Janet, Aaliyah, Keith, KC and especially Mary are some of the best singers ever in R&B. Janet and Aaliyah have very beautiful tones as well. The key to what makes a great singer is their ability to emote their song and carry the listener with them. That is a gift. Anybody can sing a song technically well but if I can't emotionally feel what someone is singing there not a good singer to me and these singers are very good IMO.

Alicia use to be a good singer but she can't sing as good as she use too.

[Edited 12/3/16 9:46am]

PatrickS77 said:

NorthC said:

I disagree.

Geez. Agreeing with that assasement of Janet, but insisting that Bob Dylan has a great voice and/or can actually sing? Lost all credibility then and there.

it wasn't that the voices got bad as much as the music waned........

Janet has a stylized voice and it works well for what she does. She's limited in range and power, but she has many great moments. She's never shown us her full vocal potential.

Aaliyah had a lot of range. Beautiful voice.

Mary J Blige has some off-key moments, but she's a well skilled vocalist.

NorthC said:

PatrickS77 said:

Geez. Agreeing with that assasement of Janet, but insisting that Bob Dylan has a great voice and/or can actually sing? Lost all credibility then and there.

NOW we're getting somewhere! I did not agree or disagree with that assessment of Janet. What I meant was that I was waiting for the Janet Jackson fans to move in because I've noticed they tend to be quite vocal when the think someone attacks their heroine. And to anyone who thinks Bob Dylan can't sing, I say that they have never actually listened to his music. But that's cool too, no one is telling you that you have to. I don't listen to the Jacksons (any of them), so I'll make no comments about them.

Why don't you like Michael or Jackson 5 or The Jacksons?

PatrickS77 said:

NorthC said:

I disagree.

Geez. Agreeing with that assasement of Janet, but insisting that Bob Dylan has a great voice and/or can actually sing? Lost all credibility then and there.

Bob's a great songwriter, of course, and I enjoy his vocal interpretations of many of his own songs...but to say that he's a good singer is stretching it...

kitbradley said:

Discuss...

10. Janet Jackson: She’s pulled the wool over our eyes for decades. Every single time she goes to bed at night, she should fall to her knees and thank whatever gods may be for the genius, the talent, and most of all the patience of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Why? Because they are the human personification of how to make lemonade out of lemons. She is probably the first artist that I realized the word “entertainer” was code for “bad singer.” We are all guilty for allowing this voice to pierce our ears for so long. Yes I know she has great songs…but her voice tho. Singing for her must’ve been like living in an actual coffin. Completely confined with no foreseeable leg or arm room. Fortunately for her she had top-notch producers that formed great songs around her limited toolbox. And it was limited. We’re talking one screwdriver, a tape measure, an old mic clip and a solo red cup limited. The fact that she’s made it this far is a triumph of the human spirit. And we are forgetting to mention the fact that on the screen, she cannot act like she has a cold ass naked in the winter. It’s bad when your best role was in the 70’s and you were getting your back ironed by your abusive mother.

9. Current K-Ci: Don’t lie. In all of the deaths in 2016, you totally expected this guy to be one of them, right? This is your voice on drugs. Any questions?


8. All Of New Edition Except Johnny Gill: Yeah, I said it. Fight me. Before Gill they were just a black Menudo. Only when Gill got there did they become a real group to be considered. Michael Bivins was clearly a dude that was on the block the moment the more talented guys decided to make something of themselves. Ricky Bell is just an innocent bystander in this, and Ronnie DeVoe is the equivalent to the guy at Thanksgiving that never brings food or drinks, but is always the first person at the table with his plate and aluminum foil for take-home. “Don’t Be Cruel” is the only thing in the way of me frying Bobby Brown. That album rocks like shit. Ralph Tresvant has both the name of a boutique owner and the voice of a Michael Jackson reject. Nice try Motown. I see you.

7. Aaliyah: Stop it. Stop it right now! Posthumously, we give a huge amount of praise to the deceased. It’s how ‘Pac rose on everyone’s best rapper list. If you needed any clarification of this worthwhile ranking, please Google her live stuff. It was bad. Aight, I’m done. *ducking lightning*

6. Trey Songz: Bah Bah Black Sheep, have you any wool? Vibrato like a goat, with an anorexic-ish voice tone. I wish he never did it (bah dum psssh). He’s the male Keyshia Cole. Going to work on my six pack now. See you in about 5 years. SMH Oh…and speaking of Ms. Cole…

5. Keyshia Cole: Much like Alicia Keys, Keyshia is proof that looks mean everything and talent is a distant second place. She’s the cousin in your family that sings good enough to show you up at Thanksgiving, but not good enough for you to ask her to sing you down the aisle for your wedding. She’s that same cousin that sits in the crowd judging the singer you picked.

4. Akon: I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll consider his career starting the moment he found Lady Gaga, forget that he ever had a solo career, and you forget all of the songs of his I HAD in my library. Cool? Aight.

3. Alicia Keys: This is really simple. Think of a really short kid in his father’s shoes trying to reach a cereal box on top of a huge refrigerator. That’s Alicia Keys in a nutshell. Great intention. Great ambition. Not enough anything for the task at hand. Her range is as wide as a straw and let’s face it…her skills on keys are remedial at best. Her saving grace? Great songs. Protected and covered by great production, but even that can’t evade trained ears. Call It The Janet Jackson Effect. She’s always scratching the ceiling with that struggle voice.

2. Keith Sweat: Something something…something something just ain’t right. Here lies the dilemma. His voice is everything wrong with life…but his songs are awesome!!! As you’re listening to his songs, you’re caught in a myriad of emotions. On one hand you wanna caress and kiss your significant other, vibing to “Make It Last Forever” as you’re passionately mouthing the words to them as if you penned the lyrics yourself. On the other hand you want to douse your listening device with gasoline, set it aflame, and toss it out the same window of your vehicle on the highway as you’re breaking the posted speed limit. Wanna sound like Keith Sweat? Pinch your nose, and sing anything. Easy breezy.

1. Mary J. Blige: Yuck. I think I just spit up a little bit in my mouth. Believe you me, this was a close race with Keith Sweat, but in the end, it is painfully clear. Mary J. Blige is the worst voice the Rhythm & Blues genre has ever produced, period. A voice that sounds like an honest to goodness stomach virus, and with dance moves that rivals a 3 year old toddler. I know she has a core audience, but Tyler Perry and Empire have taught us that there’s no accounting for good taste. Chaka Khan is a notorious diva, but her displeasure of Mary remaking “Sweet Thing” was valid and justified. Imagine someone moving in your old house, taking their pants off and rubbing their asses all over your cream rug, stairs, and sofa. That my friends is Mary’s “Sweet Thing.” It’s not sweet at all. Actually it’s slightly tart with a gamy aftertaste. Putrid. But I digress.

http://www.citlr.com/the-top-ten-non-negotiable-worst-voices-in-rb-history/

[Edited 12/1/16 17:07pm]

I fuckin' LOVE u! Janet's got a sweet voice that harmonizes well, but it lacks any real range. I've always SAID (and I'm from Boston) that New Edition SUCKS!!! They always sounded like BABIES 2 me! Asking Johnny Gill to join that group (and sadly, he DID), must have been SO insulting at first 2 him. Hope they paid him WELL! Mary's gettin' better with age and she's ALWAYS BEEN fulla soul with her often pitchy, but raw delivery. Alicia Keys: WAY BETTER producer than singer! I'm with you, kit! There are REAL singers out there who can't even GET recording deals because they're at the mercy of all the ones who CAN'T SING very well and that CAN and DO! Happy Holla DAZE!!!!

[Edited 12/6/16 13:54pm]

[Edited 12/6/16 13:58pm]

EmmaMcG said:

I remember reading a similar article a few years ago

http://bossip.com/732324/stfu-forever-top-10-worst-rb-singers-on-earth/

They are quite similar, especially in their thoughts on Mary J. Blige: "There’s no doubting the crispy chicken Goddess’ impact on Hip-Hop/Soul but we all know she can’t sing worth a deep-fried damn. "

I guess they are examining long-term careers, otherwise T-Pain and Steven Seagal would not have escaped criticism. I agree with most thoughts though, it's hard to say how bad Janet sucks because while she can't express emotion, has limited range and her delivery is as flat as a 9 year old's Spice Girls themed party, it suits the artificiality of her music. I guess she does make the mistake of trying to sang from time to time, but she can be forgiven for having fun.

phunkdaddy said:

SoulAlive said:

I like Keith Sweats' first album but I never bought anything from him after that.It's hard to tolerate his whiny,nasal vocals

I kinda liked the followup mainly the title track I'll Give All My Love To You and

There You Go Telling Me No Again i think from the 3rd album but most of his

shit after that was annoying. Twisted and Nobody has got to be 2 of his most

awful songs. They annoy the hell out of me.

I actually like "Nobody" That one was OK.

May she rest in peace, but... Teena Marie

Lammastide said:

May she rest in peace, but... Teena Marie

Goddess4Real said:

Lammastide said:

May she rest in peace, but... Teena Marie

daingermouz2020 said:

EmmaMcG said:

Bit of a harsh list, I think. Sure, there are a few of what I'd call "overrated" singers on that list but I don't think they're actually the "worst" voices in RnB.

I've been saying this for years about most on this list but I think you may have hit the nail on the head saying they are overrated. With Mary she's thrown into the category of great singers. I'm always shocked by peoples response when I say she can't sing. People act like she's in a category of a Kelly Price, ,Ledisi,,Faith,,Tweet,or a Fantasia. Most of them are far far better singers.

.

Glad to hear somebody mention Tweet in this context. She's quite underrated.

.

I wouldve put keyshia cole number 1 that chick is truly wretch

phunkdaddy said:

SPYZFAN1 said:

...they also forgot to add Ashanti to that list. And Lelee Lyons from SWV should be standing right next to Ronnie DeVoe for the take home tins.

You wrong for going in on LeLee like that. Number one on the list should be a Trey Songz period. Number two Michelle Williams. She sings like her corns be hurting her.

LMAO!

kitbradley said:

8. All Of New Edition Except Johnny Gill: Yeah, I said it. Fight me. Before Gill they were just a black Menudo. Only when Gill got there did they become a real group to be considered. Michael Bivins was clearly a dude that was on the block the moment the more talented guys decided to make something of themselves. Ricky Bell is just an innocent bystander in this, and Ronnie DeVoe is the equivalent to the guy at Thanksgiving that never brings food or drinks, but is always the first person at the table with his plate and aluminum foil for take-home. “Don’t Be Cruel” is the only thing in the way of me frying Bobby Brown. That album rocks like shit. Ralph Tresvant has both the name of a boutique owner and the voice of a Michael Jackson reject. Nice try Motown. I see you.

Fight you? Actually, I want to f***ing bury you ass!!!

Excuse you, but New Edition [with OR without Johnny] are the 1st runners-up after The Jackson 5ive/The Jacksons as THE greatest boy band of all time. Put some freaking respect in their name.

I was just starting to get into Aaliyah just before her passing. I heard Mary J live once a long time ago and I backed away for a loooong time, I like her alright now. I was more into BBD. I have never liked Keith Sweat, sorry, but I never could get there with him. The rest of these folks, idk, I'll roll with the list.

And to Lammi

morningsong said:

And to Lammi

I'm so sorry to speak ill of the dead, but when I hear people go on and on about Teena -- and then I actually listen to her again -- I honestly feel like I'm not in on a joke or something.

[Edited 12/7/16 16:30pm]

I'd take MJB & Aaliyah off that list.

The rest can stay.

I'd add the vocalist from Empire to that list.

That singer, what's his name... oh yes Stevie Wonder must be there as well.

Pam from Total

T-Boz from TLC

Keith Sweat

Lyfe Jennings

Macy Gray

these are the worst voices in R&B history, off the top of my head...im sure i could come up with more, in time...but those stand out immediately...

Mary J. Blige?...she may not be Aretha Franklin but she should not be on this list.....at all....and Dylan aint even R&B so why is he on the list?

people confusing artist they simply dont like, with "worst voices"...

not fair...

as much as i kid about janet's career success being the result of Jimmy & Terry's beats, the woman is not a "bad singer" at all, and doesnt deserve to be on this list...

neither do Aliyah, Alicia Keyes, Mary J Blige, or Ashanti...these women have average to good singing voices and catch alot of flack because their style outweighs whatever substance or talent they have...but still...a "worst voices" list...cmon...

[Edited 12/7/16 20:39pm]

kitbradley said:

Discuss...

10. Janet Jackson: She’s pulled the wool over our eyes for decades. Every single time she goes to bed at night, she should fall to her knees and thank whatever gods may be for the genius, the talent, and most of all the patience of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Why? Because they are the human personification of how to make lemonade out of lemons. She is probably the first artist that I realized the word “entertainer” was code for “bad singer.” We are all guilty for allowing this voice to pierce our ears for so long. Yes I know she has great songs…but her voice tho. Singing for her must’ve been like living in an actual coffin. Completely confined with no foreseeable leg or arm room. Fortunately for her she had top-notch producers that formed great songs around her limited toolbox. And it was limited. We’re talking one screwdriver, a tape measure, an old mic clip and a solo red cup limited. The fact that she’s made it this far is a triumph of the human spirit. And we are forgetting to mention the fact that on the screen, she cannot act like she has a cold ass naked in the winter. It’s bad when your best role was in the 70’s and you were getting your back ironed by your abusive mother.

9. Current K-Ci: Don’t lie. In all of the deaths in 2016, you totally expected this guy to be one of them, right? This is your voice on drugs. Any questions?


8. All Of New Edition Except Johnny Gill: Yeah, I said it. Fight me. Before Gill they were just a black Menudo. Only when Gill got there did they become a real group to be considered. Michael Bivins was clearly a dude that was on the block the moment the more talented guys decided to make something of themselves. Ricky Bell is just an innocent bystander in this, and Ronnie DeVoe is the equivalent to the guy at Thanksgiving that never brings food or drinks, but is always the first person at the table with his plate and aluminum foil for take-home. “Don’t Be Cruel” is the only thing in the way of me frying Bobby Brown. That album rocks like shit. Ralph Tresvant has both the name of a boutique owner and the voice of a Michael Jackson reject. Nice try Motown. I see you.

7. Aaliyah: Stop it. Stop it right now! Posthumously, we give a huge amount of praise to the deceased. It’s how ‘Pac rose on everyone’s best rapper list. If you needed any clarification of this worthwhile ranking, please Google her live stuff. It was bad. Aight, I’m done. *ducking lightning*

6. Trey Songz: Bah Bah Black Sheep, have you any wool? Vibrato like a goat, with an anorexic-ish voice tone. I wish he never did it (bah dum psssh). He’s the male Keyshia Cole. Going to work on my six pack now. See you in about 5 years. SMH Oh…and speaking of Ms. Cole…

5. Keyshia Cole: Much like Alicia Keys, Keyshia is proof that looks mean everything and talent is a distant second place. She’s the cousin in your family that sings good enough to show you up at Thanksgiving, but not good enough for you to ask her to sing you down the aisle for your wedding. She’s that same cousin that sits in the crowd judging the singer you picked.

4. Akon: I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll consider his career starting the moment he found Lady Gaga, forget that he ever had a solo career, and you forget all of the songs of his I HAD in my library. Cool? Aight.

3. Alicia Keys: This is really simple. Think of a really short kid in his father’s shoes trying to reach a cereal box on top of a huge refrigerator. That’s Alicia Keys in a nutshell. Great intention. Great ambition. Not enough anything for the task at hand. Her range is as wide as a straw and let’s face it…her skills on keys are remedial at best. Her saving grace? Great songs. Protected and covered by great production, but even that can’t evade trained ears. Call It The Janet Jackson Effect. She’s always scratching the ceiling with that struggle voice.

2. Keith Sweat: Something something…something something just ain’t right. Here lies the dilemma. His voice is everything wrong with life…but his songs are awesome!!! As you’re listening to his songs, you’re caught in a myriad of emotions. On one hand you wanna caress and kiss your significant other, vibing to “Make It Last Forever” as you’re passionately mouthing the words to them as if you penned the lyrics yourself. On the other hand you want to douse your listening device with gasoline, set it aflame, and toss it out the same window of your vehicle on the highway as you’re breaking the posted speed limit. Wanna sound like Keith Sweat? Pinch your nose, and sing anything. Easy breezy.

1. Mary J. Blige: Yuck. I think I just spit up a little bit in my mouth. Believe you me, this was a close race with Keith Sweat, but in the end, it is painfully clear. Mary J. Blige is the worst voice the Rhythm & Blues genre has ever produced, period. A voice that sounds like an honest to goodness stomach virus, and with dance moves that rivals a 3 year old toddler. I know she has a core audience, but Tyler Perry and Empire have taught us that there’s no accounting for good taste. Chaka Khan is a notorious diva, but her displeasure of Mary remaking “Sweet Thing” was valid and justified. Imagine someone moving in your old house, taking their pants off and rubbing their asses all over your cream rug, stairs, and sofa. That my friends is Mary’s “Sweet Thing.” It’s not sweet at all. Actually it’s slightly tart with a gamy aftertaste. Putrid. But I digress.

http://www.citlr.com/the-top-ten-non-negotiable-worst-voices-in-rb-history/

[Edited 12/1/16 17:07pm]

You troll hard; or, you're trying to be a contrarian for the sake of it. But this post is kinda
ridiculous, Kit. For example: you never explain what a "worst voice" is nor give examples of
how each of these singers correspond to the definition.

You should entitle the thread "A List of Famous R&B Singers Whose Voices I Don't Really Care
For."

The OP (Kitbradley) didn't write this article,so don't blame the messenger he posted the link to the article in his post....

The Top Ten Non-Negotiabl...ocker Room

It's a harsh list,for sure,but I agree with some of it

SoulAlive said:

The OP (Kitbradley) didn't write this article,so don't blame the messenger he posted the link to the article in his post....

The Top Ten Non-Negotiabl...ocker Room

It's a harsh list,for sure,but I agree with some of it

Why do you agree with it? What makes a singer's voice "the worst"? What makes a singer's voice
"the best"? How is Mary J. Blige's voice worse than J. Lo's, for example? Essentially the list is meant
to be provocative.

.

Not sure I would throw him into a 'top 10 of worst singers', but I've always been confused that Slim of 112 always got lead vocals. I much rather listened to Daron's or Q's verses and ad libs than Slim's.

.