Top 10 Female Singers of the 2000s

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 #1, but then came 2004, in which 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.

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 #1 album with Under My Skin in 2004 and came through again with “The Best Damn Thing.” As the world transitioned into the era of YouTube, Avril’s unique aesthetic offered up an alternative tothe more girly pop productions, all the while establishing her as a fashion icon as well.

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 #1 U.S. album during the decade, but she was the epitome of consistency and pure artistry in a world of evolving trends.

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 once could touch her creative vibe.

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 3 of her 4 albums released throughout the decade topped the Billboard charts while The Element of Freedom peaked at #2. 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.

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 the singer 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.

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.

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-hip 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.

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.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Nelly Furtado

Amy Winehouse

Carrie Underwood

Lily Allen

Natasha Bedingfield

M.I.A.

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 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.

So, do you agree with our selections? Who you think is the best female singer of the 2000s? For more musical Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.