Yes Mariah and Beyonce are 2 different artists but I think it's fair to compare them as they are both in the R&B genre and I just love to stirr shit up!

Which of these 2 cds is better and why? My vote goes to Mimi! After 2 years i'm still listening to it (from time to time) which pretty much sums it up. I'm actualy not even really a fan of R&B music but I do like these 2 artists though I love Mimi much more. The "Mimi" album imo is just tighter and though it's a bit mellow it's very solid. B-Day has some baddass tracks too but I doubt it will have as much staying power as "emancipation".

20YO!!!!!

Emancipation did bring Mariah back to the "public" but im not crazy about this album, to me it was a step back for Mariah. BDAY is ok, but Beyonce is stretching at this point. Its funny because i do think these ladies are very much alike. They both were/are at a point in their careers where they are putting out an album a year at least, but the albums and their music isnt developing. If i had to pick one i would go with MIMI but overall both albums are just ok.

My vote will easily go to Mimi. Mimi sounds more like an assured, soulful, and tight record. The productions from The Neptunes, Big Jim Wright, and Jermaine Dupri on that album is pretty killer and it seems like Mariah keeps her sanity, to sing powerhouse melodies. 11 of the 14 tracks on that album were unbelievable and made it clear that she is still a powerful force in the pop and R&B industry. IMHO, it's her second best album next to Butterfly.

B'Day on the other hand is just trash. Not complete trash, but trash nonetheless because it was recorded in such a rush. Usually artists can work on an album, complete it in two weeks, and it becomes an instant classic. But not with B'Day. Beyonce does have a nice voice, but most of the songs on this album didn't work for me. The only ones I was feeling were Deja Vu, Upgrade U, and Kitty Kat. The production work is pretty uninspired, with unpredictable lyrics and ideas. Most of the songs kind've sounded like outtakes or rejects from her debut album, Dangerously in Love, which was a cool record if you ask me. That's the only thing I ever admired from the Beyonce/Destiny's Child clan.

silverchild said:

i couldnt have said it better myself

they're both good r&b albums of this decade, I can't just choose one. But I'm playing B'day more right now, it's been awhile since I listened to mimi

Mimi

i'd say B'day. Mimi is good, but it gets a bit same-y and doesn't sound as daring as B'day.

lastdecember said:

i think you made a good point about their music not developing. i can think of many artists that are stuck in a musical rut. it's a sad time for music overall but i do love the mimi record! at least she actually writes her lyrics unlike beyonce who claims to and then someone comes out saying they wrote them instead.

dancerella said:

considering some of Mariah's lyrics, she should maybe re-think the need to write them.

Dayspring said:

hey atleast she tries!

dancerella said:

yeah, i know. i do give her that. but it's kind of a backhanded compliment, you know? "oh, YOU wrote that? how.... nice...."

While Mimi may have not grown much on Emancipation it’s a totally listenable album. B’Day in too many instances is just loud, overproduced and busy. I can listen to a track here or there but not as a complete album.

JackieBlue said:

Thats my problem with both of them as artists, there isnt one Mariah or Beyonce album that i can listen to straight through, not even when i first get them. Now im more a fan of Mariah since day one, but to me she is the classic "the potiential is there but she never utilized it" Mariah has never done that "Great" album, im not talking sales, because she cornered the market on that. Im talking an album that will put her in the classics book, she just hasnt done it, nor do i think she will.

death

lastdecember said:

I agree! Although I think albums like Mimi, Butterfly, Daydream, and even MTV Unplugged were great albums, I don't think Mariah or Beyonce has the potential of making an album that is a "classic" or "masterpiece". In fact, I don't think artists nowadays have the potential of making classic albums that will stand the test of time. In our society today, you can record a song that doesn't even make the least bit of sense and have the biggest hit in the country. It's all about appeal, commercialism, and the mainstream, basically. Those 3 things will never be erased from the face of the pop world and music industry today.

sosgemini said:

This is a tough one.

I did listen to Mimi for basically the whole year it came out. I may be more tempted to say Bday only cause it's fresh in my mind, having just been to her concert.

I may have to say Mimi though, only cause there's a few more songs I like on there than on Bday. If it weren't for Deja Vu, Resentment and Beautiful Liar, I'd say Bday.

I do like them both though, just I could listen to Mimi more.

silverchild said:

very good points

CHIC0 said: