ANITA BAKER. WHITNEY HOUSTON WAS OVERRATED POP DIVA. GO TO YOUTUBE AND LISTEN TO HER RANGE. YOU PPL CRAZY
gil - 10 years ago
Whitney can sing any song. R&B, Rock, Opera, Pop, Jazz, Blues. You name it. I vote for her.
Dianew - 11 years ago
Damn, did Mack the first poster say it all! Whitney Houston hands down. Aretha, Mary, Beyoncé, or nobody else could have touched Whitney in her hey day. Not only did she have the voice, but she commanded the stage and knew it. She was in a class by herself. I like all the ladies mentioned. The thing about Whitney was she was a complete package. It wasn't just her voice, range, or versatility, it was her look, her stage presence, her knowledge of self when performing, and much more. Aretha was good in her day but not Whitney Houston good. Nobody is Whitney Houston good! RIP Nippy!
Mack - 11 years ago
There is honestly no question of who is the correct choice here. Only one had a voice that could literally do anything, feel anything, sing anything. She was everything to music. She is the most versatile and incomparable of all singers. She had the whole package by a long shot. No one else on this list can touch her. Her range, her musicality, her power, her sweetness, her intensity, her vibrato, her inflections, her tone, her emotions, her SOUL... She is in a class all her own. When you talk about music, and you talk about divas, you would be a fool not to mention her name. Any list of the greatest singers of all time not containing her name means nothing. She could sing anything and everything. Her throne will reign for eternity. She inspired and touched the hearts of the world. Her music is classic and timeless, and it will transcend from generation to generation. Many wonderful singers come along, such as the women on this list, but there will never be another singer who was as phenomenal as she was. She truly is, was, and will forever remain, The Legend, The Icon, The Diva, The Queen, and, of course, The Voice. Ms. Whitney Houston.
Hank C So. Philly - 11 years ago
These youngsters THINK they know who is the greatest is, however; I first have to say that I LOVE ME SOME MARY J BLIGE, but the greatest HAS TO BE ARETHA FRANKLIN, HANDS DOWN.
Chanel Jenae - 11 years ago
TEENA MARIE!
Dedra Miller - 11 years ago
Stephanie Mills should have been on this list.
TJ - 11 years ago
I love Whitney Houston's music but even she has to concede to the Queen-Aretha Franklin
Jude - 11 years ago
Can we add TEENA MARIE to that list please?
Gloria - 11 years ago
Patti L. has a voice that cannot be matched. Somewhere Over the Rainbow, You are my Friend, and so on. One other great voice is Stephanie Mills. This is #1 and # 2 in my opinion of unique , strong, R&B voices.
Ree Ree - 11 years ago
SAY MY NAME SAY MY NAME....PATTI PATTI PATTI........ voting is over. LOL
To me Whitney will always be the "greatest" singer of all time, period! I love her, and there is no one that can be compared to this lady, and I doubt there ever will be!
Whitney could do so many things with her sweet soulful voice, that I haven't ever seen anyone else do.
So for me Whitney is the queen of all, god bless her always!!
caroline riley - 11 years ago
are we forgetting mini, no one can touch her
Robin - 11 years ago
Of course Aretha and Gladys and Beyonce should never be in a category with the greatest women of all time she doesn't have the voice these ladies have
John C - 11 years ago
Patti by far is the best R&B singer of all time. I love all of the other women on this list, though. However, if we're talking a singer's singer, then Patti all day. Nobody could touch Patti in her hay day!
Brenda - 11 years ago
Whitney to many is the greatest becuz of her voice...no doubt..she is one of the best singers of all time, however, there are many other great vocalist who have been consistent over the years putting out hit after hit..everything they touch turns to GOLD...and CHAKA KHAN fits the bill...:-)
Aretha Franklin led the way for the rest of the Divas to follow...all may be great, but non can hold a candle to the Queen of Soul.
Sam W - 11 years ago
Whitney is the greatest! Beyonce is not really a R&B singer. She is more a performer who can hold a tune! But she can't compare to these R&B ICONS!!!
Marcy Charles - 11 years ago
WHITNEY HOUSTON-no one will ever out sing her. Not only did her voice make you smile, it also brought you to tears.
CYM - 11 years ago
We can't forget Natalie Cole!
Martha - 11 years ago
There's no question here the Queen shall always be the Queen. Aretha. There are many great female vocalist all in a class of their own. All great in their own way. But Aretha has earned the crown. Nuff said
Telia Battle - 11 years ago
WHITNEY is my favorite R&B Singer of all-time because I'll grow up listen to her songs & she was a ture jersey girl just like me aka Brick City girl also. So I chose Whitney E Houston.
NicNac - 11 years ago
My choice is Gladys with Aretha and Chaka a very close 2nd. It was very hard to choose because the list is full of talented women...however there was a big mistake made. How the HELL do you put Mary J. Blige and Beyonce on this list and not have NATALIE COLE!!!! Ya'll done lost your MINDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
King - 11 years ago
Al d artist there are gud wit strong voices but only 1 feeds d soul, she ws music..... WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!
Richard - 11 years ago
No one does it better than WHITNEY!
Shirley Randle - 11 years ago
Its Aretha Franklin. Beyonce should not even be on the list. She just got on the scene.
Devinn Edwards - 11 years ago
Whitney and Mariah are POP singers, they have been since both of their careers started.
JB3 - 11 years ago
Gladys because she has sung strictly R&B for almost a half of a century. Aretha is the best singer, but not the best R&B singer. Gladys and R&B for her whole career, that makes Gladys the best for longevity alone.
hala - 11 years ago
only Whitney :)
Tanya - 11 years ago
That is an easy question for me to answer. Aretha Franklin can sing blues, soul, hip hop , gospel , country and even opera. She is and always be the Queen!
Oneloveatatime - 11 years ago
Nobody lites a candle to Aretha Franklin. Makes me proud to be from REE-TROIT. Mich.
Judy Kelley - 11 years ago
Gladis Knightand you can add the Pips. They know that they can sang.
Judy Kelley - 11 years ago
Gladis Knightand you can add the Pips. They know that they can sang.
Miss Kierston - 11 years ago
ARETHA!!! Whitney is my #2 choice..Beyonce is no legend and never will be, and Mariah?!...she was cool until she got all conceited, then her album sales took a nose dive and they have never really recovered..I love her music but she isn't even in the running
CYM - 11 years ago
All the ladies r great in their own way, but Diana Ross is my pick for number one. We r blessed to have such wonderful black women singers. P.S. We can't forget about Vanessa Williams. She has a beautiful voice as well.
Baneta Sutton - 11 years ago
I feel like Beyonce is. All of these other women are legends. However,Beyonce has it all. She can sing anything, anywhere and is an A list performer. These other women could not perform and dance and sing all at the same time.
Janice - 11 years ago
Chaka has the most range for vocals of all of the ladies, and Whitney had the most "feeling" in her great voice,
Minnie was incomparable, Diana was fair and Aretha has lots of feeling in her voice.... the rest are ok, but it is hard to choose from Chaka, Whitney, and Minnie. The three I named have voices that no other can duplicate.
Cynthia - 11 years ago
In my opinion, Beyoncé is not even an R&B singer. She is Hip Hop, and should not have even been in the running. My favorite.....Whitney!!
Boss - 11 years ago
Beyonce! I do love all the ladies listed though.
cliff sell - 11 years ago
Diana Ross Hands Down She has shown the world how to be a star for over 50 years Still selling out concerts and being a world icon some of these other so called stars would have never had a chance if it were not for trail blazers like Miss Diana Ross
James - 11 years ago
This is a great list. Unlike many of these type of lists, almost all of the artists on here are greats (I wouldn't put Beyonce within a mile of this list, and I love Mary J Blige, but she also gets no consideration here). I voted for Whitney Houston... greatest voice I've ever heard, excellent catalogue of music despite her relatively short peak. Close second is Aretha, then Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, and Anita Baker.
BP - 11 years ago
My favorite is not even on your list. I could listen to "Renee Diggs" voice singing anything. But going by your list I have to go with Anita Baker. She is still going strong after all these years.
Robert Walker - 11 years ago
I'll start with my second choice who would have to be " Anita Baker" she could deliver a Soul stirring feel to any song she touched you did get caught in her vocal ' RAPTURE'. My all time favorite would have to be 'Ms PHYLLIS HYMAN" her voice was Sooooo.. CHILLING & HAUNTING yet so POWEFUL
MarciT - 11 years ago
Beyoncé & Mary J Blige though I admire them both for their artistry they should not be in the same category with the other "true great" ladies! Back then those women was "giving them something we can feel" and a lot of their songs have been copied! I'm old school...give me Patti, Gladys, Chaka, Aretha, Whitney, Anita, Minnie and the boss Ms. Ross! Its hard to pick just one...but its definitely "OLD SCHOOL!"
Kisha - 11 years ago
I love Whitney and she will forever be known as simply "the voice" but I think of her and Mariah as pop singers rather than r&b singers. R&B singers sing from the gut, it's raw with passion and that's why I voted for the Queen Aretha,
Nikki - 11 years ago
With the exception of Beyonce, I am a fan of all of these vocalists. But Mrs. Riperton is the greatest vocalist I have ever heard in my lifetime. If the Angel's hadn't given her Wings so early in life ... But at least her CLASSICS are forever on wax! :)
sam - 11 years ago
well they missed the mariah carey... love her or hate her.. she has sold more music than anyone on that list.. and can hit notes only a young whitney and ripleton was able too...
she has sold albums close to the elvis, m. Jackson, and the bettles...
you have to give her props and maybe the top slot too...
ONLY Diana Ross has had the ability to stick it our for 50 years and still sell out a 21 city tour at 69 years old. She is the stuff of legend -- Conquering music, pop, rock, soul R&B, even country. Worth over $280 million dollars starting with nothing. Film, TV, Book. Hands down. Not just surviving, but thriving and still conquering.
Patricia Williams - 11 years ago
The women are all great singers, but Whitney's voice only comes around once. I was a msic major, and the notes she could hit, without straining, was unbelieveable. the others on the list are great in their own right, but they have different styles....too me.
Katrina Evans - 11 years ago
Whitney in my opinion was the greatest voice of my generation!
Anne - 11 years ago
why is beyonce on here? I would have rather seen janet jackson on here instead of her.
Anne - 11 years ago
Anita Baker is my choice...girl can sing and she don't have to do all the hollering that some of the others do, she just sang....with love and passion. Her songs never gets old. Whitney will be my next one.
All are good, but only a few are great. The ones with the outstanding voice range are Aretha and Patti and if I had t choose between the two, I would pick Aretha. She has been the most versatile with her abiility to move across the various music styles and do all very well.
most of them I like except Mrs carter Whitney love some queen of soul ,P hymen,a baker ,chaka but the one form today's time don't really care much they all are good in their own way .
Rick Toye - 11 years ago
There is only one Queen, Aretha Franklin!
Geanitte - 11 years ago
Aretha, Aretha, Aretha
Michael T Jones - 11 years ago
this is not a fair test each singer is Great in there own way....I'm ask to to pick from a basket of various Fruits .....they are all great in there own right...
Berryll - 11 years ago
What about Natalie Cole???? She's number one
E. Lee Bowman - 11 years ago
My vote for Aretha hands done! Chaka, Gladys, Whitney, Patti and Minnie in that order. Aretha has song about every genre of music well! Who else could step in and do Pavoratti?
Tee - 11 years ago
Ur choices were not fair. U can't compare Aretha with Mary. Love both according to their genre.
Kris-t - 11 years ago
I love some and like others, but I am such a huge fan of Mary, she got to have my vote. I love love love Mary J Blige.
BSUG - 11 years ago
All r WONDERFUL, however, ME. Minnie started it all n paved the way. My picks would be Aretha, Chaka, Patti and my the heart goes out to Me. PHYLLIS HYMAN. We have WONDERFUL black voices.
Taniya Duncan - 11 years ago
Tough category. All the singers are good but a few are just great. Love'em all but my vote goes to Chaka Khan, then Aretha, Patti, and Whitney. The rest are average really. Although, I love Mary J. Blige's music like nobody's business. Huge Mary fan.
ANITA BAKER. WHITNEY HOUSTON WAS OVERRATED POP DIVA. GO TO YOUTUBE AND LISTEN TO HER RANGE. YOU PPL CRAZY
Whitney can sing any song. R&B, Rock, Opera, Pop, Jazz, Blues. You name it. I vote for her.
Damn, did Mack the first poster say it all! Whitney Houston hands down. Aretha, Mary, Beyoncé, or nobody else could have touched Whitney in her hey day. Not only did she have the voice, but she commanded the stage and knew it. She was in a class by herself. I like all the ladies mentioned. The thing about Whitney was she was a complete package. It wasn't just her voice, range, or versatility, it was her look, her stage presence, her knowledge of self when performing, and much more. Aretha was good in her day but not Whitney Houston good. Nobody is Whitney Houston good! RIP Nippy!
There is honestly no question of who is the correct choice here. Only one had a voice that could literally do anything, feel anything, sing anything. She was everything to music. She is the most versatile and incomparable of all singers. She had the whole package by a long shot. No one else on this list can touch her. Her range, her musicality, her power, her sweetness, her intensity, her vibrato, her inflections, her tone, her emotions, her SOUL... She is in a class all her own. When you talk about music, and you talk about divas, you would be a fool not to mention her name. Any list of the greatest singers of all time not containing her name means nothing. She could sing anything and everything. Her throne will reign for eternity. She inspired and touched the hearts of the world. Her music is classic and timeless, and it will transcend from generation to generation. Many wonderful singers come along, such as the women on this list, but there will never be another singer who was as phenomenal as she was. She truly is, was, and will forever remain, The Legend, The Icon, The Diva, The Queen, and, of course, The Voice. Ms. Whitney Houston.
These youngsters THINK they know who is the greatest is, however; I first have to say that I LOVE ME SOME MARY J BLIGE, but the greatest HAS TO BE ARETHA FRANKLIN, HANDS DOWN.
TEENA MARIE!
Stephanie Mills should have been on this list.
I love Whitney Houston's music but even she has to concede to the Queen-Aretha Franklin
Can we add TEENA MARIE to that list please?
Patti L. has a voice that cannot be matched. Somewhere Over the Rainbow, You are my Friend, and so on. One other great voice is Stephanie Mills. This is #1 and # 2 in my opinion of unique , strong, R&B voices.
SAY MY NAME SAY MY NAME....PATTI PATTI PATTI........ voting is over. LOL
Whitney Whitney Whitney Whitney Whitney Whitney....
Whitney is the best singer of all time! Nobody is like Whitney! Whitney is the number one#!!!
Whitney Elizabeth Houston hands down ! RIP
Mary J. Blige IS the Queen of R&B. There was none before and none after.
WHITNEY WHITNEY WHITNEY HANDS DOWN!!!!
To me Whitney will always be the "greatest" singer of all time, period! I love her, and there is no one that can be compared to this lady, and I doubt there ever will be!
Whitney could do so many things with her sweet soulful voice, that I haven't ever seen anyone else do.
So for me Whitney is the queen of all, god bless her always!!
are we forgetting mini, no one can touch her
Of course Aretha and Gladys and Beyonce should never be in a category with the greatest women of all time she doesn't have the voice these ladies have
Patti by far is the best R&B singer of all time. I love all of the other women on this list, though. However, if we're talking a singer's singer, then Patti all day. Nobody could touch Patti in her hay day!
Whitney to many is the greatest becuz of her voice...no doubt..she is one of the best singers of all time, however, there are many other great vocalist who have been consistent over the years putting out hit after hit..everything they touch turns to GOLD...and CHAKA KHAN fits the bill...:-)
Aretha Franklin led the way for the rest of the Divas to follow...all may be great, but non can hold a candle to the Queen of Soul.
Whitney is the greatest! Beyonce is not really a R&B singer. She is more a performer who can hold a tune! But she can't compare to these R&B ICONS!!!
WHITNEY HOUSTON-no one will ever out sing her. Not only did her voice make you smile, it also brought you to tears.
We can't forget Natalie Cole!
There's no question here the Queen shall always be the Queen. Aretha. There are many great female vocalist all in a class of their own. All great in their own way. But Aretha has earned the crown. Nuff said
WHITNEY is my favorite R&B Singer of all-time because I'll grow up listen to her songs & she was a ture jersey girl just like me aka Brick City girl also. So I chose Whitney E Houston.
My choice is Gladys with Aretha and Chaka a very close 2nd. It was very hard to choose because the list is full of talented women...however there was a big mistake made. How the HELL do you put Mary J. Blige and Beyonce on this list and not have NATALIE COLE!!!! Ya'll done lost your MINDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Al d artist there are gud wit strong voices but only 1 feeds d soul, she ws music..... WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!
No one does it better than WHITNEY!
Its Aretha Franklin. Beyonce should not even be on the list. She just got on the scene.
Whitney and Mariah are POP singers, they have been since both of their careers started.
Gladys because she has sung strictly R&B for almost a half of a century. Aretha is the best singer, but not the best R&B singer. Gladys and R&B for her whole career, that makes Gladys the best for longevity alone.
only Whitney :)
That is an easy question for me to answer. Aretha Franklin can sing blues, soul, hip hop , gospel , country and even opera. She is and always be the Queen!
Nobody lites a candle to Aretha Franklin. Makes me proud to be from REE-TROIT. Mich.
Gladis Knightand you can add the Pips. They know that they can sang.
Gladis Knightand you can add the Pips. They know that they can sang.
ARETHA!!! Whitney is my #2 choice..Beyonce is no legend and never will be, and Mariah?!...she was cool until she got all conceited, then her album sales took a nose dive and they have never really recovered..I love her music but she isn't even in the running
All the ladies r great in their own way, but Diana Ross is my pick for number one. We r blessed to have such wonderful black women singers. P.S. We can't forget about Vanessa Williams. She has a beautiful voice as well.
I feel like Beyonce is. All of these other women are legends. However,Beyonce has it all. She can sing anything, anywhere and is an A list performer. These other women could not perform and dance and sing all at the same time.
Chaka has the most range for vocals of all of the ladies, and Whitney had the most "feeling" in her great voice,
Minnie was incomparable, Diana was fair and Aretha has lots of feeling in her voice.... the rest are ok, but it is hard to choose from Chaka, Whitney, and Minnie. The three I named have voices that no other can duplicate.
In my opinion, Beyoncé is not even an R&B singer. She is Hip Hop, and should not have even been in the running. My favorite.....Whitney!!
Beyonce! I do love all the ladies listed though.
Diana Ross Hands Down She has shown the world how to be a star for over 50 years Still selling out concerts and being a world icon some of these other so called stars would have never had a chance if it were not for trail blazers like Miss Diana Ross
This is a great list. Unlike many of these type of lists, almost all of the artists on here are greats (I wouldn't put Beyonce within a mile of this list, and I love Mary J Blige, but she also gets no consideration here). I voted for Whitney Houston... greatest voice I've ever heard, excellent catalogue of music despite her relatively short peak. Close second is Aretha, then Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, and Anita Baker.
My favorite is not even on your list. I could listen to "Renee Diggs" voice singing anything. But going by your list I have to go with Anita Baker. She is still going strong after all these years.
I'll start with my second choice who would have to be " Anita Baker" she could deliver a Soul stirring feel to any song she touched you did get caught in her vocal ' RAPTURE'. My all time favorite would have to be 'Ms PHYLLIS HYMAN" her voice was Sooooo.. CHILLING & HAUNTING yet so POWEFUL
Beyoncé & Mary J Blige though I admire them both for their artistry they should not be in the same category with the other "true great" ladies! Back then those women was "giving them something we can feel" and a lot of their songs have been copied! I'm old school...give me Patti, Gladys, Chaka, Aretha, Whitney, Anita, Minnie and the boss Ms. Ross! Its hard to pick just one...but its definitely "OLD SCHOOL!"
I love Whitney and she will forever be known as simply "the voice" but I think of her and Mariah as pop singers rather than r&b singers. R&B singers sing from the gut, it's raw with passion and that's why I voted for the Queen Aretha,
With the exception of Beyonce, I am a fan of all of these vocalists. But Mrs. Riperton is the greatest vocalist I have ever heard in my lifetime. If the Angel's hadn't given her Wings so early in life ... But at least her CLASSICS are forever on wax! :)
well they missed the mariah carey... love her or hate her.. she has sold more music than anyone on that list.. and can hit notes only a young whitney and ripleton was able too...
she has sold albums close to the elvis, m. Jackson, and the bettles...
you have to give her props and maybe the top slot too...
THE QUEEN.....ARETHA FRANKLIN
ONLY Diana Ross has had the ability to stick it our for 50 years and still sell out a 21 city tour at 69 years old. She is the stuff of legend -- Conquering music, pop, rock, soul R&B, even country. Worth over $280 million dollars starting with nothing. Film, TV, Book. Hands down. Not just surviving, but thriving and still conquering.
The women are all great singers, but Whitney's voice only comes around once. I was a msic major, and the notes she could hit, without straining, was unbelieveable. the others on the list are great in their own right, but they have different styles....too me.
Whitney in my opinion was the greatest voice of my generation!
why is beyonce on here? I would have rather seen janet jackson on here instead of her.
Anita Baker is my choice...girl can sing and she don't have to do all the hollering that some of the others do, she just sang....with love and passion. Her songs never gets old. Whitney will be my next one.
Whitney by far pre-cocaine
Lets not forget Tina Marie
All are good, but only a few are great. The ones with the outstanding voice range are Aretha and Patti and if I had t choose between the two, I would pick Aretha. She has been the most versatile with her abiility to move across the various music styles and do all very well.
most of them I like except Mrs carter Whitney love some queen of soul ,P hymen,a baker ,chaka but the one form today's time don't really care much they all are good in their own way .
There is only one Queen, Aretha Franklin!
Aretha, Aretha, Aretha
this is not a fair test each singer is Great in there own way....I'm ask to to pick from a basket of various Fruits .....they are all great in there own right...
What about Natalie Cole???? She's number one
My vote for Aretha hands done! Chaka, Gladys, Whitney, Patti and Minnie in that order. Aretha has song about every genre of music well! Who else could step in and do Pavoratti?
Ur choices were not fair. U can't compare Aretha with Mary. Love both according to their genre.
I love some and like others, but I am such a huge fan of Mary, she got to have my vote. I love love love Mary J Blige.
All r WONDERFUL, however, ME. Minnie started it all n paved the way. My picks would be Aretha, Chaka, Patti and my the heart goes out to Me. PHYLLIS HYMAN. We have WONDERFUL black voices.
Tough category. All the singers are good but a few are just great. Love'em all but my vote goes to Chaka Khan, then Aretha, Patti, and Whitney. The rest are average really. Although, I love Mary J. Blige's music like nobody's business. Huge Mary fan.
All of these ladies can sing but Ms Patti can SANG!!!!!WOULD LOVE TO SEE HER IN ACTION