My All Time R&B Female Singers: 11-16

[jefferson L.O.B. sergeant]

The challenge remains the same as the Top 5.

Surprisingly I find this even harder than the top 5. There are a number of artists who have seemed to essentially achieve parity with one another.

11. Lauryn Hill- I'm tempted to slide Lauryn into the top 10 on the power of MISEDUCATION alone. The all-time classic she produced puts her head and shoulders above her peers in this section.

12. Alicia Keys- Singer/songwriter/producer and pianist of the highest order. 2 or 3 more albums of her standard work push her into the top 10.

13. Erykah Badu- I think many of us have forgotten what the R&B landscape looked like before Badu came out with her classic debut. There is a lot to be said for being first and even more for extending yourself beyond the comfort zone.

14. Beyonce- The augmented version of Diana Ross. Singer/Songwriter and Diva supreme. If she goes beyond her formula she may move up.

15. Jill Scott- You never know what you will get from Jill Scott and that is a great thing. Every album has been different and you can see her artistry grow from each project.

16. Diana Ross- The Boss, yes. THE diva, yes. Now, when you push all that aside what is really there. * Puts on riot gear* Every countdown has some outrageous moment to stir things up but in this case I think it is justified. Is Diana a great singer? No. Is Diana a great producer? No. Is Diana a great songwriter? No. Style counts for a lot( As well as a machine headed by the label boss ) that is what puts the Boss here.

If you're mad just ask yourself this.

In a stripped-down format in the form of UNPLUGGED or STORYTELLERS could Diana Ross compete with the other artists on the list?

[Battle]

14. Beyonce- The augmented version of Diana Ross. Singer/Songwriter and Diva supreme. If she goes beyond her formula she may move up.



16. Diana Ross- The Boss, yes. THE diva, yes. Now, when you push all that aside what is really there. * Puts on riot gear* Every countdown has some outrageous moment to stir things up but in this case I think it is justified. Is Diana a great singer? No. Is Diana a great producer? No. Is Diana a great songwriter? No. Style counts for a lot( As well as a machine headed by the label boss ) that is what puts the Boss here.

If you're mad just ask yourself this.

In a stripped-down format in the form of UNPLUGGED or STORYTELLERS could Diana Ross compete with the other artists on the list?

O.K.


Let's take a look at some of Ms. Ross' previous work.  Let's strip down the material and make it just about the vocals. UNPLUGGED. Here's an example. From the soundtrack of the movie, "It's My Turn" an acapella sampling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BNW1mPSTS0

Diana was truly a singer...    and a Diva.  She had a unseasoned voice when she first started out but she cultivated that  voice into something that few singers of her time ever had:  She sang with style, attitude and with confidence.  That's the quality she possesed that drew people to her. 
Another example, from the soundtrack of "Endless Love" an acapella duet with Lionel Richie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ow5yzfWelo&feature=related

She didn't have a strong voice on the level of a Patti Labelle or even a 'Evelyn Champagne' King but Diana Ross knew how to emote very well on her songs; she was essentially  'acting' through song and everyone was feeling her.  She produced a few songs here and there but she could interpret songs well and has proven to be compatible with the variety of producers in her catalogue. To be honest, she was beyond the R&B catagory because she was in a class by herself.




In my humble opinion, the reason Beyonce's voice doesn't have my attention is simply because I'm waiting for something spectacular to emerge from her.  She hasn't done that to me, yet.   I would place what Brandy does over Beyonce any day, any, month, any year.


11.  Evelyn 'Champagne' King - She also had the voice of the 'girl next door'.  Who didn't want to hang with Champagne back-in-th'-day??

12.  Whitney Houston

13. Alicia Keys - I enjoy watching her grow with each music project.

14. Mary J Blige - A very distinct voice  that sang with more sorrow than anyone else.

15. Teena Marie - Did 'blue-eyed soul' better than most 'brown-eyes'.

16. Brandy - I enjoy watching her grow musically, too!