In the 1980’s and 1990’s, the charts were dominated by powerhouse vocalists and balladeers. Singers including Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion held the top spots on the charts for longer periods than any of their contemporaries; shattering records and positioning themselves at the upper crests of Pop music’s elite list of superstars. However, in recent years, it seems that the famed era of the diva may be coming to an end.
Today, the most successful artists on the charts no longer rely on extensive vocal ability to stake their claim. Rather, they fuel their hits with auto-tuned melodies, catchy hooks and club-ready beats. From Rihanna to Cassie, the success of many of Pop music’s biggest acts has become based on their marketability, rather than actual talent. In fact, it has become a rare feat for a vocalist with extensive talent to capture a position in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Interestingly, many of the divas themselves have swapped their octave warbling techniques and adapted their sounds in an effort to remain relevant in the current industry. For instance, Mariah Carey has been criticised in recent years for restraining her 5 octave pipes so that her songs would be more radio friendly; replacing her high range belts and trills with breathy coos and swift lyrics.
This raises the question of whether or not the divas will be able to once again reclaim their place at the top of the Pop charts or fade into distant memory along with the 90’s high-top hair cut and the 80’s ‘fanny pack’. With immensely talented singers such as Leona Lewis struggling to find their place amongst the current crop of performers, I sense that the era of the diva may indeed be over.
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LOL! Where are they umm. Listen to Beyonce’s latest album. She delivers! Then there’s Carrie Underwood, wow, she’s breaking records left and right, plus she can sing her b*** off! She not only sells very well, but she charts well too. Then there’s Alicia Keys, Christina A., Pink… they all are doing their thing in the music industry and they can sing well live.
lame!!!
Everything evolves, but music is cyclical. So there will be a new crop, but MC and WH etc will always be important and influential
Lord and Buddha, I hope so. Nuance over bombast, that’s what I say.
That said, I’m not a fan of the Ciara/Beyonce/Amerie type either. Soul over vacuous dolls, that’s what I say.
I wouldnt say the “Diva” era is starting to fall…Id say its slowly coming back with the likes of artist such as Ledisi, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Melaine Fiona, as well as Beyonce. Just to name a few and tho some of these female artist are trying to stay with the current “Main Stream Theme”, these ladies actually do have voices to back them up.
*I couldnt say the same for the Male Artist because it seem like its takin forever for real male artist to make a comeback.*
But I would wish that the real “Divas” would create a song together and show the World and up and coming artist that real SANGERS still reign supreme, even with the mediocre artist being found. I thank it would open ppls eyes to ask for that real talent back.
I c this decade for music as a Great Depression, music wise. Yes it looks/sounds bad now, but with the right ppl, management, label, and followers music will bounce back to how it belongs.
I AGREE WITH YOU MIGUEL TO A CERTAIN LEVEL BUT THEN I DISAGREE. MARIAH, WHITNEY AND CELINE WERE THE TRUE DIVAS POINT BLANK AND PERIOD.
THE CELEBS YOU MENTIONED ARE GOOD ARTIST BUT SOME OF THE MUSIC FROM THESE ARTIST NOWADAYS IS EMPTY AND TOO MUCH S** SELLING GOING ON.
Long as my girl Mary J doing the dam thang her album drops Dec.21 pick it up
Some may say that the era isn’t over so much as there’s just a new crop of divas. Let’s be real NO ONE out today could even hold a candle to Mariah and Whitney in their prime. Leona Lewis should not even be mentioned. She has a beautiful voice but she’s one-dimensional and isn’t evolving.
I wouldn’t say Alicia Keys has an iconic voice at all, her artistry is what makes her so successful. Rihanna and Cassie are fads that will pass (see the latter).
Beyonce is probably the closest thing we have to a diva and even then her musical content needs to improve (see “Video Phone”). I’m waiting on pins and needles to see what she comes up with her next album.
I believe everything goes around in circles. Eventually, we will have some new age divas but, as of now, I don’t think so. The only person I can think of , at this moment, that have the PIPES to be a diva is, Jennifer Hudson.
I honestly don’t get how TGJ could make a post complaining about the supposed bygone era of the divas who can SANG, and I not too long ago saw in a post that you couldn’t wait for Ciara’s album because she’s ever so talented lol. It sorta takes away credibility from you guys when you accept mediocre singing abilities from one and not the others….
But ANYHOO…
Actually I’m thinking that the era of the divas has been making a comeback in the last year or so. People are starting to become dissatisfied with the Rihannas and the Cassies of the world and are salivating over the refreshing-ness of Susan Boyle precisely because she has zero marketability and so much talent. Another example of that resurgence is in the success of Lady Gaga – people are appreciating her artistry and the fact that she can combine the best of both worlds… her acoustic performances obviously show of a powerful voice and tend to go a long way toward winning over her initial critics, while her dance tracks are wicked. Beyonce is a diva who has always been there doing her thing and being loved for it, look up her live performances of “Dangerously in Love”, “Listen” and “Halo”.More and more people are “hating on” (as the intellectually deficient like to call it) Rihanna and Cassie because they ( the more mature audiences anyway) see through the fact that her entire strengths lie in good marketing, good producers and good songwriters.
Cassie??? no real hit wonder, Cassie? Why is she even mentioned? If there is anybody who should be labeled as just Model, its Cassie.
#TGJFAIL
you queens should stick to reporting facts. Thats the only thing that keeps me coming back. From time to time, you have some actual facts. The commentary and “Feature Articles,” are rubbish tho.
beyonce i am sasha fierce more then 5 million copies sold female artiest of the decade 10 grammy noms , mezzo-soprano diva stay mad
TRENTIA U LOSER
ITS DIVASSSSSSSSSSSSS
U MAKE IT SEEM LIKE ONE DIVA IS FLOPPIN::::::
DUMB
Well yeah… A average time span for a successful singer’s career is 10 -15 years (Madonna is the exeption) So when you say Whitney, Mariah and Celine aren’t topping the charts well of course they aren’t because there’s a whole new breed to of Diva’s who are like Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Leona (she’s topping charts in the UK, or doesn’t that count), Alexandra, Christina ect…
I also think these reality singing contest shows are doing a disservice to the music industry. Yea… on those shows we’re seeing a huge, almost over-abundance, of people who are great singers but they’re making it so that the singing is not enough. The talent shows demand that you be “marketable” to get the votes and rise above the pack, and sometimes that is valued 1st and foremost.
If we rarely ever saw great singers, and we only ever saw them when they had been polished up and media trained in the way Rihanna and Beyonce has been, they’d be valued a hell of a lot more by the general public.
GOOD VOICES WILL ALWAYS LAST IN MUSIC. IT’S JUST THE CYCLICAL CHANGE WE’RE EXPERIENCING IN MUSIC FROM BARE BONES BALLAD PRODUCTIONS OF THE 80’S AND 90’S BIG BAND SOUNDS TO ELECTRONIC AUTO-TUNED S*** OF NON-SINGERS TODAY. THE BEAT HAS BECOME MORE IMPORTANT SO GOOD VOICES ARENT NECESSARILY THAT IMPORTANT ANYMORE. HAVING SAID THAT, PEEPS LIKE WHITNEY WILL ALWAYS BE IMPORTANT ESP WITH RESPECT TO RNB AND REMIXES WHERE DANCE CLUBS PLAY HER ALL THE TIME. SHE’S BLACK AND URBAN, PEEPS WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HER FOR WHAT SHE DID FOR FEMALES IN THE MUSIC BIZ AND INNOVATIONS IN SINGING STYLES AND MUSIC VIDS BACK IN THE 80’S. SHE STILL RELEVANT JUDGING BY THE PEEPS SELLING OUT HER CONCERT TOUR ACROSS RUSSIA, JAPAN, AND EUROPE SO FAR. ALL SHE NEEDS FOR NEXT ALBUM IS TO DUMP CLIVE DAVIS AND DAVID FOSTER/DIANE WARREN COMBO AND GETS SOME FRESH WRITERS AND GOOD PRODUCERS. MOST RECENT ALBUM IS TOO SAFE AND THE BEATS WERE KINDA OUTDATED. GOOD LYRICS ALWAYS STAY GOOD LYRICS, IT’S JUST THE MUSICAL ARRANGEMENT THAT HAS TO BE UPDATED TO 2009. NUFF SAID.
@ME
FYI. WHITNEY’S NEW ALBUM HAS OUTSOLD JHUD BY FAR. HER ALBUM IS CERT GOLD WHEREAS ILTY IS CERT PLAT. IN US ALONE AND 2X PLAT. WORLDWIDE. TAKE NOTE!
The era of diva is not gone, it has just changed. The unfortunate thing is that the general public is only looking for dance songs. Ballads rarely generate any response to the pop audience so artists do not release songs that show off much of their voices.
Divas still exist and females are dominating the industry more than any other type of artist. We are virtually hearing NOTHING from male solo artists, musical groups, or even rock artists. Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and many more, are all divas with HUGE voices. Even Taylor Swift (who I don’t like) can be considered a diva. Women are KILLING the game right now.
The era of the diva is not over.
@TheTruth
You take note, I wasn’t talking specifically. I was just referencing the post.
But since you wanna talk stats, why not talk singles? Whitney’s album had the comeback hype… so of course it’s gonna sell decent. Whitney’s last top 40 single was in 1999. So what you sayin?
um what about Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Alicia Keys.. I feel they are all divas of today who are successful on the charts.. even Kelly clarkson..
yeah its over! all the girls now a adays are only making music were the shake their asses and drop it to the floor their nothin like the real divas who can just stand there and belt out a hit without hesitation. people say beyonce can but if she would just stand there and sing no one would listen to her becuase her voice gets annoying and all she does is yell. a real diva can gain the crowd attention with just a simple wave of the hand with a high note.. beyonce a diva please! none of these new artist are real divas they just got arrogant attitudes
@ ME
TAKE NOTE AGAIN. ALBUM SALES IS WHAT MAKES THE LABELS MONEY, HYPE OR NOT. AND YES JHUD HAD HYPE FROM HER MURDERED FAMILY, ALBEIT NEGATIVE PUBLICITY SPUN POSITIVELY. DO YOU THINK SHE WOULD HAVE GARNERED AN OSCAR AND RNB GRAMMY IF THAT WERNT THE CASE??? THAT’S PUBLICITY TOO. LET TRUTH BE TOLD. AND WHITNEY HAS OVER OVER 55 MIL PLAT RIAA CERTIFIED, 4TH HIGEST . FIGURES JHUD OR ANYONE ELSE IN THE INDUSTRY THESE DAYS WILL OR COME CLOSE TOO. SINCE YOU WANNA TALK STATS AND REVENUE, SMH.
And you forget to mention Ms. Barbra Streisand as one of the legendary divas from way back then. She had a very nice voice, she was a diva, and she sold TONS! & i must add Queen Madonna into the mix, since she is the greatest selling female artist of all time. She’s a true diva and her music is still alive. She may not be a powerhouse vocalist, but she certainly has everything else to make up for it!
& “Not Really” …what artist I mentioned is selling s**? Yes they all are s*** and most of them have made songs pertaining to s**, elegantly, (because they’re adults and it’s their preprogative to) but noe of those artist i mentioned are “empty” LOL. I am a true music lover, therefore I listen to everything fron techno to folk, to soul to country, to funk to rock, also I’m not just a person talking mess like most I actually still by CDs, in which I have alll of their albums and their music has plenty of depth.
Sam wake up! Christina, Carrie Underwood, Pink, Alicia Keys, even Leona L. and Kelly Clarkson are divas who sell and sho can sing well. And of course Beyonce. And just to add: Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Pink are the top selling females of this year.
It’s definitely over. The divas were classy. Now we’re left with half-naked wannabes who don’t have enough talent to be recognized by only their voice. I’m just glad Whitney hasn’t completely given up and there are maybe a few good singers left
Come on Sam, I don’t see your point. When Susan Boyle is breaking records as you were typing this tried article. Cassie had one hit “U & Me” you make it seem as if she is dominating the charts. On the Billboard.com Decade charts Rihanna is the only other female that vocals aren’t up to par with Beyonce and Alicia..
For f*** sake, when will people learn to read??????
TRENT posted this NOT Sam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anywayyyyy……I like this sorta thing…..keeep it coming TGJ!
@TheTruth
I listed lots of people, why did you pick Jennifer Hudson, I was only giving an indication to the types of people who are doing well on the charts, saying that Trent’s statement about Diva era wasn’t true. And Whitney’s 55mil is irrelavent she did that throughout the 80s and 90s and we’re talking about NOW–I Look to You isn’t exactly My Love is Your Love sales now is it?
Well we do still have Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson uhmmm…Fantasia (although she’s been gone for a min.)I really can’t think of any more right now. But we have a few not as many as b4 though.
Great live performances from some of the Divas of today’s pop world if anyone happens to be in the mood. No auto-tuning, no bum notes, no lip-syncing, no excuses…
Jennifer Hudson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y05er2lEEXc
Beyonce:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_N1RmkuUg
Lady Gaga:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVAS53JWcxA
Kelly Clarkson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XgGXdYChLw
Alexandra Burke:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCxOm1pENEs
Leona Lewis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-HVPd8V93E&feature=related
The entire point of this post is massacred with this one performance from Jennifer Hudson…. lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y05er2lEEXc
Beyonce a Diva? Maybe in the sense of being a female version of a hustler, but her voice doesn’t qualify her. Yeah, I know… I’m a hater right? If Beyonce’s voice qualified her as a “Diva” she wouldn’t need a video to sell her records, which are comprised of more choreography than vocal ability. Keyshia Cole’s vocal ability is much greater than many artist out there today. I here a lot of people saying how they didn’t like Beyonce’s songs until they saw the video where she was gyrating, ticking and shaking. If Mrs. Knowles put out a vocal albulm/videos, preformed fully dressed and still held her position as Sasha Fierce, selling the same amount of records as now, I would be shocked. Beyonce can sing! However she can not be compared to Whitney Houston (1990’s Whitney) Anita Baker or Mariah Carey! Are you kidding me?
Vocal talent is just about the LAST thing you need to be a successful recordinh artist. I mean c’mon now, look whose on top: Taylor Swift, Lady GaGa, Black Eyed Peas among others.
^^^^
This is the lady Gaga who allegedly can’t sing lol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVAS53JWcxA
@Alex, you are so right! Vocal talent is the last thing you need, to be successful, but this post mentioned Divas according to vocal ability, so that’s what I was commenting on.
@It’s me again. I totally agree with you, Lady Gaga can sing.
The diva era has changed because the quality of artists are diffrent some who great vocally and other who entertain but at the same time the value of music is down as well. It more about the people you work with how cute you are how strong is the hook and which market you can fit into. The range of today”s divas will never reach the level of yesterday”s divas because music sales really suck only once in a lifetime sales explode case in point Susan Boyle but she also has a great talent but imo she is very boring.
I mean…
I wish the folks who don’t like Lady Gaga would be honest about it.
You could admit you don’t like her style of music.
You could admit that you don’t like her weirdness.
You could admit that you don’t like the fact that she’s taking spotlight away from your favourite singer by comparison.
You could argue that you think she’s fake.
You could argue that her music is simplistic.
You could even argue that you think her music sounds the same as everything else currently out there.
But regurgitating the same criticisms of talentlessness and poor vocals you hear hurled at your favourite pop tart and recycling it at Lady Gaga just exposes you as someone who does not know what you’re talking about.
LMFAO!!! @ jimmy jack!
i competely agree with this post, the era of the diva, of real music in general is slowly fading. there was a time when you had to be able to sing yo ass off to be somebody in this industry and that time has gone. its tragic that now and days talent isnt required to have a career and artist whom are extremely lacking in the talent department are pushed out ahead of artist that could sing them out they skin but have no career. artist like: deborah c**, shanice, kelly price( even though she went gospel) back then ppl like rihanna and cassie wouldve never has a career!
i do however feel that there is some immense talent left in the game, but because of the direction of music right now they dont really have an avenue to show it off! ofcourse Beyonce is the reigning diva she is incredibly talented and even more so because she has been able to play both sides. she can give the current club banging pop music that consumers are craving right now and then turn around and make you wanna cry with her ballads and vocal delivery! (if you have ever been to a show and heard the vocals live then you know what im talking about!) so Bis absolutely shutting it down, but others such as J. Hud, joss stone, christina, kelly clarkson, leona, jazmine sullivan, and Shoshana Bean (LOOK HER UP! IM TRYNA PUT YALL ON SOME NEW S***…PIPES ARE RIDICULOUS!) are really killing the game. and like other people have been saying everything come full circle so when the time comes for real musicians to shine again these will be the people that are still around and all the mileys and rihannas we have gone.
P.S. does anyone else miss mariah with the crazy curls and the flannel shirts, from like the emotions, vision of love days!?!? i mean back then nobody was f****** wit her, now shes so whack it makes me sad how she is sleeping on herself! she could potentially start the movement and get back to her roots and reming people what the game is missing!!! C’MON MARIAH WE NEED YOU! ITS TIME TO SHOW OUT.
@Its Me Again
I wasnt saying Lady GaGa cant sing. I was saying the reason she is successful is not because of her vocals
PS: I’m surprised Jordin Sparks hasnt been mentioned in this debate. Shes up there with Leona as a vocalist IMO yet, she is struggling to make an impact commercially.
I must say I partially agree. I think that there are a multitude of under-rated artists and singers, both male and female, who have undeniable talent. Unfortunately, I think that through the years, the record labels have gained too much of an influence in the way that an artist is promoted. There are powerhouse divas currently dominating the airwaves, i.e: Alicia, Bey, Xtina, Carrie Underwod, and Kelly Clarkson. But there are so many more that haven’t received as much support as they deserve (Chrisette, J. Hud, Leona, Melanie Fiona, Rich Girl , Tiffany Evans just to name a few). I think it’s up to us consumers to seek quality music, purchase, and let the numbers speak for themselves.
@ Alex.
My mistake ol’ chap 🙂
OMG…I forgot to mention the powerhouse vocals of GaGa and P!ink.
I, for one, don’t believe that the era of divas is over. Technically speaking, that is. The divas of yesteryears may not necessarily be as relevant as they used to be, but I think that their presence is still felt, just slipping and fading away gradually. However, it’d be ridiculous to ignore the fact that it’s time for a new kind of diva era. The ones who not necessarily have unrivalled vocal prowess like Mariah or Whitney. The batch of divas now, I suppose, are more adapted to the times, and I like to call them the crazy (not sure why I call them that, it just is!) divas as compared to the legendary divas. Beyonce, Christina and Lady GaGa are just a few of those who make up this collective. Indeed, they are different kinds of divas. In my opinion, these three whom I’ve pointed out can sing and the factor that differentiates them from their predecessors is that they can perform in other aspects too, like dancing or utilizing theatrics innovatively. Those who stick closer to the singing aspect do exist still, I believe. Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson are just a few to speak of.
I’m not sure if the Rihanna types (these don’t really include Cassie because clearly Rihanna has been able to avoid the one-hit wonder curse) should be considered as diva-worthy, but I guess if she is able to reflect the success she has with her previous works and at the same time garner enough respect to be viewed with more seriousness (meaning having to give EVERYTHING and more, and go over the top for every performance etc.), then maybe she deserves it. Divas usually have immense talent to back them up, but in this era, when one works hard enough with whatever talent she has and is fully committed to creating a huge (respected) image for herself, she may still have a shot at being considered a diva. In the words of the Celine Dion, “a new day has come” and a new group of divas is ready to take the mic from the legendary divas who still linger, not yet kicked off from their positions.
@ Alex
you’re absolutely right i totally forgot about jordin!! shes amazing
Ya’ll got it all wrong! Patti, Aretha, Gladys, Chaka, Natalie Cole, Teena Marie, Whitney, Mariah, Angela Winbush, Shirley Murdock!!! These are real divas that can sing you to tears!!!!! These are women that are the epiphany of what a real singer is!!!!!!!!!!!!
MARY J BLIGE BEING HOLDIN DOWN THE WORD DIVA…WHEN MARIAH CAREY WENT CRAZY MARY J BLIGE WAS GETTING STANDING OVATION AND SELLING CDS…WHEN WHITNEY HOUSTON WAS TO BUSY POWDERIN HER NOSE…MARY J BLIGE WAS HOLDIN IT DOWN…SHE CAME A LONG WAY WITH KNEE HIGH COMBAT BOOTS TOO A WOMEN…LOOK AT MARIAH CAREY VOICE GONE LOOK AT WHITNEY HOUSTON VOICE GONE…MARY DID ALL TYPE OF DRUGS AND CAN STILL GET THE HOUSE TO STAND UP FOR HER…THE LAST STANDING DIVA
A couple more DIVA performances, no backing track, no back up singers carrying the song with harmonies:
Fantasia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9CIUMc0YSg
Christina Aguilera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jLkHw4ZJ3Q&feature=related
Susan Boyle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nvaIYk7U5M
The industry is so different now, so I doubt we ever see anything close to what we had with the Whitney’s, Mariah’s, Celine’s, Patti’s, Aretha’s, Barbara’s. Those women were not only powerhouses, but they were individuals and had their own lanes.
Today the only women who come close are maybe Leona, Beyonce and Christina. They don’t have the past diva’s level of vocal prowess or individuality, but the seem to fit the “diva” mold. Jennifer Hudson is the closest thing we have to a young Whitney though, she is incredible, but she lacks any kind signature style.
Why are people naming Alicia? she doesn’t have a great voice at all. She’s relies more on production and arragnements. Gaga isn’t a powerhouse at all and she’s way too new to even be a contender. Pink has the pipes and the longevity and the distinct style, but she’s like the anit-diva. She’s more of a rebel than a Diva.
I forgot Mary. She’s like the last true Diva. She changed music and brought in a new style. These other girls for the most part just copy what’s been done before. That’s not a Diva. Mary isn’t a powerhouse, but without her urban music wouldn’t be what it is today.
People dont like to credit beyonce because she Mulit Talented and yes some of u are haters…if u have the I Am…Yours DVD u will clearly see beyonce can sit down and sing just listen to her sing Resentment or listen to her sing Sweet Love…hell just listen to her vocal scatting….Beyonce is vocal beast as well dont hate….
Jennifer Hudson is just a mess, Britney and Christina are as much of a mess with no poise, grace or class, Leona has no presence, Miley, Taylor and Rihanna are hacks, Carrie and Kelly are…ok, Fergie is just… and none of those ladies are pioneers in their fields, neither have they proved to be as versatile a perfomer as Beyonce. In such short time, she has established herself as one of the most versatile artist of our time (or any).
Who else can do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlHyN1eJgTI&feature=related
This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hpcLWtE7bY
Then turn around and do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV4_5RKduFU
I know I sound like a rabid stan, but the girl is mad talented. Oh, Lady Gaga is on the rise as well.
Pink:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0b87QHdJ00
@Joe
Yea man ppl dont want to acknowledge beyonces vocal ability and I for one do feel that her vocal capabilities are on par with Whitney and the past Divas. Beyonce can go from singing Single Ladies, Video Phone and Diva to singing Sweet Love, Resentment, The way we were by Barbara Streisand, and Prince’s Beautiful Ones, to some funk tunes like Deja Vu, Suga Mama, and Crazy in love. How many female artist of today can u say can actually do that. Beyonce actually does care about her voice her music that she puts out is multi-dimensional with Funk, Gogo, Soul, R&B, pop, and Jazz infusions. Thats wat separates Beyonces music from the maintstream artist of today and thats wat has helped her keep her longevity in the music business.
Some are haters, and other are critics, but you are infatuated with a piece of a***. I have the right to my opinion, If you don’t like it, that’s not my problem! You are the true definition of a STAN!! In the Eminem sense. Somebody dissents to your perception of Sasha Fierce, and you have a hissy fit lol. Get over yourself!!! We are al entitled to our opinion. I don’t hate Beyonce, but I can define a vocal powerhouse and she aint it!! Beyonce is the queen of entertainment, she can dance her b*** off, and sing! But again, she is not a vocal powerhouse. This generation considers auto tune to be good music. You don’t even know the difference between hate and honest criticism. Go play with some body else, I don’t like rude people. What you’re doing is hating.
When I think DIVA I think Aretha Tina Turner Diana Ross Barabara Streisand Patti Labelle Whitney Houston…..give me ten names of any othe r female singer out today that can compare….when you put it this way….the last of legendary divas was Whitney…every one else after just pales in comparison.
@J, finally somebody who knows their music!
Oh yeah, I would to add one more thing, the title “DIVA” is given out too easily today’s music. Like someone said earlier, a DIVA is someone with POWERHOUSE VOCALS, well I thought that was one of the requirements.
@ Dila. Diana Ross does not have a “powerhouse” voice, but she is one of the biggest Divas of all. She has conquered both the music industry as well as film. Beyonce is a Diva.
It’s all about the song writers & production
Everyone is using the same people, artist used to find song writers & producer who bring out the best for the artist
Instead now they just make a sound for then self instead so they become more important than the artist.
The creativity has been lost in music & it’s all about a quick hit
@Kirk, I don’t have a problem with your opinion. Personally I think Beyonce can sing better than Dianna Ross ever sang, and Diana can act better than Beyonce any day! Diana ruled in Mahogany and Lady sings the blues.
@Kirk, I also appreciate the way put that. Diana is NOT a vocal powehrouse, but still considered a diva. This is so true and also the category that I would put Beyonce in. I would never deny that Beyonce can sing, and her dancing is better than any female artist out there today, she is and exceptional entertainer, and Diva in the sense of an entertainer. I really appreciate your accurate,articulate opinion.
does susan boyle count as a diva? if so, she’s ruling the charts! 3rd week in a row at #1…up 10%. wow!
@Dila, thanks for not cussing me out, LOL. It’s rare to just share opinions these days. To me a Diva is a pioneer, she excels in her field with grace, style, and class. Beyonce has proven time and time again that she is one of the most versatile performers of our time (or any time). From the way her voice glides over a hip-hop beat, better than most rappers. Her vocal technique that puts her contemporaries to shame (Christiana; great voice, HORRIBLE technique). I can’t wait to hear the vocals she will bring in the new decade.
@Kirk, I can’t get mad at your analysis of Beyonce, you are totally correct. Everything you said is true, even in my own opinion.
@Ruby, Susan Boyle is definitely a Diva/Up and coming Diva, in my book. Her voice is gold, and her record sales don’t lie.
With all honesty the standard in which the term Diva used to uphold has dramatically dropped. Let’s go back in time right. You have the the two woman that paved the way first being Aretha Franklin the Queen of soul as she is referred to and Barbara Streisand like aretha were a major powerhouse force. So they weren’t the ideal looking “package artists” but their vocal talents had changed the perception of how one can and should sing . An innocent time when talent prevailed over looks and s** appeal which was pretty non existent then lol. These two woman DEFINED Diva- Successful women who took charge of their careers utilizing their talents all over the world influencing generation after generation. Not long after Aretha and Barbara we got tina turner, patti Labelle, Gladys knight, Diana Ross, Chaka khan to name a few. But if there is any one female singer that redefined DIVA it would be Whitney Houston. The FIRST IDEAL PACKAGE ARTIST- A model who had the vocal ability of Aretha and Barbara, the poise and elegance of lena horne and amazing lyrical phrasing of billie holiday. Despite Whitney’s similarity to the greats, her voice was smooth like honey, very pristine and crystal clear yet powerful at the same time which made her unique from her contemporaries. Whitney re-invented pop infusing gospel roots in her singing overtaking Aretha and Babs setting the standard higher and breaking it earning her the title PROM QUEEN OF SOUL. In 1985 Whitney was the baddest b**** in the game lol. On countless magazine covers, was voted #1 on peoples magazines 50 most beautiful people in the world, outsold arenas around the world, biggest selling debut of all-time. Whitney took superstardom for any other female to a whole new level. First Female artist to debut at #1. Broke racial barriers alongside Michael Jackson recieving heavy rotation on MTV within a heavily rock dominating era. Only artist to have 7 consecutive #1 singles beating the beatles record. Wins TWO emmys for her GLOA performance in the variety show category ALL within 5 years. Then there was her history making Star Spangled Banner which is the ONLY rendition to become a platinum hit. Then there was the Bodyguard Era in which she won 11 billboard awards in ONE night, longest #1 song of all-time became the biggest selling soundtrack of all-time and was crowned the best selling female artist of all-time + most #1s+ MOST AWARDED FEMALE ARTIST OF ALL TIME…AFTER HER FOURTH ALBUM PEOPLE!!!!!! How does one stomach all this success all within less then ten years??? LOL….And you wanna know the best part? Whitney did all of this WITHOUT TAKING HER CLOTHES OFF!!!!…..Dare I say this NO other female artist will EVER come close to Whitney’s success. If any diva out today can accomplish THIS and/or more…I would be happy to call you a diva until it happens I’ll go back to enjoying my Whitney classics
@Dila
Why wouldnt you consider Beyonce a powerhouse vocalist? Her voice is actually pretty powerful and strong.
Wow at Whitney’s success. She is the ULTIMATE Diva. Everyone else is just below her.
@ Info Beyonce is not a powerhouse vocalist she can sing but just not powerhouse material.
@Info Hell TO THE NAWWW Beyonce is NOT Vocally on par with Whitney are you serios….Beyonce can’t sing I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU OR I HAVE NOTHING WITH THAT MUCH POWER or vocal acrobats that’s insane. And besides Whitney in her prime was INCONQUERABLE 7 #1s from her first two albums alone…..Became the BEST SELLING FEMALE ARTIST AFTER 4 ALBUMS…BIGGEST SELLING DEBUT ALBUM OF ALL-TIME…BEST STAR SPANGLED BANNER IN HISTORY ONLY ONE TO BECOME A PLATINUM HIT…BEST SELLING SOUNDTRACK OF ALL-TIME….THIS IS D.I.V.A.!!!!!!….Which other diva has accomplished THIS much success within such a short time frame
I believe this decade has spawned some new divas: Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Fantasia, Leona Lewis, Jill Scott, Kelly Clarkson, etc. But in order to be a TRUE diva, one has to do their homework as did Whitney, Mariah, and Celine did when they studied the works of Aretha and company.
@ DILA….Beyonce’s ballads are some of her most biggest songs of her career. Yes she can dance etc… cause she multi-talented but Dangerously in Love (the song) won her a grammy for best vocal, Irreplaceable was/is her biggest single and Listen was nominated for a Golden globe. She may not be a powerhouse vocalist to your standards but she is definitely ONE of the best vocalist of the new generation.
@Dawon, I just think that you guys fail to understand the definition of a vocal powerhouse. I mean no disrespect at all, but this new generation defines talent, vocals and entertainment totally different. If Beyonce was put on stage with Whitney Houston in her prime, she could not stand. Beyonce does a lot of vocal theatrics such as riffs and licks, but where talking about vocal texture and quality. Believe it or not there really is a difference. You guys need to understand that I’m not saying that Beyonce isn’t very talented, but even her own father Matthew Knowles said that she can’t sing like a church raised singers.
@Dawon, I also agree with you about her song dangerously in love, I think that song was the best of Beyonce vocally along with her song listen from dreamgirls.
i dont entirely think the DIVA era is over…i think it just evolved. The two singers that were your examples arent really that great. Cassie is not good at all and she hasn’t put out an album since her first one a few years back…and Rihanna is okay but she is definately not diva material. But when you look at the top divas now like BEYONCE, LADY GAGA, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, KELLY CLARKSON, ALICIA KEYS, MARY J. BLIGE…etc….they’re still sellin out concerts and still sellin records….the definition of Diva has evolved and although music may suck now-a-days…we can still turn to the Divas i mentioned above and expect to have a great song coming out from them.
WOW! Whitney fans are trying to bring up numbers in here. I’m sure the lambs have stats triple than those.
Anyway, if DIVA means vocal powerhouse we have a lot of those today. But if Diva means Vocal Powerhouse + huge hits + big albums sales+ longevity then it’s another thing.
The term Diva could easily be attributed to Mariah, Whitney or Celine (yes, the BIG THREE) because we/most of us grew up during the 80’s or 90’s (like me) in which they ruled the Divaland not just because of their vocals but as well as their overall impact!!!
Fact101 I bowl to you!!! You told that s*** like a rolling writer!!!!
Fact101 I kudos to you!!! You told that s*** like a rolling writer!!!!
@J
How do you kno beyonce cant sing “I will always love you” or I have nothing? Have u heard her try? Believe or not Beyonce is a powerhouse vocalist. Who says she would have to sing the songs the way Whitney song them? When Patti song Whitneys “I have nothing” she didnt sing it the way whitney did, she did it her own way. Beyonce has song Etta James songs and did them justice with great power. And if Beyonce can be heard singing along with Jennifer Hudson, who is a powerhouse, then that outta tell u that Yes Beyonce is a Powerhouse. Many of you want to continue and live in the past of Whitney and Mariah, however we’re in the future those two havent kept their gift up to par like Patti, Chaka, and Melba Moore, so lets move forward in look at Beyonce, Ledisi, Fantasia, jus to name a few.
And it would take great power to sing a Ballad like “Listen”, as well as her rendition of Princes “Beautiful Ones”
@J
And beyonce is a Diva, she has won awards that other female artist havent and has become one of the most successful women of this decade. If that aint Diva Status then i dont kno wat is.
yes i completely agree with the article!
hello todays industry is all about packaging, a gimmick, a video, a nice pair of tits and a pretty face and autotune can take care of the rest! u gotta be catchy not talented!!!
sad to say, but its true. music has become an economy. smh.
@INFO i agree with you….If people would listen to beyonce sing listen on Oprah you can not tell me that beyonce is not a power house vocalist…like i said before people dont like to credit her as a vocalist because she does so many things with her voice and with her music they dont like to give her credit for it all…You all must be forgetting that beyonce held her own on stage with Celine Deion while singing emotion. When beyonce sung that falsetto C6 note…Celine looked at her like dammmmn this bish can sing..lol..and beyonce was only 18 or 19 at the time. Beyonce been hitting those notes as a teenager and she is not even in her prime yet. We probably will never know when her prime is because she crosses so many genres of music and is so verstaile. Beyonce is a power house vocalist….in fact she has a 3.6 octave vocal range while whitney has 3.7 or 3.8 octave range…The way belt there notes are not all that different…its just that Whitney is more of a dramatic mezzo soprano…
@ Dila Beyonce is a good singer but her vibrato tends to be Irritating at certain times maybe she could work on it more but yes I like Beyonce if anything she IS the baddest b**** of this generation. I disagree with an earlier comment saying Whitney had a 3.8 octave….Whitney at her peak had a 5 octave range…proof check this out….just a word of warning this may come as a HUGE surprise lol >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA_GJVVQ-lw
Thank you @ Joe & info!
and to everyone else, heres the thing those of you claiming to “know real music” and real vocalist are completely contridicting yourself by saying that beyonce isnt one! reguardless of how you feel about her music/videos/dance moves or whatever her vocal ability is amazing and i honestly do believe that she could stand on a stage with mariah, whitney, celine, patti, or whom ever else and hold her own! she has just as much dinamic, tone, power, beauty, and technique as any of the above singers. people just negate her because they came first! and rightfully so because they are amazing but people are saying that she could never sing “i will always love you” or “i have nothing” but thats because the original versions are such musical staples to that time so no other version is gonna compare the same is true for “hero” “visions of love” ive heard some great renditions but for me the original stands alone. but i tink had beyonce been the original artist the song would be just as much power and influenece. just with a different voice.
sorry for the typos lol but yall get the point
Clearly not going with Susan Boyles sales.
@J Whitney Houston does not have a 5 octave vocal range because if she did she would have shown it in her prime….
@SQUAREBIZZO2020
Exactly wat u said is correct, ppl underestimate Beyonce because all they see is this IMAGE of a BEAUTIFUL woman and thats all they want to see, They dont want to believe she is an amazing vocalist as well. Hell Whitney and Mariah were beautiful women too and had a great voice as well. Beyonce has done countless songs where she has shown she does have Power. For example, When she song along side Jennifer Hudson, Tell me yall didnt hear Beyonce, especially when she came in…I actually heard Beyonce over Jennifer, who has a louder voice than her.
But Beyonce aint the only one ppl are sleeping on. Today the world believes true sangers have disappeared after Whitney and Mariah. Uh first off those two aint event singing and second Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Melba Moore, Gladys Knight, and Betty Wright are all still living and well, so There are still divas from the past alive and kickin more than Mariah and Whitney. But back to todays Divas with Voices. There is Jill Scott, Coko, Kelly Price, Ledisi, Fantasia, Tiffany Evans…yes she does have a incredible voice at such a young age, J. Hudson, Melaine Fiona and these aint all the great female vocalist.
Its a new day and age ppl, however Real SANGERS/ARTIST still exist and still reign supreme for us real Music Lovers. Has always been and will continue to be that if yall open yall ears to listen instead of using ya eyes all the time. And please dont brang in album sales and non of that, We talkin bout VOCALS.
BEYONCE IS AN ENTERTAINER PERIOD…MARY J BLIGE BEYONCE AND I FEEL LADY GAGA SHE STEPPING IN THE RITE PATH NEVER A BORING SHOW WITH HER JUST A LITTLE MORE WORK FOR ME…BEYONCE WORKS HER ASS OFF SHE PROVE A POINT…MARY J BLIGE THE LAST STANDING DIVA FROM OLD SKOOL TO NEW SKOOL MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN THE GAME AND ALOT OF ARTIST LOOK UP TO HER AND BEYONCE BEING ONE..THE THREE LAST DIVAS MARY J B LIGE BEYONCE AND LITTLE MORE TO PROVE LADY GAGA
“Today, the most successful artists on the charts no longer rely on extensive vocal ability to stake their claim. Rather, they fuel their hits with auto-tuned melodies, catchy hooks and club-ready beats.” Very true .. however, u 4got 2 put nudity in the above sentence .. one more thing .. i think this can be said to music in general (not necessairly the vocal part) ..
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