Billboard certainly got people talking with their ‘Best R&B Singers of All Time’ list published on Juneteenth (June 19).
As we previously reported, staff of the mag’s official website created the ranking in honor of Black Music Month and listed their picks by “industry achievements, body of work, game-changing influence, enduring generational/cultural impact, vocal prowess, and career longevity.”
And while big names like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson unsurprisingly made the top 5, acts like Luther Vandross, Chris Brown, Brandy, Toni Braxton, and Anita Baker didn’t even crack the top 25 and the likes of Sade, Monica, and India.Arie were snubbed completely.
While social media chatter continues about the polarizing countdown, celebs like R&B diva Tamar Braxton made headlines for adding their two cents.
A day before the final 10 names were revealed by Billboard, Tamar took to her official X (formerly known as Twitter) account to weigh in.
“…Billboard got that best singers of all times list WRONG if Kelly ain’t on there. Everyone have a blessed day,” she told her 1.7 million followers on the platform.
Not knowing if she was referring to R. Kelly, Kelly Price, or Kelly Rowland, fans took to the comment section to co-sign the sentiment. Note: the former did place at #9 while Price and Rowland were snubbed.
Once Braxton’s statement was posted by our friends at TSR, however, she quickly clarified who she was referring to.
“…had you posted the tweet before, the church would know. Be blessed love. Don’t @ me. Kelly Clarkson is that throat,” Tamar shared referring to her previous mention of wanting to sing on the diva’s daytime talk show.
Leaving heads scratched, commenters quickly clarified for Braxton the list was not referring to all singers but was a toast to one specific genre (which Clarkson has admittedly dabbled in over her nearly 20-year career).
Nonetheless, Tamar has not walked back the comment – suggesting she meant what she meant when she said what she said.
At writing, Clarkson has not responded to the compliment.
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Lol Tamar you’re not even on there… unless I missed it. I skimmed through. Kelly isn’t even on a pop list. She has 2 or 3 good songs ever and they were all pop.
Tamar, girl, shaddup. Kelly Clarkson aint no R&B singer, Chile. What’s wrong with you? I guess this is what sleeping with white men will do to you. 🤷🏾♀️
Tamar shut up!
Rage Bait lol
How did Chris Brown not sit between 10-14? Im an older music veteran who knows good music and gifted talent when it comes into the industry. Chris Brown is the modern day MJ with the pure raw talent those kind of people have. And he has the IT factor like a boulder. Thus why despite
mainstream ignoring him (unless it’s negative they are being evil out to get him) he’s an incredible force to this day.
When I saw the king of R and B Chris Brown not close behind R Kelly I knew the list was faulty .