All of these women defined the 1980s pop culture music scene through their unparalleled talent and empowering hit songs. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Tina Turner, Joan Jett, and Pat Benatar shattered countless glass ceilings during the '80s, proving that women can rock even harder than men.

Mary J. Blige is a singer, songwriter, and actress who has sold over 50 million records worldwide. She released her debut album, What’s the 411?, in 1992. It featured the hit single “You Remind Me.” Blige has since released 12 more studio albums, including My Life (1994), Share My World (1997), No More Drama (2001), The Breakthrough (2005), and Stronger With Each Tear (2009).

When it comes to 80s female rock singers, a handful of women naturally come to mind. Artists such as Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, and Stevie Nicks had huge hits in the ’80s. What made these women stand out from the rest? Was it their music, style, or avant-garde ideas? Perhaps it’s a blend of each.

While female R&B singers can be dated back to the era of the 1980s when Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson were the main female R&B artists, during a time when male artists controlled the charts, 2022’s lineup has completely taken over and has been dominating the landscape of today’s music.

There were plenty of talented female R&B singers who only managed to score a single hit, but their contributions should not be overlooked. Although their time in the spotlight was brief, these women helped to make the 90s one of the greatest decades for R&B music.