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Essence: 50 Most Influential R&B Stars
Black Music Month allows us time to reflect on how Black music — our music — has changed the culture of America and beyond.
To celebrate this exciting month we thought it fitting to highlight the 50 top artists whose work has uplifted, soothed, and energized us over the years.
These artists — who are listed in no particular order — have churned out hit after hit and made musical history. From classic stars like Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross, to newcomers like Mary J. Blige and Beyoncé, ESSENCE.com celebrates the soul singers and producers who went hard and made history.
Read more: http://www.essence.com/2012/06/26/50...#ixzz1yv5bwNnR
50. Sean "Diddy" Combs
49. Babyface
48. Barry White
47. Boyz II Men
46. Toni Braxton
45. Earth, Wind and Fire
44. Rihanna
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Barbados born beauty Rihanna has a habit of starting fashion frenzies and surpassing sales records. It takes an unbelievable amount of talent and star power to sell more than 20 million albums and 60 million singles before the age of 23. We can credit her hits for bringing reggae infused hip-hop into the mainstream pop scene.
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43. TLC
42. Teddy Pendergrass
41. Erykah Badu
40. Anita Baker
39. Etta James
38. New Edition
37. Donny Hathaway
36. Teena Marie
35. Alicia Keys
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When “Fallin” hit the charts in 2001 it was instant success for Ms. Keys. Sixteen Grammy awards, five tours and over 30 million albums later, she remembered her debut in 2001 with the 10th anniversary edition of Songs in A Minor.
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34. Frankie Beverly and Maze
33. Sade
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Her sultry voice and super-sexy melodies have captivated us for twenty-five years. Simply put, no one makes mood music better than this mesmerizing British-Nigerian stunner.
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32. Janet Jackson
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They don’t make ‘em like Janet Jackson anymore! This fierce Triple Threat has kept us entertained with her iconic videos, seriously danceable mega-hits, and engaging film roles (hello, Poetic Justice)for years — and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
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31. Ashford and Simpson
30. Timbaland
29. Aaliyah
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Once considered the princess of R&B, Aaliyah’s sweet vocals will always evoke great memories. We’ll always love how the songstress managed to keep the gritty hip-hop beats with the luscious Minnie Ripperton-esque vocals.
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28. Jill Scott
27. D'Angelo
26. Usher
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When Michael Jackson stepped off the scene the world needed an entertainer who could sing and dance their way into right our hearts. In stepped the ever-so-talented Usher Raymond. With great moves and looks, over 30 million albums sold, and millions of young men trying to copy his style and swagger, it’s safe to say Usher’s left his mark.
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25. Ray Charles
24. Gamble and Huff
23. Lauryn Hill
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Many have tried and even more have failed to emulate the genius that is Ms. Lauryn Hill. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill will forever go down as one of the most legendary and influential albums of all time!
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22. Maxwell
21. Lionel Richie
20. R. Kelly
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All the male R&B artists atop the charts today owe big thanks to R. Kelly, the self proclaimed “pied piper of R&B”. Kelly’s gospel influenced sound paired with his sultry lyrics made for two decades worth of unstoppable jams we’ll love always.
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19. Patti LaBelle
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Nobody has pipes like Patti! Whether she was voulez vous-ing it up as LaBelle’s lead singer or belting out solo hits like “On My Own” and “New Attitude,” this feisty singer/songwriter/actress has always kept us entertained.
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18. Chaka Khan
17. Gladys Knight
16. Quincy Jones
15. Sam Cooke
14. James Brown
13. Beyoncé
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Beyoncé is in a league of her own when it comes to setting trends in music. Reggae, hip-hop, soul, techno – you name it, she’s done it. We also have to give Bey props for starting some of the hottest dance trends of the decade. Admit it – you’ve done the moves to “Crazy in Love,” and “Single Ladies” on the dance floor at least once or twice.
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12. Mariah Carey
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A chart topper since her debut in 1990, Mariah Carey has continually broken records, including scoring the most number ones on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a female artist. To date, she’s sold over 200 million albums.
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11. Diana Ross
10. Mary J. Blige
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The Queen of Hip Hop-Soul debuted in 1992 and ever since she’s been the one women depend on to sing their lives with the song. Mary’s work has always moved us. From her musical lessons on self-love to her out-of-this world delivery of her heartfelt heartbreak, women all over will forever be singing Mary’s praises.
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09. Isley Brothers
08. Curtis Mayfield
07. Luther Vandross
06. Whitney Houston
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Personal issues be damned, Ms. Houston was the diva to end all divas. All one needs to do is catch her singing “I Will Always Love You,” “You Give Good Love” or “The Greatest Love of All” to remember that she might just have been the best voice of our time.
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05. Prince
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This funky genius played 11 instruments at 18, invented the “Minneapolis” sound (the pop/funk/soul/rock hybrid that owned ’80s radio), made 10 platinum albums and is still inciting purple riots with his “Welcome 2 America” tour. We want his extra time and his kiss.
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04. Marvin Gaye
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Forty years after the release of What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye’s iconic album still stirs up the soul and warms the heart. He’s been named as one of the Greatest Singers of All Time and one of the Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone." You can’t get any more influential than that.
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03. Stevie Wonder
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Now talk about legendary status. Who else do you know who’s put out nearly 40 albums and almost 100 singles? And let’s get real; Mr. Wonder has been signed to Motown since he was 11!
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02. Michael Jackson
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Michael Jackson could very well be the greatest entertainer of all time. He has influenced so many talents of this generation, including Usher and Chris Brown. As one of the first Black musicians to gain crossover appeal, he paved the way for future artists and created a lasting legacy.
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01. Aretha Franklin
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They don’t call her the “Queen of Soul” for nothing. Even after all these years her sound still rules. Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, and Mary J. Blige all studied at the school of Aretha. Her music defines female empowerment and has taught women how to unleash their inner divas.
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READ MORE: http://photos.essence.com/galleries/...icians#!812103
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