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From pop icons to dancefloor mavens, these female performers bring show-stopping moves to their electrifying vocals. Whether trained in ballet, honed in hip-hop, or bursting with natural flair, their dance skills elevate every stage and music video they grace. Get ready for a visually stunning journey through the careers of some of the most confident, captivating, and rhythmic women in music today!
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00:00Welcome to Miss Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the musical artists whose
00:10dance abilities are as praiseworthy as their vocal range.
00:19Number 30. Ariana Grande
00:21The pop star behind hits like God is a Woman and Seven Rings has stage presence for days.
00:27There's a good reason. Ariana Grande started her career on the stage. Making her Broadway debut in
00:33the musical 13, Grande's high-energy pop makes use of all of her gifts.
00:47Her backup dancers are exactly that. Grande's usually hitting that choreo right alongside them.
00:53That musical theater training comes in handy. Not only does she have a great grasp of movement
00:59and showmanship, but she knows how to be part of an ensemble on stage. And of course, we can't forget
01:05Wicked.
01:12Number 29. Megan Thee Stallion
01:15If there's one thing you can call Megan, it's high-energy. Her songs are meant to make you move.
01:21The way she dances is celebratory and definitely meant to draw your attention.
01:30While it almost looks casual and unrehearsed to the untrained eye, these performances require an
01:37exceptional amount of body awareness. When she performed her hit Body at the American Music
01:42Awards, for example, she nailed the choreography. It requires a lot more precise manipulation and
01:48excessive control than it might appear. It definitely has an effect. She's hypnotizing
01:53to watch no matter what she does.
02:01Number 28. Christina Aguilera
02:03In the early 2000s, pop divas had to know how to sing and how to move. While she doesn't get the
02:10credit some of her contemporaries do, Christina Aguilera is a powerhouse mover in her own right.
02:15And if you want proof, we've got just three words for you.
02:19Wagon Wheel Watusi
02:20She showed us how to burlesque, but even in some of her biggest hits, she got to showcase the secret
02:26sauce that made her one of the 2000s' most unforgettable pop stars. Her sultry dancing is
02:31the perfect complement to those one-of-a-kind pipes.
02:35Number 27. Rihanna
02:37There's a lot to be said for someone who is completely at home on a stage.
02:41Rihanna isn't typically known as a dancer first. Over her relatively short recording career,
02:46she's delivered some of the best dance pop and R&B hits of the century. It'd be ashamed if she
02:52couldn't move. But to watch her perform is to see someone who is totally in control of a stage.
02:58What makes her dancing so good is that it completely matches her artistic persona.
03:11She is not one to be messed with. There's a strident flexibility in the way she moves,
03:16particularly when she's got her backup dances flanking her like warriors.
03:19Number 26. Tiana Taylor
03:26Before she was winning awards for her role in one battle after another,
03:30this uber-talented multi-hyphenate was choreographing videos for Beyonce.
03:35And that's when she was still a teenager. She was a background dancer in videos by Jay-Z and Kanye
03:40West, with her most memorable arguably being in the video for West's Fade.
03:45Tiana Taylor's own music career has been a showcase for all of her talents.
03:56Her impressive command of choreography, though, sets her apart from a lot of other performers.
04:01Who else could turn in an incredible feat of choreography while suspended in mid-air?
04:05Number 25. FKA Twigs
04:15Before debuting her own album in 2014, this versatile English singer got her start as a backup dancer.
04:23Performing for high-profile acts like Kylie Minogue, Jessie J, and Ed Sheeran,
04:28FKA Twigs cut her teeth while working in the background.
04:32Now she's a bona fide star in her own right.
04:34A visual forward artist, she's always working her own dance skills into whatever project she works on.
04:47Her music videos and live performances are visual feasts of song, movement, and expression.
04:53Classically trained and dedicated to the art form of dance,
04:56her balletic and technically demanding sense of movement has become an essential component in her own work.
05:02Number 24. RosalĂa
05:04With a mission to bring Spanish folk music of her heritage to the world stage,
05:09the Grammy award-winning artist RosalĂa has been dancing flamenco since her childhood.
05:14Flamenco is based around incredibly expressive, sharp movements.
05:26She incorporates both the sound and techniques of the genre in her own music,
05:30which is a fusion of different styles.
05:33But her sense of movement and physicality is deeply tied to her passion and heritage.
05:38She and her ensemble of dancers are tight and precise,
05:41but they still manage to keep things looking exciting and spontaneous.
05:45Number 23. Lisa
05:56As one-fourth of the K-pop sensation Blackpink,
06:07Lisa was known as the group's strongest rapper and its main dancer.
06:11Lisa began her dance training at just four years old.
06:14Competing with dance crews, her skills won her the attention of Korean record label YG Entertainment.
06:21She trained and became a backup dancer for several artists at the label
06:25before she joined the blockbusting girl group Blackpink.
06:35There's an overwhelming charisma and control in her choreography that speaks to her years of education.
06:41Since going solo, she's further cemented her place as one of modern pop's most skilled movers.
06:53Number 22. Kelly Rowland
06:56To be a successful girl group, you've gotta know how to move.
07:00However, harmonies weren't the only thing about Destiny's Child that had to be precise.
07:05They had some of the most demanding choreography of any major pop group.
07:17Kelly Rowland's only shown us more incredible dance skills since her solo career began.
07:22Her mastery of different styles might make her one of the most versatile dancers on this list.
07:35In movement, her moves are fluid and dripping with attitude and confidence.
07:39Rowland is an all-around entertainer and the only people who underrate her are the ones who have no idea what kind of performer she is.
07:48Number 21. Tate McRae
08:00The tit-for-tat singer actually first became known to the public as a dancer.
08:04After a third-place finish on So You Think You Can Dance, Tate McRae rose to fame on social media.
08:10Her slick moves won her legions of followers before her solo music career took off in 2022.
08:23Mixing her dance background with her newfound dance-pop sound, McRae has become a young star to watch.
08:30When she performs, she splits her attention and effort to her vocals and her dancing.
08:34Her live performances have catapulted her to international pop chart success.
08:40Number 20. Doja Cat
08:43This artist found herself drawn to dance from a young age.
08:46She even studied Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance.
08:50Later on, she began break dancing and joined a popping troupe.
08:54Today, fans get to enjoy Doja Cat's amazing moves as they listen to her catchy songs.
08:58Her inspired medley at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards is just one example of her dance skill.
09:21The artist's music has inspired others to get on their feet, too.
09:24Her song, Candy, dominated TikTok in a 2019 dance challenge.
09:36And in 2021, Say So was nominated for TikTok Bop of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, proving the star's reach.
09:44Number 19. Missy Elliott
09:46Missy Elliott
09:47Well, you just can't make it up when it comes to the dance groove of Missy Elliott, as she's got a cool, free-flowing style that's all her own.
09:59In fact, Billboard once gave her a full tribute in 2015, which was unsurprising considering the transformative routine seen in Lose Control, Get Your Freak On, or whatever her latest original production happens to be.
10:12Whether you're a noted producer in your own right and collaborate with the likes of Timbaland and Pharrell, you gotta have the moves to back up your beats.
10:21And Missy Misdemeanor Elliott doesn't just know how to move, she knows how to swerve so superb.
10:27Number 18. TLC
10:28If you grew up in the 90s, odds are you've tried to replicate the iconic steps from TLC's music videos.
10:41Whether it's creeps, static-like moves, the chorus from No Scrubs, or the classic Waterfalls, there's no shortage of options.
10:48The trio was groundbreaking in their combination of hip-hop and R&B with pop music, so it's no wonder they're considered one of the greatest girl groups of all time.
11:03In fact, TLC tore the house down for their 20th anniversary at the 2013 AMAs, honoring late member Lisa Lopez in the process.
11:11Of course, they still had the moves, and proves Beyonce's claim that they influenced just about every female group that's out there right.
11:25Number 17. Normani
11:27Normani once told the New York Times that the first thing she ever felt passionate about was dance.
11:32Whether it's competing on Dancing with the Stars or releasing music videos with outstanding choreography, that love shines through in everything she does.
11:52She also shares her platform with other dancers, and isn't afraid to get involved in the creative process.
11:57Of course, before going solo, Normani was one-fifth of Fifth Harmony.
12:10During that time, she met choreographer Sean Bankhead, with whom she continues to collaborate to this day.
12:17And though she's already produced some amazing dance-centric performances, we're positive the best is yet to come.
12:22Number 16. Pink
12:32Whenever Pink gets on stage, you know that you're about to witness something epic.
12:37That's partly because she trained as a competitive gymnast when she was a kid.
12:41She cleverly uses her physical prowess and creativity to produce countless jaw-dropping performances.
12:46In fact, we imagine that audiences have come to expect her signature aerial choreography.
13:00Nevertheless, she always finds new ways to leave us in awe.
13:04The music video for Try is a stunning example of how she combines contemporary dance with gravity-defying acrobatics.
13:10Her videos for What About Us and Walk Me Home are pretty impressive, too.
13:22Needless to say, Pink has a wonderfully unique way of expressing herself through movement.
13:26Cause there is so much wrong going on outside.
13:33Number 15. Selena
13:36Unlike many of the artists on our list, Selena Quintanilla Perez didn't have any formal training.
13:42Rather, the Mexican-American superstar took it upon herself to watch other dancers and learn from them.
13:47She even reportedly watched Soul Train as part of her research.
14:00Well, whatever she did, worked.
14:03Selena became almost as famous for her moves as she was for her voice.
14:07Watching her perform, it's easy to understand why.
14:09She'd let the music sway her, often improvising choreography in the moment.
14:22There was something about her free-spirited vibes that her fans adored and remember fondly to this day.
14:27I could fall in love with you.
14:36Number 14. Maya
14:39Maya began dancing when she was just two years old and took ballet, jazz, and tap classes throughout her youth.
14:45After breaking into the music industry, dance remained at the forefront of many of her numbers, including Lady Marmalade, Damage, and Case of the Ex.
15:01She also appeared in the Oscar-winning movie musical Chicago and was on the ninth season of Dancing with the Stars.
15:07Maya's performances epitomize why so many Naughty's kids spent their afternoons watching music videos.
15:21Her choreography is fun and fierce and never fails to give us a warm hit of nostalgia.
15:30Number 13. Tina Turner
15:32With a career spanning several decades, the queen of rock and roll has certainly rocked every stage on which she's appeared.
15:40She's in a league of her own, with an immaculate presence that leaves her fans exhilarated and wanting more.
15:46Her energy, stamina, and killer dance moves always grab our attention.
15:50Who among us wouldn't want to get up on stage and groove to Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits, or River Deep Mountain High alongside her?
16:08Much of this list probably wouldn't even exist if the great Tina Turner hadn't paved the way.
16:13You might even say she's simply the best.
16:21Number 12. Tinashe
16:23When Tinashe danced her way onto the scene, her moves had us just as entranced as her voice.
16:34She even makes the most complex choreography seem effortless and looks cool doing it.
16:39You can always tell that she's dancing from the heart.
16:43Tinashe started taking dance classes when she was just four years old, and they certainly paid off.
16:56In addition to her music career, she also flexed her skills on dancing with the stars and as Mimi Marquez in Rent Live.
17:01Simply put, this star's stage routines and music videos are a must-see for anyone who loves a well-choreographed number.
17:19Number 11. Nicole Scherzinger
17:21You probably know her as the frontwoman of the burlesque pop group, the Pussycat Dolls.
17:32But did you know that Nicole Scherzinger was performing way ahead of her Don'tcha and Buttons days?
17:38Indeed! She could be found treading the boards as a teen long before she started strutting toward the camera.
17:43And after leaving the failed girl group, Eden's Crush, she auditioned for choreographer Robin Anton.
17:54The rest, as they say, is history.
17:58Led by Scherzinger, the dolls soon became a symbol of female empowerment.
18:02Sure, their moves were considered highly sexualized, but they also showed people how to feel confident and powerful in their own skin.
18:09Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
18:14Number 10. Madonna
18:16With a resume dating back to the 80s, it's only natural that some of Madonna's early dance routines seem, well, dated by today's standards.
18:25But she's long influenced how we move as a collective society.
18:29One word, Vogue.
18:30For the landmark video, Madonna took a little-known concept and brought it to the world through her own iconic production.
18:40She may not have had the moves of a Shakira, but Madonna's routines have always played an integral role in pop culture dialogue,
18:47celebrating dancing itself while challenging how we think about the art as a whole.
18:51Every little thing that you say I do, I'm coming up, I'm having love while I will look.
18:59Number 9. Aaliyah
19:01During her short time in the limelight, Aaliyah revolutionized the commercial dance world with her unique approach.
19:08Drawing on her performing arts background and utilizing her natural flair, she was always undeniably herself.
19:14No one could quite match Aaliyah's signature style. She moved with grace and elegance while hitting every motion with power and intent.
19:30Her music videos broke ground too, and earned her critical acclaim.
19:33She was such a leading light that many artists still credit her as an inspiration to this day.
19:46Aaliyah was taken way before her time, but she leaves a huge legacy behind.
19:58Number 8. Lady Gaga
19:59With a performance background in both theater and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, this gal was groomed to kill it on stage.
20:07Even so, Lady Gaga's concert moves aren't always technical and calculating, as she's been known to wing it and lose herself in freestyle routines.
20:15With all the bravado that comes along with the Gaga persona, she's perfectly capable of not just producing club bangers, but seriously operating on a high level alongside those who dance only for a living.
20:34Applause, Born This Way, Edge of Glory, Gaga's got that rhythm.
20:46Number 7. Sierra
20:48In the world of dance, Sierra is a powerhouse, and many of her music videos put her exceptional talents front and center.
20:55Starting out as a cheerleader, the star further developed her performance skills in the short-lived girl group Hearsay before going solo.
21:06She has continued to set new ground, empowering herself and others ever since.
21:11It's the blurring of stereotypically masculine and feminine energies in her movement that make her dances especially compelling.
21:24From goodies in one-two-step to riding like a boy, Sierra continuously finds new ways to level up.
21:31We can't wait to see what's next.
21:32Number 6. Paula Abdul
21:42Once a beloved pop star and always a fan-favorite American Idol judge, Paula Abdul developed her skills first as a Laker girl and later as the crew's head choreographer.
21:51Inspired by singing in the rain, she displayed some of that old-school tradition in her early routines, and it was the Jackson family that actually took note of her choreography skills that hooked her up with Janet.
22:07Of course, Paula was destined to become a star herself, and she's played an instrumental role in modern choreography.
22:13Number 5. Shakira
22:25Before there was YouTube, there was MTV's Total Request Live, and dance enthusiasts made sure to record the endless stream of Shakira music videos.
22:33Already a major Colombian star when she crossed over to the US, Shakira showed the world that Latin America is a region rich with culture and distinct styles differing from country to country.
22:54Blessed with an alluring yet sweet presence, Shakira's dance techniques are fierce to the core, as she may contort her body with impossible flexibility.
23:01And you know what they say, her hips just don't lie.
23:13Number 4. Jennifer Lopez
23:16Unless you're a true aficionado of pop culture, you may not have known that JLo was a fly girl on the 90's comedy series, In Living Color.
23:24Coming all the way from Bronx, New York, Miss Jennifer Lopez.
23:26And just a girl from the Bronx, Jenny from the block, was blissfully unaware that she'd land a film role portraying the late Selena just a few years later.
23:38Today we know Jennifer Lopez the icon, and while her obvious talent took her to cinema, her entire persona changed once she became a legit pop star and ushered in a new era of dance music.
23:56JLo works. She works it hard, and after numerous studio albums and iconic music videos, she's one of the defining female figures of 21st century R&B dance.
24:09While she may not have the same dancer to pop star Pedigree as JLo, the princess of pop did beat her to the punch career-wise, dropping her debut album five months before Lopez's first album release.
24:32Given the demographic of Britney Spears fans and the singer's obvious sex appeal, her landmark MTV performances were destined to go viral before viral was a thing.
24:42Whether it was the pre-YouTube video for Toxic, or even some of her most recent productions, Britney's choreography has routinely influenced the American youth, and with the rise of social media and accessibility to music videos, her legacy only continues to grow.
24:582. Beyonce
25:05Yet another musical icon that emerged in the late 90s, this influential artist first turned heads as a member of Destiny's Child.
25:13Let's be clear, Beyonce made her mark years before she ventured off on her own.
25:23However, it was in the 2000s when she was truly elevated from star to pop culture icon, large in part to her dynamic live performances, and certainly through the meticulously choreographed music videos such as Single Lady and Love on Top.
25:38While sex appeal is part of the allure, Beyonce trumps all when it comes to mixing individuality, creativity, and style in modern dance.
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26:091. Janet Jackson
26:12The icon, the legend, the woman who inspired Rhythm Nation.
26:17In a time when her brother Michael was the most recognized face in the world, Janet went ahead and established herself as one of the most influential artists of the 80s.
26:26From 1989's Rhythm Nation to the influential follow-up title Janet from 1993, each production was highly anticipated, not just for the music, but for how Janet expressed herself on stage.
26:47Like MJ, she broke barriers and elevated the craft with both MTV and world tour stages as her platform.
27:01Her legacy is unmatched by any other female artist, and her music will continue to grace the ears of dancers around the world for years to come.
27:10Who do you think deserves a spot on this list?
27:16Tell us in the comments!
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