Mariah Carey redefined pop and R&B with her five-octave vocal range and whistle register, earning her the title of the "Songbird Supreme." With classic hits like Hero and We Belong Together, she became one of the best-selling female artists in history. Every year, her Christmas anthem All I Want for Christmas Is You dominates the charts, and what many don't realize is that she wrote and recorded the song in just 15 minutes.

Ariana Grande’s impressive vocal range and pop dominance have made her one of the most influential artists of her generation, with hits like Into You and thank u, next. Her ability to seamlessly blend R&B and pop, coupled with her powerhouse vocals, has drawn comparisons to Mariah Carey. Despite her glamorous image, she is a massive Harry Potter fan and even got a tattoo of the word "Lumos" as a tribute to the series.

Lady Gaga’s fearless reinvention and powerhouse vocals made her one of the biggest stars of the 21st century, with hits like Bad Romance and Shallow showcasing her versatility. Her theatrical approach to pop blurred the lines between music and performance art. Before she became famous, she was dropped by a major record label after just three months, only to return stronger and prove them wrong by becoming one of the biggest pop stars in history.

Beyoncé is a global icon whose versatility spans from R&B to hip-hop to pop, making her one of the most awarded artists of all time. Her groundbreaking visual albums like Lemonade pushed storytelling in music to new heights. Before she became Queen Bey, she competed on Star Search with her girl group Girls Tyme but lost, proving that even the greatest superstars face setbacks before finding success.

Rihanna’s genre-defying career turned her into one of the best-selling artists of all time, with hits like Umbrella and Diamonds showcasing her ability to blend pop, R&B, and reggae influences. Her business empire, including Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, made her a billionaire. Despite her global success, she was once sent home from a talent show as a child because the judges thought her voice was “too mature” for her age.

Kate Bush’s ethereal voice and theatrical performances made her a visionary in art pop, with songs like Wuthering Heights and Running Up That Hill pushing the boundaries of music and storytelling. She was the first female artist to have a self-written song reach number one in the UK. She was so reclusive that when Running Up That Hill found renewed success decades later due to Stranger Things, she barely acknowledged it publicly, staying as enigmatic as ever.

Whitney Houston possessed a voice so powerful and pristine that she remains one of the greatest vocalists of all time, with record-breaking hits like I Will Always Love You and Greatest Love of All. She became the first artist to have seven consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Long before her music career took off, she was a teen model and was one of the first Black women to appear on the cover of Seventeen magazine.

Mary J. Blige’s raw and heartfelt R&B tracks like No More Drama and Family Affair have made her an icon of resilience and self-expression. Dubbed the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul," she blended R&B with hip-hop beats in a way that revolutionized the genre. Despite her fame, she once worked at a Yonkers, New York, shopping mall, where she was discovered after a demo tape recorded in a friend's closet found its way to an Uptown Records executive.

Tina Turner’s powerhouse vocals made her one of rock’s most electrifying performers, with anthems like Proud Mary and What’s Love Got to Do with It proving her resilience. Her ability to reinvent herself from an abused wife to a global superstar remains one of the greatest comeback stories in music history. She once worked as a house cleaner in Switzerland after escaping her abusive relationship, proving that she would do whatever it took to start over on her own terms.

Adele’s rich, soulful voice and emotional ballads like Someone Like You and Hello have made her one of the best-selling artists of the modern era. Her ability to connect with listeners through deeply personal lyrics has earned her a devoted following. She once broke a Grammy in half on stage because she believed Beyoncé deserved the award more than she did, proving that even at the height of success, she remains humble and in awe of her peers.

Diana Ross’ glamorous persona and powerful vocals made her the ultimate Motown star, with hits like Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and I’m Coming Out defining her career. As the lead singer of The Supremes, she became one of the best-selling female artists of all time. She was once nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues, proving her talent extended beyond music.

Amy Winehouse’s soulful voice and brutally honest lyrics made her a once-in-a-generation talent, with Back to Black becoming one of the most celebrated albums of all time. Her jazz influences set her apart from other contemporary artists. Despite her tragic passing, she was the first British woman to win five Grammy Awards in a single night, cementing her legacy forever.

Billie Holiday's voice carried a raw emotion that few could replicate, making songs like Strange Fruit and God Bless the Child hauntingly unforgettable. Despite her troubled life, her influence on jazz and blues is immeasurable. Her famous song Gloomy Sunday was rumored to be so emotionally devastating that some radio stations banned it for fear that it would inspire listeners to take their own lives.

Dolly Parton’s charm, wit, and songwriting brilliance made her a country music icon, with hits like Jolene and I Will Always Love You becoming timeless classics. Known for her philanthropy, she founded the Imagination Library, which has donated over 100 million books to children. Though she wrote I Will Always Love You, Elvis Presley wanted to record it—until she refused to give up half the publishing rights, a decision that later paid off when Whitney Houston turned it into a global hit.

Chaka Khan’s electrifying voice and fearless stage presence have made her one of the most dynamic performers in R&B and funk, with hits like Ain’t Nobody and I’m Every Woman. Her powerhouse vocals influenced generations of artists. Before her solo fame, she was the lead singer of Rufus, and her breakout hit Tell Me Something Good was actually written specifically for her by Stevie Wonder.

Aretha Franklin left an indelible mark on music with her powerful voice and timeless hits like Respect and Natural Woman. Her influence extended beyond music, as she was a key figure in the civil rights movement and became the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Despite her many achievements, she never learned to read music, relying solely on her natural talent and impeccable ear to shape some of the most iconic songs in history.

Patti LaBelle’s powerful vocals and dynamic performances earned her the title “Godmother of Soul,” with classics like Lady Marmalade and On My Own showcasing her incredible range. Her ability to mix soul, R&B, and gospel made her a standout performer. Before finding success, she turned down the opportunity to be the lead singer of The Supremes, a decision that allowed her to carve her own unique path in music.

Dusty Springfield’s soulful voice and glamorous style made her one of the most revered singers of the ‘60s, with hits like Son of a Preacher Man and You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me. Her love for Motown led her to be one of the first British artists to introduce American soul music to the UK. She was instrumental in bringing The Supremes and other Motown acts to the UK for the first time, helping bridge the Atlantic music scene.

Stevie Nicks’ mystical presence and haunting voice made her one of rock’s most iconic figures, with songs like Rhiannon and Landslide becoming timeless classics. Her ability to craft poetic lyrics set her apart in the male-dominated rock world. Before joining Fleetwood Mac, she worked as a waitress and a cleaning lady, refusing to give up on music even when it seemed like success was out of reach.

Joni Mitchell’s poetic songwriting and ethereal voice made her a folk legend, with songs like Big Yellow Taxi and A Case of You influencing countless artists. Her ability to paint vivid imagery through lyrics set her apart. She was once told by a doctor that she would never be able to sing again due to a rare condition, but she miraculously recovered and made a surprise return to performing decades later.

Patsy Cline’s hauntingly beautiful voice brought country music into the mainstream with classics like Crazy and I Fall to Pieces. Despite her tragic death in a plane crash at just 30 years old, her influence on country and pop music remains unparalleled. She was so dedicated to her fans that she often signed autographs in the hospital while recovering from a near-fatal car crash.

Toni Braxton’s deep, sultry voice made her one of the defining voices of ‘90s R&B, with Un-Break My Heart remaining one of the best-selling singles ever. Her emotional delivery and soulful ballads made her a household name. She originally didn’t want to record Un-Break My Heart but was convinced to do so by her producers, and it went on to become her signature song.

Janis Joplin’s raw, electrifying voice and uninhibited stage presence made her one of the most powerful singers in rock history, with songs like Piece of My Heart and Me and Bobby McGee capturing the spirit of the 1960s counterculture. Her raspy, blues-infused style was unlike anything heard before. Despite her hard-partying image, she was deeply insecure and would sometimes buy drinks for strangers just so she could have someone to talk to.

Björk’s avant-garde approach to music and fashion made her one of the most unique artists of her generation, with albums like Post and Homogenic pushing the boundaries of electronic and experimental pop. Her ability to create otherworldly soundscapes has earned her a cult following. She once wrote an entire album, Vespertine, with the intention of it being performed in intimate venues, crafting songs so delicate that they were meant to be whispered rather than belted.

Sade’s smooth, sultry vocals and elegant style made her one of the most beloved jazz and soul singers, with songs like Smooth Operator and No Ordinary Love defining sophisticated pop. Her mysterious aura has only added to her legend. She has only released six studio albums in four decades, yet each one has gone platinum, proving that quality matters more than quantity when it comes to true artistry.