‘Guess What’ hitmaker Syleena Johnson didn’t leave fans guessing about how she felt about Adele‘s recent polarizing statement on singers covering her megahits.
As fans of the British diva know, she served as the covergirl of the latest ‘The Hollywood Reporter‘ (THR) in which she talked about everything from new music to praising her peers like Beyonce, SZA, and Dua Lipa.
And while most of the chat was well-received, one quote that raised eyebrows was Adele weighing in on the many vocalists who have attempted to sing her chart-topping hits like ‘Rolling in the Deep,’ ‘Hello,’ and others over the years.
“I think I’m not the best singer in the world at all, but no one else can sing my songs like me because they didn’t write them,” she shared. “No one can sing my songs like me, period. They can’t sing. The lyrics are not their own. And I don’t think anyone else should sing my songs… I don’t mind it when they do, but I’m just saying they’re never going to be able to emote it.”
To her credit, she did say there are exceptions.
“Same way that I can’t sing other people’s songs. I didn’t write the lyrics, and I can’t sing as well as them,” she revealed. “Apart from Aretha Franklin. No, I don’t mind it when they do, but I’m just saying, they’re never going to be able to emote it.”
The latter comment did little to quell detractors, however, many of whom believed the GRAMMY-winning songstress was being self-indulgent.
Among the critics was GRAMMY-nominated Syleena Johnson, who took to social media over the weekend to reply to Addy’s statement.
“Girl bye,” she started in the comment section of our friends at TheNeighborhoodTalk. “We don’t make these records so that WE can sit and listen to them and have our own emotions. We make them so that others can heal, be inspired, and/or motivated.”
Later in the lengthy statement, Johnson weighed in on Adele’s reference to Franklin.
“Aretha is the QUEEN OF SOUL, the very soul Adele’s music appears to be influenced by,” Syleena said. “So, her covering your song is the highest to say. To say ‘They can’t sing’ gotta be a typo cuz that’s crazy.”
Read the full comment below.
At the time of this report, Adele has not responded to the mixed reactions to her statement.
Why would Adele even justify this angry flop beaver with a response? Lol. Envy doesn’t look good on you SyGREENa. Girl bye!
Slithering Johnson should shut her flop mouth. She makes Normani look like Aretha.
Every star that I’ve ever heard cover an Adele song has done it very well. Aside from belting, Adele really isn’t much of a skilled singer. Just because a person hasn’t written a particular song doesn’t mean they can’t connect with and cover it well. I think she’s mad because so many people sang her own songs better than her, even white girls. Syleena told NO LIES. Adele’s voice isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and that’s ok.
Adele’s magic for me lies in her tone. It reminds me of the singers of old. A very classic sound. Other than that you’re correct she isn’t a technically great singer. I think that’s why a lot are drawn to her. The rawness.
Who?
Most of her statement is fine as in being the writer, etc.
But that one part “I don’t think anyone else should sing my songs” : I wasn’t expecting that from Adele.
Lmao at except Aretha. Because she knew people were already after her before the article was even released.
Quite disappointed.
She’s right. Others would sing it better. All Adele does is scream and shout. No soul. Just flat like her booty
Adele makes it sound like a personal diary that she wants no one to touch, which is why she should keep it to herself and sing it in the shower like Syleena said. If you’re going to share it with the world, be happy that people relate to it and connect with it emotionally, because you’re not the only one experiencing the things you’re talking about.
🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ Who even is Syleena Johnson?
Aretha the Queen of soul sung rolling in the deep and it didn’t sound nowhere as soulful as Adele’s version. A lot of people sing Adele songs “well” the same way a lot of people sing “I’ll always love you “well” yet they can’t evoke the emotions that connected with the audience like Adele and Whitney. Yes I’ll always love you is a cover but the original version wouldn’t be mentioned if it wasn’t for Whitney’s version so that makes Whitney’s version the standard.
Black folk stay messy. Especially when it comes to white artists who doing better than them. So bold to come for Adele or Sam Smith but never come for their black counterparts that have destroyed the RnB genre.
ERM Make You Feel My Love is a cover. What is she (Adele) talking about????
Syleena is right , they walked so Adele could run. And aretha has recorded an Adele song and sounds amazing.
Never heard of this woman.
Also, Adele was being gracious and careful not to diss the Queen of Soul by noting that Aretha is an exception to her statement — because anyone with ears knows that Aretha’s cover of “Rolling in the Deep” was a poorly auto-tuned MESS. Yes, Aretha is a legend, but she completely s*** the bed on that song.
Who? I don’t know her.
GOAT of what? Wow. You must not listen to much music.
Alright Adele calm down. That was apart of your Aura. The fact that even though you sing flat and your songs have no soul, you were humble. Do not do too much. You ain’t all that. Even Mary J Blidge sounds better than you.
yes