Who really is this generation's Aretha?

Punisher__
Punisher__ Members Posts: 3,031 ✭✭
edited May 2010 in R&B & Alternatives
Mary J. Blige and Fantasia have both been referred to as "this generation's Aretha."

I've even heard Alicia be referred to as such in some circles.

But who is it really?

As far as I see it, Alicia comes the closest to matching Aretha artistically.
Mary and Fantasia come the closest to matching her conviction and emotion.

Comments

  • rip.dilla
    rip.dilla Members Posts: 17,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2010
    It may not be a popular decision but my choice would be this...

    jillscott_wideweb__470x3770.jpg
  • Mrslim1
    Mrslim1 Members Posts: 2,614 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2010
    rip.dilla wrote: »
    It may not be a popular decision but my choice would be this...

    jillscott_wideweb__470x3770.jpg

    I feel you on Jill Scott . I think she is the only one out here with a big enough voice . But there really isn't an artist comparable to Aretha in this generation
  • Punisher__
    Punisher__ Members Posts: 3,031 ✭✭
    edited May 2010
    Mrslim1 wrote: »
    I feel you on Jill Scott . I think she is the only one out here with a big enough voice . But there really isn't an artist comparable to Aretha in this generation

    It's not who is comparable to her.

    It's moreso which of the aforementioned artists come closest to embodying the Aretha essence...aura wise and musically.
  • usmarin3
    usmarin3 Members Posts: 38,013 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2010
    Latoya Williams
  • Mrslim1
    Mrslim1 Members Posts: 2,614 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2010
    Punisher__ wrote: »
    It's not who is comparable to her.

    It's moreso which of the aforementioned artists come closest to embodying the Aretha essence...aura wise and musically.

    I got you, I still have to stick with Jill . Something about her exudes Royalty, with her music her acting, poems etc .
  • Nthngis4vr
    Nthngis4vr Members Posts: 2,171 ✭✭
    edited May 2010
    I'd say Mary J Blige.
  • inia
    inia Members Posts: 163 ✭✭
    edited May 2010
    I don't know about you, but when I think of somebody that can be dubbed "This generation's Aretha", first it's gotta be someone with a lot of church voice and training. So, people like Alicia Keys has no place on my list. Second, it's gotta be someone who can write her own songs. Third, it's gotta be someone with at least a bit of "strong woman" persona in their work.
    My pick is Faith Evans.
  • Cake4real
    Cake4real Members Posts: 815
    edited May 2010
    I guess I would have to say Mary or Jill
  • boat1580
    boat1580 Members Posts: 200
    edited May 2010
    without a doubt...MARY J BLIGE.

    there's no question about it, to me anyway. i'm laughing so hard at whoever said, alicia keys, seriously??
  • mrjun18
    mrjun18 Members Posts: 207
    edited May 2010
    MJB.....

    Not Gon' Cry, Everything (My fav MJB song & video of all time), I'm Going Down, Take Me As I Am, Deep Inside, I'm The Only Woman, Love No Limit, Missing You, I Found My Everything, 7 Days etc. and the list goes on.

    In terms of being the "Aretha" of this generation, no other female R&B artist is ? with this set ^^. Not Bey, not Alicia, not Erykah, not Jill etc... NOBODY. Get down and hail the queen of soul this generation. Ms. Mary J. Blige.

    *DEAD* @ Fantasia even being mentioned.
  • RXMasked
    RXMasked Members Posts: 321 ✭✭✭
    edited May 2010
    Mary J.
    I think Jill Scott is a horrible comparison cause they really contrast in voice and style.
  • deelight
    deelight Members Posts: 223 ✭✭
    edited May 2010
    I have to say Jennifer Hudson.
  • Super Lex
    Super Lex Members Posts: 460
    edited May 2010
    I'll have to co sign Mary. Alicia? Really? Nah.
  • rip.dilla
    rip.dilla Members Posts: 17,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2010
    MJB IMO has fallen off in the last couple of years...ran out off ideas

    Jill on the other hand is still putting out REAL (live instrumentation) music for the SOUL heads...

    And Jill can be grainy and smooth with her vocals... something MJB can't do
  • mrjun18
    mrjun18 Members Posts: 207
    edited May 2010
    rip.dilla wrote: »
    MJB IMO has fallen off in the last couple of years...ran out off ideas

    Jill on the other hand is still putting out REAL (live instrumentation) music for the SOUL heads...

    And Jill can be grainy and smooth with her vocals... something MJB can't do

    I will cosign, but you cant deny what she has done before 'Growing Pains'.
  • georgia boi
    georgia boi Members Posts: 3,359 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2010
    IMO, it's Jill Scott, MJB or Alicia Keys for these reasons:

    Mary J. Blige- Status, emotion, classics

    Alicia Keys- Status, classics, artistry, (Ol' girl has accumulated a nice amount of classics in such a short length of time like "Fallin", "No One", "You Don't Know My Name", "If I Ain't Got You"), musicianship (very few females play the amount of instruments that Alicia plays and are actually good at it)

    Jill Scott- Voice, artistry