If Aretha is # 1, when it's over is Mary a close second ???

[Blaq]

The more I think about it she's probably not even top 100. Deniece Williams, Marlena Shaw, Betty Wright, Regina Belle, Cheryl Lynn, Alicia Myers, The Emotions, The Jones Girls, Anita Baker, Jean Carn, Linda Clifford & Gwen McCrae are all better singers. You can easily think of 50 off the top of the dome. Taking some time to think you could think of 100 female singers greater than Mary.

 

[jucurious]

o m jesus lol

i've said this once and i will say this again and again and again

Mary is not a singer, she is an entertainer

Aretha is a singer

they are not in the same category

 

[Blunt]

The more I think about it she's probably not even top 100. Deniece Williams, Marlena Shaw, Betty Wright, Regina Belle, Cheryl Lynn, Alicia Myers, The Emotions, The Jones Girls, Anita Baker, Jean Carn, Linda Clifford & Gwen McCrae are all better singers. You can easily think of 50 off the top of the dome. Taking some time to think you could think of 100 female singers greater than Mary.

All of them combined have had about 10% of the impact on R&B that Blige has had.

Since when is R&B about perfect singing? That kinda defeats the purpose.

This thread is about STATUS in the R&B world, and not about who sings better.

 

[charlie dark]

All of them combined have had about 10% of the impact on R&B that Blige has had.

Since when is R&B about perfect singing? That kinda defeats the purpose.

This thread is about STATUS in the R&B world, and not about who sings better.

Actually,if you read the OP's question it says 'Where would you rate her?'
Therefore it's entirely subjective and everyone's opinion is legitimate especially if you can forward a reason to support your claim..

 

[Mo-Better]

If I Were To Put Mary In A Category It Would Consist Of Ashanti, Beyonce, Mya, Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Janet Jackson,lotoya Jackson, Macy Gray And Etc...

Shouldn't Even Be On The Same Stage As A Aretha, Rachelle Ferrell, Whitney, Mariah, Anita, Chaka, Gladys Knight, Minnie Riperton, Patti Labelle, Natilie Cole, Mahilia Jackson And Etc...

Damn I thought this thread would've been on page 50 by now. I explained earlier MJB will never be considered a great singer not but those who know music.

I like Mary's music but as a singer she's can't even get honorable mention. She's a recording artist nothing more.

BTW Sarge I think once they stop marketing Beyonce for her sexuality we will get the chance to see she really can sing. I think she can. It's coming we'll just have to wait it out.

 

[RunawaySlave]

Co-sign

Seriously, she ain't in the same class as an Chaka Khan, Angie Bofill or Phyllis Hyman. Don't even mention Aretha, Minnie Riperton & Gladys. Throw in Mary Wells, Martha Reeves, Patti Labelle, Cece Winans, Lisa Fischer, even Jill Scott, etc and she ain't top 50.

The more I think about it she's probably not even top 100. Deniece Williams, Marlena Shaw, Betty Wright, Regina Belle, Cheryl Lynn, Alicia Myers, The Emotions, The Jones Girls, Anita Baker, Jean Carn, Linda Clifford & Gwen McCrae are all better singers. You can easily think of 50 off the top of the dome. Taking some time to think you could think of 100 female singers greater than Mary.

Melba Moore
Angela Bofill
Sade
Millie Jackson
and I can't beleeeeeeeve you ain't mentioned Dianne Reeves!


Fuckit!! Just list every singer we've ever heard


When it comes to ME buying music, if you can't CARRY a tune, I am not buying one from you. Cause I buy the shit for my enjoyment, not to say I own somebody records or for some status bullshit

 

[Blaq]

Melba Moore
Angela Bofill
Sade
Millie Jackson
and I can't beleeeeeeeve you ain't mentioned Dianne Reeves!


Fuckit!! Just list every singer we've ever heard


When it comes to ME buying music, if you can't CARRY a tune, I am not buying one from you. Cause I buy the shit for my enjoyment, not to say I own somebody records or for some status bullshit

I know right? I forgot Melba Moore AND Angela Winbush.

 

[black-n-tan]

Damn I thought this thread would've been on page 50 by now. I explained earlier MJB will never be considered a great singer not but those who know music.

I like Mary's music but as a singer she's can't even get honorable mention. She's a recording artist nothing more.

BTW Sarge I think once they stop marketing Beyonce for her sexuality we will get the chance to see she really can sing. I think she can. It's coming we'll just have to wait it out.

I am no expert on music but I have to disagree with you. When she first came out it was clear that she had the talent to be up there with Aretha. She has an earthy, soulful voice and a style that is truly unique. I don't follow what she has been doing lately but I haven't heard much impressive singing from her since "I'm Going Down". From what I can see, her problem is that she keeps singing the wrong songs. If she had the proper guidance, she would be getting as much, if not more TV exposure than Beyonce. I know she's comfortable but I think she should be doing 10 times better.

 

[Blaq]

I am no expert on music but I have to disagree with you. When she first came out it was clear that she had the talent to be up there with Aretha.

I have to ask if you're familiar with Aretha's body of work?

 

[RunawaySlave]

haven't heard much impressive singing from her since "I'm Going Down".

Shit!! Rose Royce!! Another one I forgot

Or how about the sustas from Starguard for that matter?


(I joke, but the truth is, if you have the money and the time and you are not tone deaf, you should be able to learn to sing. Look at Madonna. She couldn't carry a tune in 1983)

 

[BIGGSARGE]

Damn I thought this thread would've been on page 50 by now. I explained earlier MJB will never be considered a great singer not but those who know music.

I like Mary's music but as a singer she's can't even get honorable mention. She's a recording artist nothing more.

BTW Sarge I think once they stop marketing Beyonce for her sexuality we will get the chance to see she really can sing. I think she can. It's coming we'll just have to wait it out.

MARY GETS HYPED UP BECAUSE THAT'S BASICALLY ALL THE HIPHOP GENERATION HAS. SO, THEY TRY PUT HER AS QUEEN OF HIPHOP. IF THAT'S TRUE THEY NEED TO STRIP HER OF THE BELT. KEEP THAT FOR SOMEONE WHO ARRIVES THAT IS GIFTED AND CAN REALLY SANG...

 

[Bahamapimp]

MARY GETS HYPED UP BECAUSE THAT'S BASICALLY ALL THE HIPHOP GENERATION HAS. SO, THEY TRY PUT HER ON THIS THORN AS QUEEN OF HIPHOP. IF THAT'S TRUE THEY NEED TO STRIP HER OF THE BELT. KEEP THAT FOR SOMEONE WHO ARRIVES THAT IS GIFTED AND CAN REALLY SANG...

Look, agreed Mary is not the greatest vocalist out there.. But few female singers out there, past our present can evoke as much emotion in there music as Mary.. Her music is honest and her emotion and passion comes over in her vocals.. That point alone seperates her from the pack.. Plus my good man she is the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.. The bitch came from the streets stayed street savy and has a legion of fans that fiercely loyal to her.. Again few famales can say that.. So that being said I rank her up there in the top 10.. IMO Jennifer Holiday is about to take the crown in the not to distant future.. Watch.. One more Mary point you know she's one the best when most female singers pay respect to her..

 

[BIGGSARGE]

Look, agreed Mary is not the greatest vocalist out there.. But few female singers out there, past our present can evoke as much emotion in there music as Mary.. Her music is honest and her emotion and passion comes over in her vocals.. That point alone seperates her from the pack.. Plus my good man she is the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.. The bitch came from the streets stayed street savy and has a legion of fans that fiercely loyal to her.. Again few famales can say that.. So that being said I rank her up there in the top 10.. IMO Jennifer Holiday is about to take the crown in the not to distant future.. Watch.. One more Mary point you know she's one the best when most female singers pay respect to her..

STAND CORRECTED, QUEEN OF HIPHOP SOUL. SHE TRIES HARD AND SHE DOES EXIBIT EMOTION. SHE DOES HAVE HER OWN UNIQUENESS. I LIKE WHAT SHE DOES BUT I'M NOT GOING TO PUT HER UP THERE WITH THE REAL SINGERS. OH, FEMALES PAY RESPECT TO JANET JACKSON AS WELL. THAT DOESN'T MAKE HER A GREAT SINGER.

 

[respiration]

The more I think about it she's probably not even top 100. Deniece Williams, Marlena Shaw, Betty Wright, Regina Belle, Cheryl Lynn, Alicia Myers, The Emotions, The Jones Girls, Anita Baker, Jean Carn, Linda Clifford & Gwen McCrae are all better singers. You can easily think of 50 off the top of the dome. Taking some time to think you could think of 100 female singers greater than Mary.

Great voices in both of your posts. I agree 100% You're gonna make me dust off some old records, man...

 

[Rick Ronson]

NO

I love Mary to death as an artist and a singer but she isnt in the great vocalist category.

She can damn sure make you feel her though.

Mary has a shitload of soul and styling with her.

 

[respiration]

Melba Moore
Angela Bofill
Sade
Millie Jackson
and I can't beleeeeeeeve you ain't mentioned Dianne Reeves!


Fuckit!! Just list every singer we've ever heard


When it comes to ME buying music, if you can't CARRY a tune, I am not buying one from you. Cause I buy the shit for my enjoyment, not to say I own somebody records or for some status bullshit

 

[deputy dawg]

So why is she so popular (especially with black audiences)?

popularity DOES NOT equal most talented (especially with black audiences)

 

[Rick Ronson]

Shit!! Rose Royce!! Another one I forgot

Or how about the sustas from Starguard for that matter?


(I joke, but the truth is, if you have the money and the time and you are not tone deaf, you should be able to learn to sing. Look at Madonna. She couldn't carry a tune in 1983)

The singer with the least vocal improvement in her career has to be Janet.

Sounds the same as her first album.

Sounds like she never went to a coach in her life.

 

[TheFuser]

Mary can't hold Aretha's left titty, much less a spot on the greatest female vocalist list.

neither can this thing:

point taken though.

 

[TheFuser]

Whitney and Mariah are POP singers. Blige is one of the few true R&B belters out there connecting with an audience. Amazing success for someone who doesn't try to be COMMERCIAL (i.e., "white").

Agreed. Whitney and Mariah, while both having beautiful voices (or had), are pop singers. You don't compare Michael Jackson to Sam Cooke for obvious reasons. MJ can actually sing, and sing well, but he's pop nonetheless. Mariah has the ability to be a soul singer if she wants, but this Mimi shit is the WORST. It's so disappointing that she's competing for Beyonce's market. But hey, whatever works for her!

I agree with your sentiments across the board with regard to MJB.

 

[voodoo]

man are u crazy? Mary J second? puhlease. I'll give her points for longevity but come on. not even close.

 

[voodoo]

Agreed. Whitney and Mariah, while both having beautiful voices (or had), are pop singers. You don't compare Michael Jackson to Sam Cooke for obvious reasons. MJ can actually sing, and sing well, but he's pop nonetheless. Mariah has the ability to be a soul singer if she wants, but this Mimi shit is the WORST. It's so disappointing that she's competing for Beyonce's market. But hey, whatever works for her!

I agree with your sentiments across the board with regard to MJB.

pop, soul, gospel. Whitney will wipe the floor with Mary on her worst day.

 

[voodoo]

[FLASH]http://www.youtube.com/v/Q_8SguJTgHA&hl[/FLASH]

 

[TheFuser]

pop, soul, gospel. Whitney will wipe the floor with Mary on her worst day.

I'll never take anything away from Queen. Her and Mariah. Vocally she is (was) the truth. I wonder if she still has it. Same with Mariah.

 

[BKF]

Mary smokes more than half these broads.

 

[Negmarron]

Mary can't hold Aretha's left titty, much less a spot on the greatest female vocalist list.

I don't know that a forklift could hold it.

To me, Mary never had the voice to compare. She can sang, but if you put her in caregie hall next whitney, maraih, aretha, mahalia, etc, she'll be sent runnin back to K-Ci. Not to take anything away form her.

neither can this thing:

point taken though.

Damn beat me to it.

 

[Blunt]

pop, soul, gospel. Whitney will wipe the floor with Mary on her worst day.

Whitney doesn't have an ounce of Mary's soul or R&B chops in her. Get serious. She's always been slick, polished and privileged. A totally manufactured POP star from the get-go (who thankfully also had considerable talent, of course).

On the other hand, the odds against a gritty, unnattractive hoodrat like Blige achieving what she has (nevermind lasting at the top of the R&B game for 17 years) were at least 100,000-1. She beat 'em, and continues to.

 

[easlib1]

Mary can't hold Aretha's left titty, much less a spot on the greatest female vocalist list.

i can't hold her left titty. but aretha is a singer songwriter and musician. plays piano and organ maybe other instruments. writes hits. has more #1's than mary has songs. mc still better.

 

[bgque12]

Whitney doesn't have an ounce of Mary's soul or R&B chops in her. Get serious. She's always been slick, polished and privileged. A totally manufactured POP star from the get-go (who thankfully also had considerable talent, of course).

On the other hand, the odds against a gritty, unnattractive hoodrat like Blige achieving what she has (nevermind lasting at the top of the R&B game for 17 years) were at least 100,000-1. She beat 'em, and continues to.

Are you serious?! She's just as much as a hood rat as Mary! Don't let the Clive Davis make over fool you. She a hood rat from East Orange, NJ There is a version of one of her early hits that was never released because Clive said it was "too black"

 

[Negmarron]

You're own personal taste is irrelevant. We're talking about her STATUS as this generation's Aretha (in terms of being the top R&B diva), and she certainly is. 44 R&B hits and 8 Platinum albums (to go with 9 Grammys) says so.

when was the argument about R&B? I thought we were talking about singing. I think that Master P, Cash Money, Puff Daddy, Eminem, 50 Cent, ecetera, ad nauseum, proves the point that record sales are no measure of skill by any means. Rather, is a measure popularity and marketing, the two thing that cost Denzel Washinton his Oscar for Malcolm X to Al Pachino's over-acting Scent of a Woman

 

[black-n-tan]

I have to ask if you're familiar with Aretha's body of work?

I am very familiar with Aretha's body of work. I never said she surpassed Aretha, I'm saying she had the potential when she first came out, then she got sidetracked.

 

[Mo-Better]

Look, agreed Mary is not the greatest vocalist out there.. But few female singers out there, past our present can evoke as much emotion in there music as Mary.. Her music is honest and her emotion and passion comes over in her vocals.. That point alone seperates her from the pack.. Plus my good man she is the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.. The bitch came from the streets stayed street savy and has a legion of fans that fiercely loyal to her.. Again few famales can say that.. So that being said I rank her up there in the top 10.. IMO Jennifer Holiday is about to take the crown in the not to distant future.. Watch.. One more Mary point you know she's one the best when most female singers pay respect to her..

Hey man don't you mean Jennifer Hudson? Jennifer Holiday's day has come and gone.

MJB's music is OK for what the people today want. MJB has proven it doesn't take much talent to be a success today. For my money I'll take Alica Keys or Jennifer Hudson since they've proven to be talents that will have extended careers.

 

[Majestic]

Shit I saw Mary in concert and she blew the damn stage away she was better than Jay-Z but since I'm not that old I don't really know about Aretha that much so I got to say yeah...Mary be on some good shit...

 

[roster]

MJB is my girl and she has intense emotion in a lot of her songs(especially the first two albums and what she did with Waiting to Exhale track), BUT I agree with what was said earlier. Somewhere she lost track. She has lasted no doubt, but I think where she could have been and where she is now is a gap.

She isn't second at all.

You make me feel comparison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zf-141K00E

 

[Big Philly]

Hey man don't you mean Jennifer Hudson? Jennifer Holiday's day has come and gone.

MJB's music is OK for what the people today want. MJB has proven it doesn't take much talent to be a success today. For my money I'll take Alica Keys or Jennifer Hudson since they've proven to be talents that will have extended careers.

People don't get it. This generation doesn't want Aretha, Whitney, Roberta or Chaka, although they do respect them. They want a hood chick. I know that all those other ladies are from the hood but Mary J. embraces the hood, dresses like the hood, speaks like the hood. Every hood chick I know is a huge Mary J. fan. She developed her own category and I don't see anyone except maybe Keisha Cole trying to be in that category.