Alicia Keys?
Kid Rock?
Clay Aiken? (just kidding)

I'd go with the obvious answer of Andre 3000 and Big Boi, better known as OutKast. They're the closest thing we have to a new Prince.

I like Outkast also but are they really that talented of musicians? Do either of them even play an instrument?

robert randolph

Paul

today? as in right now, the present? shiiiiit, he's it. the cat's pretty much one of the last folks standin that are still around that actually keep my attention. he's 2nd in line to al green, in my book.

other n'that, ain't shit else out there now.

whatsurname said:

Good choice!

If you're concerned with those who are living, it's definitely Bela Fleck for me.

Alicia Keys and Kid Rock? Are you serious?!?!

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Other than the the Al Green part, I absolutely agree!

bigsexy said:

whats the point of actually playing a instrument if you can still come up with the music that people will buy and listen to ..when you think about it an actual band is pretty much played out with the 70's ..face it its just a new day artist most of them don't play there own music .and thats real..they all can't be like the purple 1

Kate Bush is very talented - unique and versatile - a marvellous dancer and peformer. Wish she would put out something new - it's been a looooong time since The Red Shoes.

Ani DiFranco, Meshell Ndegeocello....

Mike Patton

stephen merritt

Aw that's tough, there's no one really to compete with the Kid today.

I guess maybe Trent Reznor?

flipwilson said:

Anxiety said:

Well, that was kind of meant as a joke, I guess...

but I do love his music. I'd just as soon listen to him as anyone else in the world, but that's probably a personal quirk.

Tito Jackson.

squirrelgrease said:

get me a tissue...

Wendy and Lisa just for their range in instruments alone.

You better act like you know

psykosoul said:

Marcus Miller....first and foremost....maybe even better than Prince actually.
Meshell Ndegeocello
Wendy and Lisa

ok, serious answer:



cuz to me, she colors outside the lines and takes musicianship to another level. she's classically trained and she has a punk background, and she makes pop music. watching some documentaries and reading some articles about how she makes albums and collaborates with other musicians, i'm really amazed at her talent, and how understated she is about her abilities. not to mention i think that for someone who comes off as so bizarre, she's freakin' amazingly professional as an artist. for anyone who would balk at this choice, give Vespertine a good listen and tell me just anyone could create that - this is one of the most complex, intricate albums i've ever heard. a lot of that is thanks to her collaboration with matmos, but the whole thing is her, through and through. i think as she gets older and more established, she's really going to amaze us.

Lenny Kravitz and Alicia Keys!!!!!

yes Lenny

Richard Thompson

Aside from older musicians like Stevie, Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello

Beck is pretty good. He obviously likes Prince, but does stuff much different, too. He definitely has his own vision.
I'm not sure if R Kelly plays all his instruments, but I think his music always sounds good and interesting. Has lots of style.
I think Badly Drawn Boy's music is great, well produced, diverse. He plays a lot of the instruments & writes it all. Not a good singer, though.
Lenny's a good all around musician, as is Terence Trent Darby.
Outkast's music is certainly interesting, but I don't know if that's because they are great musicians, or they have good taste.

No one can really compare to Prince as an all around musician, though.

bigsexy said:

Definitely Billy Corgan (of Smashing Pumpkins and Zwan) - He's got as much stuff in his vault as Prince does in his.

Then, probably Trent Reznor.