[2] The accolade was presented at the Brit Awards, an annual celebration of British and international music.

[4] The award was first presented in 1977 as British Female Solo Artist and for the last time in 2021, as gendered categories have been dropped for 2022.

As international artist categories only began in 1989,[7] American singer Randy Crawford won the award in 1982.

Cleo Laine Dusty Springfield Toyah Willcox Toyah Willcox Mari Wilson Bonnie Tyler Tracey Ullman Toyah Willcox Annie Lennox Tracey Ullman Kim Wilde Kate Bush Alison Moyet Bonnie Tyler Joan Armatrading Jaki Graham Kim Wilde Samantha Fox Sinitta Kim Wilde Mica Paris Tanita Tikaram Yazz Mica Paris Lisa Stansfield Yazz Elizabeth Fraser Dusty Springfield Caron Wheeler Cathy Dennis Annie Lennox Zoë Kate Bush Siobhan Fahey Lisa Stansfield Gabrielle PJ Harvey Shara Nelson Des'ree Michelle Gayle Lisa Stansfield PJ Harvey Shara Nelson Vanessa-Mae Donna Lewis Eddi Reader Louise Redknapp Beth Orton Louise Redknapp Lisa Stansfield Hinda Hicks Billie Myers Billie Piper Geri Halliwell Beverley Knight Melanie C Dido PJ Harvey Jamelia Sophie Ellis-Bextor Geri Halliwell PJ Harvey Beverley Knight Alison Moyet Beth Orton Jamelia Annie Lennox Amy Winehouse PJ Harvey Jamelia Amy Winehouse Kate Bush Charlotte Church Katie Melua Corinne Bailey Rae Jamelia Nerina Pallot PJ Harvey Leona Lewis KT Tunstall Estelle

Beth Rowley Florence and the Machine Leona Lewis Pixie Lott Paloma Faith Ellie Goulding Rumer Florence and the Machine Jessie J Laura Marling Paloma Faith Jessie Ware Amy Winehouse Jessie J Laura Marling Laura Mvula Ella Henderson FKA Twigs Jessie Ware Jess Glynne Laura Marling Amy Winehouse Ellie Goulding Lianne La Havas Nao Laura Marling Kae Tempest Jessie Ware Anne-Marie Florence and the Machine Jess Glynne Mahalia Freya Ridings FKA Twigs Lianne La Havas Arlo Parks Jessie Ware