Vocalists

Not the best, not the most "gifted", not necessarily on the Mount Rushmore, but just those who have vocal performances that resonate with you.

  1. Janet Jackson. Very few can go from joy to despondency to optimism in one phrase like she can, and her background vocals are part of the reason that very few cover Janet Jackson records - there are nuances and shades that one can very easily miss while doing so.
  2. Mary J. Blige. Not the most "technically" accurate singer, but definitely one of the most honest and raw in music history and is another person whose songs are difficult to cover not musically, but emotionally.
  3. Stevie Wonder. This man has single-handedly taught generations, including one Whitney Houston, how to riff, run and do it all over some of the most musically dynamic recordings ever made.
  4. Marvin Gaye. "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" is still one of the greatest live performances of all time and those like Alexander O'Neal, Maxwell, Usher, Musiq Soulchild, Carl Thomas and Miguel all are fruit from his tree.
  5. India.Arie. Breath Control, effortless riffs and stripped down live performances - she is one of the best vocalists of the 21st Century.
  6. Musiq Soulchild. Seeing this man do a musical scale effortlessly at a festival once is what put him in my top 20.
  7. Faith Evans. Faith Evans is responsible for making some of the most memorable vocal arrangements in music history, including for herself.
  8. Carl Thomas. This is one of the few male vocalists that has brought me to tears and is not given nearly enough acclaim.
  9. Lauryn Hill. Not a gigantic voice but definitely someone who riffs and runs like someone like a gigantic voice.
  10. Maxwell. Insane Falsetto and Control.
  11. Beyoncé. One of the greatest vocalists ever.
  12. Solange. A neo-soul Aaliyah.
  13. BJ The Chicago Kid. Straight from the school of Stevie Wonder riffs and runs.
  14. Anderson.Paak. Gruff but honeyed is how to describe Anderson.Paak's voice.
  15. Cherelle. "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" live is a vocal showcase every time.
  16. Alexander O'Neal. Otis Redding of the 1980's.
  17. Erykah Badu. Literally a brass instrument of a voice.
  18. D'Angelo. Background vocals, Background vocals, Background vocals.
  19. Amerie. Mariah Carey/Mary J. Blige blend with a distinctness I've seen dragged on this sub heh.
  20. Donell Jones. Another descendant of Stevie Wonder with some pretty memorable belts.