From industry vets, like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, to fresh newcomers, like Dua Lipa and Halsey, here is the list of top 10 most influential women in music.
1. Lady Gaga
Since releasing her groundbreaking pop album ‘The Fame’ in 2008, Lady Gaga has remained one of the music industry’s most powerful and recognizable voices. With her inspiring voice, sense of style, sold out tours and incredible charity efforts, Gaga transcends the typical career lifespan of most artists and will remain a household name for decades to come. Everything that Lady Gaga does makes the press, and her dedicated fanbase watches closely to support, and often others in the industry imitate.
2. Ariana Grande
Former teen stage actress and singer Ariana Grande has been in the public spotlight nearly half her life, but only now is she becoming quite the household name. With multiple award nominations and being named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine, the sky’s the limit for this young singer with one of the broadest vocal ranges around. When Ariana Grande makes the news, it’s sure to make waves whether it’s for a fashion statement or for something massive such as an arena tour.
3. Adele
In a generation packed full of Youtube celebrities and instant superstars, Adele has proved that true staying power comes from raw talent, authentic persona and songs that stand the test of time. Adele packs beauty, fashion and hit songs that have brought the art of mastering great songwriting and vocal abilities back into the mainstream. I’m sure most will agree that type of influence is great for a music industry full of digital change.
4. Katy Perry
Global sensation Katy Perry has had a long history in a music industry that once did not’ see eye to eye with her music and brand. Since her breakout in 2008, Perry has quickly become a fashion and music icon that has spawned more hits than most of us can even keep track of. The influence of her music has carried a pop genre into 2019 demanding bigger, better hits and brands that can outlast the one hit wonders of the Spotify generation.
5. Christina Aguilera
Younger fans may have discovered Christina Aguilera through shows such as the Voice, but her influence as a superstar singer and industry mogul runs over 20 years back to humble beginnings on shows like The Mickey Mouse Club, shortly being followed-up with early hits such as “Genie in a Bottle” which truly put her on the map. Her modern day influence as a starmaker is equally as important as the smash hits over the years that have added up to over 75 million albums sold.
6. Amy Lee
Although the band name Evanescence has been on rock enthusiasts’ radar on and off for over 15 years, one thing for sure is that vocalist Amy Lee’s influence can be heard everywhere. The Grammy Award Winning group catapulted Lee to success and put the band on the map of being one of the most influential female-fronted rock bands of a generation. From Lee’s vocal style to the band’s metal/goth/pop influences, Amy Lee has had a great 2018 with extensive touring via Evanescence and a new album reportedly in the works.
7. Beyoncé
Since releasing her first solo album almost 15 years ago, this former Destiny’s Child member has made quite the name for herself as a world superstar. More than just a musical mainstay, Beyoncé can easily be described as one of the most powerful Women on the planet (watch out, Oprah) and every fashion statement and word of empowerment has an inspiring, positive effect on those who follow her. There’s not a person who doesn’t know a great Beyoncé song, and her influence has without a doubt rubbed off on millions of music fans and beyond.
8. Halsey
In just a few short years Halsey has gone from a buzzing independent artist to international superstar. Her influence outside of her iconic music and style, also includes activism, suicide prevention awareness and sexual assault awareness. In a world where music fans know most artists only for their music, fans also know Halsey for so much more.
See also; The 10 Most Stunning Short Haired Female Celebs.
9. Dua Lipa
English pop star Dua Lipa has quickly risen to the top of music fan playlists and radio charts in just two short years. Her elevated sense of fashion and pop hit songwriting has made her both an organic and viral sensation, seemingly having her pop up around so many turns in 2018. For a new generation of music fans and musicians equally, Dua Lipa is easily the new formula for success and will be influencing a new era of music moving forward.
See also; top 10 female artists that don’t fit into a box.
10. Betty Moon
Newest to our list; Canadian songwriter and producer Betty Moon has continued to push boundaries while releasing multiple successful singles from her critically acclaimed 2017 album, ‘Chrome’ along with running an established music placement company Evolver Music in Los Angeles since 2010. With 8 albums released since her smash major label debut, Moon has only continued to fine tune her sound, style and increase the level of accomplishments across the US and Canada. Moon’s brand of rock n’ roll and pop/electronic infused music has influenced countless peers and artists in multiple genres, and fans can expect a new Betty Moon release in 2019.