Coldplay‘s Chris Martin has nothing but praise for his ‘Princess of China’ co-star Rihanna.
Taking to ‘The Guardian’ recently to shower the singer with compliments, Martin – who was reportedly sober at the time of the interview – not only spoke very highly of the ‘Work’ wailer’s “delicious” vocal stylings, but even compared her to legendary jazz/standard singer Frank Sinatra.
And, while his words may earn a collective side eye from a number of people who can actually hear her detractors, we at TGJ – being the unbiased, family-friendly site we are – can say some of Chris’s assessments were spot on.
Tuck in below and tell us if you agree as well:
“She is the Frank Sinatra of our generation. She can turn anything into gold with that voice. Here’s the thing: if you speak to a good singing teacher about great opera singers, they will talk about consistency of tone. Or there’s a book by Alfred Tomatis about why some people like certain people’s voices and other people hate them, like Bob Dylan or me or whoever, some people say, ‘Oh, I hate that voice’, so there’s a thing about people’s frequency responses – what they are pleased by.
Rihanna has this thick tone, so it’s very hard to annoy anybody. It’s like a beautifully squeezed tube of toothpaste. When you think of Rihanna’s voice you think of this whole, rich thing, solid like a tree trunk, and. But Rihanna’s voice is just delicious for your ear. Sinatra had the same thing; anything he sang sounded pleasing to most people.”
Too easy. Honestly, while some would argue the jokes write themselves here or this is a missed opportunity for us to capitalize on a stance we’ve already made quite clear in the past, I think it’s ok to give a pass this time. Sam would definitely disagree, but on more than one occasion (see video above), Rih has proven that some of the things Chris said above are absolutely true. Granted, comparing her to Frank Sinatra may be damn near criminal, but we get the point he was trying to make.
For the record: we know Rih can sing. We just wish she made more frequent demonstrations of said ability (as it is her…umm…profession).
rihanna’s voice blends well with any genre of music. She’s not a one trick pony like that basic flop kept wife beyonce.
No, Rihanna sounds like she’s rihpeating my muthafuckin order at McDonalds and I’m NOT lovin it.
Beyonce’s the better vocal technician HANDS DOWN. Shouldn’t even be up for debate.
Why did she lip sync the inauguration? And all her concerts? She has everyone fooled
Lip syncing or not, Beyonce’s still a better vocalist than Rhianna. So what’s your point ?
Is he serious? I can’t.
If this was the first of April, ¡ would have taken this statement seriously
These ugly Nigerian gays aka TGJ writers are so mad at Rihanna lmao.
Yet they post and agree with anyone that gives Beyonce props!! The hate is real
Rihanna is very versatile with her music. She can do a lot of genres which is amazing.
He is correct though. I was a voice major doing opera, music theory 1 through 4 and its a lot of work so I can only imagine what celeb performers go through touring night after night trying to keep their voices in tact. . I love Beyonce voice and I remember when I told my voice teacher I wanted to do a remix version of Ave Maria by Beyonce for an ACDA competition he side eyed me. Then told me that it was a horrible choice and that Beyonce and Christina were two of the worst singers ever with the worst techniques. In my head I thought he was just hating on soul singers but I get it now. The world truly hears through different ears and see through different eyes
But did u ask that same teacher about RIHANNA?? I wonder what he would have said.
Your teacher must be smoking crack. You can’t come for Beyonce vocally when you stan for Rihanna. Beyonce’s the better vocalist, with twice as much range as her, better belts, amazing runs, powerful vibrato, and resounding resonance, flawless technique, and doing all that while dancing in heels for two-three hours is a bonus. Now if you like Rihanna better or you like Rihanna’s singing style better, that is alright, but being the better vocalist isn’t subjective.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AGREED.
Beyonce voice is horrible when she sings ballads her voice is meant for hood songs dancing on stage clubs but she could never touch Mariah Whitney adele gaga Christina Jennifer fantasia Michael the great list goes on and on Beyonce is in with future trap music all hype I give bey credit for making it this far with her light skin she was able to cross over with white people because you have black women out there who have better than bey
No, Rhianna’s voice is horrible. She sucks live.
Umm your teacher must have been a hater. Christina Aguilera’s technique has always been criticized but Beyonce is great vocalist. It is rare to hear her sounding flat/pitchy/off key/straining notes. Christina has also proven multiple times that she is a technical singer. I honestly think she chooses to use improper singing techniques.
Christina does indeed sing “harsh” intentionally but if anyone has ever heard her when she’s coaching her contestants on The Voice it’s like “damn why can’t you sing like that all the time?” She’s more technical when she’s teaching
If Mariahs technique were better her voice would’ve been preserved
I’ve heard ppl criticize Kelly Clarkson for her belts
No one is tearing them down to praise Rihanna though
Rihanna’s “tone” is her accent. If she were from America she would be another basic rap-singer
i guess all it takes for someone to be the sinatra of this generation will consist of singing a song in pirate and getting a number one hit off of it lol
Trolling hard with this one, Rashad.
Rihanna may not be a vocalist on the level of some of the great female singers that we know and love, however their is no doubt that she has one of the most DIVERSE, VERSATILE and RECOGNIZABLE voices in Pop music ever – it is able to mold into any contemporary musical genre and style out there and that’s what makes her successful as a Pop act.
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(Furthermore, for those who DON’T know that “reading is fundamental”, Martin didn’t say that she is a “singer on frank sinatra’s level” [nor was he an amazing technical vocalist himself] but a “singer whose voice is able to blend into various styles like frank sinatra”).
It would be nice if this same logic was applied by the NAZI when Maxwell said Beyonce’s WORK ETHIC..NOT MUSIC, was comparable to Michael Jackson
This is UNDENIABLY TRUE.
Beyonce voice is dry and unemotional when Beyonce sings you feel no emotions it’s robotic at best Christina I can’t with her Jennifer Hudson makes you cry feel the song fantasia adele Whitney Mariah people have to feel the emotion’s with the song that feeling you get teary eye Beyonce voice is terrible it’s all hype she is not one of the greats at all she can perform that’s it but singing trap music is all seven eleven single ladies what song bey sing that brings anyone to tears
Speak the truth! I wish people knew how to read.
“Sam would definitely disagree, but on more than one occasion (see video above), Rih has proven that some of the things Chris said above are absolutely true.”-Rashad
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Yassss henny you better shade Samantha
She is a not vocalist and I’m sick of b*tches comparing these untalented h*** to our talented legends!!! I’m sure her voice can fit with any genre because of all of these vocal enhancers and auto tune options these days! Put her on stage with just a mic and no vocal graphics and we will see what she’s working with! Oh no, we have video footage of her butchering Mariah’s Hero!
And of course it fits any genre bc she doesn’t write
So she sings rock singers songs
Hip hop
Reggae etc
That’s nice, it would have been nice to see the “Sinatra of our generation” perform at your Super Bowl Half-time show… Oh wait that honor went to YOU KNOW WHO!
She was offered the gig when Katy performed, but turned it down. She has PLENTY of hits to perform. It’s not like she has to perform a new song in front of 114 million viewers and have it STILL flop
OR HAVING A NINE WEEK NO 1 SONG AND YET NOT SELLING OUT A TOUR..LMAO
In the next 20 years, Rihanna will be a name that will undoubtedly be remembered. Not only does her music serve as the soundtrack to a generation, her voice and style is instantly recognizable and unmatched. As I am addicted to the ANTI album, I am truly pleased that it showcases the various ranges and richness of her voice; it’s an album that shows her ability. And guess what mutherfvckers, she ain’t nowhere near done yet!
LOL or LMAO
.
Your pick
And Nicki Is the 2pac of our generation, right?
No she’s the Nicki of her generation
That’s Enough impact
Another Question, Rihanna has a voice?¿? ¡ seriously can’t
LOL……I AM TRANSFORMED.
I do get what he is saying tho….WE ALL KNOW FRIH is not one of the top 10 or 20 best singers in the game, however, she does have a pleasing tone to the ear. The only thing she lacks his technique and its probably because she never had vocal raining compared to the other GREAT SINGERS. I would give her that, her voice fits into a lot of genres of music, but is she a great singer( IN MY WHITNEY VOICE)..HELL TO THE NO, but she does have a pleasing tone.
What exactly do you mean by one of the “best” singers? She’s one of the most popular but to say that she’s one of the best, is a bit of a stretch. She can’t hit anything beyond a #CB5 note.
LOL.I said she’s not one of the best, yes she is popular, but not for her voice and we all know that.
Tgj is seething today. Rashad must have lost her lemonade cd or something
고맙습니다! 진실
Is he drunk or trying to make her fellbetter for crying the other day that gold play front man is fake bey better be careful around him
DEATH!!!!!!!!!!
Definitely no Whitney however Rihanna’s voice is easily recognizable. It’s so unique and diverse it can fit any genre of music. Not many can say that. She gives you emotion, fun and hood at anytime She’s truly a gift in music. #verstile #slaying your basic fave
Versatile *
I don’t think he is saying Rihanna is Sinatra vocally or that she is a vocalist – she isn’t. What he’s saying s that Rihanna has a tone that enjoyable to listen to like Sinatra. My God, some of you need to have a word with your English teachers because they have failed you.
What he said about tones is true. You can be a great technical singer but if your tone isn’t enjoyable people won’t care and vice versa. The average listener cares more about tone. Case in point is Adele: she is not a great technical singer and sings in the same octave in almost all her songs but people love her music because she has a rich tone. I’ve always said Beyonce doesn’t get enough credit for being a technical singer because alot of people say her tone is “average” or “boring”. Katy Perry is constantly said to be off key when its really just her tone. I can’t listen to a Miley or Taylor song because I can’t stand their tones. Rihanna on the other hand has a tone that is very versatile and easy to digest. Her accent makes it even more unique. Her and Christina have the most diverse voices in pop tbh. That doesn’t mean either of them are great technical singers though.
Thank you!
Rihanna’s tone is generic. She doesn’t have a “sound”. Hence, the reason why its so easy for her to hop from genre to genre.
^^^ is dumb
^^ is irrelevant^^
Lol internet fame wh*re
SORRY! But I don’t speak to strangers. Go express your opinion to someone who actually gives a f***. Because I don’t
No, a generic tone would be Rachel Platten or Tinashe; their voice is not distinguishable. Rihanna’s tone is far from generic
@Grande
I 100% disagree. Rihanna singles sell, BUT her LP’s struggled to go platinum because it’s the same generic sound on every track. Generic singles are all she puts out. Perhaps if she took longer to work on a project and focused more on the quality of her VOCALS, rather than the quantity, she might actually be taken seriously as a vocalist
@Tyler
We might be talking about two different things. You may think her MUSIC is generic but her VOICE isn’t. To me a generic voice is one that isn’t distinguishable from others on the radio. When A Rihanna song is on the radio you don’t confuse her with Selena Gomez or Pink. Her tone is very unique.
YAZZZ @Grande!
““She is the Frank Sinatra of our generation. She can turn anything into gold with that voice.
‘
Rihanna has this thick tone, so it’s very hard to annoy anybody.
‘
But Rihanna’s voice is just delicious for your ear.
“
‘
And I couldn’t have said it any better myself. Which is why nobody can sing a Rihanna song better than Rihanna, it is not only her tone, but her style, Bajan accent and attitude.
‘
Her voice this era is phenomenal. She is hitting notes I never expected from her, I knew she could do it. She sounds absolutely incredible this era, Whitney Houston (in her prime) level.
What kind of delusion? Rihanna is serving vocals akin to Whitney in her prime? FOH!
DEATH @ THE LAST SCENTENCE.
he was sober? 😀
.
the chinese ‘work’ for all of us.
.
that’s that shorty.
.
now… wtf
gotta ad to be frank… tho.
.
a sin to do that atraocious pun. 😀
A retarded will take this as he’s saying she IS the Frank of our time. But he clearly explains that her voice is pleasing to the ear. Same with Diana Ross, Dion Warrick, Shade, Aaliyah and so on. Most think belting, whaling, screaming or whatever other way to damage your vocals before the 10 year mark is singing. It’s not, that’s only one way of singing. Rihanna’s voice matches every format and genres of music. Same with MJs adult pop voice, you’re selling music, you have to have a marketable voice and a voice that people will know off the back. That’s the difference between a recording artist and an American Idol contestant. And that’s not only will music, but any format with a business behind it.
Rihanna is the only artist who could have made work….work. And not only that, she turned it into a global smash hit.
Global smash and it’s not even a EDM or pop song. But we as fans have to move on and leave the Beyonce stans in the dust. They been doing THE MOST this era because THIS era Rihanna and Beyonce albums are out in the same season. And even with their “queen” selling that poor me album and tour, Rihanna is STILL killing it. Rihanna singles are doing GREAT, album is a success and tour is doing fine at the same time as a Beyonce era. And THAT’S why their mad. We have to leave them to starve and die.
Agreed riri can make anything a hit unlike fleeyonce
I’m not even worried about the hive, everywhere you go from ATRL to twitter to here, the hive are the only ones worrying about what the Navi and Rihanna are up to, the Navi don’t even care about the Hive.
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Rihanna has simply delivered this era, she has won. Even with the messy rollout, she has still persevered and the hive hate that. Hence them trying to insert Yonce anywhere Rihanna is mentioned, simply because they cannot admit that they feel threatened.
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You should see the rave reviews Rihanna has been getting this era, that whole “Rihanna cannot perform, Rihanna cannot sing” shade is gone, she has delivered.
I’m not even worried about the hive, everywhere you go from every blog to twitter to here, the hive are the only ones worrying about what the Navi and Rihanna are up to, the Navi don’t even care about the Hive.
‘
Rihanna has simply delivered this era, she has won. Even with the messy rollout, she has still persevered and the hive hate that. Hence them trying to insert Yonce anywhere Rihanna is mentioned, simply because they cannot admit that they feel threatened.
‘
You should see the rave reviews Rihanna has been getting this era, that whole “Rihanna cannot perform, Rihanna cannot sing” shade is gone, she has delivered.
I hate when people say “She’s no Whitney”. NO ONE IS WHITNEY! No one! Whit is hands down THE VOICE, period! Not the voice os some generation, not a big bird supersize pizza, she’s the best vocalist in music, period. So stop saying that “this artist is no Whitney.”
.
Furthermore, this is why I’m such an Aaliyah fan. Her tone and the richness of her falsettos are unmatched. Just like how I always felt that Monica was the better singer, but Brandy stans think B is. And after listening to Full Moon last week, I get it. They love her tone. A Artist has to have their OWN voice. Sorry if your fave is a copy of another artist, but my favorite artists are one of a kind. (MJ, Janet, Aaliayh, Usher, Rihanna & Bruno Mars.)
Her growth though, Proud NAVI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVbCATjE3A
I still love that song!
The growth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKLvvZ9Zxf0
LOL girl bye!
LMAOOOO I can’t deal LOL!
The growth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfyeavCwNac
The growth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6_dq6_HsUE
DID U JUST SAY RIHANNA IS COMPARABLE TO WHITNEY IN HER PRIME…..LOL
The growth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CbnVBm4oRQ
Still living for this, one of my fav performances
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-dW7z0QBNg
Flawless!
Pure magic, the growth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gij5ffY5qUk
This was nice!
The growth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBXUfNZiI8Y
Love this one.
One of my fav
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tMbAwTMVW0
THIS ALONE SHITS ON ANY RIHANNA PERFORMANCE……….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItnSS69KG3c
Simply amazing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmPmKezTeiw
NO, THIS IS AMAZING..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItnSS69KG3c
He told no lies rihanna is a legend in the making
Growth growth growth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBJ9gc21C1s
When she shut the haters down, they simply had nothing left to say after this even if they tried.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuFKZ6P4paE
LOL But mate: that´s also a BASIC performance. Can´t believe some peopel take that as an example of great talent display 🙂 Such low standars.
DESPITE BEING SICK, THIS PERFORMANCE TAKES A DUMP ON ANY RIHANNA PERFORMANCE…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oodecnyzohU&list=PLbzQ99OM8LsNKL9YF8mlEGC6KiYeinruf&index=2
BEAUTIFUL………….
https://youtu.be/oodecnyzohU?list=PLbzQ99OM8LsNKL9YF8mlEGC6KiYeinruf
By the way, Rihanna sis, I need a live performance of this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgdOcAQNAog
The flees are mad
Pressed flatter than a cardboard box at a paper manufacturing plant.
She has an addictive pop Caribbean tone. It fits perfectly for a lot of different genres & sounds. Chris Martin definitely wants Rihanna tho. I think he’s obsessed with her.
See how LB was posting videos, not mentioning “them” and here comes a pest with the No This Is Better. #WeDontCareForHer #GoOutSide #GetALife #GetAJob #HellGetHead #GetAway #GetSomething
So empty. ?
.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHGWEPMDoNv/
They always lying on rihanna it’s 2016 the anti era, what person you know would not go see rihanna this day and age.
Oh lawd. Comparing beyonce to Michael is one thing, but this is next level stupidity! please! What’s next, “young thug is the new 2Pac?” “Ariana Grande is better than Mariah Carey?” Lmao. I’m not even a Frank Sinatra fan or listen to his music, that’s who my grandma used to listen to lol. But this is just an idiot statement to make. Even though I didn’t enjoy Frank’s music, he had two things that rihject doesn’t, a voice and talent!
Oh yeah and all of rihanna’s lyrics are so stupid and childish, none of his were.
“Do you like it baby cause I want want want what you want want want, give it to me baby like boom boom boom, cause what I want want want is what you want want want, la la, na na”
And let’s not forget the fabolous “work work work work work do me der der der der”
Riri does make good Music and I’m for sure she get voice lessons from other people
But she doesn´t make music either hun. That´s the thing. She does nothing. She only sings, and she´s not good at that. That´s why she´s a joke.
No doubt RiRi is the Queen of the Caribbean with her pop and fashion cultural impact globally with many hits under her belt. That is to be celebrated but when people come out and chat this pure and utter bs and dare to stand behind it I cringe. Chris is a flower power guy who loves to love industry wise so he would say foolishness like this.
I just don’t understand…. So simply because she’s popular and does R&B and pop her “Voice” is diverse? No the material that they give her is diverse. Yes they do a good job a producing her vocally but if it came time for Rihanna to just flat out sing as in a “Sanger” she is not that. Sorry. Love her to death still. Has nothing to do with a comparison to any of her peers it’s just the truth.
Not the biggest Todrick Hall fan but he absolutely slayed this. Jordin Sparks, Nicole Scherzinger, Perez and William feature in this YouTube masterpiece.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1YEYOTUxcg
Even Amber Riley
CM eats 2 much shits.
I can’t hear that dying cat voice of Rihanna. Rihanna has one of worse singing voices in the music industry.
Obviously.
Rihanna is the real queen and gem from this generation
Every one else is a try hard copycat theiving mess
I agree with Chris Martin regarding Rihanna’s voice being versatile to suit many sounds and genres. Her tone is really beautiful and her Carribbean lilt definitely adds to her uniqueness. However, I think there’s a difference between having a versatile voice and being a versatile vocalist. Rihanna has proven to be successful in dabbling in various sounds of pop music but I wonder how she’d do if she took on a Jazz standard? Or what would it be like if she were placed in front a band and tasked with improving alongside the music?
LOL this group of people are the tackiest ever! Rihanna, Chris Martin, Kanye West, Beyonce and Jay-Z. Alwatys collaborating with each other and praising each other. Truth is neither of them is this amazing never seen before type of artist with unprecedented talent or success. So… hmm yeah: Rihanna is now great vocally! LOL A Frank Sinatra no less … 🙂 🙂 🙂
Idc how tacky you think Beyonce is, she’s still one of the best vocal technician’s in music TODAY.
Beyonce destroys Rihanna that´s for sure. I wasn´t talking about that. I´m talking about them always praising each other just cause they are friends and also always collaborating with each other. I just find it tacky. But tehre was no shade to Beyonce in my comment.
Mainstream music especially
Are these delusional Rihanna fans really believing the videos they are posting are big displays of vocal talent or something???? LMAO Is it really necessary to start posting impacting vocal performances by real singers and true greats and also real album sellers at that now? I think I won´t do it cause it would be so damn cruel to Rihanna 🙂
Plus what´s that growth they are talking about??? She doesn´t participate in the making of her music, so any possible growth doesn´t come from her, and even with that in mind, the only growth they tried was last year, and it flopped so hard despite Kaney West or Paul Mcartney names being there, that they had to cancel it and go back to the studio to record generic stuff to at least have a chance in singles charts with songs like Work. Growth… LOL yeah!
Guys listen to Mariah Carey at almost 50 years old and with her voice supposedly so destroyed (as Sam has claimed so many times) demolish someone like Rihanna in her 20s and singing her under the earth´s crust just the other day. Listen to this folks (it is happening every night in Vegas right now, and always different, as the real artist with real musicianship she is. Listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BE79JS4eCs
This why music critics don’t take Radiohead-Lite seriously and never will.
I suppose we could go back and forth between RiRi and Bey, but to be truly honest, RIHANNA IS THE STUFF, RIHANNA IS THE REAL DEAL. RIHANNA WILL ALWAYS BRING THE SOUND OF EXCELENCE, RIHANNA CANNOT BE DUPLICATED. RIHANNA IS IN A CLASS OF HER OWN, RIHANNA WILL NEVER BE DUPLICATED. RIHANNA IS THE EPITOME OF HER LEGACY.