American Music Award for Best Female R&B Artist

The American Music Award for Best Female R&B Artist (formerly known as Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B 1974-2025) has been awarded since 1974. Years reflect the year during which the awards were presented, for works released in the previous year (until 2003 onward, when awards were handed out on November of the same year). Beyoncé and Rihanna are tied for the most wins in this category, with 7 wins. Beyoncé is the most nominated artist, with 11 nominations.

Winners and nominees 1970s Year Artist Ref 1974 Roberta Flack Aretha Franklin Betty Wright 1975 Diana Ross Roberta Flack Aretha Franklin 1976 Aretha Franklin Gwen McCrae Minnie Riperton 1977 Aretha Franklin Natalie Cole Diana Ross 1978 Natalie Cole Aretha Franklin Donna Summer 1979 Natalie Cole Roberta Flack Donna Summer

1980s Year Artist Ref 1980 Donna Summer Gloria Gaynor Stephanie Mills 1981 Diana Ross Chaka Khan Stephanie Mills 1982 Stephanie Mills Chaka Khan Stacy Lattisaw Teena Marie 1983 Diana Ross Aretha Franklin Evelyn "Champagne" King 1984 Aretha Franklin Angela Bofill Irene Cara Donna Summer 1985 Tina Turner Sheila E. Chaka Khan 1986 Aretha Franklin Whitney Houston Diana Ross 1987 Whitney Houston Anita Baker Janet Jackson Patti LaBelle 1988 Anita Baker Whitney Houston Janet Jackson 1989 Whitney Houston Natalie Cole Sade

1990s Year Artist Ref 1990 Anita Baker Paula Abdul Stephanie Mills 1991 Janet Jackson Regina Belle Mariah Carey Miki Howard Lisa Stansfield 1992 Mariah Carey Natalie Cole Whitney Houston 1993 Patti LaBelle Mary J. Blige Mariah Carey Vanessa Williams 1994 Whitney Houston Toni Braxton Mariah Carey Janet Jackson 1995 Anita Baker Toni Braxton Janet Jackson 1996 Mariah Carey Anita Baker Brandy 1997 Toni Braxton Brandy Mariah Carey 1998 Mariah Carey Mary J. Blige Toni Braxton 1999 Janet Jackson Aaliyah Brandy

2000s Year Artist Ref 2000 Lauryn Hill Brandy Whitney Houston 2001 Toni Braxton Whitney Houston Kelly Price 2002 Aaliyah Mary J. Blige Alicia Keys 2003 Mary J. Blige Ashanti Jennifer Lopez 2003 Aaliyah Ashanti Beyoncé 2004 Alicia Keys Beyoncé Janet Jackson 2005 Mariah Carey Ciara Fantasia 2006 Mary J. Blige Mariah Carey Keyshia Cole 2007 Rihanna Beyoncé Fantasia 2008 Rihanna Mary J. Blige Alicia Keys 2009 Beyoncé Keyshia Cole Keri Hilson

2010s Year Artist Ref 2010 Rihanna Alicia Keys Sade 2011 Beyoncé Rihanna Kelly Rowland 2012 Beyoncé Mary J. Blige Rihanna 2013 Rihanna Ciara Alicia Keys 2014 Beyoncé Jhené Aiko Mary J. Blige 2015 Rihanna Beyoncé Mary J. Blige 2016 Rihanna Beyoncé Janet Jackson 2017 Beyoncé Kehlani Rihanna 2018 Rihanna Ella Mai SZA 2019 Beyoncé Ella Mai Lizzo

2020s Year Artist Ref 2020 Doja Cat Jhené Aiko Summer Walker 2021 Doja Cat H.E.R. Jazmine Sullivan Jhené Aiko SZA 2022 Beyoncé Doja Cat Muni Long Summer Walker SZA 2023 – 24 colspan="3" 2025 SZA Kehlani Muni Long Summer Walker Tyla 2026 SZA Kehlani Summer Walker Teyana Taylor Tyla

Category facts Multiple wins

7 wins Rihanna Beyoncé

4 wins Mariah Carey Aretha Franklin

3 wins Anita Baker Whitney Houston Diana Ross SZA

Multiple nominations

12 nominations Beyoncé

10 nominations Rihanna

9 nominations Mariah Carey

8 nominations Janet Jackson Aretha Franklin Whitney Houston

7 nominations Mary J. Blige

5 nominations Anita Baker Toni Braxton Natalie Cole Diana Ross SZA

See also

List of music awards honoring women

References