To support this channel in its efforts to continue providing quality and accessible music education content please consider donating: paypal.me/blackmusicarchive cash.app/$BlackMusicArchive
Interestingly, opera fans say the same thing about big voices in opera. Teachers and critics want the young opera singers to sing with softly and with gentle nuance that isn’t meant to be in the music. Just like gospel singers and musical theatre singers, opera performers are supposed to be able to fill a theatre with their voice. With microphones being used in opera they don’t need to do that any more and are discouraged from doing so
I wondered about this Anthony. Thanks for bringing it up. I have noticed theater artists using mics and wondered if they could still be heard without the support.
I've heard the same thing and definitely find it weird as that's a style of music where you need to have a big voice, regardless of voice type, to succeed
Microphones in opera are still rare. Only seen those in big recitals targeted towards mainstream audience. In Musical theatre and Gospel, I've seen otherwise I'm afraid.
I see why alot of older artists would rather do a tour overseas than the US. It's financially more lucrative and the audience still enjoy and have a sense of respect for music genres that today's youth wouldn't give an ear to, ranging from Adult Contemporary and Jazz to R&B, and Opera. This was a very thorough, insightful and excellent video. 👏
@@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024 it is indeed open minded but they wouldn’t pay for a concert to see these acts, this is what the original comentator said I think.
@@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024 Very true. Young people will listen to ear melting oontz oontz artists like Sophie and then turn up the new Beyoncé. Very open and diverse.
@TheeBelafonte - and your reasoning is exactly why R&B will never be R&B again; being that music is a reflection of todays youths experiences. Back in the day most R&B singers were influenced by singing in the Church, or gospel influences. Now I ask the question, when was the last time that occurred, when a big name, like Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, David Ruffin, The Temptations, Little Richard, Whitney Houston, Al Greene, etc. who were all influenced or came from the church? I'd say the R&B Category should have been made obsolete after the 1970s when R&B groups like the Stylistics, or the Chi-Lites dissipated and the onslaught of "Boy Bands" influenced by the culture took over the market and became the new IT thing. However, it seems like now-a-days all you have to be is Black, and you're instantly said to be R&B. No, R&B was about a time in history.
I'm from the Philippines. In my country, our premiere vocalists are *STILL* inspired by the 80s - 90s "big voice" vocalists, particularly the style employed by vocalists like Whitney Houston (for females) and Luther Vandross (for males). In my country, we *still* applaud the "big voice" singers. Singers who have a wide range. Singers that develop a style that uses a lot of "core" in projecting notes (belting). Some of our notable vocalists today are *Morissette Amon* and *Katrina Velarde,* both powerhouse singers in their early 20s. In the Philippines, it is sacrilege to do auto-tune or lip-sync. If you are a premiere vocalist, you will lose your career if you get caught lipping. In our country, we still listen to singers like Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston. We are highly, highly inspired by these legendary singers.
Filipino singers greatly influenced with the 60's,70's,80's and 90's even early 2000's, namely the great Aretha,Dionne,Minnie Ripperton,Stevie Wonder, Patti labelle, The Vocal Trinity "Whitney, Celine and Mariah.
i agree with this like via mainstream TV I guess however I feel like it does not apply in the Streaming era anymore like Gen Z would just really listen to Toned Down Music like Moira or Arthur Nery.
This video was so needed! People say that they miss the days when girls could Sang but when we try no support in the pop mainstream, unless you’re “Unique” or the voice is unexpected. Otherwise, your better off being a whisper singer or popping coochi on beat. That’s what it seems like ppl wanna hear. But this video gives me hope as a plus size black woman who’s 31 to keep at my dreams, work on my craft, explore different avenues and stay true to myself! Muahz love you Black Music Archive!
This is low key my gripe with my fellow melalnated folks sometimes. Someone (not of our race) will come and do classic R&B or Soul (like early 90s and less)or something, we and then we get mad, meanwhile we also dropped our interest in it. I'll grow wings and make springs the day we host massive concerts for old school music the way Europe does!
I think ppl be lying about the big voices. It’s a LOUD minority. But they have to KNOW what they’re doing. They can’t be problematic, which seems to be difficult to do. They need to be Beyoncè image level. It’s what’s gonna be needed.
@@yellowlight2563 Economic racial oppression, you really think colonizers will let that fly? I think you’re forgetting, the world isn’t built for us, especially the corporate concert world. Unfortunately. 💔
It's crazy how in Japan where English was mildly spoken in the 90's, Mariah was able to achieve such huge success. In 1996 she sold 150k tickets in 2 hours. A record.
Yeah that's why it's always weird to me when Americans say "I can't listen to non-english music, I don't know what are they saying!" Just read the translation 💀 the language doesn't matter, it's the music that does. Seems like some racist or xenophobic thing where they'll only listen to American or English music only to keep the illusion that their music is the best alive lol
I'm finding that white pop singers like Adele, Ariana Grande, and Miley Cyrus sing pop music with their bigger voices that gain crossover success in multiple musical platforms while Black singers like J.Hud are often relegated to niche markets unless they sing in a more subtle, restrained style.
That’s because those people chose the genre pop. Beyoncé is doing amazing because she’s in pop. In America you can only have a big voice and do well in pop. There are big voices of all races in country, R&B, Rock, and Blue grass but they don’t do well because they’re not pop. Pop is the only thing that sells in the United States that’s why lesser known singers of other genres have to go to other countries.
Jazmine Sullivan has a big voice and is winning. She has this thing of incorporating her voice into hip tracks which coincides with the younger generation; As well as the old. Also, Jazmine has writing ability, creativity, and musicality; Which most big artist don't have for today's market. Most big voiced artist today rely on covers or for someone else to write their works. Most time the topics are bland and the sound is dated. Jazmine has a gift for incorporating the belief systems that both younger and older crowds can relate to. Along with the instrumentation; This makes up for a refreshing sound. She's the modern day queen of soul.
Can big voices from Black women succeed in R&B? Today, the answer is “no”. Most singers in this space are racially ambiguous with whisper voices. That is the standard.
A lot of artists fail to realize how big their crowd is outside the us. even if they are a small artists the internet makes everything closer and reachable now a days. Your music can cross continents in seconds.
Whatever the trend in music, and singing... All I want for Christmas will always be #1 and current during Christmas season. And that's all I care about Mariah will forever be relevant
I agree! Finding your audience is key. Because of the digital age you dont need a label. U can find your audience by releasing your music online. There are many artists who sing different styles and found a good following online which has lead to them touring. Yup LEAVE THE UNITED STATES. PERIOD
Yes, but people complain about having to market themselves and having a good image. I think it’s also these ppl being a little too entitled and egotistical.
@@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024 well to the one that wants to be a "star" or "famous" they would be the ones who would need the machine behind them. To the ones who just want to make a living from their talent, the indie/online building would fit perfect.
I agree. Online is the way to be these days. You’ll never achieve the type of fame that Taylor Swift or Beyoncé has, but I feel that that kind of fame is becoming slowly a thing of the past. Anyone who doubts me can check again in 10 to 15 years. It’s about having a good sized audience and they working career, not about being the biggest icon of all time.
@@Rosannasfriend yup its definetely become a thing of past. The era of the "star" and "superstar" is fading. Plus what you have to do to get that FAME ..not to be desired
I think about it often how black female singers in particular tend to do better in other countries outside of America. Everybody from Josephine Baker to Donna Summer to Tina Turner to Kelly Rowland. It makes me wonder what that says about America. As for the big voices, one of my favorites is Jill Scott. There are a plethora of others but you definitely have to look outside the mainstream.
Actually dyk Beyonce and her mom were the ones who advised her to not go further into dance but stay in her R&B roots. Beyonce said her voice was too good and that genre is a downgrade for her. Now... She has an album in that genre and called it "the music of my youth". Smh... I think Kelly just isn't on her own side.
I personally think the music market is in a wonderful place where the sounds are as diverse and wide reaching as ever. Musicians have an easier time finding success than ever, it seems, because there are so many avenues to choose from that they can go down. Any kind of voice has the potential to make it and have some form of success, but it’s so dependent upon the musician’s goals. Trends are also always changing. We’ve had a trend towards smaller voiced singers and less vocal acrobatics in mainstream music, but the trends tend to invert themselves every decade or so. Big voiced singers 100% have the potential to become mainstream again.
Musical sales are dictated by the youth. And today's youth are emotionaly numb, distant and stoic. The music and singing style is a reflection of the times. The current artist dont sing with emphasis or much emotion they simply trudge through a song. And with the length of songs getting shorter and shorter there isn't much room for a vocal buildup and climax anyway. Hence no room for big voices in todays mainstream market.
I disagree. People didn’t just suddenly become emotionless. The music industry just cares more about the money than the music, so they push songs and artists that can make songs that are fun and accessible to the average music listener. Not everyone can appreciate the skill of big singers, some people just want a catchy song that they can sing along and vibe to so that’s what the industry is pushing.
I actually think the opposite is true of Gen Z (i.e. the current youth). They seem to feel everything and know how to articulate it very clearly. I also think the way they consume music is different because the entire history of popular music is basically available to them in a way that wasn't even to my generation (Millennial). Though I agree with you on song length. Though if we really wanna be real, the songs are about as long as many of the Baby Boomer era records of the 50's and early-to-mid 60's
The "Four Women" performance with Marsha Ambrosius, Ledisi, Kelly Price, Jill Scott was everything! Vocal beasts🔥🔥🔥🔥 Congrats to Jennifer Hudson for becoming the latest EGOT Winner ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you’re a vocalist with a “big voice” and we’re wondering if we need more house music. Yes. Yes we do. Please use your talents to give us more house🔥
I think a lot of the lack of this type of singer in popular music has to do with the industry dictating who and.what we should listen to. The past couple of decades the industry has bombarded America, esp black Americans, with thin throated singers and rappers, what seems like thousands of the latter. They want us to believe big voiced singers are out of style, old fashioned and should go back where they came from (the church). Unfortunately too many of us fell for the industry's flim flam. Europeans and Asian countries have gone through this too but are not as easily bamboozled as Americans. Thats why our "out of style" singers can go to these places and still maintain respectable careers. But be ignored and snickered at in their own native country.
Big voice, little voice, it doesn't matter. Make the content worth listening to. Create, Create and do more creating. Reinvent yourself if you must. God will make room for your gifts...
Why are you in my head?! I swear during my walk today I thought about how so many black recording artists would be more successful if they stopped thinking pop/R&B is their only avenue and branched into places like musical theatre •specifically•.
Well many called Whitney white for singing songs like greatest love of all. Can you imagine the reaction to black singers singing Broadwayisque songs like let it go?
@@takemyhand1988 Black actresses have played Elsa on stage, so I don't understand the question. Also, it's not unheard of for black recording artists to record songs from the musical theatre canon. It actually used to be standard practice. It may expose them to a different audience, but not everything is for everybody, and that's okay.
Many mainstream artists rarely perform in the Philippines that's why when they do, their fans are wildin' and will whole heartedly show their love and support (either moral or monetary)
It's all good until it's time to perform live. I just saw Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry fame perform outside with a live band. Venue audio did her dirty, but she was still able to project and belt out her hits, snatching lace fronts in the process. To me, live performances are where big voices shine. No way I'm paying the prices venues charge now to watch someone coo and whisper on stage. That style just doesn't work without the technology (Many lack stage presence, too). That style definitely doesn't work in church. So, yes. Big voices can succeed in live performances, on the radio, not so much. Lastly, thanks for highlighting Ledisi. She's one of my favorites and her Nina Simone show is amazing.
That’s what I hate. Nowadays these new “singers” can barely hold a note and they get ALL of the attention and sales, while the big voiced singers can barely get on charts or sell mainstream
I have been living and working in Vietnam as a singer for the last 5 years. It’s something that I didn’t expect or wasn’t even thinking about but it’s been the greatest experience and I’m so glad I gave it a try when I was presented with the opportunity.
@@evaneleven17 I’m in central Vietnam in a city called Danang but I also sing in a nearby town called Hoi An and I do seasonal contract work on an island called Phu Quoc.
@@scj3188 I randomly moved to Vietnam and shortly after I got here, I met a professional singer/musician on the beach. We hit it off and collaborated immediately. Once he moved back to the US after working together for 6 months, I continued collaborating with other musicians that I’d meet on the music scene (going out to every open mic I could to network). Finally, I put my own band together as a passion project. But an acoustic duo called Acoustic Soul, is my main source of income.
As a big voice vocalist, I'm going through this right now trying to figure out where the market myself as a singer-songwriter because I have a plethora of r&b songs and house songs. Most people suggest house and dance because I would have a flourishing career in that. But my desire is to be a mainstream success. So that's that but I absolutely love this video. Once again, thank you!
I'm really here for the house music revival. I go to a lot of EDM festivals and there's always some DJs playing house, but the last few years it's been more dubstep and even hardstyle. I don't hate that music. bur not enough seasoning for me lol. Last year I was hearing a lot more house and this year it's back in pop mainstream.
Other than the fact that big voice singers are a dying breed, mainstream music is at a place where it's heavily influenced by hip hop being the most popular and marketable genre which doesn't cater for big singing.The few big voice singers left today like Amber Riley and Jai'Len Josey have had to adapt to stay relevant.
it is so annoying that the current talented high-belters are forced to sing softer with lower range to match the mainstream music industry. they are forced to underutilized their talents. In my country, a champion of TV singing competition, which are able to tackle Beyonce or Celine Dion's songs, must sing their songs in a softer ambience to meet market demands. As if you force Celine Dion to sing like Taylor Swift. gosshhh...
Mariah has actually illustrated this throughout her career. When she first came out, she sang as high and as powerful as she could because that was the trend. By 2000's all her songs are arranged in a semi-talking style. By the time Caution came out, she hardly belts. All of that on top of the fact that her voice matured, was actually a response to the trend going on at a particular time.
@@Sttephy30 It's like a cycle. Remember how shows like American Idol were able to bring back real singing in the early 2000's with singers like Kelly Clarkson & Carrie Underwood? About 10 years of good music again until 2010's came along. So maybe another 10 years again for the cycle to come back?🤷
@@aemjay7225 still Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood don't have big voices. Their techniques are avobe average today but they would be way below average during the 70s or 80s and provably even the 90s.
@@Ignasimp I know. It's not just about having big voices solely. The whole point is about sounding good & pleasant. I highlighted KC & CU as I was commenting in the context of American Idol's impact at reminding the public at that time what "singing" should sound like.
Amii Stewart who had one hit with her version of Knock On Wood is famous in Italy and is still making music until today. In fact she has just released a new song recently.
If mainstream music pushed and supported bigger voices, more people would stand behind it. The old ass execs at universal think everyone wants to hear saweetie and sza when really I want some Ari Lennox or Jazmine Sullivan. But for some reason they are not marketed the Same🙃
I agree! I just wish there was more diverse voices in the mainstream today. Back in the day you had (Aretha, Gladys, Chaka, Tina, & Dionne) and then you had (Diana, Syreeta, Janet, Eartha, & Karen Carpenter) There was a good balance. From one end of the vocal spectrum to the other ☺
One thing about you narrator, you definitely never fail to keep Ms. Legendary icon Dionne in your mix, lol. I just always wait for it, lol. You love some Ms. Dionne. I think she is your favorite. She is definitely mine, then this time you added my second favorite icon Ms. Tina Turner. You just love you some legendary divas, lol. Your narratives are greatly informative!!!!❤❤✌🏾✌🏾
You should talk about Chloe and Halle and Lizzo? Also, yes artist do leave the states to folks that may appreciate their voice/theatre. Specifically, Asian markets ( like you said). They have artist like Sohyang and Dimash that flourish.
@@takemyhand1988 you are out of your mind wtf. Ariana has the smaller voice, lizzo has a big voice it takes you One performance to notice that, Chloe x halle dont have big voices but sure bigger than arianas
Watching videos of Diana Ross' recent UK arena tour, Glastonbury festival and Platinum Jubilee makes me wonder why she doesn't get the same treatment in her home country of America. She has 18 number 1 songs including the Supremes era, and there is no doubt that she is one of the foundation of today's pop stars.
I wonder too. Mariah is in the situation too. She is revered in Europe and especially here in Asia. Like we bow on her. But she doesn't get it from the US. Americans only do it when they die.
We need more Diane Warren written songs!! Diane Warren songs ALWAYS have money notes and they’re made for big voices!! If you don’t know her, look her up
@@KamikoAi I respectfully disagree. I think good music and good writing is timeless. A lot of the singles being released right now are not timeless - they are full of trends, slang, and cultural references that will age horribly. Nobody will be looking back at many of the popular singles right now in 10-15-30 years. Diane Warren singles will still be spinning 30 years from now just like her 30+ year old singles still are
Love this! As it relates to Gospel music, however, it seems the shift to Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is narrowing the opportunity for those big voices to shine.
I think we’ve seen with songs like ‘Hrs & Hrs’ were slowly leaning back into that type of singing with the right push. The better question perhaps is if BLACK artist can get back on top with doing it (Adele)
Big voices often oversing. Shrill high belting does not sell records. It's an art how to wield a big voice and meld it with commercial songs. Jennifer hudson has a big voice that doesnt really sell, it can become grating...just one example. At the end of the day, a big voice needs to paired with great songs..
There’s nothing wrong with “oversinging.” A song or artist doesn’t have to be commercial to be good or to sell. Just say it isn’t for you and that you don’t support those big voices. You are a part of the problem.
True. There a lot of bad singers out there that have/make good and interesting, music while a lot of the good singers are just interesting when they're covering someone else or doing a tribute
Not true. JHud is given horrible material. There's only so much one can do with a terrible song. Adele has a big voice but is given better material. Adele is also white. Will we talk about race -based double standards today?
A lot of people can hold a note for over a minute. It just sounds boring in most songs so they don't. Maybe with a changing beat backing it, it could work.
Awards and chart sales are great, we all know and if they could im sure many great singers then and now would love to live that life. However, constantly working and getting to live a financially secure life while showcasing your gift to the world? Sounds like the better option in the long run tbh.
Great video! I always found it interesting that singers get paid very well overseas. I see alot of singers go overseas where they sell out stadiums or large theaters that are the size of a stadium. I think alot of singers are going to go into gospel, or jazz. I love Ledisi. She is one of my favorite singers of today. Love her, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Lisa Fisher, Tamia, and Keke Wyatt.
Its not the voices but the material the writers and the producers that is failing them... good music never go out of style a lot of these people with nice voices just got sucky ass songs Jennifer Hudson has the crappiest music ever she has no memorable songs that make you want to sing along and put it on repeat. Play that Jennifer Hudson song says no one to the DJ. Jazmine Sullivan HER Alicia Keys somebody need to start writing for these people...
That's because all the good material is going to pretty / marketable "singers" with autotuned voices and excessive vocal effects to cover up their mediocrity.
You know Jazmine Sullivan has a lot of memorable songs. Alicia Keys too. HER is good but she needs some works on the music she does. I truly don't understand why she only sings mellow songs.
I like Jennifer Hudson but I've never really was the best fan of her voice. It's just toooo strong. I love her as an actress and I love the song she did with NeYo.🎈🎈
What I got out of this HIGHLY INFORMATIVE video was how much we in the United States take for granted. All of these amazing talents and we choose to settle for watered down stuff. Meanwhile, overseas, there is such a higher level of appreciation and respect for that same talent. Thankfully there's so many other avenues for these incredible singers.
Great video! I also think it’s important for artists to innovate with new sounds and genres that can incorporate big voices and “real singing”. We’re not at the end of history, there’s still so much more that can be done with the amazing foundations Black people have given music. Just because (yes I’ll say it) capitalism and free markets are pushing the direction of mainstream music in the US & UK to less emotive, arguably soulless music stylings to match an increasingly isolated, gloomy and lonely world, does NOT mean that a) people aren’t actively yearning for something more, something different, and b) there isn’t more to be done sonically with music. Nostalgia feels like it’s at an all time high, amongst younger generations too, so it’s not like people don’t miss the big voices and emotive singing of old. It’s just they’re not getting it pushed in their faces nowadays and people are just passively accepting a lot of the current music industry products. Just my opinions though after spending a few years working in and around music marketing spaces in the UK (and being an African church trained musician all my life).
You are correct, it crazy cause Adele can sell over a million in pure albums sales the first week. But jasmine Sullivan can't . Jasmine can't get the promo like white singer. Black singers get the shit end of the stick .
You are correct, it crazy cause Adele can sell over a million in pure albums sales the first week. But jasmine Sullivan can't . Jasmine can't get the promo like white singer. Black singers get the shit end of the stick .
I love all voices, I just wonder why when an artist brings out a new album, the DJ’s only play one or two songs off the album and consider those songs to be hits. Why don’t they play the entire album, so that people can decide for themselves what songs they like.
Love it. Maybe you'll say some about Jazmine, Ledsi, H.E.R., Andra, Fantasia, Erykah, Brandy, Alex Isley, India. Arie, Hiatus Kayote, Ari Lennox not to mention the male singers Peter Collins, Avery, Michael Mayo, Dwele, Soulchild, Rahsaan, Bilal, Gene Noble, Samoht, The Walls etc. I know you do like them and you're aare of them. Those wh don't could think you mean voices have completly disapeared.
I Think we need a big artist to breakthrough the mainstream with a big voice to change the industry like happened with the eletronic music If a new "Beyoncé" who can sing and dance appears the game will start to be serious again we just need that warm up in the industry again
Theres a lot of bad singers out there that have/make good and interesting music, while theres a lot of good singers are just interesting when they're covering someone else or doing a tribute
I dont think it about range i thinks its about power. Alot of today singer are singing high notes even the guys. No one is really singing comfortably tho. The technique and song placememt now adays are placed high and light. Ariana grande voice is powerful because he has good tech and she is in her range. Justin beiber would benefit from lowering the key cause the songs are place out of his range.
On the Justin Bieber one , he's a tenor and what I think would benefit him best is getting some solid vocal training cuz even his low notes aren't that strong, at least imo. And with great technique JB could hit the high notes with ease, a natural advantage of his voice type.
Musical theatre is in very bad shape too. Most musical theatre singer nowadays have terribly nasal and thin voices. They might try to sound big but throuh all the bad mechanisms.
Another insightful video, and I hope that last point helps up and coming artists understand that they don't have to limit the paths their career can take them. The checks across the pond still clear. lol
Yes they can. Whitney was one in a lifetime. A voice like hers can drop and make the world stop. No offense to the current talent but I have yet to see a Whitney voice reappear. Leona Lewis is the closest for me at least when she debuted. Honorable mentions of Jojo, Kelly Clarkson, and Fantasia.
Case in point : when Kelly Rowland was performing and doing dance music, the American market was unsupportive of her dance music , however she was killing it in the European and Asian markets.
I also think people need to stop making America the only country that matters. Singers like Shirley Bassey and Kylie Minogue and Shakira or some of the all-time biggest female sellers worldwide, without being as huge in America as they are internationally. But people only want to talk about America.
🌹Thanks for sharing. 🌹 I personally know this information to be “True!” 🌹It’s impossible to live in both places. 🌹Therefore, you’re in a suitcase🌹finally coming to CONUS broke🌹 ~ & starting below the bottom.🌹Just make sure you really love Singing or you’ll be depressed.🌹
The problem is the big singers rarely have the full package: looks, voice, dancing ability, style, and great songwriters. Beyonce is one of the rare few who has it all
I think this is more about the voices rather than marketing. So looks, dancing and style are not what he's talking about here although unfortunately they play a role in sales.. It's the song arrangement and vocal style I think he's referring to. Beyonce is not a big voice
@@blankspace8758 Beyonce is most definitely a big voice. 90% of female singers can't sing songs like Love On Top. She has range and power. But she's versatile and also knows how to sing in a pop style
Here’s my pov with the state of RnB of present day--they don’t want to hear black voices doing runs & belts anymore-the Machine/Music industry is pushing racially ambiguous & white faces to be the forefront of RnB.
Hey! I don’t know why you’ve deleted your series on Mariah Carey. It was the best one and is proving to be 100% accurate. I was doubtful at first, but now I can see not only her voice hasn’t improved during pandemic but it’s beyond repair. Just look how painful it’s for her to sing baby please come home in 2022. Very sad.
Great video! Speaking of Amber Riley, I think that's why she got to do "Leading Ladies" and work on The West End. Even Alex Newell, non-gender-conforming person also from Glee, gets a lot of work in Europe.
