The 90s were a golden age for girl groups. R&B trios and quartets like TLC, En Vogue and SWV dominated radio in the first half of the decade, and then five British women in platform sneakers turned "girl power" into a worldwide catchphrase. By 1999, Destiny's Child had arrived to carry the torch into the 2000s.
Quick answer
The most iconic 90s girl groups are TLC, the Spice Girls, Destiny's Child, En Vogue, SWV, Salt-N-Pepa and Wilson Phillips. TLC and the Spice Girls are usually considered the biggest of the decade.
Key takeaways
- R&B girl groups dominated the early and mid 90s.
- The Spice Girls made "girl power" a global slogan from 1996.
- Many of these groups shaped 90s fashion as much as 90s music.
The 15 most iconic 90s girl groups
| # | Group | From | Breakout | Signature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TLC | Atlanta, US | 1992 | CrazySexyCool (1994); baggy, bold, colorful style |
| 2 | Spice Girls | UK | 1996 | "Wannabe" and girl power |
| 3 | Destiny's Child | Houston, US | 1998–1999 | Sharp harmonies and sharper outfits |
| 4 | En Vogue | Oakland, US | 1990 | Four-part harmony and glamour |
| 5 | SWV | New York, US | 1992 | New jack swing and R&B ballads |
| 6 | Salt-N-Pepa | New York, US | Late 80s | Rap hits all through the 90s |
| 7 | Wilson Phillips | California, US | 1990 | A number-one pop debut |
| 8 | All Saints | London, UK | 1997 | A cool, cargo-pants alternative to the Spice Girls |
| 9 | Xscape | Atlanta, US | 1993 | Soulful R&B |
| 10 | B*Witched | Ireland | 1998 | Head-to-toe denim |
| 11 | Dixie Chicks | Texas, US | 1998 | Country crossover stars |
| 12 | Total | New Jersey, US | 1995 | Hip hop soul |
| 13 | 702 | Las Vegas, US | 1996 | Late-90s R&B |
| 14 | Eternal | London, UK | 1993 | UK R&B hitmakers |
| 15 | Brownstone | Los Angeles, US | 1994 | Big-voiced R&B ballads |
TLC: the best-selling American girl group of the 90s
TLC debuted in 1992 with a bright, baggy, playful style that made them fashion icons as well as hitmakers. Their second album, CrazySexyCool (1994), became one of the best-selling albums ever by a girl group, and their songs tackled serious subjects alongside the party tracks. Their oversized jeans, bright colors and bold accessories are all over our guide to 90s hip hop fashion.
GIRL POWER MIX
- Waterfalls - TLC
- Hold On - En Vogue
- Weak - SWV
- Shoop - Salt-N-Pepa
- Wannabe - Spice Girls
- Never Ever - All Saints
- No Scrubs - TLC
- Bills, Bills, Bills - Destiny's Child
The Spice Girls and "girl power"
The Spice Girls released "Wannabe" in the UK in 1996, and it reached number one in the US in early 1997. Each member had a nickname and a style: Scary, Sporty, Baby, Ginger and Posh. Fans picked a favorite and copied her look, from platform sneakers to tracksuits to little slip dresses. The group's movie, Spice World, followed in 1997–98, along with a mountain of merchandise.
Fun fact: Geri Halliwell's Union Jack dress, worn at the 1997 BRIT Awards, became one of the most famous outfits in British pop history.
Destiny's Child closes out the decade
Destiny's Child released their debut album in 1998, and "Bills, Bills, Bills" became their first US number one in 1999. Their tight harmonies and coordinated outfits set the template for the early 2000s, and the group launched one of the biggest solo careers in music history.
Steal the style
TLC
Oversized jeans, bright colors, bandanas and baggy layers.
Spice Girls
Platform sneakers, tracksuits, mini dresses and space buns.
En Vogue
Matching glamorous gowns and sleek hair.
All Saints
Cargo pants, crop tops and combat boots.
Destiny's Child
Coordinated, color-matched group outfits.
B*Witched
Double denim from head to toe.
Finish the look with the 90s makeup look: matte brown lips, thin brows and a little shimmer.
Conclusion
90s girl groups gave the decade its sound, its slogans and plenty of its style. For the other side of the pop war, see 90s boy bands, and add the hits to your playlist with our 90s party songs.
Frequently asked questions
What was the biggest girl group of the 90s?
TLC and the Spice Girls are the two biggest. TLC's album CrazySexyCool (1994) became one of the best-selling albums ever by a girl group, and the Spice Girls were a worldwide phenomenon from 1996.
What were the Spice Girls' nicknames?
Scary Spice (Mel B), Sporty Spice (Mel C), Baby Spice (Emma Bunton), Ginger Spice (Geri Halliwell) and Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham).
When did Destiny's Child start?
Destiny's Child released their debut album in 1998 and had their first US number one, "Bills, Bills, Bills", in 1999.
What R&B girl groups were popular in the 90s?
TLC, En Vogue, SWV, Xscape, Total, 702, Brownstone and Destiny's Child were among the most popular R&B girl groups of the 90s.
What does "girl power" mean?
"Girl power" was a 90s slogan about confidence, friendship and independence for girls and young women. The Spice Girls made it a global catchphrase.