female vocalists

Salt-N-Pepa is an American rnb and hip-hop group, consisting of Cheryl James and Sandy Denton ("Salt" and "Pepa", respectively), and Deidre "Dee Dee" Roper (DJ Spinderella). They debuted with "The Show Stopper", a response record to Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick's "The Show". It was an underground hit and Salt-N-Pepa signed to Next Plateau. Their debut LP was Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986, which was produced by Salt's then-boyfriend, Hurby Azor, the group's manager, and he received songwriting credit for the album, though this was later disputed.

Blonde Redhead is an alternative rock band originating from New York City in the early 1990s. It was formed by Kazu Makino, Maki Takahashi and Milan-born Italian twin brothers Simone Pace and Amedeo Pace. They take their name from a song by DNA, a 70s and 80s no-wave band from New York. Blonde Redhead caught the attention of Sonic Youth's drummer, Steve Shelley, who produced their first self titled album in 1993.

Cher Lloyd, 17, is a student from Malvern, Worcestershire, United Kingdom. She is of Romany ancestry through her mother. She studied performing arts at Dyson Perrins CE Sports College in 2009. She auditioned for The X Factor twice before (when the minimum age was lower) singing ballads but it was only after reinventing herself in 2010 that she got through to see the judges. Lloyd has previously performed at holiday camps and said she gets a mixed reaction to her music. She auditioned singing the Keri Hilson version of Turn My Swag On.

Martha Tilston is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist, currently based in Gloucestershire. Her music combines many aspects of English and Irish folk music with more modern acoustic styles, and perceptive lyrics combining personal subjects with political, social and environmental themes. She is the daughter of acclaimed songwriter Steve Tilston and step-daughter of singer Maggie Boyle, and began writing songs at an early age.