These ’90s Girl Groups Absolutely Dominated the Pop and R&B Scenes

Before Lady Gaga, there was TLC, whose fashion-forward outfits and distinctive music made them unique. They also inspired young teens to express their originality and embrace being different with their hit songs like “No Scrubs” and “Waterfalls.” The group has continued to tour and record music as a duo following the death of group member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in 2002, but remaining members Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas have vowed never to replace the late Lopes.

In a 2021 interview with The New York Post, Thomas said they’ve never even considered bringing in a new member. “It was just meant to be us,” she said. Watkins added that they do their best to honor their friend’s memory with every performance.

“When we perform, we always keep her energy alive,” she said. “It’s about a celebration of life now – what we accomplished together, what we built together, the body of work – and we feel her presence.”

From “Push It” to “Let’s Talk About Sex,” hip-hop girl group Salt-N-Pepa dared to discuss then-taboo topics about women’s sexual health. In 2022, the group reunited to accept their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At the time, Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper spoke about the group’s lasting legacy.

“Women everywhere were inspired, forever changed by the message of strength and independence,” Roper said, per People. “And what our message did for you guys, it also did for me as well… Thank you S and P for mentoring me. Salt, Pep, life lessons. We’ve been through the ups and downs. But I have to thank you for those lessons. Because it wasn’t just the music to me. It was our relationship. And that means everything to me. So whatever we gotta do to fix that, let’s get some unity back in this. Let’s figure it out and be iconic and be what the fans want.”

The group was also the subject of a 2021 Lifetime film appropriately called “Salt-N-Pepa.”

Even before they were “Not Ready to Make Nice” after speaking out against former President George W. Bush, the Chicks were flying high in the ’90s with four No. 1 songs on the country music charts and three Grammy nominations, including one for best new artist.

After their comments on Bush, the group was blacklisted from the country music landscape until 2016 when Beyoncé and the Chicks performed “Daddy Lessons” together at the Country Music Awards. In 2020, Taylor Swift spoke to the Guardian about how the group inspired her to open up about her own political beliefs.

“The Chicks represent a sisterhood that has withstood absolutely everything,” she said. “Their loyalty to each other survived scandal, seemingly endless ignorant vitriol, marriages and divorces, unabashed misogyny, unfair criticism, heartbreak and the ever-changing rules of the rollercoaster music industry. And, through it all, they have continued to make music that is surprising and compelling to me as a fan.”

Xscape were four edgy women on the outside, but their sweet and soulful voices were always as smooth as lullabies. Their R&B songs like “Who Can I Run To?” and “Just Kickin’ It” are still on heavy rotation to this day. Kandi Burruss, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, and sisters LaTocha Scott-Bivens and Tamika Scott even teamed up with fellow ’90s girl group SWV for the Bravo miniseries “SWV & XSCAPE: The Queens of R&B” in 2023.

It’s probably hard to remember any other song by this group besides “C’est La Vie,” but those classic dance moves and denim-on-denim outfits were more than enough to make this group memorable in the late ’90s. Sadly, the group was dropped by their label in 2002, but they reunited in 2012 for a reunion tour. In 2023, they reunited once again, but this time it was for the podcast “Starting Over With B*Witched.”

En Vogue is still famously known for their impeccable vocals as a group. Their 1990 debut single “Hold On” opens with a minute-long, perfectly blended harmony (yes, that was a popular thing in music back then). While the group underwent several member changes in its lineup, En Vogue still managed to rack up six top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits. In 2018, the group proved they were still hit-makers with the release of their first new album in 14 years, “Electric Café.”

Sisters With Voices, also known as SWV, emerged on the music scene at the start of the ’90s and immediately had us all “Weak” with their earworm love songs, which eventually earned them a Grammy nomination for best new artist in 1994. In 2023, they teamed up with Xscape for the Bravo miniseries “SWV & Xscape: The Queens of R&B.”

With their girl-next-door looks and Southern hospitality, Destiny’s Child quickly became everyone’s favorite R&B girl group in the late ’90s. Their empowering lyrics (think “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Bug a Boo”) made them come across as the older, wiser, and much cooler sisters who you just couldn’t wait to hang out with.

While Destiny’s Child disbanded in 2006, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams have reunited several times over the years. Meanwhile, they all have successful solo careers, with Beyoncé standing as perhaps the most famous modern artist of them all.

Did you really even enjoy the ’90s if you weren’t a fan of the Spice Girls? Probably not. Melanie Brown (Scary Spice); Victoria Beckham, née Adams (Posh Spice); Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice); Emma Bunton (Baby Spice); and Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice) were so popular, they became the bestselling girl group of all time during their run.

From setting fashion trends to having their own “Fantasy Ball” lollipops, it was hard not to want to be a Spice Girl. If you visit any karaoke spot today, you’re bound hear their 1997 hit “Wannabe” sung at least once, word for word.

While Beckham is focused on her family and fashion line now, the rest of the Spice Girls are keen to reunite for a reunion tour. But even though Beckham hasn’t signed on just yet, all of the women remain friends.

Formed in 1993, All Saints originally consisted of Melanie Blatt, Shaznay Lewis, and Simone Rainford, before sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton joined in 1996. While they didn’t reach the same level of fame as fellow British girl group Spice Girls, their singles “Never Ever” and “Bootie Call” were hits, especially in the UK. They split in 2001, but like many of their fellow ’90s girl groups, they reunited in 2013 and began releasing new music again.

Like The Chicks, SHeDaisy was a country group with a pop edge that gave them crossover appeal. Songs like “Little Goodbyes” and “I Will… But” landed them on the country charts in the late ’90s and early ’00s. Adding to the ’90s nostalgia factor, the group appeared in an episode of the hit Disney Channel series “So Weird” in 1999. They released their final album in 2006. Since then, they’ve largely disappeared from the spotlight to raise their families.