Monica. One of the best female vocalists I've ever heard. She just sings a lot of shitty songs (her producers fault). But she is underrated or should I say underestimated.

Prince

k.d. Lang - no question.

This woman has a voice like butta. It's perfect! No screaming, yelling or over singing ever! Simply a great voice.

Graycap23 said:

That's not a lie at all. No one ever talks about that with him and it's unfortunate cause he can take that voice everywhere on the scale. Brotha can sing.

Graycap23 said:

That's not a lie at all. No one ever talks about that with him and it's unfortunate cause he can take that voice everywhere on the scale. Brotha can sing.

Terence Trent D'Arby

Most underrated artist ever

El Debarge
Chico Debarge
Donny Hathaway
Dusty Springfield
Lena Horne

1. Sarah Vaughan
2. Randy Crawford
3. Etta Jones ("Don't Go To Strangers")
4. Rosemary Clooney
5. Phyllis Hyman
6. Dinah Washington

In Ms.Vaughan case I think she made some mistakes earlier in her career of having husband/managers control her career. Maybe if had she had a manager of the likes of Ms. Ella Fitzgerald for example, Ms. Vaughan career may have been a bit different in the States.Beyond that Ms, Vaughan had a vocal range that covered 4 octaves and she could sing below a D... amazing for a women. Like Billie and the others she never song the same song the same way.

Ms. Randy Crawford and Ms. Phyllis Hyman are two artist who were blessed with voices that are were soooo original they can't be copied nor imitated. If the record companies would've left them the f*ck alone and allow them to sing the martial they wanted both of their careers would have been more productive and we would have been blessed with hearing some amazing singing.

What can you say about Ms. Dinah Washington ( listed with Ms.Holiday, Ms. Vaughan, Ms.Fitzgerald as the best jazz singer. I would argue the best female singers period) An early death at age 39 let a life of what if. Washington had the rare talent of having the ability to sing anything jazz, blues, pop. I'm sure as soul was emerging at the time of her death she would have kicked ass in that genre too. Note to singers: What do those women (as all great singers have) not only did she have her own style/delivery/interpreting a song and singing but she had excellent timing and crystal-clear enunciation.

Etta James should be listed with those 4 jazz singers and maybe if she had changed name thing may have been different. I think for most of her career, some confused her with blues singer Ms. Etta James.. that's a pity because this woman could sing her ass off.

I just go back into Ms. Clooney after hearing jazz singer Ms.Nancy Wilson do a retrospective of her career on NPR a year ago. Though Clooney personal issues derailed her career in the mid 60's to 80's. This women flat out sing and she had a cool effortless delivery and what a voice. Though she sung both jazz/pop, Ms. Clooney had a rare gift of singing melodies so beautifully.

With the exception of Ms.Crawford they've all passed away.
[Edited 1/7/09 14:05pm]

TD3 said:

I saw an interview with Phyllis Hyman years ago. She said that these record companies wanted her to sing mainstream music, but she refused to what she call "sell out".

I don't know about Rosemary Clooney. From where I'm standing, she got plenty of props.
Obviously, I cosign on El. He can still put it away and hit all them high notes. Chico has an amazing voice as well.
[Edited 1/7/09 14:55pm]

You're not funny.
He isn't in gen pop, he is in the celebrity section and all that matters is he has more talent than most out these days

dseann said:

Education yourself man. k.d has a real voice, not one that is manipulated through machines. Check out YouTube.

Prince

Kylie Minogue.

Definitely under-rated in North America.



I really don't understand how she can be a global megastar everywhere on the planet besides Canada and the U.S.

Terence Trent D'Arby

Most underrated artist ever