28 Best 2000s Singers, All Popular Music Artists

Mariah Carey

Mariah “Songbird Supreme” Carey is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress possessing an astounding five-octave vocal range with command over her whistle register.

Carey would find success in 1990 with her self-titled debut album, with five singles reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. You could say the rest is history, but the full-frontal vocal assault would continue well into the 2000s, which ended up being a very productive period for her.

In the 2000s, we would see the release of Glitter, Charmbracelet, The Emancipation of Mimi, E=MC², and Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.

Now, the early 2000s would come to represent a bit of a slump for Carey, as the 2001 romantic musical drama Glitter, and its soundtrack, both flopped. Carey would return to the top with The Emancipation of Mimi, however, especially with the release of “We Belong Together,” which made it to the top of the Billboard Top 100.

Jennifer Lopez

Having found success as an actress in the 90s, actress, dancer, and singer Jennifer Lopez (or J.Lo) would go on to launch her music career in 1999 with her debut studio album, On the 6. This album helped paved the way for the Latin invasion of the late 90s and early 2000s.

Lopez would continue her work as an actress while maintaining a relatively prolific release schedule in the 2000s with J.Lo, This Is Me… Then, Rebirth, Como Ama una Mujer, and Brave.

The 2000s would not prove the most successful period for Lopez, though Como Ama una Mujer garnered the highest first-week sales for a debut Spanish album in the U.S. The 2000s were nevertheless foundational for Lopez, who found prominence once again by becoming a judge of American Idol and releasing Love? in 2011.

You may recall “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” “Jenny from the Block,” “I’m Real,” “Get Right,” “All I Have,” “Ain’t It Funny,” and “Play.”

Usher

R&B singer-songwriter and recording artist Usher started singing in local singing competitions at the tender age of 12. His self-titled 1994 debut album, Usher, was a modest success with the singles “Can U Get wit It,” “Think of You,” and “The Many Ways.”

There was a bit of a backlash, because upon the release of the album, Usher was only 15, and he was singing about sex – something the public didn’t immediately accept.

It was enough of a push for him to reach new plateaus of success, however, and his second album, My Way, helped him reach the top of the charts with “Nice & Slow.” “You Make Me Wanna…” and “My Way” did all right too.

In the 2000s, Usher would release three studio albums – 8701, Confessions, and Here I Stand.

Some of his standout hits from the time include “Yeah!” “My Boo,” and “Love in this Club.”

Akon

In his early days, singer, record producer, and entrepreneur Akon built a relationship with music mogul Devyne Stephens. Akon would regularly turn to Stephens for mentorship, and Stephens would eventually sign him to his production company.

Akon’s 2004 studio debut, Trouble, spawned multiple singles – “Locked Up,” “Lonely,” “Belly Dancer (Bananza),” “Ghetto,” and “Pot of Gold.”

Akon ultimately got his start in the early- to mid-2000s, which proved foundational to the success he enjoys today. We saw the release of Trouble in 2004, Konvicted in 2006, and Freedom in 2008.

Miley Cyrus

Singer, songwriter, and actress Miley “Pop Chameleon” Cyrus is one of few child stars who would also go on to remain successful as an adult. In the 2000s, she would be regarded as the “Teen Queen” of pop culture.

In the mid to late 2000s, Cyrus would take on the role of Hannah Montana, a name that would practically become synonymous with Miley Cyrus.

Those Hannah Montana records ended up doing quite well for her, paving the way for her future success as a solo artist.

In the 2000s, we’d see the release of Hannah Montana in 2006, Hannah Montana 2 in 2007, Hannah Montana: The Movie in 2009, and Hannah Montana 3 also in 2009.

Hilary Duff

While her career may not have followed the trajectory of a Miley Cyrus, Hilary Duff’s most prolific period as a singer was indeed in the 2000s, with four solo albums, including Santa Claus Lane, Metamorphosis, Hilary Duff, and Dignity.

Her concert tours all took place in the 2000s as well – Metamorphosis Tour, Most Wanted Tour, Still Most Wanted Tour, and Dignity Tour.

Of course, Duff has had a more prolific career in TV and film, and How I Met Your Mother fans will recognize her as Sophie Tompkins in the Hulu spin-off How I Met Your Father.

Ne-Yo

Singer, songwriter, rapper, actor, dancer, and record producer Ne-Yo was originally part of an R&B group called Envy. The group disbanded in 2000, but Ne-Yo was determined to get a foothold in the music industry, writing songs for other artists before kickstarting his solo career.

Though he was signed to Columbia Records, they ended up dropping him before he could release his first album. R&B singer Marques Houston got wind of Ne-Yo’s “That Girl,” however, and when he released it as a single in 2003, Ne-Yo gained widespread recognition as a songwriter.

Ne-Yo would continue to write, and when he wrote Mario’s “Let Me Love You,” it became a number-one hit, ultimately leading Jay-Z to sign Ne-Yo.

Ne-Yo’s time had finally come, and in 2006, he released his debut album, In My Own Words. The album spawned several respectable hits, including “So Sick,” “When You’re Mad,” and “Sexy Love.”

Ne-Yo would follow it up with Because of You in 2007, and Year of the Gentleman in 2008.

Carrie Underwood

Country singer Carrie Underwood was the winner of the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. Her debut single, “Inside Your Heaven,” rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a feat never before achieved by a new artist. Not to mention, she became the only solo country artist in the 2000s to have a chart-topping song on the Hot 100.

In 2005, she would release her debut album, Some Hearts. Crossover singles like “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats” helped it become the best-selling solo female debut album ever in country music.

Her unprecedented success only grew with two additional 2000s releases – 2007’s Carnival Ride and 2009’s Play On. And these only set the stage for what was to come in the 2010s and the 2020s, which have proven very productive for Underwood so far.

Top 2000s Singers, Final Thoughts

Who are your favorite singers? What do you like most about them?

The above are undoubtedly some of the most widely recognized and influential, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other great singers out there. Keep exploring if you’re curious.

We hope you enjoyed this guide, and we’ll see you again soon.