MickyDolenz said:

lowkey said:

fact is there are not any black female singers you can name thats not on this list

This doesn't say anything about "black" singers, but R&B singers. There's a difference, you can be black and not sing R&B (Kathleen Battle, Charlie Pride) or do R&B and not be black (Roy Head, Average White Band).

yes true but this list happen to feature all black women,please name a white woman who sang r&b music and reached the level of the women on this list.

Let me just add that this would be my list:

1. Aretha Franklin

2. Diana Ross

3. Gladys Knight

4. Chaka Khan

5. Patti LaBelle

6. Whitney Houston

7. Dionne Warwick

8. Janet Jackson

9. Natalie Cole

10. Roberta Flack

I dont understand either how Miss Knight isnt mentioned because of her contribution to music, to be honest, she should be there before Patti, Beyonce, rihanna, and etc...i say that because no disrespect to Patti and I love her dearly, but if you are a Patti person and know music, she really didnt make it big until 1980's,,of course her run with The Bluebelles(minor hits) then LaBelle(which took her mainstream,she really didnt start charting until the 80s....I feel like this should be for the divas who have paved the way for the Rihannas, Beyonces, Keyshia Coles and etc...now the Tina Turner issue..I admired Tina for her contribution to the music world..but like someone stated, she was only r&b when she was with Ike, thats when she really kicked butt!!! not a fan of her rock stuff, but she has paved the way for a lot of FEMALE ENTERTAINERS(not singers)....like Diana Ross, some may say she doesnt deserve to be in the list, she didnt have a great voice, but her contribution makes her be there, and lets remember how The Supremes were charting both pop and r&b charts..she was the lead singer of the best girl group of all-time..I still dont understand how MISS WARWICK doesnt be mentioned by any female performer..it may not sound like it now, but she could sing her butt off in the 60s and 70s..she was pop and soul,plus all those hits she had, and being the first person to record songs that went on to be bigger hits for others..fperformers also dont mention Roberta Flack, natalie Cole, Mavis Staple,Carla Thomas, Deniece Williams, and other divas who dont get props

MickyDolenz said:

lowkey said:

fact is there are not any black female singers you can name thats not on this list

This doesn't say anything about "black" singers, but R&B singers. There's a difference, you can be black and not sing R&B (Kathleen Battle, Charlie Pride) or do R&B and not be black (Roy Head, Average White Band).

GREAT POST!

lowkey said:

MickyDolenz said:

This doesn't say anything about "black" singers, but R&B singers. There's a difference, you can be black and not sing R&B (Kathleen Battle, Charlie Pride) or do R&B and not be black (Roy Head, Average White Band).

yes true but this list happen to feature all black women,please name a white woman who sang r&b music and reached the level of the women on this list.

R&B has nothing to do with blackness and the fact that all the women on the list are black has nothing to do with that fact.

lowkey said:

MickyDolenz said:

This doesn't say anything about "black" singers, but R&B singers. There's a difference, you can be black and not sing R&B (Kathleen Battle, Charlie Pride) or do R&B and not be black (Roy Head, Average White Band).

yes true but this list happen to feature all black women,please name a white woman who sang r&b music and reached the level of the women on this list.

That's irrelevant to R&B as music. If I make a list of rock bands and put only Mexican acts on it, it doesn't mean that Mexican=rock, in the same way that black does not automatically equal R&B. "Black" is not a genre or a style of music. It's like when they called music made by black people "race music". It doesn't mean anything as far as a type of music.

It's sad how people still wanna divide musical styles by race... which further makes a list like this shallow as hell.

MickyDolenz said:

"Black" is not a genre or a style of music.

According to Billboard magazine, up until 1990 it was. The R&B/Hip-Hop charts were called the "Black Singles" and "Black Albums" chart starting in the early 80's until sometime in 1990. For some odd reason they went from "Soul" to "Black". They had to change it because not only was it racist, you had people like Teena Marie and Lisa Stansfield who were doing way better on the R&B side than they were on the Pop side and they were not black.

http://www.urbandictionar...?term=diva

http://www.merriam-webste...onary/diva

Definition of DIVA

Origin of DIVA

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/diva

di·va (dv)

n. pl. di·vas or di·ve (-v)

1. An operatic prima donna.

2. A very successful singer of nonoperatic music: a jazz diva.

[Italian, from Latin dva, goddess, feminine of dvus, god; see dyeu- in Indo-European roots.]

diva [ˈdiːvə]

Timmy84 said:

It's sad how people still wanna divide musical styles by race... which further makes a list like this shallow as hell.

true

it was always weird watching those 1984/85 award shows

Pop = mainstream

then there was the Black single, album etc

it was weird watching Prince & the Revolution get an award for Best Black Song/Album(the also won Best Pop)

As much as music was in a state of change and fusion in that period, even defined 'RnB' Jazz Rock many times sounded so non-'racial' that to use 'Black' was just ... wEiRd

Favorite Black Single

nom: Caribbean Queen -Billy Ocean

What's Love Got To Do With It -Tina Turner

When Doves Cry -Prince

kitbradley said:

According to Billboard magazine, up until 1990 it was. The R&B/Hip-Hop charts were called the "Black Singles" and "Black Albums" chart starting in the early 80's until sometime in 1990. For some odd reason they went from "Soul" to "Black". They had to change it because not only was it racist, you had people like Teena Marie and Lisa Stansfield who were doing way better on the R&B side than they were on the Pop side and they were not black.

Billboard had a "Race Record" chart too and also a "Hillbilly" one. There was a "Harlem Hit Parade" chart, which doesn't make any sense, as a lot of the acts didn't come from Harlem. A "Black" chart is not really any different than "Race" or "Harlem Hit Parade", it only signifies the ethnicity of the acts, not the type of music they made. A "Hot Latin Songs" chart doesn't mean anything either other than race, and that is in Billboard right now. They don't all make the same type of music. It could be salsa, tropical, tejano, ranchera, bossa nova, reggaeton, merengue, etc. "Latin" itself is just a general term for many different ethnicities, the same way "Asian" or "African" is.

mjscarousal said:

Chancellor said:

TV One is branding the month of April "Destination Divas" and will pack the network's schedule with a mix of new original specials, iconic movies and sitcoms, plus encores of R&B Divas season one.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 9PM/ET:

Top R&B Divas of All Time - A one hour special highlighting some of the most accomplished and beloved singers in R&B history. The program features a diverse, eclectic group of music, cultural and fashion pundits celebrating ten of the most impressive female vocalists and performers of our time with a fast-paced mix of memorable clips as well as commentary from members of the cast of TV One's R&B Divas Atlanta and L.A. Profiled divas include Diana Ross, Chaka Kahn, Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Beyonce and Rihanna.

I understand they wanted to add some Divas in Training to the special, but you can't have a List like that and not mention Ms. Gladys Knight...For shame TV1, for shame....Does Rihanna consider herself an R&B singer? She gets LITTLE play on R&B stations in my city but not much..She's mainly on the Pop-Rock stations here...

http://tv.broadwayworld.c...1-20130325

What a joke

TV One should be ashamed of themselves.

A top 10 Diva list and no Tina Turner?

But they would put that overrated carbon copy Tina Turner wannabe on there but no the REAL thing

How are you gonna have Patti Labelle but NO Gladys Knight

Beyonce and Rihanna dont even make R&B music

they look out of place on the list, they dont belong on the list.

Whatever I dont care, wont be watching

there was alot of people on an entertainment forum discussing how you will never see Tina Tuner be honored or acknowledge by African American programs because she offended alot of people with her comments on Africa/African people and black race

this video right here

starting at 4:58 to 6:06

[Edited 3/28/13 14:39pm]

Tina Turner is a you-know-what (starts with a "c") and it has completely turned me off from her. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

I'm fine with any list that has my girl on it. Everybody knows she is the #1 diva and will remain the #1 diva until kingdom come.

Bey and RiRi need to be replaced by Anita Baker and Gladys Knight.

HAPPYPERSON said:

mjscarousal said:

What a joke

TV One should be ashamed of themselves.

A top 10 Diva list and no Tina Turner?

But they would put that overrated carbon copy Tina Turner wannabe on there but no the REAL thing

How are you gonna have Patti Labelle but NO Gladys Knight

Beyonce and Rihanna dont even make R&B music

they look out of place on the list, they dont belong on the list.

Whatever I dont care, wont be watching

there was alot of people on an entertainment forum discussing how you will never see Tina Tuner be honored or acknowledge by African American programs because she offended alot of people with her comments on Africa/African people and black race

this video right here

starting at 4:58 to 6:06

[Edited 3/28/13 14:39pm]

woooooaa

I love Tina..... but those comments

Oh my Gosh.....After 2yrs I finally created a thread that got more than 3 REPLIES and actually got 2 FREAKING Pages...

I knew I could do it!!!!...LOL...

I would post a Cake.Gif but I don't know how to do it...I still don't know how to post YouTube Vids here..I will learn before my 3yr Anniversary...

You know in a way I wish those Tina Vids had NEVER been posted...Oh my gosh one'mo gain...Lawd, my jaw about hit the Damn Floor hearing Tina say those things about our people...

I HOPE that with time and maturing with Age that The Queen has changed her opinion on how she looks at us....

We know Tina LOVES her Family, but listening to her past comments about her own race of people makes you think she doesnt Like or Love us...

Like I said, we all change as we get older and have lived longer...I know i'm a Different man today @ the age of 36 VS the Man I was @ 26...

I must admit though, her past thoughts are disturbing to me...

HAPPYPERSON said:

mjscarousal said:

What a joke

TV One should be ashamed of themselves.

A top 10 Diva list and no Tina Turner?

But they would put that overrated carbon copy Tina Turner wannabe on there but no the REAL thing

How are you gonna have Patti Labelle but NO Gladys Knight

Beyonce and Rihanna dont even make R&B music

they look out of place on the list, they dont belong on the list.

Whatever I dont care, wont be watching

there was alot of people on an entertainment forum discussing how you will never see Tina Tuner be honored or acknowledge by African American programs because she offended alot of people with her comments on Africa/African people and black race

this video right here

starting at 4:58 to 6:06

[Edited 3/28/13 14:39pm]

Wow, what a shame that she made those comments! :/... Sounds like she got white-washed while staying in Germany and her German husband... I get that she has a negative view on black men based on her experience, but to generlize a group of people like that... Just cringe worthy! :/

I've always has such mixed feeling about Tina. I think she is one of the greatest Soul singers to ever grace this planet! However, unlike some of you here, when she made her comeback in '84, I was a teenager and I was hearing a lot of things that made me feel like she had issues with the black community. One thing that disturbed me even back then is when she said she didn't want to make R&B music. She didn't like the way "Let's Stay Together" turned out because she was doing too much wailing and that she hated "What's Love Got To Do With It" because it was too R&B. At that point, she considered herself a Rock singer. But, she was told if she wanted to resurrect her career in the United States, she had to put out some R&B songs because that's where her fanbase was here in the U.S.

Then there were people like Rick James saying she hated being black and just other various things that I was reading in the press and gossip columns at that time about her as far as race and R&B music was concerned. At that time, I knew some general things about her situation with Ike after an interview I saw with her on 20/20 around '83 or early '84, prior to her comeback. But, I was too young to understand the depths of what she went thru with him. Maybe that's why she has the kind of attitude she appears to have when it comes to anything associated with the African-American community. Maybe Ike did poison her against black people and the music. Maybe she felt the black community turned their backs on her when she left Ike. I don't know. I can certainly understand why she may feel that way, no matter how misplaced those feelings may be. She was hurt and tired.

And the attitude some blacks had towards the Ike & Tina situation probably doesn't help. In the early 90's, i rememer reading an interview in Vibe magazine with some rapper, can't remember who he was. But, he made the statement that most black men could relate to Ike because they understand why he did some of the things he did to Tina.

After leaving Ike, outside of "Private Dancer", Tina never received much attention from black media. The only black shows I ever recall her appearing on was The Essence Awards and BET's Video Soul. She refused to associate herself with U.S. R&B singers and failed to appear on the VH1 Diva's 99 finale. Some say she didn't want to share the stage with Chaka and Whitney. I was surprised to see her taking photos with Mary J. recently but Mary is one of the few contemporary black singers who has made no qualms about Tina's influence. I believe Mimi and Beyonce have, also. And I think Tina really appreciates that. I do recall Tina having one black keyboard player in her band throughout the 80s and early 90s and I believe he stayed with her until he passed away. Chucki Booker was a part her band for a bit and Lisa Fischer did a couple of tours with her as a background vocalist. So, yes, Tina did employ black musicians. But, I don't think she went out of her way to do so.

Any list of Top Ten R&B Female singers that does not include Gladys Knight is a joke. Rihanna is not r&b, neither is Beyonce` and Janet Jackson is suspect at best. Even though I was not a fan of hers per se`, Teena Marie deserves to be on the list beore the aforementioned.

@ those videos.

Anna Mae, Anna Mae...

kitbradley said:

I've always has such mixed feeling about Tina. I think she is one of the greatest Soul singers to ever grace this planet! However, unlike some of you here, when she made her comeback in '84, I was a teenager and I was hearing a lot of things that made me feel like she had issues with the black community. One thing that disturbed me even back then is when she said she didn't want to make R&B music. She didn't like the way "Let's Stay Together" turned out because she was doing too much wailing and that she hated "What's Love Got To Do With It" because it was too R&B. At that point, she considered herself a Rock singer. But, she was told if she wanted to resurrect her career in the United States, she had to put out some R&B songs because that's where her fanbase was here in the U.S.

Then there were people like Rick James saying she hated being black and just other various things that I was reading in the press and gossip columns at that time about her as far as race and R&B music was concerned. At that time, I knew some general things about her situation with Ike after an interview I saw with her on 20/20 around '83 or early '84, prior to her comeback. But, I was too young to understand the depths of what she went thru with him. Maybe that's why she has the kind of attitude she appears to have when it comes to anything associated with the African-American community. Maybe Ike did poison her against black people and the music. Maybe she felt the black community turned their backs on her when she left Ike. I don't know. I can certainly understand why she may feel that way, no matter how misplaced those feelings may be. She was hurt and tired.

And the attitude some blacks had towards the Ike & Tina situation probably doesn't help. In the early 90's, i rememer reading an interview in Vibe magazine with some rapper, can't remember who he was. But, he made the statement that most black men could relate to Ike because they understand why he did some of the things he did to Tina.

After leaving Ike, outside of "Private Dancer", Tina never received much attention from black media. The only black shows I ever recall her appearing on was The Essence Awards and BET's Video Soul. She refused to associate herself with U.S. R&B singers and failed to appear on the VH1 Diva's 99 finale. Some say she didn't want to share the stage with Chaka and Whitney. I was surprised to see her taking photos with Mary J. recently but Mary is one of the few contemporary black singers who has made no qualms about Tina's influence. I believe Mimi and Beyonce have, also. And I think Tina really appreciates that. I do recall Tina having one black keyboard player in her band throughout the 80s and early 90s and I believe he stayed with her until he passed away. Chucki Booker was a part her band for a bit and Lisa Fischer did a couple of tours with her as a background vocalist. So, yes, Tina did employ black musicians. But, I don't think she went out of her way to do so.

Tina appeared on Video Soul with Blue Eyes? I don't know how I missed...How did Donnie manage to book her? That's a Feat in itself...

I wonder if Tina has ever done Tom Joyner or Steve Harvey? Asking those questions might be irrelevant sinceTina doesnt need to do Black Media to sell out Tours...

Tell me something Kit...Are you SURPRISED Tina showed up to Oprahs Legends weekend and Aretha didnt? I'm not saying their appearances had anything to do with each other..I'm talking about the appearance of one and the no-show by the other..

I'm willing to bet you Oprahs Money the NAACP offered to pay Tribute to Tina and perhaps she turned them down..

Same with BET's "Walk of Fame" & "The BET Awards: Lifetime achievement"....To me it would seemodd not wanting to Celebrate Tinas Legacy..But I wonder if she was approached and simply said "Thank you, but no Thank you"...

Chancellor said:

kitbradley said:

I've always has such mixed feeling about Tina. I think she is one of the greatest Soul singers to ever grace this planet! However, unlike some of you here, when she made her comeback in '84, I was a teenager and I was hearing a lot of things that made me feel like she had issues with the black community. One thing that disturbed me even back then is when she said she didn't want to make R&B music. She didn't like the way "Let's Stay Together" turned out because she was doing too much wailing and that she hated "What's Love Got To Do With It" because it was too R&B. At that point, she considered herself a Rock singer. But, she was told if she wanted to resurrect her career in the United States, she had to put out some R&B songs because that's where her fanbase was here in the U.S.

Then there were people like Rick James saying she hated being black and just other various things that I was reading in the press and gossip columns at that time about her as far as race and R&B music was concerned. At that time, I knew some general things about her situation with Ike after an interview I saw with her on 20/20 around '83 or early '84, prior to her comeback. But, I was too young to understand the depths of what she went thru with him. Maybe that's why she has the kind of attitude she appears to have when it comes to anything associated with the African-American community. Maybe Ike did poison her against black people and the music. Maybe she felt the black community turned their backs on her when she left Ike. I don't know. I can certainly understand why she may feel that way, no matter how misplaced those feelings may be. She was hurt and tired.

And the attitude some blacks had towards the Ike & Tina situation probably doesn't help. In the early 90's, i rememer reading an interview in Vibe magazine with some rapper, can't remember who he was. But, he made the statement that most black men could relate to Ike because they understand why he did some of the things he did to Tina.

After leaving Ike, outside of "Private Dancer", Tina never received much attention from black media. The only black shows I ever recall her appearing on was The Essence Awards and BET's Video Soul. She refused to associate herself with U.S. R&B singers and failed to appear on the VH1 Diva's 99 finale. Some say she didn't want to share the stage with Chaka and Whitney. I was surprised to see her taking photos with Mary J. recently but Mary is one of the few contemporary black singers who has made no qualms about Tina's influence. I believe Mimi and Beyonce have, also. And I think Tina really appreciates that. I do recall Tina having one black keyboard player in her band throughout the 80s and early 90s and I believe he stayed with her until he passed away. Chucki Booker was a part her band for a bit and Lisa Fischer did a couple of tours with her as a background vocalist. So, yes, Tina did employ black musicians. But, I don't think she went out of her way to do so.

Tina appeared on Video Soul with Blue Eyes? I don't know how I missed...How did Donnie manage to book her? That's a Feat in itself...

I wonder if Tina has ever done Tom Joyner or Steve Harvey? Asking those questions might be irrelevant sinceTina doesnt need to do Black Media to sell out Tours...

Tell me something Kit...Are you SURPRISED Tina showed up to Oprahs Legends weekend and Aretha didnt? I'm not saying their appearances had anything to do with each other..I'm talking about the appearance of one and the no-show by the other..

I'm willing to bet you Oprahs Money the NAACP offered to pay Tribute to Tina and perhaps she turned them down..

Same with BET's "Walk of Fame" & "The BET Awards: Lifetime achievement"....To me it would seemodd not wanting to Celebrate Tinas Legacy..But I wonder if she was approached and simply said "Thank you, but no Thank you"...

Yeah, that's the same thing I was thinking as far as it appearing Tina is hardly ever honored by black media. Maybe there have been invites extended and she does turn them down and no one is saying anything right now. How much are you willing to bet all of these stories are going to surface once she passes on?

Remember when she was honored by the Essence Awards back in the early 90s? I believe Stephanie Mills, Chante Moore and Karyn White performed the musical honor. I don't know if this is true but I recall someone on this board saying after the show, Tina refused to be photographed with these ladies.

Yes, I too, was shocked and surprised when I saw her on Video Soul in 1996 to promote "Wildest Dreams". Think it was a last ditch effort to promote the album in the U.S. "Missing You" had already been released as a single and the public over here in the states were indifferent towards it. The only significant radio play she was receiving over here was on black radio using the remixed versions of "Something Beautiful Remains" and later the title track. I used to have the Video Soul appearance on tape and it was posted on youtube a while ago but I don't think it is any more.

As far as the Oprah's Legends Ball, people were speculating that ONE of the reasons why Aretha didn't appear was because of Tina. But, the main reason people were speculating was because Aretha likes to be the center of attention and she knew she wouldn't be at the Legend's Ball. That also marked the first time I'd seen Tina actively socializing with other black American female singers.

[Edited 4/1/13 6:16am]

By the way, did anyone catch the Top Ten R&B Divas show on Saturday? I swear, I forgot all about it until I was watching The Trumphet Awards last night on TV1. Hope they air it again some time in April a couple dozen times like they do everything else.

duped

[Edited 4/1/13 6:21am]

kitbradley said:

By the way, did anyone catch the Top Ten R&B Divas show on Saturday? I swear, I forgot all about it until I was watching The Trumphet Awards last night on TV1. Hope they air it again some time in April a couple dozen times like they do everything else.

Top 10 R&B Divas show on Saturday?....LOL...That must've been your Arpil Fools...The Special Airs Saturday April 27th...

I think that Essence Tribute to Tina Aired back in 1992...Do you remember who Presented her with the Award? And did Tina actually speak?

Chancellor said:

kitbradley said:

By the way, did anyone catch the Top Ten R&B Divas show on Saturday? I swear, I forgot all about it until I was watching The Trumphet Awards last night on TV1. Hope they air it again some time in April a couple dozen times like they do everything else.

Top 10 R&B Divas show on Saturday?....LOL...That must've been your Arpil Fools...The Special Airs Saturday April 27th...

I think that Essence Tribute to Tina Aired back in 1992...Do you remember who Presented her with the Award? And did Tina actually speak?

Oh! April 27th. Okay. That's more like it.

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe Oprah presented the Essence award to Tina. I can't recall whether Tina gave an acceptance speech or not. I haven't watched the Essence Awards in ages (does it still exist?) but I'm assuming the honorees do come up on stage to say their "thank yous".

[Edited 4/2/13 6:20am]

kitbradley said:

I've always has such mixed feeling about Tina. I think she is one of the greatest Soul singers to ever grace this planet! However, unlike some of you here, when she made her comeback in '84, I was a teenager and I was hearing a lot of things that made me feel like she had issues with the black community. One thing that disturbed me even back then is when she said she didn't want to make R&B music. She didn't like the way "Let's Stay Together" turned out because she was doing too much wailing and that she hated "What's Love Got To Do With It" because it was too R&B. At that point, she considered herself a Rock singer. But, she was told if she wanted to resurrect her career in the United States, she had to put out some R&B songs because that's where her fanbase was here in the U.S.

Then there were people like Rick James saying she hated being black and just other various things that I was reading in the press and gossip columns at that time about her as far as race and R&B music was concerned. At that time, I knew some general things about her situation with Ike after an interview I saw with her on 20/20 around '83 or early '84, prior to her comeback. But, I was too young to understand the depths of what she went thru with him. Maybe that's why she has the kind of attitude she appears to have when it comes to anything associated with the African-American community. Maybe Ike did poison her against black people and the music. Maybe she felt the black community turned their backs on her when she left Ike. I don't know. I can certainly understand why she may feel that way, no matter how misplaced those feelings may be. She was hurt and tired.

And the attitude some blacks had towards the Ike & Tina situation probably doesn't help. In the early 90's, i rememer reading an interview in Vibe magazine with some rapper, can't remember who he was. But, he made the statement that most black men could relate to Ike because they understand why he did some of the things he did to Tina.

After leaving Ike, outside of "Private Dancer", Tina never received much attention from black media. The only black shows I ever recall her appearing on was The Essence Awards and BET's Video Soul. She refused to associate herself with U.S. R&B singers and failed to appear on the VH1 Diva's 99 finale. Some say she didn't want to share the stage with Chaka and Whitney. I was surprised to see her taking photos with Mary J. recently but Mary is one of the few contemporary black singers who has made no qualms about Tina's influence. I believe Mimi and Beyonce have, also. And I think Tina really appreciates that. I do recall Tina having one black keyboard player in her band throughout the 80s and early 90s and I believe he stayed with her until he passed away. Chucki Booker was a part her band for a bit and Lisa Fischer did a couple of tours with her as a background vocalist. So, yes, Tina did employ black musicians. But, I don't think she went out of her way to do so.

I agree with you about that Tina Turner!!! Yes she's indeed a Legend, but I often feel like she forgets about her R&B fan base..in all honestly, the R&B was what made her..even though it happen so many years ago, it still bothers me, that Quincy Jones wanted her to be in The Color Purple, she bluntly stated that she did not want to take part in any black stuff, but you know the word I wanted to say!!! Coming from her, that was an insult to her race..I love her, dont get me wrong, but I enjoyed her music when it was straight R&B!!! I am hearing that the 2013 BET Awards wants to give her the Lifetime ACheivement, she does deserve it, I dont think she would accept it...

DIANA ROSS may be considered crossover and catered to white, but a lot of black female entertainers admire what she has done for them..I mean the whole 1983 Live In Central Park goes down in history as one of the greatest moments in TV and Music History!!! But one thing that bothers me a lil bit about her is that my Uncle Buddy was reading a magazine back in the 1970s, in which it was a black magazine and he said that Miss Ross stated that she wanted to be with white men so her children could be pretty!!! Now thats a definitley slap to the face..He said since the 0s, he lost that respect for her....but her music is R&B/POP/SOUL

fred12 said:

kitbradley said:

I've always has such mixed feeling about Tina. I think she is one of the greatest Soul singers to ever grace this planet! However, unlike some of you here, when she made her comeback in '84, I was a teenager and I was hearing a lot of things that made me feel like she had issues with the black community. One thing that disturbed me even back then is when she said she didn't want to make R&B music. She didn't like the way "Let's Stay Together" turned out because she was doing too much wailing and that she hated "What's Love Got To Do With It" because it was too R&B. At that point, she considered herself a Rock singer. But, she was told if she wanted to resurrect her career in the United States, she had to put out some R&B songs because that's where her fanbase was here in the U.S.

Then there were people like Rick James saying she hated being black and just other various things that I was reading in the press and gossip columns at that time about her as far as race and R&B music was concerned. At that time, I knew some general things about her situation with Ike after an interview I saw with her on 20/20 around '83 or early '84, prior to her comeback. But, I was too young to understand the depths of what she went thru with him. Maybe that's why she has the kind of attitude she appears to have when it comes to anything associated with the African-American community. Maybe Ike did poison her against black people and the music. Maybe she felt the black community turned their backs on her when she left Ike. I don't know. I can certainly understand why she may feel that way, no matter how misplaced those feelings may be. She was hurt and tired.

And the attitude some blacks had towards the Ike & Tina situation probably doesn't help. In the early 90's, i rememer reading an interview in Vibe magazine with some rapper, can't remember who he was. But, he made the statement that most black men could relate to Ike because they understand why he did some of the things he did to Tina.

After leaving Ike, outside of "Private Dancer", Tina never received much attention from black media. The only black shows I ever recall her appearing on was The Essence Awards and BET's Video Soul. She refused to associate herself with U.S. R&B singers and failed to appear on the VH1 Diva's 99 finale. Some say she didn't want to share the stage with Chaka and Whitney. I was surprised to see her taking photos with Mary J. recently but Mary is one of the few contemporary black singers who has made no qualms about Tina's influence. I believe Mimi and Beyonce have, also. And I think Tina really appreciates that. I do recall Tina having one black keyboard player in her band throughout the 80s and early 90s and I believe he stayed with her until he passed away. Chucki Booker was a part her band for a bit and Lisa Fischer did a couple of tours with her as a background vocalist. So, yes, Tina did employ black musicians. But, I don't think she went out of her way to do so.

I agree with you about that Tina Turner!!! Yes she's indeed a Legend, but I often feel like she forgets about her R&B fan base..in all honestly, the R&B was what made her..even though it happen so many years ago, it still bothers me, that Quincy Jones wanted her to be in The Color Purple, she bluntly stated that she did not want to take part in any black stuff, but you know the word I wanted to say!!! Coming from her, that was an insult to her race..I love her, dont get me wrong, but I enjoyed her music when it was straight R&B!!! I am hearing that the 2013 BET Awards wants to give her the Lifetime ACheivement, she does deserve it, I dont think she would accept it...

DIANA ROSS may be considered crossover and catered to white, but a lot of black female entertainers admire what she has done for them..I mean the whole 1983 Live In Central Park goes down in history as one of the greatest moments in TV and Music History!!! But one thing that bothers me a lil bit about her is that my Uncle Buddy was reading a magazine back in the 1970s, in which it was a black magazine and he said that Miss Ross stated that she wanted to be with white men so her children could be pretty!!! Now thats a definitley slap to the face..He said since the 0s, he lost that respect for her....but her music is R&B/POP/SOUL

Well, if we are going to be honest here, there are a lot of black & hispanic people who feel that way. I've had black men come right out and tell me they would never purposely have a child with a black woman because they want their kids to be light-skinned with good hair so that's why they choose to have children with white women instead. Or if they could do things differently, they would have chosen a white woman to be the mother of their children.

[Edited 4/2/13 10:52am]

Chancellor said:

kitbradley said:

By the way, did anyone catch the Top Ten R&B Divas show on Saturday? I swear, I forgot all about it until I was watching The Trumphet Awards last night on TV1. Hope they air it again some time in April a couple dozen times like they do everything else.

Top 10 R&B Divas show on Saturday?....LOL...That must've been your Arpil Fools...The Special Airs Saturday April 27th...

I think that Essence Tribute to Tina Aired back in 1992...Do you remember who Presented her with the Award? And did Tina actually speak?

It was 1993 Bill Crosby or Ann Margaret who presented the award, Tina spoke I remeber my Dad telling me Aretha was awful jealous of Tina that night when Tina first reached out to shake Rosa Parks hand she tried to grab her other hand something like that.

I dont believe she would'nt be photographed with the girls must have been some mix up

Check out the look ree gives Tina

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