1. Beyoncé: Queen Bey dominated the music scene with albums like "Dangerously in Love" (2003), "B'Day" (2006), and "I Am...Sasha Fierce" (2008), showcasing her versatility and powerful vocals.
2. Lady Gaga: Emerging as a pop phenomenon, Lady Gaga's avant-garde style and hit songs such as "Poker Face" (2008) and "Bad Romance" (2009) made her a global superstar.
3. Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift took the music world by storm with her country-pop sound. Albums like "Fearless" (2008) and "Speak Now" (2010) showcased her songwriting talent.
4. Rihanna: Rihanna rose to prominence with chart-topping hits like "Umbrella" (2007), "Disturbia" (2008), and "Only Girl (In the World)" (2010), redefining pop and R&B music.
5. Adele: Adele's soulful voice and introspective lyrics resonated with audiences. Albums like "19" (2008) and "21" (2011) catapulted her to global fame.
6. Amy Winehouse: Amy Winehouse's distinct jazz-influenced sound captivated listeners. Her album "Back to Black" (2006) produced hits like "Rehab" and "You Know I'm No Good."
7. Alicia Keys: Alicia Keys continued to deliver stirring R&B and soul music with albums such as "The Diary of Alicia Keys" (2003), "As I Am" (2007), and "The Element of Freedom" (2009).
8. Norah Jones: Jazz singer and songwriter Norah Jones gained immense popularity with her debut album "Come Away with Me" (2002) and subsequent releases.
9. PJ Harvey: PJ Harvey continued to explore experimental sounds and genres, releasing albums like "Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea" (2000), "Uh Huh Her" (2004), and "White Chalk" (2007).
10. Missy Elliott: Missy Elliott's innovative hip-hop style, rapping, and producing skills kept her at the forefront of the music industry throughout the 2000s.
11. Lauryn Hill: Although she didn't release a new studio album during this decade, Lauryn Hill's influence as a singer, rapper, and songwriter endured.
12. Bjork: Experimental artist Bjork continued to push musical boundaries with albums like "Vespertine" (2001) and "Volta" (2007).