sounds of 2002’s “Stripped” and 2006’s “Back to the Basics” to understand the pop genius of Christina Aguilera. As far as image, Christina seamlessly executed the transition from packaged darling into “Dirrty” XTina, but of course, she needed a voice like no other to stay relevant. And that she had. The latter part of the decade found Ms. Aguilera out of the spotlight, but even her Christmas and Spanish-language albums demonstrated that she understood not only how the industry worked, but also why.

#4: Alicia Keys

Born in the Big Apple and born to perform, this R&B vocalist sprung up on everybody’s radar with her 2001 single “Fallin’”. Achieving commercial and critical success, Alicia Keys’ eclectic discography has long held a place in the hearts of many listeners. Aside from the sentimental angle, however, she continued to evolve throughout the decade, as three of her four albums released throughout the decade topped the Billboard charts while “The Element of Freedom” peaked at number two. Exploring beats, rhymes and life, both personally and professionally, Alicia brought the retro back, thus allowing an artist like Norah Jones to reach her full potential.

#3: Jennifer Lopez

Contrasting the more global sound of Shakira during the early part of the 2000s, J.Lo dominated American pop culture with her blend of hip-hop and R&B. Of course, she began the decade with a certain amount of clout already, but even so, a lasting music career was no guarantee before the release of 2001’s “J.Lo.” An impressive crossover artist, and certainly in touch with her Latin American roots, Jennifer Lopez established herself as perhaps one of the last American icons of the pre-YouTube era. And that’s why they call her Jenny from the Block.

#2: Beyoncé

While some musicians tap into cultural trends with hopes of staying relevant, others realize their importance on a higher level and become a brand. And, well, Beyoncé just operates on a different level than most. From 2003’s “Dangerously in Love” to “B’Day” to “I Am Sasha Fierce,” Beyoncé brought us into her world on a personal level while still remaining elusive. And that’s a testament to her supreme talent as a vocalist and performer. All that meaning, Beyoncé is so good that consumers don’t always understand what it takes, both personally and professionally. She’s a top-level singer, but it’s the creative vision that makes her a mythical figure to some.

#1: Britney Spears

In the 2000s, many pop artists emerged and contributed heavily to existing trends, but here’s an icon that established her own precedent. Whether or not you like Britney Spears’ music, it’s important to remember the context of her initial fame and how she affected the landscape of her genre. With 2000’s “Oops!... I Did It Again”, she referenced bubblegum pop ideology, yet it became clear that she was searching for something more, trying to find herself as a woman while progressing as an artist. Though her career didn’t come without a few speed bumps, Britney ultimately came out a pop culture icon, and set the tone for 21st century pop music.

Which of these female musicians left the most indelible impact on you? Let us know in the comments below.