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25 Women Who Rock Right Now

Women are making waves in music. Not only are the fairer sex dominating mainstream pop as of late, but they've also emerged as leaders in all genres of music. So come celebrate a host of groundbreaking (not to mention gorgeous) female-fronted bands and leading ladies who are rocking our socks off at this very moment.
25
Willow Smith
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith's daughter just might be the most confident tween alive -- and with good reason. She has gorgeous, happily married, ridiculously famous parents, a certified viral smash with the video for her insanely addictive pop anthem 'Whip My Hair,' and a record deal with Jay-Z's label, Roc Nation. Her futuristic fashion sense may be occasionally wacky, but she's got another 15 years or so to be simply chic. For now, she's "just tryna have fun."

Essential Track: '21st Century Girl'
Willow Smith
Getty Images
24
Victoria Legrand of Beach House
When it comes to dream-pop, Baltimore's Beach House is the leader of that pack. At the centre of the band's acclaimed third album, 2010's 'Teen Dream,' is the voice of French-born chanteuse Victoria Legrand. With pipes reminiscent of Marlene Deitrich, her sultry delivery gives Beach House's sleepy songs their underlying sex appeal. We can't wait for 'Bloom,' which is on the way!

Essential Track: 'Zebra'
Download Free Beach House Set
Victoria Legrand
Graham Denholm, Getty Images
23
Jessie J
This English pop singer cut her teeth writing songs for the likes of Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. She won the coveted Critic's Choice Award at the 2011 Brit Awards (previously bestowed on Adele and Florence Welch) and has wowed the crowd on 'Saturday Night Live.' Like Robyn, she merges straightforward pop with dancehall, hip-hop and club elements, and takes on crotch-grabbing hip-hop guys with her track, 'Do It Like a Dude.'

Essential Track: 'Do It Like a Dude'
Spend a Day in the Life of Jessie J
Jessie J
Getty Images
22
Dum Dum Girls
California band Dum Dum Girls channel '60s girl groups with a power shot of jangly guitars and fuzzed-out distortion. 2010's 'I Will Be' released to massive acclaim and saw the girls continue their winning streak with their 'He Gets Me High' EP, co-produced by the Raveonettes' Sune Rose Wagner (another fan of serious fuzz), and latest album 'Only in Dreams.' Plus, it doesn't hurt that Dum Dum Girls always look perfectly retro-fabulous in miniskirts, leather jackets and vixen red lipstick.

Essential Track: 'Jail La La'
Dum Dum Girls
Redferns / Getty Images
21
Janelle Monae
Kansas-born Janelle Monae wails like Aretha and boogies like James Brown. After signing with Diddy's Bad Boy label, she released her 2010 concept album 'The ArchAndroid' to rave reviews. She livened up the 2011 Grammys with a mesmerizing performance of 'Cold War,' sporting her distinctive pompadour and ever-present tuxedo. Monae's a soul singer with style to spare.

Essential Track: 'Cold War'
Janelle Monae
Redferns / Getty Images
20
Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine
Florence has won awards for her music (Brits, Q), her lushly art-directed music videos (MTV Video Music Awards) and her unique "Lady of Shallot meets Ophelia" style (Glamour and Elle mags). A chart-topping artist in her native country, she's slowly built an ardent fan following in North America appearing on 'Saturday Night Live', 'Ellen', and the Grammys as well as licensing her tunes for TV and film.

Essential Track: 'Cosmic Love'
Florence Welch
Dimitrios Kambouris, WireImage
19
Andrea Estella of Twin Sister
Brooklyn-based Twin Sister made a splash with 2010's trippy, disco-tinged 'Color Your Life' EP. And much of the credit goes to lead singer Andrea Estella's distinctive vocals: Breathy, laconic and borderline hypnotic. But it's Estella's dance moves in their 'All Around and Away We Go' video that aren't to be missed -- a flash of late-'80s choreography with equal parts sincerity and hilarity.

Essential Track: 'Lady Daydream'
Andrea Estella
Chromewaves
18
Amanda Warner of MNDR
Originally from Oakland, California, Amanda Warner moved to NYC and formed MNDR with Peter Wade. Since their first banging tracks hit the Internet, she's won an opening spot for Massive Attack and taken lead vocals in Mark Ronson's killer tune 'Bang Bang Bang.' Oh, and she's also a producer and confirmed tech-head, having reportedly designed the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' synthesizer rig.

Essential Track: 'I Go Away'
Amanda Warner
Simone Joyner, Getty Images
17
Alice Glass of Crystal Castles
A former teen punk runaway from Toronto, Alice Glass is known as much for her chopped black hair, heavy eyeliner and her showy stage antics (compulsive stage diving, attacking security guards, performing with broken ribs) as she is for the inventive electronic music she creates with partner Ethan Kath. And Crystal Castle's quick progression, including showing Alice's softer side on hit 'Celestica,' proves to us the girl with the raccoon eyes is a real dynamo.

Essential Track: 'Vanished'
Alice Glass
Roger Kisby, Getty Images
16
Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells
Legend has it Alexis connected with her Sleigh Bells bandmate Derek E. Miller when her mother visited a restaurant where Miller was waiting tables. Mama Krauss offered her daughter up as a vocalist when he shared his musical ambition, and a star was born. In the video for 'Tell 'Em,' Alexis Krauss takes to the streets brandishing a baseball bat, and in 'Rill Rill,' she finishes off her beau by shoving him out of a moving car. She's basically a badass schoolgirl without a pigtail in sight. Could we love her any more?

Essential Track: 'Infinity Guitars'
Alexis Krauss
Anna Webber, Getty Images
15
Emily Kokal of Warpaint
Growing up selling tie-dyed t-shirts up and down the California coast with her hippie mom, which was excellent preparation for the experimental art rock Kokal creates as part of L.A. band Warpaint. The band has benefited from connections with actress Shannyn Sossoman (who drummed for the band) and Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante (who mixed and mastered their debut EP). Kokal's got a summer-day-lazy delivery and an ethereal, feminine vibe.

Essential Track: 'Elephants'
Emily Kokal
Redferns / Getty Images
14
Katie Stelmanis of Austra
Toronto-based Katie Stelmanis was classically trained in opera as a child and uses that tremulous vocal power as frontwoman of Gothic electro trio Austra. Dark, sexy, danceable and unnerving, Austra's awesome video for 'Beat and the Pulse' features women dancing in their underwear who are revealed to have webbed hands and tails and other freaky alien features. Stelmanis, who also made an impression singing with F--- Up, is a force to be reckoned with.

Essential Track: 'Beat and the Pulse'
Katie Stelmanis
Norman Wong
13
Alaina Moore of Tennis
When Tennis vocalist/keyboardist Alaina Moore and her husband Patrick sold all their belongings, bought a boat and went on an eight-month sailing journey, they didn't simply take in the sights. With inspiration from an onboard soundtrack of the Shirelles, Paul Simon and "sunny pop," they began writing an album. The result is a strong effort full of wistful tunes with Phil Spector overtones, a throwback sound that's still fresh and modern. And with their latest offering, Young & Old,' the band seems unstoppable.

Essential Track: 'Long Boat Pass'
Alaina Moore
Cory Schwartz, Getty Images
12
Zola Jesus
Nika Roza Danilova grew up in the wilds of Wisconsin with a penchant for Schopenhauer and a dad that hunted deer and listened to the Dead Kennedys. Now she's known as Zola Jesus, and creates strange, unsettling yet beautiful music. The Siouxie Sioux lookalike deserves major acclaim for her 2011's 'Conatus,' which marries Gothic, industrial and pop elements.

Essential Track: 'Night'
Zola Jesus
Redferns / Getty Images
11
Oh Land
Naana Oland Fabricius looks like a young Heidi Klum and makes excellent Scandinavian electro-pop. A former ballet dancer who switched careers after a serious injury, Oh Land's music has a cheeky zippiness reminiscent of Lily Allen at her best. And with her model good looks, it's no surprise she's been tapped as a face for fashion house M Missoni -- the loveliest Danish import since Raveonettes' Sharin Foo.

Essential Track: 'Sun of a Gun'
Oh Land
Redferns / Getty Images
10
Lykke Li
Swedish singer Lykke Li first caught North American attention with the minimalist electro-pop on her 2008 release, 'Youth Novels.' With 2011's 'Wounded Rhymes,' Li's taken her coy come-ons to a darker, more aggressive place ("I'm your prostitute/ You gonna get some" she sings on the lead single) and critical reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. She's sexy, stylish and a little mysterious. Lykke Li is simply the thinking person's pop idol.

Essential Track: 'I Follow Rivers'
Lykke Li
Theo Wargo, Getty Images
09
Ellie Goulding
Ellie's been a critical darling in England for the past couple years and is poised to find mainstream success on both sides of the pond. The quirky blonde won the Critics' Choice award at the Brits and was the No. 1 predicted breakthrough act of the year in the BBC's poll of music critics, 'Sound of 2010.' Her debut disc, 'Lights,' is filled with electro-tinged pop and fans are hotly anticipating the follow-up.

Essential Track: 'Starry Eyed'
Ellie Goulding
Ian Gavan, Getty Images
08
Beth Ditto
Ditto first made a music industry splash as the energetic frontwoman of the Gossip. She's since been compared to Janis Joplin because of her deep and powerful pipes and uninhibited stage presence. Now she's got a synth-heavy solo project that's garnering rave reviews and winning new fans. Produced by Simian Mobile Disco, Ditto's track 'I Wrote the Book' filled dance floors the world over.

Essential Track: 'I Wrote the Book'
Download Free Gossip Set
Beth Ditto
Getty Images
07
Glasser
Cameron Mesirow (aka Glasser) is the daughter of two offbeat artists, and her music is true to that counterculture pedigree. Her album 'Ring,' is eccentric electronic, with layered vocals, world music elements and trippy beats. Mesirow has stated that she's a fan of the Muppets and she invented her own musical instrument, the "bifurcated pipe organ." A true eccentric talent.

Essential Track: 'Mirrorage'
Download Free Glasser Set
Cameron Mesirow
Bonnie Biess, AOL
06
Regine Chassagne of Arcade Fire
Regine Chassagne has enjoyed both massive critical acclaim and commercial success as part of Montreal's Arcade Fire, and she's married to the band's co-founder, Win Butler. Chassagne and her fellow Fires have won nearly every music award there is with 'The Suburbs,' but despite the band's wild popularity, she still seems like she has a pretty normal life, free from paparazzi stalking and Internet rumours. Nice work if you can get it.

Essential Track: 'Ready to Start'
Regine Chassagne
Jim Dyson, Getty Images
05
Nicki Minaj
Never mind that she's the hottest female in a male-dominated musical arena -- Nicki Minaj is the sharpest player in hip-hop, period. Minaj first generated heat guesting for Ludacris and Usher, and her schizophrenic flow stole Kanye's all-star 'Monster.' And, with the release of 2010's 'Pink Friday,' her day-glo wigs, skin-tight catsuits and quirky alter egos took center-stage. Her theatrical image may scream, "Look at me!," but her rapid-fire rapping and fine singing voice more than back it up.

Essential Track: 'Moment 4 Life (Feat. Drake)'
Nicki Minaj
Getty Images
04
Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast
Best Coast frontwoman Bethany Cosentino has helped propel the lo-fi, surf pop sound into the indie rock spotlight. With her band's acclaimed album, 'Crazy For You,' the Los Angeles-based vocalist and songwriter created tunes reminiscent of '60s beach music, with a thoroughly modern swagger. Oh, and She's also one half of of indie rock's royal couple, alongside her boyfriend, Wavves' Nathan Williams.

Essential Track: 'When I'm With You'
Bethany Cosentino
Getty Images
03
Robyn
Robyn started out as an All-American blonde pop star in the early 2000s (despite being Swedish) before bowing out of imminent pop culture ubiquity and returning to her homeland. A decade later, Robyn has reinvented herself as the premier purveyor of intelligent, emotional dance-pop. Her masterful 'Body Talk' trilogy is quite simply crawling with what should have been No. 1 hits. Robyn's in no rush, but as word continues to spread she won't be dancing on her own for much longer.

Essential Track: 'Dancing on My Own'
Watch Robyn at Sessions
Robyn
Mike Coppola, Getty Images
02
Wanda Jackson
The only woman on this list who's already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Wanda Jackson was one of the first female rockabilly artists in the '50s and '60s -- a bona fide pioneer of rock 'n' roll with a raw, growling delivery and shaking hips. Thanks to the support of ardent fan Jack White, she wowed with her album 'The Party Ain't Over,' and she's bringing her legendary rock show to a new generation. Oh yeah, and she also dated Elvis.

Essential Track: 'Thunder on the Mountain (Feat. Jack White)'
Wanda Jackson
Tim Mosenfelder, Getty Images
01
Adele
She may be young, but Adele's voice packs an emotional wallop far beyond her years. The English singing sensation already has a mantel full of prestigious awards (many of them Grammys) and a series of No. 1 mega-hits to boot. Besides the poignant intensity of her voice, she's lauded for embracing her natural curves in an era of ever-skinnier pop starlets.

Essential Track: 'Rolling in the Deep'
Watch Adele at Sessions
Adele
Collin Erie for AOL

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219 Comments

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Dennis Boyd

no alison mosshart? whoever made this list is a legit clown

January 30 2013 at 12:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Wayne Chapman

Agent Ribbons all the way!

www.collapseboard.com/everett-true/song-of-the-day-177-agent-ribbons

March 28 2012 at 12:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TMGLost

Lindi Ortega and Girl in a Coma

March 08 2012 at 1:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Robert Lewis

yo yo yo this list blows look at it please

June 08 2011 at 10:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hey.....breana

Adele! Lol. I'm glad she is number one because besides her I only knew two other people. Nicki Manji and Williow Smith. There are other people that should have been on there. Like Stevie.... Nicks. Joan Jett.....

June 07 2011 at 9:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Monica Harvatt

Where's Stevie NIcks! She has a new album out, her first solo disc in 10 years. It's fabulous. The girl is BACK. Don't ignore her.

June 03 2011 at 1:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PugsnCaiques

What about Natalie Horler of Cascada? It doesn't matter what she sings, she does it best! For those who don't know her by name here are a few of the songs she sings: Everytime We Touch, What Hurts the Most and Evacuate the Dance Floor.

June 02 2011 at 5:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sileya2

your rite niki and willo are doing the dang thang nicki better leave keyshia cole alone i know that shes num 1

June 02 2011 at 3:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cunningham.pr

what about allison mossheart of the kills and dead weather. she should be top 3.

May 31 2011 at 12:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to cunningham.pr's comment
cunningham.pr

Alison Mosshart *

May 31 2011 at 12:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
diamondnlevi35

WHAT BOUT JANCE JOPLIN

May 31 2011 at 11:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply