Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982) known by her stage name Nicki Minaj (/mɪˈnɑːʒ/), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and actress. After success with three mixtapes released between 2007 and 2009, Minaj signed to Young Money Entertainment. Minaj is the first female artist included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List, with The New York Times suggesting that some consider her "the most influential female rapper of all time
Monica Denise Brown, simply known as Monica (née Arnold; born October 24, 1980), is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and actress. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, she began performing as a child and became part of a traveling gospel choir at the age of ten. Guided and developed by record producers Dallas Austin and Tim & Bob, Brown signed with Arista at age thirteen and released her debut album Miss Thang in 1995.
Keyshia Cole Gibson (born October 15, 1981), known by her stage name Keyshia Cole is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and television personality. She was born in Oakland, California, and her career began when she met MC Hammer at the age of twelve and later met rapper Tupac Shakur. At the age of eighteen she moved to Los Angeles and was later introduced to A&M Records. She released her debut album, The Way It Is (2005.
Jill Scott (born April 4, 1972) is a Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter, actress, and poet. Since 1999, Scott has made a reputation for being a classic, thought provoking artist gained by her 2000 multi-platinum selling debut, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1. Her followups Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 released in 2004, and The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 released in 2007 both achieved gold status.she appeared in a few Tyler Perry Movies.
Keri Lynn Hilson (born December 5, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She was born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, and spent most of her youth working with producer Anthony Dent, as a songwriter and background vocalist for several R&B and hip hop artists. By the age of 14, Hilson had secured a record deal with the girl group D'Signe, who later disbanded. She attended Oxford College of Emory University and Emory University in Atlanta, while she continued writing songs for artist
Cheryl R. "Salt" James (born March 28, 1966) is an American rapper and actress. She is a member of the rap trio Salt-n-Pepa, which also includes Pepa (Sandra Denton) and Spinderella (Deidra "Dee Dee" Roper). Salt starred in The Salt-n-Pepa Show, a reality TV series focusing on reforming the group.
Christina María Aguilera (born December 18, 1980) is an American singer and actress. Born in Staten Island, New York and raised in Rochester and Wexford, Pennsylvania, she appeared on television series Star Search and The Mickey Mouse Club as a child. To date, Aguilera has sold 17.4 million albums in the United States, and 50 million records worldwide. Rolling Stone ranked her at number 58 on their list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
Janelle Monáe Robinson (born December 1, 1985), known as Janelle Monáe /dʒəˈnɛl moʊˈneɪ/ is an American R&B and soul musician, composer and record producer signed to Wondaland Art Society, Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records. After making a mark with her first unofficial EP, The Audition, Monáe debuted with a conceptual EP, Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase). The EP had a modest commercial impact, peaking at No. 115 on the Billboard charts in the United States
Kelis Rogers (/kəˈliːs/;born August 21, 1979) better known mononymously as Kelis, is an American singer-songwriter and certified chef. She has won Brit Awards, Q Awards, and NME Awards, and was nominated for two Grammy Awards and has released six regular studio albums so far.Outside her native United States, she had 10 top ten singles in the United Kingdom alone.
It isn’t often that a teenage female earns the attention of her male counterpart for something other than the chase, but Bahamian bred Angelique Sabrina is the exception to the rule. Blessed with an innate ability to charm and entertain, the sixteen-year-old songstress has yet to saunter into a room that doesn’t submit to her je ne se quois (a pleasant quality that is hard to describe). From radio stations to television shows, studios and arenas.
Fantasia Monique Barrino (born June 30, 1984), commonly known simply by the mononym Fantasia, is an American R&B singer and actress. She rose to fame as the winner of the 3rd season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe,"which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. , she released her debut album, Free Yourself, which went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA and garnered Barrino three Grammy nomination
Toni Michele Braxton (born October 7, 1967) is an American R&B singer-songwriter, pianist, musician, record producer, actress, television personality, and philanthropist. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and nine Billboard Music Awards. Throughout the years, she has sold over 66 million records worldwide establishing herself as an R&B icon. Braxton was one of the best-selling female artist of the 1990s, garnering her honorific titles such as the "Queen of R&B".
Mary Mary is an contemporary gospel duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell (born April 29,& Trecina "Tina" Atkins-Campbell (born May 1,The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz. Mary Mary broke onto the music scene with their popular song "Shackles (Praise You) which is considered one of the pioneering songs of of urban contemporary gospel music
Mary Mary is an contemporary gospel duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell (born April 29,& Trecina "Tina" Atkins-Campbell (born May 1,The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz. Mary Mary broke onto the music scene with their popular song "Shackles (Praise You) which is considered one of the pioneering songs of of urban contemporary gospel music
Yo-Yo (born Yolanda Whitaker on August 4, is an American hip-hop artist and actress. Much of her music has advocated female empowerment, denouncing the frequent sexism found in hip-hop music. She is the protégé of gangsta rapper Ice Cube. Yo-Yo dubbed her crew the IBWC, which stood for the Intelligent Black Woman's Coalition.In 2013, it was announced she has joined the upcoming BET reality series Hip Hop Sisters which will focus on six female rappers' lives.
Solange Piaget Knowles, (born June 24, 1986), also known simply as Solange, is an American singer, songwriter, and model. Knowles was born in Houston, Texas to Matthew and Tina Knowles, both of whom left their careers to support her older sister Beyoncé's recording interests. Expressing an interest in music from an early age, Knowles had several temporary stints in Destiny's Child, before signing with her father's Music World Entertainment label
Kelly Price (born Kelly Cherelle Price; April 4, 1973 in Queens, New York) is a seven-time Grammy-nominated American R&B singer–songwriter, formerly on the Def Soul label.
Erykah Abi Wright born February 26, 1971), better known by her stage name Erykah Badu (/ˈɛrɨkə bɑːˈduː/), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, activist, and actress. Badu's career began after opening a show for D'Angelo in 1994 in her hometown, Kedar Massenburg was highly impressed with her performance and signed her to Kedar Entertainment. Her first album, Baduizm, was released on February 11, 1997
Tenitra Michelle Williams, (born July 23, 1980) commonly known as Michelle Williams, is an American singer, songwriter, model, record producer and actress, she also owns WNBA team Chicago Sky . Williams rose to fame in the 2000s as a member of R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time.[2] Her work earned her several awards and accolades including a Grammy Awards and star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with Destiny's Child, a solo MOBO Award & nominations.
Marsha Ambrosius (born 8 August 1977) is an English singer-songwriter. A former member of Floetry, she released her first solo album Late Nights & Early Mornings on 1 March 2011. She currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sara Stokes was born in 1977 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She is an actress, known for Resurrection: The J.R. Richard Story (2005), YaDaDa Movie (2006) and Making the Band 2 (2002).
Jody Vanessa Watley (born January 30, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, music maverick and one of music's defining artists. whose music crosses genres from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Electronic Soul. In 1987, she won the Grammy Award for "Best New Artist." Along with Janet Jackson and Madonna, she ranks as one of MTV Video Music Awards most nominated female artists ever, with six nominations for her ‘Real Love’ video.
Myesha Chaney, a Long Beach native, is a pastor’s wife, mother, motivational speaker, worship leader, recording artist, entrepreneur, author, and radio personality. She is Executive Director of Antioch Church of Long Beach, California, where her husband serves as senior pastor. Myesha, who is a licensed and ordained minister, shares the ministry with her husband, Wayne Chaney, both at the church and in their travels throughout the city and around the country.
Vivian Green (born May 22, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. As of 2013, she's been doing a few festivals and concerts in addition to TV appearances on BET and Centric's music series.[15][16] In an interview with Sister 2 Sister magazine in February 2013, she stated that she plans to record a live album next.
Jordin Brianna Sparks (born December 22, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. In 2007, she came to prominence after winning the sixth season of American Idol; at age 17, she became the youngest winner in the series' history. Her self-titled debut album was released later that year; it was certified platinum by the RIAA and has sold over two million copies worldwide
Rah Digga (born Rashia Fisher) is an American rapper and actress. Well known as a longtime member of the Flipmode Squad, a hip hop group led by Busta Rhymes, she parted ways amicably with the group in 2007. She has been called "one of rap's most prominent women MCs" by Allmusic and "one of hip-hop's most skilled female MCs" in the book How to Rap. Rah Digga is a resident of Newark, New Jersey.
Da Brat (born Shawntae Harris; April 14, 1974 in Joliet, Illinois) is an American Grammy-nominated rapper and actress. Her debut album, Funkdafied (1994), sold one million copies, making her the first female solo rap act to have a platinum-selling album, and the second overall female rap act (solo or group) after Salt N Pepa. Harris is the younger half-sister of actress LisaRaye McCoy
Katheryn Elizabeth "Katy" Hudson (born October 25, 1984),[2] better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer-songwriter, businesswoman, philanthropist, and actress. She was born near Santa Barbara, California and primarily grew up there before moving to Los Angeles. Having had limited exposure to mainstream pop music in her childhood, she pursued a career in gospel music as a teen and released her debut studio album, Katy Hudson (2001).
Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato (born August 20, 1992) is an American actress and singer. She made her debut as a child actress in Barney & Friends. In 2008, she came to prominence as a starring cast member in the television film Camp Rock. She signed to Hollywood Records the same year, and released her debut studio album, Don't Forget, in September 2008. The album sold 89,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 2 on the Billboard 200.
Cindy Herron(born Cynthia Ann Herron on September 26, 1961 in San Francisco, California), is an American singer and actress, who is best known as a founding member of the R&B/Pop quartet En Vogue.
Dawn Sherrese Robinson (born November 24, 1965 is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Robinson rose to fame in the early 1990s as a member of the R&B quartet En Vogue, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.Following her departure from the group, Robinson joined Lucy Pearl and they released their self-titled debut album in 2000, which sold a million copies worldwide and produced the top charting single "Dance Tonight".
Rozonda Ocelean Thomas (born February 27, 1971),best known by her stage name Chilli, is an American recording artist, actress and television personality who rose to fame as one-third of group TLC. In late 2011, VH1 announced plans to produce a biopic on TLC to air in 2013. Thomas and Watkins have signed on as producers. Actress and singer Keke Palmer portrayed Thomas in CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story.
Ledisi Anibade Young /ˈlɛdɨsiː/ (born March 28, 1972) is an eight-time Grammy-nominated American singer–songwriter and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba. Ledisi is known for her jazz influenced vocals. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group known as Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major label, she formed LeSun Records with Sundra Manning. Along with her group Anibade, Ledisi released an album titled Take Time.
Selena Marie Gomez (born July 22, 1992) is an American actress and singer. Gomez first made her debut appearing as Gianna in Barney & Friends, lasting from 2002 to 2004. Following this, Gomez had cameo roles in films such as Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) and Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005). In 2006, Gomez appeared as a guest star on an episode of the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, as well as Hannah Montana. Following this, Gomez starred in the Disney Channel
Terry Lynn Ellis (born September 5, 1963) is an R&B singer best known for her work with the vocal group En Vogue. Terry Ellis has a 5 octave vocal range which was displayed in the En Vogue song, "Don't Go". By her groupmates, Terry was credited as the member with the "Ballad" type of voice. With En Vogue, she often shared leads, or lead the group songs that were funky, and soulful. In group harmonies, Terry usually sings the Alto arrangement, which is above Maxine Jones, but under Dawn Robinson,
Cynthia Loving (born November 19, 1978), best known by her stage name Lil' Mo, is an American R&B singer, radio personality, songwriter and record producer. She debuted on the music scene as Missy Elliott's protégée and contributed guest vocals to some of Elliott's work, most notably the record-breaking "Hot Boyz". Under the wing of Elliott, Lil' Mo would land a contract deal with Elektra Records and release charting singles of her own, including "Ta Da", "Superwoman Pt. II", "4Ever", "Hot Girls
Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox (born May 14, 1973), better known as Shanice, is a Grammy-nominated American R&B/Pop-Rock singer-songwriter. She scored the Top 10 Billboard hit singles "I Love Your Smile" and "Silent Prayer" in 1991 and "Saving Forever for You" in 1993. In 1999, Shanice scored another hit song, "When I Close My Eyes", which peaked at number #11 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. She is widely recognized for her coloratura soprano and ability to sing in the whistle register.
Maxine Jones (born January 16, in Paterson, New Jersey) is one of the original members of the R&B singing group En Vogue. She originally left the group in 2001 to spend time with her daughter. Jones rejoined En Vogue on a permanent basis in the third quarter of 2004. Maxine has a wide vocal range, spanning between 3-5 octaves,[citation needed] making her quite versatile within the group. In group harmonies, Maxine usually sings the "bottom" or the lowest key in the harmony.
Tameka Harris (née Cottle; born July 14, 1975) is an American singer-songwriter from Jonesboro, Georgia. She is perhaps best known as a member of the multi-platinum R&B female group, Xscape and her marriage with American rapper T.I.. She received a Grammy Award for her writing contributions on the TLC hit "No Scrubs." She acquired the nickname "Tiny" due to her small stature of 4'11".
Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George (born April 29, 1971) is a singer, actress, and author. Best known as one-third of the singing group SWV, she was also a contestant on Survivor: Tocantins Johnson-George was recruited into SWV (then known as Female Edition) by Cheryl “Coko” Gamble, who would become SWV's lead singer.
Tionne Tenese Watkins (born April 26, 1970),[1] better known by her stage name T-Boz, is a singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, author, and executive producer who rose to fame as one-third of the R&B/hip hop group TLC.
The Braxtons are an American R&B girl group consisting of singer Toni Braxton and her sisters, Traci Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Trina Braxton, and Tamar Braxton. Despite being commercially unsuccessful, the group's first single, "Good Life", led to oldest sister Toni Braxton's solo career. All five members reunited in 2011 to star in the WE tv reality television series Braxton Family Values alongside their mother, Evelyn Braxton. The Braxtons including Toni Braxton sing the show's theme song,
The Braxtons are an American R&B girl group consisting of singer Toni Braxton and her sisters, Traci Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Trina Braxton, and Tamar Braxton. Despite being commercially unsuccessful, the group's first single, "Good Life", led to oldest sister Toni Braxton's solo career. All five members reunited in 2011 to star in the WE tv reality television series Braxton Family Values alongside their mother, Evelyn Braxton. The Braxtons including Toni Braxton sing the show's theme song,
The Braxtons are an American R&B girl group consisting of singer Toni Braxton and her sisters, Traci Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Trina Braxton, and Tamar Braxton. Despite being commercially unsuccessful, the group's first single, "Good Life", led to oldest sister Toni Braxton's solo career. All five members reunited in 2011 to star in the WE tv reality television series Braxton Family Values alongside their mother, Evelyn Braxton. The Braxtons including Toni Braxton sing the show's theme song,
Katrina Laverne Taylor (born December 3, 1978), better known by her stage name Trina, is an American rapper and model from Miami, Florida. Trina first gained notoriety in 1998 with her appearance on Trick Daddy's second studio album www.thug.com on the single "Nann Nigga". Since then, she has released five moderately successful studio albums. XXL Magazine calls her "the most consistent female rapper of all time"
Michel'le Toussant (/mɪʃɛˈleɪ/; born December 5, 1970) better known as Michel'le, is an American R&B singer-songwriter known for her squeaky, childlike speaking voice, which is a startling contrast to her strong vocals. Michel'le is starring on the reality show R&B Divas: Los Angeles.
Jennifer Lynn Muñiz (née Lopez; born July 24, 1969) is an American actress, dancer, producer, and recording artist. She became interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry following a minor role in the 1986 film My Little Girl, to the dismay of her Puerto Rican parents, who believed that it was an unrealistic career route for a Hispanic. Lopez gained her first regular high-profile job as a Fly Girl dancer on In Living Color in 1991,
Sandra "Pepa" Denton (born November 9, 1969) is a Jamaican-born American hip hop artist and actress, best known for her work as a member of the female rap trio Salt-n-Pepa. Salt-n-Pepa disbanded in 2002 several months after their Brand New album was released on Red Ant Records. Pepa's group member Salt had stated she was ready to leave the music industry. The trio reunited for a performance on VH1's Hip Hop Honors program on September 22, 2005.
Cheryl Elizabeth "Coko" Gamble-Clemons (born June 13, 1970) is an American gospel and R&B singer, and lead singer of R&B group Sisters With Voices (SWV). Coko reunited with SWV and performed during their first live performance in eight years in Los Angeles for urban radio station KKBT 100.3 "The Beat"'s Summerjam concert on August 20, 2005. They also appeared on the 2006 New Jack Reunion Tour. SWV was featured in the XXL where they discussed single releases from their debut album It's About Time
LeToya Nicole Luckett (born March 11, 1981), known professionally as LeToya, is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She was an original member of the R&B group Destiny's Child, with whom she won two Grammy Awards and released many successful commercial recordings She's part of the cast of the feature films Killers and From the Rough and had a recurring role on the second season of the HBO TV series Treme, and on the third season of the VH1 TV series Single Ladies.
Amber Nicole Holcomb (born March 17, 1994) is an American singer, who came in fourth place on the twelfth season of American Idol. Currently working on her new album with producer James Worthy.
Brandy Rayana Norwood (born February 11, 1979), also known as Brandy or Bran'Nu, is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born into a musical family in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Carson, California, she enrolled in performing arts schools as a child and performed as a backing vocalist for teen groups. In 1993, Norwood appeared in a supporting role on the short-lived ABC sitcom Thea and signed with Atlantic Records.
Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28 1986), is an American songwriter, singer, actress, philanthropist, dancer and fashion designer. Gaga was born in Manhattan, New York. Her father is of Italian descent, and her mother is of half Italian and half French-Canadian, English, German, and Scottish ancestry. Gaga was able to sing and play the piano from a young age. She attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart from age 11.
Monie Love (born Simone Gooden; 2 July 1970) is an English emcee and radio personality in the United States. She was a well-respected figure in British hip hop, and made an impact with American hip hop audiences as a protégé of female American emcee Queen Latifah, as well as through her membership in the late 1980s/early 1990s Native Tongues. Love was one of the first BritHop artists to be signed and distributed worldwide by a major record label.
Ketara Shavon "Keke" Wyatt (born March 10, 1982)is an American R&B recording artist. She became popular after a highly successful collaboration with R&B singer Avant on his platinum album My Thoughts.[2] This led to her debut Certified Gold album Soul Sista in 2001, and a promising solo career with MCA Records.
Claudette Ortiz (born July 21, 1981) is an American singer and model, most famous as the female in the R&B group City High. Ortiz is also a castmate in TV One's reality series R&B Divas: Los Angeles.
Leanne “Lelee” Lyons is a Bronx native, born in 1973. Credited with founding SWV in 1992, she struggled after the group disbanded, but with the love and strength of her family, she persevered through difficult times.
Farrah Franklin (born May 3, is an American singer and actress. She is a former member of Destiny's Child who replaced LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett alongside with Michelle Williams. In early 2007, Franklin appeared with other former members of Destiny's Child in The E! special The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams a documentary of life in Destiny's Child and the issues which she dealt with during the 5 months she was present in the group.
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland (born February 11, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. Rowland rose to fame in the late 1990s as the second lead vocalist of R&B girl-group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. During their hiatus, Rowland released her debut solo album Simply Deep (2002), which sold 2.5 million copies worldwide and produced the number-one single "Dilemma" with Nelly.
Chanté Torrane Moore (born on February 17, 1967 in San Francisco, California) is an American R&B and jazz singer. Chante is known for her songs "Love's Taken Over", "Chante's Got A Man" and "Straight Up"
