Can y’all believe it’s 2025? As we enter a new generation, our beloved Southern soul queens have become Southern soul legends. Now, the ones that they’ve inspired have graced us with their talents. While many soulful ladies dominate the special genre today, those with Southern roots are the soul singers who shine like diamonds. Fun fact: many of them have gospel backgrounds. While I couldn’t list them all, here are a few Southern soul queens of today that I think most of us can agree on.
Southern Soul Queens of Today
Monica is a soulful lady that has been dominating R&B since a teenager with her serenading vocals. Monica was born and raised in College Park, Georgia. She pays homage to her southern roots with her art and music. The “Why I Love You So Much” singer holds accolades such as a 1999 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “The Boy is Mine” with another great, Brandy Norwood. In addition, Little Miss Thang received praises from the Queen herself, Whitney Houston.
Ledisi, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, shares many talents with the world including being an extraordinary vocalist and producer, actress, and author. The “Pieces of Me” singer lives up to her name by bringing forth passionate vocals that earned her a 2021 Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Anything For You.”
Keke Wyatt is a powerhouse. Luckily, the Indianapolis, Indiana singer, songwriter, actress is southern born because what is today’s soul music without Ms. Wyatt? Keke has been dominating the soul scene for years with her strong vocals and penmanship. While the soul singer is not heavily decorated, she is a well respected household name for her contributions to the industry and has hits with legends such as Avant.
Fantasia Barrino, was born and raised in High Point, North Carolina. The American Idol winner has a one of a kind voice that originated in the church. We Southern Belles know that gospel is a huge inspiration, if not a fundamental to that sweet southern soul sound that we love. One of Fantasia’s most recent and aspiring contributions to soul is her role as Celie in the 2023 musical, The Color Purple. Tasia is not only a celebrated vocalist and actor, but she also is an author, achieving a 2006 New York Times best-selling memoir “Life is Not a Fairy Tale.”
Beyonce, born and raised in Houston, Texas, is a sweet southern soul voice that has been honored as a vocalist, writer, performer, actor, and designer. We have seen Beyonce since she was a teenager in the group, Destiny’s Child, and she continues to inspire the culture. Beyonce never fails to pay homage to her southern roots, and her contributions to southern soul today are undeniable. Beyonce most recently celebrated a 2025 Grammy sweep for Album of the Year, Best Country Album, and Best Country/Duo Group Performance.
Athena Cage, a Southern Belle from Russellville, Kentucky, is a talented soul singer, writer, and producer. Athena Cage is a well known solo artist and a part of the 1994 R&B group Kut Klose. In her home state of Kentucky, Athena was honored with the Athena Cage Scholarship Fund at Western Kentucky University and received the Kentucky Colonel title from the Governor. In addition, Athena Cage’s pioneering contributions to music and her community led to her having a street in her hometown renamed Athena Cage Way, and she had an amphitheater named in her honor.
Kandi Burruss, of College Park, Georgia, is a beautiful example of a Southern Soul Queen. Kandi has ventured many avenues of entertainment from entrepreneurship to television personality, and of course many musical contributions. Kandi received a 2000 Grammy for Best R&B Song as she co-wrote “No Scrubs” by TLC. In addition, the great Xscape singer has a host of nominations including some for being a Reality TV Star.
Tiny Harris is a notable Southern Soul Queen from College Park, Georgia who continues to perform and entertain effortlessly. Tiny was a member of Xscape, a multi-platinum R&B group that dominated the 90s. In addition, Tiny penned plenty of hits for other groups such as TLC and artists. Tiny has unique vocal skills that allow her music to be timeless. Tiny also appeared in multiple television shows, and received a 2000 Grammy for Best R&B Song as she co-wrote “No Scrubs” by TLC.
Comments
