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Who is the No 1 female singer in the world?


There are many talented female singers in the world today who have achieved immense popularity and success. Choosing the number one female singer is no easy task, as there are various factors to consider, such as vocal range, technique, album sales, chart performance, awards won, and overall impact and influence. This article will examine some of the top contenders for the title of number one female singer in the world currently, looking at their achievements and merits. A data-driven analysis will also be provided to objectively assess who could be considered the number one based on certain metrics.

Key Contenders

Here are some of the leading candidates for the number one female singer in the world today:

Beyoncé

Beyoncé is arguably one of the most iconic pop stars of the 21st century. Since going solo in 2003 after her time with Destiny’s Child, she has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Her albums I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008), 4 (2011), Beyoncé (2013), Lemonade (2016), and Renaissance (2022) have all reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart. She has won 24 Grammy Awards, tying the record for most Grammy wins by a female artist. Beyoncé is renowned for her incredible vocal range and live performance abilities. Her 2018 Coachella set is considered one of the greatest festival performances of all time. She has had 5 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” among her most popular and influential hits.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is one of the biggest pop stars to emerge in the past 15 years. Her career launched in 2006 with her self-titled debut, and since then she has released 9 studio albums, all of which have sold over 1 million copies. Swift has evolved from a country artist to a pop superstar over the years. She holds the record for the most Billboard Music Award wins, with 23. Swift has won 11 Grammy Awards, including three Album of the Year wins, making her the first female artist to accomplish this. All of her studio albums have hit number one on the Billboard 200. She has had multiple international chart-topping hits including “Shake It Off,” “Look What You Made Me Do,” and “Love Story.” Swift has cultivated a massive and devoted fanbase over the course of her prolific career.

Adele

British singer Adele skyrocketed to stardom after the release of her album 21 in 2011. The record sold over 35 million copies globally and won the Grammy for Album of the Year. Her powerful vocals and vulnerable songwriting have made Adele one of the most beloved artists of the 21st century. She has won 15 Grammy Awards, including two for Record of the Year. Adele’s three studio albums 21 (2011), 25 (2015), and 30 (2021) have all broken sales records. She is one of the best-selling artists ever, moving over 120 million album units. Adele’s 2015 comeback single “Hello” broke the Vevo record for most views in 24 hours. Her hit single “Rolling in the Deep” also earned her the Grammy for Song of the Year.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande first found fame on the Nickelodeon show Victorious before transitioning into pop stardom. She has emerged as one of the preeminent vocalists of contemporary pop thanks to her expansive range and R&B-influenced style. Grande has released six platinum-selling albums and has won one Grammy along with four American Music Awards. She holds the Spotify record for most streams by a female artist in a 24-hour period with over 14 million for her breakup anthem “thank u, next”. Grande’s “7 Rings” and “Break Free” are among her other chart-topping smashes. In 2022 she became the youngest artist ever to serve as a coach on NBC’s The Voice. Grande’s impressive technique and versatility as a singer continue to drive her status as one of today’s most popular artists.

Sales and Chart Performance

Examining sales and chart numbers provides an objective measure to compare the success of these female singers:

Singer Total Album Sales Billboard 200 #1 Albums Hot 100 #1 Singles
Beyoncé 100 million 6 5
Taylor Swift 185 million 8 5
Adele 120 million 3 3
Ariana Grande 85 million 4 4

Based on these metrics, Taylor Swift edges out the competition with the most total album sales and Billboard 200 number one albums. She matches Beyoncé with 5 Hot 100 chart-toppers. Adele places third overall in sales and chart hits. Grande has the fewest sales among these singers, but has nearly as many Billboard 200 and Hot 100 number ones as Beyoncé despite a shorter career span so far.

Awards and Accolades

The number of awards and honors received can also indicate the level of success and acclaim these female vocalists have achieved:

Singer Grammy Awards Other Major Awards
Beyoncé 24 wins 24 MTV VMAs
Taylor Swift 11 wins 5 Guinness World Records
Adele 15 wins 12 Billboard Music Awards
Ariana Grande 1 win 4 American Music Awards

Beyoncé clearly leads among major music honors, with the most Grammy wins of any female artist ever. Adele places second in Grammys but has earned considerable recognition through other awards shows. Taylor Swift has also won her fair share of Grammys and holds multiple Guinness World Records for her achievements. Despite her youth, Grande has already received honors at major award shows, demonstrating her rising prominence as an artist.

Influence and Cultural Impact

Measuring a singer’s cultural influence is more subjective than sales or awards, but an important factor in assessing their status as number one. Each of these artists has made a unique impact:

Beyoncé

Beyoncé is one of the most culturally significant artists today, renowned for her music’s themes of feminism, Black pride, and empowerment. Songs like “Single Ladies” and “Formation” have become anthems for women and the Black Lives Matter movement. Her iconic Coachella performance highlighted Black culture and historically Black colleges. Beyoncé has paved the way for Black female artists and inspired people worldwide through her music.

Taylor Swift

Swift’s confessional songwriting has connected with millions of fans. She is credited with dominating the music industry through multiple pop eras, evolving from country to pop to electro-pop while retaining a massive audience. Swift has set records, broken barriers, and inspired young artists. Her openness about mental health, politics, and overcoming adversity has furthered her impact.

Adele

Adele’s throwback soulful sound has sparked a renaissance of classic vocal talents in pop music. She has crossed demographic boundaries, appealing to diverse ages and backgrounds. Songs like “Hello” and “Someone Like You” have become enduring ballads defining the 2010s. The emotional authenticity of Adele’s music resonates widely.

Ariana Grande

Though early in her career, Grande is recognized for her prodigious vocals and integration of R&B styling in pop. She has been praised as a role model for positivity and resilience after overcoming trauma. Grande’s music explores love, loss, and self-empowerment as she comes into her own as an artist and person. She represents a new generation in pop music.

Conclusion

There is no definitive formula for determining the number one female singer in the world currently. However, weighing factors like sales, chart performance, awards, and cultural impact provides perspective on who stands out from the pack. By these metrics, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift likely have the strongest cases for claiming the title today. Both have immense sales and chart success. Beyoncé tops Swift in awards and acclaim, while Swift has had a longer career arc at the peak of the industry. Adele and Ariana Grande also show the vocal talent, accolades, and cultural resonance to potentially be considered number one. But Beyoncé’s transcendent performances and massive influence on music and culture in the 21st century give her a slight edge for now. Ultimately all four singers have impacted and defined pop music through their iconic voices and chart dominance.