Who Is The Best Male R&B Artist?
Maxwell
Dear Twitter, what have I started? It all started when I saw a tweet from @ClifSoulo to @InternetGoon that said, “Trey Songz > Kevin Cossom“. So I got in on the conversation and told them about a wild and reckless comment my friend said that was, “Robin Thicke > Maxwell.”
Do you see how innocent this was? I didn’t even make the controversial statement. But it led to a great debate. It got pretty heated. Robin Thicke > Maxwell might be one of the most controversial statements of the year. OK not the year, the month. At least the day. Anyway, some agreed and some thought the originator of that comment should be slapped silly for even putting Robin Thicke in a class with Maxwell. Some of the replies are below.
For the non-twitter users, the person who made the comment is the name under the comment. The first highlighted name is the person they responded to which is why they all start with @MichelleHux. Follow me on twitter.
With all the replies, Maxwell definitely won amongst my twitter family. However, then somebody had to be difficult and add in more artists to an already difficult argument.
So due to Gavin’s tweet and others I had to rephrase my question to include, Raheem Devaughn, Raphael Saadiq, Bilal, Dwele, and D’Angelo. I asked people to rate them from best to worst (or least best really). Three of the results are below.
Once again Gavin adds some more to the crowd. This led to others asking: What about Anthony Hamilton, R. Kelly, Musiq, Eric Roberson, Prince, Stokley Williams from Mint Condition, Sam Cook, The Temptations, and Michael Jackson? Just to name a few.
So, good people of Dr. Jays Live, Who are the best Male R&B artists? Either currently in the game or of all time. We took it back with Prince, Sam Cook, and the Temptations but definitely include current artists.
Speak your mind!
R Kelly,112,Jodeci, Mint Condition Jagged Edge Jahiem, D Angelo. Rite tho its Trey Songz he is killing them!!!! Then the Dream,Rheem Devaughn John Legend, Musiq Soulchild, I love robin Thicke tho and Justin Timberlake they bring a element to R&B thats different also Joe too
R. Kelly is the king of R&B…there is no question about that..I’m going to wait for someone to disagree so I could go on my rant..haha….I’m a big Robert fan…musically…
“When you say teenage, how old are we talking?”
@RICKY G…DOES R.KELLY MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE 13YRD OLD GIRL WHEN HE SINGS….LOL…I’M JUST PLAYIN
hahahahahhaha..What if I said yes? hahaha…
I gotta agree with lux. Oh and Ricky G you a nut.
Depends on your preference. But, as far as “true old school sangers”, not singers, I would say Teddy Pendergrass, pre-mainstream Luther Vandross, Al Green, Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway. Now, as for “new old school” i would say lil’ G, from Silk, Aaron Hall, Johnny Gill, Wanya from Boyz 2 Men and pre-smoking-drinking/drugs K-C Hailey.
Just to add more to the mix, I think Sisqo is a very underrated singer.
Well here goes my rant!
The Case can be made for only about 3 artists with a potential slew of up and comers. Robin Thicke may be ascending, but it is at a time where the R&B game is very weak. His biggest competition right now is Trey Songz, JT, Musiq and a few others. Thicke just may be the best out of that bunch, although my vote goes to musiq soulchild.
There are a few things I think of when deciding greatest now (it would be foolish to get into a greatest of all-time). I guess the best way to summarize it is MUSICAL knowledge. You have singers and then you have those who are musically inclined. To even qualify for this list your voice, YOUR songs, and your musical prowess must resonate.
It seems like with my definition that the clear cut winner is either D’Angelo or R. Kelly, with Maxwell being the wildcard.
Heres a case for each one
R. Kelly is probably the best songwriter of our generation.
He has written songs for Gospel artists (vickie winans). The Jacksons (Michael & Janet), The Classics (billy ocean, Luther Vandross, and Celiene Dion. He has even done one for another person i am considering MAXWELL. His voice is as unique and as beautiful as they come and his catalog is endless. Based on being the longest lasting crooner great R&B singer who has transcended across generations kellz gets consideration.
His cons are clearly the straight coonery he has put out the last 5 years or so & his teenage love affairs!
Next up you have D’angelo who may have invented the term “Neo-Soul”. The man changed the game, no if ands or buts. He was also an extraordinary musician who was as real as it gets. come on who else can make about 5 songs with 12 words and get you hooked (if you don’t believe me i can list off the song names). He was so much of a musician and aspired to be prince-like so much that he mastered about 5 or 6 different instruments. Now when Ryan leslie whipped out a trumpet in his Gibberish youtube video I was impressed, but this man played Drums, Piano, Trumpet, and Saxophone on most of his two albums. Both of those were classics, one was a little more well rounded than the other, but those are two projects everyone needs to have.
The cons his biography “how a 6 pack ruined my life” – overexposure, fame he wasn’t ready for and being loved for the wrong reasons. also the fact that he only had two bodies of work.
Then we have Maxwell who would be my personal favorite. Musician who makes everything sound so well. He’s just found the perfect blend. His catalog is about 5 albums deep, and all of them are classics IMO. his voice is angelic, and IM REAL BIAS so i’m gonna stop lol! but he’s nice
Obviously i’d choose maxwell for the here and now, because neither D’angelo or Kellz is relevant right now, but who knows I hear d’angelo has got something brewing and Raphael Saadiq is on the rise again as well! Can a Robin Thicke dethrone any of these artists Heccckkky Naaaaw even if that boy is raw
Wow. Now that’s a comment! lol I personally just don’t like R. Kelly but I can’t deny his resume. He’s done a lot for the game. I need to brush up on my D’angelo after that comment. He should have been bigger and still relevant and it’s unfortunate that he isn’t.
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I think Craig David is pretty amazing, especially live. His vocal acrobatics if I may call them, are always perect and it’s not easy to perform such demanding songs live.
Since we going back back how about Ron Isley, Frankie Beverly, Maurice White, Donnie Hathaway….
Not necessarily in this order but:
1. Anthony Hamilton
2. Maxwell
3. Eric Benet
4. Brian McKnight
5. Joe
6. Jaheim
7. Musiq Soul Child
8. Dave Hollister
9. R Kelly
10. Tank
11. Avant
These are TRUE Crooners, Usher and Trey Songz are very good artists but they are not TRUE Crooners
Ole Skool:
1. Donny Hathaway
2. Luther Vandross
3. Stevie Wonder
4. Marvin Gaye
5. David Ruffin
6. Bobby Womack
7. Curtis Mayfield
8. Teddy Pendergrass
9. Barry White
10. El Debarge
11. Howard Hewitt
12. Tevin Campbell
13. Baby Face
Unique Category:
1. Michael Jackson
2. Prince