Fair warning: You're about to enter a place of extreme '90s nostalgia. But we're not going to talk about Kurt Cobain or Friends or get wistful about the days of less digitally connected existence. Nope, this homage is dedicated to all the ladies who rocked that decade — and their way into our hearts (and eardrums) forever. We're talking Sarah McLachlan and Sheryl Crow. Kathleen Hanna and Gwen Stefani. Brandy, Monica, and Melissa Ethridge. And then there's all the ladies of the Lilith Fair stage. The list really does just go on and on — which is why we'll be updating it every month to include more of our favorite female performers from one our favorite iconic musical periods. Without further ado: Less talk. More music.
The Artist: En Vogue, a.k.a.Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones
Known For: Being a precursor to Destiny's Child. Sweet moves. Slinky silver dresses. Breaking it down.
Memorable Track: We would sooner choose a favorite child. But "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" and "Don't Let Go" are both vying for the top spot.
The Artist: Ani Difranco
Known For: Being not an angry girl, but singing about things that make girls angry. Starting Righteous Babe Records. Inventive hairstyles.
Memorable Track: "Untouchable face." (But really, choosing an Ani track is an impossible task, as they are basically all incredible.)
The Artist: Natalie Imbruglia
Known For: Being an Australian soap star. That chicly choppy haircut.
Memorable Track: "Torn." Were there other ones? Probably. But that one got the most radio play, and is still a "should we breakup" anthem.
The Artist: Jewel
Known For: Mournful songs about splitting with your boo, having small hands.
Memorable Track: "You Were Meant For Me." Dreams DO last so long, even after you're gone. It's poetry, people.
The Artist: Courtney Love
Known For: Kurt Cobain. Public meltdowns. Being the front woman of Hole. (Not necessarily in that order, but sort of.)
Memorable Track: "Celebrity Skin," but also, "Doll Parts." These two are sort of the bookends to the Courtney Love performance spectrum.
The Artist: Spice Girls
Known For: Girl power! Archetypal band personas!
Memorable Track: "Spice Up Your Life"— though you should probably just go ahead and listen to the entire Spice World album.
The Artist: Destiny's Child
Known For: Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams, other former members (in that order).
Memorable Tack: Um, what Destiny's Child track was not memorable, is more the question? But if we had to go with just one, we'd say "Say My Name."
The Artist: Brandy
Known For: Braids. Being Cinderella. Fighting about boys with Monica.
Memorable Track: "Have You Ever."
The Artist: Sarah McLachlan
Known For: Making you cry about animal mistreatment. General soulfulness. Sad, sad, sad songs. Fumbling towards ecstasy.
Memorable Track: "Building a Mystery."
The Artist: Gwen Stefani
Known For: Being the leading lady of No Doubt. Badass braces. These days, being one-half of Gwake.
Memorable Track: There's no choosing here. Just listen to Tragic Kingdom over and over again until you get it.
The Artist: Tori Amos
Known For: Mad piano and composition skills. Being silent all these years.
Memorable Track: "Winter"— though it should be noted that the Tori Amos canon is wide, sometimes experimental, and a little unpredictable, save for that gorgeous voice.
The Artist: Mandy Moore
Known For: Missing you like candy. Playing a really compelling bitchy high schooler in Saved!.
Memorable Track: "Candy." That is quintessential Moore.
The Artist: Lisa Loeb
Known For: Finger picking. Excellent taste in eyewear.
Memorable Track: "Stay." (Duh.)
The Artist: Mariah Carey
Known For: Oh man. For a primer: start here. But those vocal falls are pretty important.
Memorable Track: "Fantasy."
The Artist: Tracy Chapman
Known For: Having a really unique, unbelievably beautiful voice. Great hair.
Memorable Track: "Fast Car."
The Artist: Alanis Morissette
Known For: Dating Uncle Joey. Being engaged to Ryan Reynolds. Playing god. Long hair. Jagged Little Pill and everything that came after.
Memorable Track: "You Oughta Know"
The Artist: Monica
Known For: That boy being hers. Totally understanding that sometimes it's just one of them days that a girl goes through.
Memorable Track: "Don't Take It Personal"
The Artist: Melissa Etheridge
Known For: That incredible wail. Being a Grammy winner, many times over.
Memorable Track: "I'm the Only One"
The Artist: Sinéad O'Connor
Known For: Making a shaved head look really, really good. An incomparably gorgeous breathy quality to her voice. Covering Prince. Activism on behalf of women's rights.
Memorable Track: "Nothing Compares 2 U"
The Artist: Fiona Apple
Known For: Feeling like a criminal.
Memorable Track: "Fast as You Can"
The Artist: Sleater Kinney, a.k.a. Corin Tucker (vocals, guitar), Carrie Brownstein (guitar, vocals), and Janet Weiss (drums)
Known For: Moving along the rise of riot grrrl and indie rock in the Pacific Northwest. Being really, really badass.
Memorable Track: "Get Up"
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