Top Ten R&B Girl Groups

In honor of Black Music Month, we’re highlighting ten of the most impactful R&B girl groups.

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10. Sister Sledge - Sisters Joni, Debbie, Kim and Kathy Sledge were the granddaughters of opera singers, so they always knew they could sing. Born, raised and influenced by the Philadelphia sound, Sister Sledge was formed in 1972 and were helped to achieve superstar status by their homegrown brethren, production duo Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of the disco group, Chic. This relationship with Rodgers and Edwards produced their most notable song, the disco anthem, "We Are Family," which reached number one on the R&B charts and number two on the pop charts. Additionally, they achieved a second major hit with "He's the Greatest Dancer" — another R&B number one and Top 10 pop single. Many artists have sampled their work, including Will Smith on his biggest-selling single, "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" and Tony Touch featuring Total on “He’s the Great...
Total - Total were Bad Boy's signature girl group when they appeared on the hit single "What You Want." But it didn't last long: they only released one more album, 1998's Kima, Keisha and Pam, before splitting up. Member Pamela Long, however, is still active, and released an album, Undeniable, this year. She also recently tweeted that Total was back in the studio together.  (Photo: Courtesy Bad Boy Records)8. Mary Jane Girls - The brainchild of Rick James to showcase his background singer Joanne “JoJo” McDuffie's vocals, the Mary Jane Girls were formed in the early 1980s. Under James’ musical direction and with JoJo on lead vocals, the group made hits like “All Night Long” and “Candyman. ” They didn’t sell millions or even top the charts — though their lead single, off their second album, In My House, reached number 3 on the Billboard R&B charts and spent 12 weeks in the Top 40 — they made a definite impact on a generation of listeners. Mary J. Blige remade “All Night Long” on her classic sophomore LP, My Life, and their music was sampled by everyone from Kylie Minogue and the Black Eyed Peas to Redman and Jay-Z.(Photo: Courtesy Gordy Records)

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