A Ranking of the Top Female Vocalists in Music History

She entered pop’s glittery arena alongside bubblegum peers, then opened her mouth—and blew the glitter away. Christina Aguilera’s voice was volcanic, serpentine, untamed. Genie in a Bottle may have introduced her, but Beautiful exposed her depth.

With melismatic runs that sometimes felt like vocal acrobatics, she didn’t just hit notes—she jousted with them. From soul to jazz to Latin roots, she wore genres like costumes, owning each one with flair. Critics debated her restraint, but fans knew: this wasn’t excess, it was expression.