The list is comprised of female artists/groups who have contributed to taking Rhythm and Blues music to the next level during their reign of success.

1. Aretha Franklin
2. Mary J. Blige
3. Tina Turner
4. Whitney Houston
5. Teena Marie
6. Meshell Ndegeocello
7. TLC
8. Sade
9. Lauryn Hill
10. Janet Jackson
11. Patti LaBelle
12. Chaka Khan
13. Roberta Flack
14. Gladys Knight
15. Diana Ross
16. Dionne Warwick
17. Erykah Badu
18. Toni Braxton
19. Mariah Carey
20. Alicia Keys
21. Aaliyah
22. En Vogue
23. India Arie
24. Anita Baker
25. Donna Summer
26. Destiny's Child
27. Jill Scott
28. Betty Wright
29. Regina Belle
30. Jean Carn
31. Natalie Cole
32. Beverley Knight
33. Missy Elliott
34. Minnie Ripperton
35. Foetry
36. Deniece Williams
37. Stephanie Mills
38. SWV
39. Phyllis Hyman
40. Vanessa Williams
41. Zhane
42. Amel Larrieux
43. Chante Moore
44. Melba Moore
45. Brandy
46. Beyonce
47. Evelyn 'Champagne' King
48. Millie Jackson
49. Jody Watley
50. Emotions
51. Neneh Cherry
52. Faith Evans
53. Ashanti
54. Cheryl Lynn
55. Pointer Sisters
56. Patti Austin
57. Tamia
58. Rachelle Ferrell
59. Angie Stone
60. Lisa Fischer
61. Shanice
62. Rhian Benson
63. Kelis
64. Maysa
65. Meli'sa Morgan
66. Monica
67. Deborah Cox
68. Heather Headley
69. Randy Crawford
70. Patrice Rushen
71. Tracie Spencer
72. Oleta Adams
73. Sonique
74. Jazzyfatnastees
75. Mica Paris



Mary J fuckin' BLIGE above Tina Turner (and in the top 50 for that matter). And where's Billie Holliday? I know that Sonique certainly had a larger influence than her . That "Feels So Good" song will influence generations to come. Oh, and Ashitty, too.

This is one of the worst lists I've seen in a while.
[Edited 3/15/05 18:49pm]

VoicesCarry said:

How in the fuck does Mary J. Blige rank number 2??? and Janet jackson who is far more successful, a way better singer (and not 2 mention prettier) rank 11??? and Vanessa Williams number 40????? they are fucking Crazy

Xavier23 said:

Janet better singer than MARY?! what the 411!!! Janet is a bigger pop icon and deserves to be on the list, but Mary in her day was a better singer than Jan

I'm so glad Meshell is on here! The list of women "who changed the face of r&B" not about talent, I think it's quite an accurate list

twink69 said:

Ok, so then where are:

-Billie Holliday
-Martha Reeves
-Carla Thomas
-Ronnie Spector
-Mary Wells
.....

So you think that SONIQUE, ASHITTY, DESTINY'S CHILD, etc. should be there instead of them? It's a completely crap list. How have bims like that done anything but copy what came before?
[Edited 3/15/05 19:08pm]

twink69 said:

No Fucking Way!!!!!
not with all that off key bellowing & dragging notes on

And WTF is TRACIE SPENCER doing there?

I mean Star Search winner with one mediocre record and that was basically it for her.

VoicesCarry said:

this whole list is crazy

Xavier23 said:

Janet a way better singer than who? You guys take these silly lists way too seriously.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Nah, rip, it's just fun to see how inane they are.

RipHer2Shreds said:

are u implying that Mary Blige is a better singer than Janet jackson??

Xavier23 said:

I'm not implying it, I'm down right saying it. I like Janet, but she's not a great singer. Say what you want about Mary J.'s voice, but she's a lot more soulful than Janet.

Mary J. Blige !!!!! after Aretha

RipHer2Shreds said:

yeah during seven hours of child birth

how the hell is Kelis on any list...some people have never even heard of her

Xavier23 said:

I ain't even gonna argue with you, cuz an opinion is just that. I just don't think Janet's voice is all that great. In the end these lists are just somebody's opinion over another's. The only difference is that they - in the magazine's ideal world - reach a larger audience than your opinion or mine.

RipHer2Shreds said:

It's not.

RipHer2Shreds said:

nuff said

Supernova said:

mary's vocie isn't all that great either

Xavier23 said:

I didn't say it was. Not a fan of her voice either.

Why are people turning this into a Mary J. Blige vs. Janet Jackson thread? Sheesh. Mary J. Blige screams & she sings off key alot of the times. Janet Jackson's voice isn't soulful in the slightest & hasn't been that influential in the R&B FORMAT to be that high on the list.


BACK ON TOPIC....

This list is too absurd for words, I am floored by how many newcomers who have charted higher than classic R&B figures.

I have to believe this list is not in any sort of order because the sequence is crazy. Aside from that there are some really questionable choices on the list. It could easily be the Top 65 or Top 50. Top 75? No way.

1. Aretha Franklin definitely see her influence in virtually all R&B singers
2. Mary J. Blige the prototype hip hop/street/around the way diva. the "scorned woman done wrong" prototype that's so popular nowadays.
3. Tina Turner undeniable. I'd place her higher than MJB, though.
4. Whitney Houston of course, she's inspired countless clones -- all with the loopy, overly melismatic vocals -- Brandy, Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Monica, Deborah Cox, Tamia, Heather Headley, etc.
5. Teena Marie I see her influence in acts like Anastacia, Taylor Dance, and the blue-eye soul sistahs.
6. Meshell Ndegeocello Definitely, she's the "godmother of neo-soul." She made India.Arie, D'Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Floetry, Maxwell she re-ushered in that era of "deep, singer/songwriters" that play their own instruments and have a message
7. TLC Totally. See them in Blaque, 3LW, Destiny's Child, and virtually all R&B/pop girl groups in their wake.
8. Sade Yep. She was definitely on some other shit when she came out with Diamond Life. Very loungy, very understated and melodic. Not some church-woman, yell all over the mic shit that was so prevalent with singers of the time like Patti, Evelyn Champagne King, Pointer Sisters, Donna, Aretha, etc.
9. Lauryn Hill Somewhat. I see her influence in kids like Alicia Keys, Jaguar Wright, etc. -- the urban singer in touch with the streets and spirituality simultaneously.
10. Janet Jackson I think she should be in the Top 5, IMO. She's influenced virtually every female pop/R&B star on the scene -- Britneys, Christinas, Ciaras, Myas, Olivias, Aaliyahs, even cats like Usher, Justin, etc. She is a true video artist and people mock that definitely.

Nevermind me....
I'm just trippin' on the replies....

aight..im usually the one who chimes in with, "aight y'all..these lists are just starting points in an effort to engage discusions...blah blah blah"..

but this list is .....this list is.....

RipHer2Shreds said:

I can't believe we're even comparing Janet's vocals to Mary J.Blige

I'm no big fan of Mary,but let's be honest...she can sing.She has soul.Whether you like her or not,you can't deny that she has talent.

Janet has a thin,whispery voice...not much different from,say,Ciara.

and where the fuck is Kelly Price????? I know she didn't change much of anything that wasn't already there....No Angela Bofill or Angela Winbush,Brenda Russell,Brownstone,Jade,Changing Faces....what about the sultry siren of funk...the late Ms.Lyn Collins??? No Ella,Sarah,Dinah,Bessie, or Billie????

I disagree with them even being included because 1) they haven't demonstrated any appreciable artistic impact, and/or 2) they haven't sold well and/or 3) they haven't been around long enough.

Impressed said:

Mary J. Blige did NOT originate the street diva image.