It’s just that simple. 25 people with absolutely incredible voices.
Aretha Franklin. The best female singer in American history.
Paul Robeson. He might have had the voice of God. And this is an agnostic saying that.
Marvin Gaye. Again, another worrisome case of a man whose best skill was the ability to exhibit longing.
Eartha Kitt. When she talks, it sounds like she’s trying to get in your pockets. And if she did it to me for real, I’d walk out of there with my pockets looking like elephant ears.
Michael Jackson. If only he used it more. I’ll always have that knock on MJ, but I’ll never knock what he can do.
Chris Cornell. The best rock singer of the last twenty years. Him and that weirdo…
Mike Patton. but my goodness, he’s crazy. He can do a bunch of shit with his voice, though.
Chuck D. Just screams out “authority.”
Etta James. Oh yeah, “At Last” is one of the greatest records ever made. Ever.
Van Morrison. This sounds patronizing, but I don’t know another way to put it–Van Morrison is the greatest white singer ever. I don’t even think it’s close.
Patti Labelle. Good lord.
Pimp C. Find out if you don’t know.
Andre 3000. Rappin, not singin. Rappin.
Method Man. No matter what anyone said before, Meth’s voice is an all-time classic.
Snoop Doggy Dogg. You know it.
Barry White. The gold standard for bass voices.
David Ruffin. Perhaps the gold standard for niggaz singin that can’t sing but rip it.
Donny Hathaway. Here’s the thing–he’s a one-trick pony. Can be absolutely touching or utterly boring. Yes, I know a few of you are about to cut up on that one.
MC Lyte. Powerful cadence.
Rick James. The underrated part of his game.
Sam Cooke. But I wonder about anyone that naturally sound sad like that, yanno? That said, he’s one of hte fuckin’ greatest.
Slick Rick. No better hip hop delivery.
Busta Rhymes. Fuck it, I love The Big Bang.
MJG. Underrated delivery.
Paul Simon. Odd choice, right? Simon’s no boss vocalist. But every song he sings just sounds like Paul Simon’s singing it. I really feel like I know him, and it’s because of his voice and how they perfectly fit his lyrics.
Oh yeah, peep that Ray Cash. Peep it.
29 Comments
by Kirk
Seems like this is a topic that is better suited to being split up into eras in some way. Too many people that need to be included and not enough that can be reasonably taken out. Except for that Chris Cornell asshole. I still think he’s overrated. He’s good, but not great. Snoop can go too.
by zstephaniez
what a great list…
Here are some of my favorite that were left off the list.
Monica: Underrated
Johnnie Taylor: My Mother drove me crazy with his music as a child…now I appreciate it.
Mariah can do no wrong with me. I forced myself to go to her concert and was an instant fan.
You said David Ruffin but let’s not forget Eddie Kendricks…Nothing but sweetness there.
Robert Cray is a good choice.
My mother is throwing in her two cents and she said that you left off Jackie Wilson. What’s up with that?
Johnnie Gill does everything for me. Bobby Brown brought him on stage during the Summer Concert series that featured En Vogue, SWV, BBD, and the afore mentioned. Johnnie is the bomb…did I just say bomb? You know what I mean.
My mother and my friend are bombarding me with some of the blues greats. They feel you have done a disservice to them.
Wilson Picket and Lou Rawls
Lionel Richie…I didn’t come to this conclusion until he was on a local radio station and they were playing some of his music. I found out that I was taking this musical genius for granted.
I’m sure you are going to be barraged with feedback and people giving their opinion and saying that you were WRONG but I definitely respect your opinion.
by Stephanie
Some others:
QTip
Guru
Billy Joel
Heard the whole Ray Cash joint in passing, but I definitely plan on giving it a good listen. Bumpin’ My Music is my personal “get right” record of the moment. A straight up head nodder that you can also shake your ass to. I’m partial to the video as well, you just got to love a big ass radio.
by JD
I agree with that list mostly, I just think that Kurt Cobain should take the place of Chris Cornell.
by Shot Clock
I second the vote for Kurt Cobain.
I’m sure I’ll catch some heat for this, but I’d rather see Tupac on that list then MJG. Not Biggie, just Tupac. No one’s voice captured raw emotion better than Tupac’s.
by George Kelly
Johnny Cash, yo.
by eauhellzgnaw
Great list.
I love Aretha, but I just can’t see how she’s better than Billie Holiday or even Ella, but mostly Billie.
On Mike Patton–I appreciate his range and creativity and all, but I just don’t feel his singing on any of his projects (though I don’t have a problem with his work on the last Bjork album).
Good look on MJG. I was never a big 8 Ball fan, but MJG has a great voice. Khujo of Goodie has the same vibe, as does Slim Thug, to a lesser extent.
Some voices I feel:
Sade (obvious)
Amel Larrieux
Jill Scott
Lauryn Hill (obvious)
Son House
Thom Yorke (obvious)
Bjork
Laetitia Sadier
Beth Gibbons
Trish Keenan
Rakim (obvious)
The DOC (like a more fierce DMC)
Rockness Monsta
Buckshot
OC
Planet Asia
Joni Mitchell
Chaka Khan
Bilal (I used to be indifferent to him, but he grew on me)
Chet Baker
Sly Stone (range)
Too many 60s and 70s soul singers to name—it’s almost unfair.
by Farmdog
Al Green anyone…
by Char
I’m a regular (silent) reader of this blog. I went through the crazy hassle of creating account and jumping through verification hoops just so could scream into cyberspace..”WHY NO STEVIE WONDER????”
by Kirk
Char, a distinction between voice and songwriting perhaps? Not that Stevie doesn’t have a good voice, of course, but I always felt like the writing made him stand out as much as the voice.
In re: Patton, 99% of what he does is completely incomprehensible, but he gets a free pass just on the strength of the Lovage album and a couple others.
by Tyffany
Somebody’s gonna hate me for this but, I have to say that Whitney Houston (Brown), B.C.(Before Crack) has an extraordinary voice. Her voice range was and is (on a good day, when she isn’t high) incredible.
I still love Whitney!
by Kirk
Disclaimer: Yes I do normally have better things to be doing on a Friday night. However, she’s asleep.
Not sure how you managed to miss Adam Duritz. Don’t even lie, I know you agree. I also am very partial to Louis Armstrong.
I’ll shut up now.
by Rex
Jeff Buckley.
Possibly the greatest male singer ever in my book (3.5 octaves). Died way to soon though (just like his 5-octave dad). Never go swimming in the Mississippi with your boots on…
by Rex
Eva Cassidy.
Why am I listing dead people? Seriously, these two are tops for me, on this day July 22…
Her “Over the Rainbow” is the current definition of the song that is being covered by everyone and their sister. And her remake of Sting’s “Fields of Gold” has probably surpassed his own. But check this: If you can find it, listen to her version of “Blues In The Night.” Put the repeat feature on. You’ll have a hard time taking it off…
She was primarily known for covers. Major record companies tried to sign her to do original material, but she only wanted to sing her favorite songs. And then…
Cancer can be cruel!
by CandyAcidReign
Great list…i’m actually a bit surprised to see some of the people on it..like Eartha Kitt…but no one can deny her voice is iconic. I think Bruce Springsteen…Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, and a few others should be added.
by nikki
no ella fitzgerald? no sarah vaughn? wtf?!?
what about judy garland? daaaang.
decent list, but without those three on it, i can’t give it an ‘a’…it gets a solid ‘b’.
Damn, no honor roll certificate.
by Fenaba Rena
Where is Luther???? 🙂
Prince. The man has range.
Anita Baker.
Chaka Khan.
Ella Fitzergerald.
Nancy Wilson.
Dionne Warwick.
Erykah Badu.
Michael Jackson, i agree with.
and, Mariah…when she’s not doing that breathy crap.
I think that’s good for now.
by Rex
Well CandyAcidReign, if we’re dipping into the actor pool, then how about Al Pacino?
Hoooaah!
I’m just gettin’ warmed up!
A-T-T-I-C-A, A-T-T-I-C-A
Say “Hello” to my l’il fren…
I keep trying to get out, but they keep pullin’ me back IN!
…and so many more…
by PWordsmith
How you gonna break out actor’s voices and not mention…
James Earl Jones.
Singers?
Nat King Cole
MC
Someone has got to give Twista credit for rapping THAT fast and being the LEAST bit coherent and articulate.
by Alex
The greatest singer I’ve ever heard is Ella Fitzgerald.
At his peak, John Fogerty was one of the all-time great rock vocalists, a fearsome yell that blew down the door.
When it comes to actors, the most commanding speaking voice I’ve ever heard is Keith David, with James Earl Jones second in a squeaker.
by Mr Carter
Boo not including Stokely from Mint Condition.
Hooray Beer!
by CandyAcidReign
lol…my bad for opening up that door, but some of the best voices have come from actors.
okay okay
other voices in music to add: (tone and style…good or not, still memorable)
Randy Crawford
Smokey Robinson
Tupac
O.D.B
Jimi Hendrix (unique)
Jewel (yep)
Macy Gray (unique)
Alanis Morissette
Tracy Chapman
DMX
Janet Jackson
Luther Vandross
Eminem
Anthony Reeds (lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Adam Duritz (lead singer of ‘Counting Crows’)
Michael Stipe (lead singer of R.E.M)
Bono (frontman from U2)
Cher
Madonna
Tboz (from TLC)
MC Eight…lmao…it’s true..look it up.
Dru Down (look it up)
E-40
Too Short (lol)
Luke (laughin’ out louder)
Nelly
Saul Williams
Anita Baker
Toni Braxton
Fionna Apple
Jaheim
KC from Jodeci (before drugs, lol)
Stevie Wonder
India Arie
Gwen Stefani
Prince (how could you forget him… :(( )
Janis Joplin
Frank Sinatra (yep)
Nat King Cole
Gladys Knight
drum roll please…
Kirk Franklin
by CandyAcidReign
oops forgot…
Tom Jones (lol)
Michael Bolton
Johnny Cash
George Clinton
Me’shell NdegeOcello
Mos Def
Tone Loc
Celine Dion
Christina Aguilara
Cee-lo
Lauryn Hill
Wyclef
Bob Marley
Beenie Man
Ja Rule
50 cent
Michel’le (early 90’s, squeeky voice)
by CandyAcidReign
how could we forget
Flava Flav
by Tim
Mary J. Blige.
Hard and a voice you can’t help but feel when she hits the *painfully* high notes.
by Kirk
For fuck’s sake, that was longer than the original list.
I’ll wait for Rex to chime in on exactly what was wrong with the RHCP singer.
by alove
CandyAcidReign,
good googly-moogly! So I guess you mean just about everyone, EVER.
And did you mean Anthony Kiedis from RHCP?
by CandyAcidReign
lol…yeah…forgot his last name..and thats no where near everyone. Everyone on that list has amazing or memorable voices…I don’t think that can be denied…at least not by me, but then again, I’m an artist. Peace.
by alove
And while I’m at it, Bonnie Raitt.