These artists have set the tone for modern music, breaking records, creating new trends, and inspiring fans worldwide. Each one has a unique sound and message, reflecting the evolving landscape of the music industry over the past decade. Here’s a detailed look at 20 of the most influential female singers of the last decade. These artists not only released chart-topping hits but also set new standards in music, fashion, social awareness, and cultural impact.
Beyoncé
Genre: Pop, R&B
Notable Achievements: Known as “Queen Bey,” Beyoncé’s impact on music and culture is profound. Her surprise 2013 album release changed how artists launch albums. With Lemonade, she explored Black identity, femininity, and infidelity in powerful, genre-blending ways.
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Taylor Swift
Genre: Country, Pop, Indie
Notable Achievements: Swift’s evolution from country singer to pop powerhouse and indie folk artist has been transformative. Her advocacy for artists’ rights, along with hit albums like 1989, Reputation, and Folklore, has kept her consistently relevant.
Scott A Garfitt | Credit: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP
Adele
Genre: Soul, Pop
Notable Achievements: Known for her powerful voice and relatable lyrics, Adele’s albums like 21 and 25 set sales records and resonated worldwide. Her ballads have a timeless quality that has left a lasting impression on pop music.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images/Adele
Lady Gaga
Genre: Pop, Dance, Jazz
Notable Achievements: Gaga has reinvented herself multiple times. Known for pushing boundaries with songs like Bad Romance and Born This Way, she brought art pop to the mainstream and made an impact on LGBTQ+ rights and mental health advocacy.
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Rihanna
Genre: Pop, R&B
Notable Achievements: Rihanna’s music and fashion influence are unmatched. With hits across genres, from Umbrella to Work, she has shown impressive versatility. Her Fenty Beauty line set new industry standards for inclusivity.
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Billie Eilish
Genre: Alternative Pop
Notable Achievements: Eilish became a global sensation as a teenager, with her dark, moody sound challenging the pop landscape. Her album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? introduced an introspective, unconventional sound that resonated worldwide.
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Ariana Grande
Genre: Pop, R&B
Notable Achievements: Known for her powerful voice and whistle tones, Grande has delivered hits like Thank U, Next and 7 rings, earning a massive following. Her transparent discussions on mental health and personal struggles have also made her a relatable figure.
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Katy Perry
Genre: Pop
Notable Achievements: Perry dominated the early 2010s with hits like Teenage Dream and Firework. Her colorful visuals and catchy songs defined pop culture. Despite evolving styles, she has maintained a significant presence in the industry.
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Nicki Minaj
Genre: Hip-Hop, Pop
Notable Achievements: Minaj redefined female rap and achieved mainstream success with her unique style and versatility. Hits like Super Bass and Anaconda showcased her influence, and she helped open doors for female rappers in a male-dominated industry.
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Sia
Genre: Pop, Electronic
Notable Achievements: Known for her powerful vocals and mysterious persona, Sia’s hits like Chandelier and Cheap Thrills have been impactful. She’s also written for countless artists, leaving her mark on the music industry behind the scenes.
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Shakira
Genre: Latin, Pop
Notable Achievements: Shakira brought Latin music to the global stage, blending pop with Latin rhythms. Her performance at the 2020 Super Bowl was legendary, cementing her legacy as a global cultural icon.
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Dua Lipa
Genre: Pop, Dance
Notable Achievements: Known for her modern disco sound, Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia was one of the decade’s defining albums. Her fusion of classic disco and pop has set new trends, and her confident image resonates with fans worldwide.
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Cardi B
Genre: Hip-Hop
Notable Achievements: Cardi’s debut single Bodak Yellow made her a household name. Her unapologetic attitude, activism, and openness about personal struggles have made her one of the most influential voices in hip-hop.
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Halsey
Genre: Alternative Pop, Rock
Notable Achievements: Halsey’s candid lyrics about mental health, relationships, and identity connect deeply with fans. Hits like Without Me and Closer have shown her versatility and cemented her as a voice of her generation.
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Selena Gomez
Genre: Pop
Notable Achievements: Gomez’s music and public openness about mental health issues resonate with fans. Her evolution as an artist is evident in her album Rare, and she has expanded her influence into beauty with her Rare Beauty line.
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Lorde
Genre: Alternative Pop
Notable Achievements: With her debut album Pure Heroine, Lorde brought introspective alternative pop into the mainstream. Her minimalistic style and lyrics about teenage angst spoke to a generation, making her a lasting influence in pop music.
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Kacey Musgraves
Genre: Country, Pop
Notable Achievements: Musgraves brought a fresh sound to country music, pushing genre boundaries with albums like Golden Hour. Her unique take on country music has attracted fans from diverse backgrounds and influenced other country-pop artists.
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Camila Cabello
Genre: Pop, Latin
Notable Achievements: Cabello’s solo success after leaving Fifth Harmony, especially with hits like Havana, introduced Latin pop to a wider audience. Her music and cultural pride have influenced mainstream pop’s appreciation for Latin sounds.
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Rosalía
Genre: Flamenco Pop, Reggaeton
Notable Achievements: Rosalía has redefined flamenco music, merging it with pop and reggaeton to create a unique, modern sound. Her innovative style and visual creativity have brought her international recognition and influenced Latin music’s presence in pop.
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Miley Cyrus
Genre: Pop, Rock
Notable Achievements: Known for her continual reinvention, Cyrus has embraced pop, rock, and country throughout her career. Her bold persona, as seen in hits like Wrecking Ball and Midnight Sky, has kept her relevant and influential.
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