We’ve seen so many great artists that have graced the stage on this earth, but those that have reached iconic legendary status are few. While there is and has always been one undisputed King of pop (Michael Jackson) the race for who maybe the Queen has always been a close one. It is clear that the last set of mega superstar artists in the running for this are the only 5 that can be listed where their legacy speaks for itself: Whitney Houston, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. Everyone can make a claim for the honor, but who is the diva that ultimately owns it? What we did is state the facts and include the “official word “on these ladies from the “haters” and the “stans”.
Whitney Houston:
· Her self titled 1985 first studio album held the record for being the biggest debut album, selling 13million in the U.S. and over 25million worldwide (until singer Alanis Morrisette broke this record in 1995 with Jagged little Pill).
· Her Bodyguard era holds the distinction of being the biggest era by a female artist ever.
· She holds the record for having 7 consecutive #1 songs on the Hot 100.
· She’s the only female artist to appear 3 times in the top 50 list of the best selling albums ever.
· Whitney has won the most Grammy’s in this bunch (6 in all) and she’s the only 1 to receive those in 2 top major categories for album and record of the year (for “The Body Guard” and “I will always Love you”).
· According to the Guinness book of world records Whitney is the most awarded female artist of all time. She has a total of 415; which included 2 Emmy’s, 16 Billboard awards, 6 Grammy’s, and 22American music awards (the most for a female ever).
The hater says: Her drug addiction had her out of commission for most of the last decade. She can no longer sing and her voice started deteriorating while in her prime.
The stan says: Whitney certainly did enough in her prime (and for a lifetime). As far as singing off in her prime... Can you recall one bad performance from her in her first 15 years? …No! She is the standard where music is measured by, “The Voice”. She’s done more than any other artist has with only 8 compilations (from her debut, “Whitney Houston” to her most recent studio album “I look to you “. She is certainly one of the most celebrated and talented artist that has used her “gift” to rise to legendary status and relied on nothing else. Her entire body of work is nothing short of extraordinary.
Janet Jackson:
· Janet holds the record for having the biggest debut tour with her Rhythm Nation tour (over 2 million people were in attendance).
· She has 10 #1’s on the Hot 100, 20 #1’s on the dance charts and 17#1’s on the R&B (giving her a total of 47 #1’s(excluding the pop and rap charts - which she is the only female pop star to even have a #1 single on – “What’s it gonna’ be”?! )
· She holds the record for having the most singles place in the top 5 of the Hot 100 off of 1 album (7, from “Rhythm Nation”).
· Janet holds the record for having the most billboard music awards (33 in total).
· She also was the first artist to have a Hot 100 #1 in the last 3 decades (80’s, 90’s and ‘00’s -“When I think of you”, “Escapade”, “Doesn’t really matter”).
· First and only female artist awarded the honor of being MTV’s Icon of the year in 2001.
The hater says: Janet hasn’t had a solid hit since the beginning of the last decade. She doesn’t sing live and she has used her brother to assist her in becoming a superstar.
The Stan says: Since the Super bowl Janet has been banned, but has still managed to have #1’s on the dance and R&B charts as well as hit the top 20 on the hot 100. To dispel the rumors, Janet sings along with a track in her concerts as well as sings all of her ballads live.
She hasn’t used her brother to get herself established, it wasn’t until after 3 mega successful albums of her own did she even team up with him for their only duet “Scream”. She influenced so many artists for generations from Britney to Rihanna. Janet’s music and signature choreography is epic and is what helped build our pop culture. It’s what made her first 5 eras arguably the most memorable individually and allowing each of them to be classified as classics.
Madonna:
· She is listed in the Guinness book of world records as the female artist with the most albums sold (200 worldwide – 300 records).
· She’s also listed again, for being the artist with the biggest grossing tour for a female (4th of all time). Her “Sticky and Sweet tour earned her $408 million after performing in 32 countries.
· Madonna is tied (with Mariah) for having the most multiplatinum studio albums in this bunch (8 in total).
· In 2008, Madonna was the only one in the bunch inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
· Madonna was ranked #2 by Billboard magazine (behind the Beatles), for the Hot 100 All - Time Top Artist making her the most successful solo artist on the Billboard chart.
· Madonna has received a Golden Globe for best actress in a musical for “Evita”, which she received great critical acclaim in and was praised for showing her musical versatility.
The haters say: Madonna is all hype and nothing more of a celebrity star than a musician or artist with actual talent. She relies on shock tactics and illusions to distract her audience from what she doesn’t do on stage (sing or dance well). What’s’ not ever noted is the fact that Madonna has actually sold the most records due to releasing greatest hits packages(6 in all, garnering 51 million in sales) and not new studio albums, which has allowed her to cash in off her past that she’s recycled to her fans on several more occasions than any of her peers.
The Stan says: Madonna has been a master of reinvention and she’s a great visionary. She’s done iconic themes in her videos that interpret her music. She’s certainly more of a fascinating artist than a gimmick. Madonna is not only an entertainer that gives you elaborate live shows, but an artistic visionary selling an experience with eccentric themes and visually compelling scenery. Her record breaking tours (specifically the last 2) certainly prove that she’s in high demand with or without the sales of the greatest hits compilations.
Mariah Carey:
· Mariah holds the record for having the most #1 singles by a female artist, 18 #1’s (more than 2/3rd’s of all those songs were written or /and produced by her).
· She also holds the record for having the longest running single on the Hot 100. “One sweet day” featuring Boy II Men and charted for 16weeks on the Hot 100.
· She also holds the record for having the most weeks at #1 accumulatively (79 in total). She’s tied with Elvis Presley.
· Crowned the #1 female artist of the decade in the 90’s and given the Century award from Billboard.
· The only artist to have debut at #1 on the Hot 100 3 times(with “Fantasy”, “One sweet day” and “Honey”).
· Mariah Carey has also recorded the best selling Christmas album of all time (with the Xmas album titled “Merry Christmas”).
The hater says: Mariah has the stage presence of a mannequin when she performs. She has continually flopped with her last 2 studio albums and her 2nd Christmas offering. She has no relevance anymore.
The stan says: Debatably Mariah has accomplished more in 20 years than any of the divas She’s impressively managed to surpass all of her peers in single charting and sales; except for 1(which is interesting being that 3 of them came years before her arrival). Mariah’s not only an record breaking artist, but a superb (and one of the most successful) songwriter and producer. Mariah will always be relevant because her records that she holds are a mile long and are as impressive as the day is long.
Celine Dion:
· Celine is said to also have sold 200 million albums worldwide (tying her with Madonna).
· She’s the only female artist to place in the top 20 list of the highest selling albums ever (both “Falling into you”, as well “Let’s talk about love” has sold over 30 million worldwide).
· Celine has 2 diamond studio albums (joining only Mariah Carey in this bunch for this distinction, “Falling into you” and “Let’s talk about love”)
· Celine has 2 Golden Globe and Academy award winning songs that she was featured on (“Beauty and the Beast” and “My heart will go on”).
· Celine Dion is the only artist in the bunch to win a Grammy for record and song of the year simultaneously for “My heart will go on”.
· Celine Dion is one of the leading artists ruling the Adult contemporary chart with 11 entries that all went to #1.
The hater says: She’s the lesser of the “voices” and hasn’t had a hit in years.
The stan: Celine is actually the best vocalist currently out of the “voices” and have kept her voice in the best condition. She’s won many honors (Grammy’s and Academy awards) unlike her peers and has sales that out do most of her competitors.
So who is the all time greatest? The Queen…
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