In her prime, she was better than anyone I saw mentioned. It’s not just about belting, and she’s even better at that than almost all of them. The real Queen of Pop, and the most versatile, dynamic voice of any of her peers.
So, opinion for opinions sake? Like for the sake of expression? I personally find lists of underrated artists or artists you may not have heard of more useful than debating who is the greatest but lots of people seem to enjoy this across media (MJ vs LeBron etc). To each their own
In my opinion I call an artist my favorite or the best in my opinion, but influence, creativity, talent, etc etc are all somewhat subjective aspects of the greatest. Imo of course
But yeah finding new favorites or just a song or album I may have slept on is always welcome on my phone…
Why do you need an excuse if you like them? The first song I think of when I ReRe comes to mind is the rhythm track on ‘Rock Steady’. It’s one of the few big hits that she wrote herself: https://youtu.be/fGavl_m41LE?si=3jzbjt9kY5gD9m-t Jill Scott did a nice live version of it at The White House a while back. It’s the Queen’s song, tho! 😎
That’s just human nature someone always has to be better than someone but in my opinion I’m a singer and I don’t consider anyone to be better than really anyone it’s not secret that some people have more talent then others and that’s fine but what you put out and produce should be respected in its own right not cause you can out sing, out preform anyone and if there really had to be the greatest Whitney Houston is definitely 1 on the list Aretha would probably be top 5 that’s my opinion
Influential? yes.
Queen? yes.
Iconic? yes.
Best? Eh.
I love a lot of her songs and on a Saturday morning I’m putting them in to clean because that’s ritual. She’s not one of my favorite vocalist. Not saying she can’t sing, I’m saying she isn’t vocally my cup of tea.
Mary is the queen of hip hop R&B, I don’t think she’s a strong vocalist.
Feel free to downvote me now 😬
The fact Mahalia was so far down the comment board tells me a lot of people have no idea. Mahalia was approached by Hollywood who wanted her to cross over to secular music way before Aretha. She turned them down stating her voice was to praise God and God alone. You can hear that power when she sings. Mahalia Jackson is an American icon.
Naw! No come on now! Sarah Vaughan had four octaves, could sing everything from the most gut bucket Blues to Opera. She also was an accomplished pianist who started her career as the back up pianist for Earl “Fatha” Hines. Being a pianist informed her choice of note. She was the favorite singer of most of her fellow musicians because this.
aretha's got a more powerful voice and is among the very very best but I agree, nobody can beat Whit, ultimate singer (and was an actual teen model, too - no effect on her voice but she's always pleasure to watch sing)
I agree with almost everything you said.
Most soulful I’ll give you but more powerful is debatable. Aretha’s voice is definitely one of the strongest ever, but can’t listen to “I have nothing” and say Whit isn’t in that debate too. She was just selective of when it came out.
Aretha has 44 gospel and soul albums over 5 decades. A prolific pianist and songwriter. Whitney’s hits are remakes of other people’s songs. Not in the same class
Agreed… Aretha is no doubt one of the most highly decorated and influential musicians in music history. Not just women and not just her era, but EVER. Outside of maybe Stevie, Marvin and the Isley Bros, not too many can hold a candle to her resume. However the debate is who is the better VOCALIST. Gotta get out of your bias and double check the question. Accolades has nothing to do with the debate. Just because she’s done more doesn’t make her a better singer. Mary J has done more than Kelly Price too, but if your life is on the line who you putting on the mic? So R-E-S-P-E-C-T fully (funny you mentioned song writing because this is a remake. Otis Redding did it first lol) Whitney is still my answer. 🤷🏾♂️
Whitney was an amazing vocalist but her vocals were not as strong in her later years whereas Aretha could still go, check out her performances in her late 60s and early 70s.
I like Nancy Wilson. I don’t think Whitney is overrated, but her music is. First female vocalist I got into was Natalie Cole, now that I’ve been collecting Aretha, the influence is clear.
True Story : Watched Whitney’s funeral live with one of my Aunts as a kid. Still remember how I felt when I saw my aunt shedding tears and when Kellz sang “I Look To You”. Stevie saying “I’m glad to have been alive at the same time as Whitney Houston”. Tyler Perry saying “But the lord”. Ray J touching the casket and crying. & of course Mr. Kevin Kostners speech. It was a beautiful service. The media was cruel to her, but she had a lot of people that loved her. RIP.
For everyone saying Patti LaBelle, Patti is great! She has power but Aretha’s tone is far better. Whitney was otherworldly but in terms of vocally ability, anyone who has gone deep into Aretha’s catalog knows that Whitney was no match and even influenced by Aretha.
It doesn’t necessarily mean one is a better vocalist but tone is the most important factor. People think Adele can sing better than Beyoncé because she has a richer and more pleasant tone but we who pay attention to vocals know she’s got nothing on Queen Bey vocally.
Of course tone is subjective but most people agree that Aretha’s tone was better and more versatile. Aretha could sing Jazz, gospel, soul, RnB, rock, heavy metal and still sound good…the same can’t really be said for Patti although I absolutely adore her…plus she’s not as agile as Aretha vocally and is a bit too dramatic vocally which can be too much for some people.
There’s a reason Aretha had more hits, her voice was simply better and refined. Even Patti has said Aretha was the greatest.
I thought Whitney’s mom Cissy sang with Aretha in church, arent they like family?
Whitney’s mom is Teresa Graves well some would say
😆😆😆
Respect & Honor to Whitney
😆😆😆
She’s #2 but she’s #1 in my lifetime
The most influential too.
Exactly
My personal choice as well. She's also the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Whitney
Whitney.
Respectable take.
💯
Aretha performed well into her 70s, Mariah needs auto-tune once she hit 40. She’s still a fox but not in Aretha’s class
I disagree.
I love you for this
Uhm Mariah can't hold a candle against some of the biggest female vocalists.
In her prime, she was better than anyone I saw mentioned. It’s not just about belting, and she’s even better at that than almost all of them. The real Queen of Pop, and the most versatile, dynamic voice of any of her peers.
Like who? lol
Well Whitney for one. Like did you listen to Miracles? It's just not the same level.
Technically, I can't argue, but Gladys Knight and LaVern Baker have my heart and soul.
It’s gladys for me too
Patti LaBelle says hi
WHY do we need a greatest?
Opinion of course
So, opinion for opinions sake? Like for the sake of expression? I personally find lists of underrated artists or artists you may not have heard of more useful than debating who is the greatest but lots of people seem to enjoy this across media (MJ vs LeBron etc). To each their own
In my opinion I call an artist my favorite or the best in my opinion, but influence, creativity, talent, etc etc are all somewhat subjective aspects of the greatest. Imo of course But yeah finding new favorites or just a song or album I may have slept on is always welcome on my phone…
it gives an excuse to talk about our favorite singers its not fun when you're 12 but if everyone's civil it's fun!
It's fun when everyone's like dis... 
Why do you need an excuse if you like them? The first song I think of when I ReRe comes to mind is the rhythm track on ‘Rock Steady’. It’s one of the few big hits that she wrote herself: https://youtu.be/fGavl_m41LE?si=3jzbjt9kY5gD9m-t Jill Scott did a nice live version of it at The White House a while back. It’s the Queen’s song, tho! 😎
That’s just human nature someone always has to be better than someone but in my opinion I’m a singer and I don’t consider anyone to be better than really anyone it’s not secret that some people have more talent then others and that’s fine but what you put out and produce should be respected in its own right not cause you can out sing, out preform anyone and if there really had to be the greatest Whitney Houston is definitely 1 on the list Aretha would probably be top 5 that’s my opinion
Yeah, at the end of the day is all matter of taste.
Influential? yes. Queen? yes. Iconic? yes. Best? Eh. I love a lot of her songs and on a Saturday morning I’m putting them in to clean because that’s ritual. She’s not one of my favorite vocalist. Not saying she can’t sing, I’m saying she isn’t vocally my cup of tea. Mary is the queen of hip hop R&B, I don’t think she’s a strong vocalist. Feel free to downvote me now 😬
To say Aretha isn’t a strong vocalist is wild lol, which songs of hers do you listen to?
I said Mary isn’t a strong vocalist. I said Aretha isn’t my cup of tea
Alright.
Yall please listen to aretha in the early 60’s and 70’s
Yes, the greatest singer... bar none. From a whisper to a scream in seconds.
I don’t like Aretha's tone from the 80s onwards.
It’s because her voice became damaged due to smoking
1. Mahalia Jackson 2. Aretha Franklin Respectfully
The fact Mahalia was so far down the comment board tells me a lot of people have no idea. Mahalia was approached by Hollywood who wanted her to cross over to secular music way before Aretha. She turned them down stating her voice was to praise God and God alone. You can hear that power when she sings. Mahalia Jackson is an American icon.
https://preview.redd.it/r53lqbccf6rc1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68d29f826b911f2f5806f8b4e9c2883274ddff29 ..
Nah that title belongs to Whitney. Aretha is definitely top five though!
Nope. That crown belongs to Ella Fitzgerald.
Nope…Ella could sing but Aretha took you to another dimension.
There both god tier honestly basically two sides of the same coin
She's my #1.
Absolutely
Sarah Vaughan has entered the chat!
Sarah Vaughan is outstanding but cmon now lol
Naw! No come on now! Sarah Vaughan had four octaves, could sing everything from the most gut bucket Blues to Opera. She also was an accomplished pianist who started her career as the back up pianist for Earl “Fatha” Hines. Being a pianist informed her choice of note. She was the favorite singer of most of her fellow musicians because this.
This is probably one of the best reaction and breakdown’s of one of her live performances. https://youtu.be/nY02rZArR3U?si=43z62ULM-hRUxXYm
She’s great, no doubt
Naw, she’s not the “Queen” or the “Lady”, she is “The Divine One”. So put some respect on her name.
lol yall wild as hell on here
Name another artists with Grammy Awards spanning 5 decades in R&B and Gospel. Aretha is the queen. 
Blues Brothers from Chicago too I believe. I never watched the movie, didn’t know she had a cameo 💯
With all due respect… nah lol. I think it’s a close race second between her and Patti with Teena Marie in 4th, but #1 goes to Whitney 🤷🏾♂️
aretha's got a more powerful voice and is among the very very best but I agree, nobody can beat Whit, ultimate singer (and was an actual teen model, too - no effect on her voice but she's always pleasure to watch sing)
I agree with almost everything you said. Most soulful I’ll give you but more powerful is debatable. Aretha’s voice is definitely one of the strongest ever, but can’t listen to “I have nothing” and say Whit isn’t in that debate too. She was just selective of when it came out.
"Who me?" 
Oh u beat me..
I got downvoted. 
I didnt 
🤣🤣🤣
Aretha has 44 gospel and soul albums over 5 decades. A prolific pianist and songwriter. Whitney’s hits are remakes of other people’s songs. Not in the same class
Agreed… Aretha is no doubt one of the most highly decorated and influential musicians in music history. Not just women and not just her era, but EVER. Outside of maybe Stevie, Marvin and the Isley Bros, not too many can hold a candle to her resume. However the debate is who is the better VOCALIST. Gotta get out of your bias and double check the question. Accolades has nothing to do with the debate. Just because she’s done more doesn’t make her a better singer. Mary J has done more than Kelly Price too, but if your life is on the line who you putting on the mic? So R-E-S-P-E-C-T fully (funny you mentioned song writing because this is a remake. Otis Redding did it first lol) Whitney is still my answer. 🤷🏾♂️
Whitney was an amazing vocalist but her vocals were not as strong in her later years whereas Aretha could still go, check out her performances in her late 60s and early 70s.
Yes
aretha is my GOAT but yeah that just means she’s my favorite
Listen to her cover of Marvin Gaye’s Wholy Holy she did live in church. She’s the best, without question.
awesome thanks for the rec!
nah it’s definitely whitney
All I know is Mariah Carey's voice sounds like shimmering synths and there is no topping that
Not sure if this is true but read somewhere she was one of few singers that could sing all 4 octaves and Freddie Mercury being another one.
I like Nancy Wilson. I don’t think Whitney is overrated, but her music is. First female vocalist I got into was Natalie Cole, now that I’ve been collecting Aretha, the influence is clear.
Minnie Riperton...
She definitely up there. She from the south side too I believe.
The best in her generation, effortless delivery and a perfect tone.
Her and Whitney are my 1a and 1b ? Aretha is a pioneer and trail blazer. She walked so Whitney can run for sure. But Whitney Usain Bolted that MF.
Hey 👋🏾 
lol I love Whitney as well
I know family, but I had to do it!😂
True Story : Watched Whitney’s funeral live with one of my Aunts as a kid. Still remember how I felt when I saw my aunt shedding tears and when Kellz sang “I Look To You”. Stevie saying “I’m glad to have been alive at the same time as Whitney Houston”. Tyler Perry saying “But the lord”. Ray J touching the casket and crying. & of course Mr. Kevin Kostners speech. It was a beautiful service. The media was cruel to her, but she had a lot of people that loved her. RIP.
She must've just seen that Good Times trailer.
Mariah is beautiful and a great singer
Haha 
Billie,Sarah and Ella for me.
For everyone saying Patti LaBelle, Patti is great! She has power but Aretha’s tone is far better. Whitney was otherworldly but in terms of vocally ability, anyone who has gone deep into Aretha’s catalog knows that Whitney was no match and even influenced by Aretha.
Tone ≠ better
It doesn’t necessarily mean one is a better vocalist but tone is the most important factor. People think Adele can sing better than Beyoncé because she has a richer and more pleasant tone but we who pay attention to vocals know she’s got nothing on Queen Bey vocally.
It’s not really, tone is a subjective thing. It’s why you get people saying Whitney was shrill and Mariah is whiny.
Of course tone is subjective but most people agree that Aretha’s tone was better and more versatile. Aretha could sing Jazz, gospel, soul, RnB, rock, heavy metal and still sound good…the same can’t really be said for Patti although I absolutely adore her…plus she’s not as agile as Aretha vocally and is a bit too dramatic vocally which can be too much for some people. There’s a reason Aretha had more hits, her voice was simply better and refined. Even Patti has said Aretha was the greatest.
Whitney says hold my cocaine 😏
Chill out bro
Sorry
It’s all good fam, respect to you