MTV's 22 Greatest Voices in Music

I was doing a quick wikapedia search the other day and came across the following list. It is MTV's list of the twenty-two greatest singers in contemporary pop music.

They are ranked from 1-22; one, of course being the best voice. Mariah Carey is ranked number 1 and Bruce Springsteen is ranked number 22.

Greatest Voices in Music is a countdown of the greatest singers in contemporary music, by MTV and Blender Magazine.

Mariah Carey
Freddie Mercury
Whitney Houston
Bono (U2)
Christina Aguilera
Alanis Morissette
Kurt Cobain
Björk
Celine Dion
Tupac Shakur
Michael Jackson
Chris Cornell
Eminem
David Bowie
Alicia Keys
Steven Tyler
Jewel
Thom Yorke
Mary J. Blige
Michael Stipe
Sade Adu (Lead singer of Sade (band))
Bruce Springsteen

What do you think? Definitely some great singers on the list, but also some questionable ones, too. Well, let the debate begin.

This is all so rhetorical. The greatest voices in pop music, but based on what standard? Are we talking about vocal, actual singing ability; or are we talking about people whom use their voices to make profound statements in pop music. If we take the first definition, what the hell is Eminem or Tupac doing on the list. I like rap music, and I especially like Tupac, but you can't rank him among the greatest voices if you list a singer's vocal ability as deciding factor. Neither Tupack nor Eminem are singers. They rap. Rap has its' on set of criteria. Have they both used their music to awaken the public to some of the harsh realities of urban life? Yes! They both are great "voices" in pop music in terms of their lyrical content.

Nonetheless, the list is very diverse and eclectic, which I like. Although some of the artist on it are questionable. I don't know if I believe Mariah Carey to be a better vocalist than Whitney Houston or Chrisitna Aguilera, but that is just my opinion. Also, Micheal Jackson is the only Black male, aside from Tupac on the list. Don't get me wrong, I like Mike's music, but I could name about oh five other male vocalist who would put his voice to shame. Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, James Ingram, Billy Ocean, and James Brown, just to name a few. Or what about my blue-eyed soul brothers like Micheal McDonald, Justin Timberlake, and Steely Dan. What about Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Annie Lennox, Bette Midler, Anita Baker, Diana Ross, Cindy Lauper, Etta James and Tina Turner. Actually, the more I think about, the more I realize this list is kind of like a bad joke. Hmm...Let's all laugh and really think about the 22 greatest voices in contemporary pop music.