In follow up to comments made about some the recent losses the music community has experienced, I ask this question:

Who's next? Not next to go... but next to continue the legacy? If we are losing great artists and musicians who have done their part to elevate our musical conscience, who are the next set of trailblazers? I mean R&B and jazz and soul and gospel are still young art forms so what's next for them?

I pose this question for conversation and also as a challenge to the music minds in this community (to discover and rediscover our greatness). We offer a lot of conjecture on good, better and best. But what is our contirubition?... where is our greatness?... when chaka, stevie, aretha, al jarreau, george duke, marcus miller, joe sample pass on, where will music be and in whose hands?

what a great question, Thomas

i just hope its not in the hands of diddy
i dont know who will carry the torch
todays r&b(mainstream) is so watered down its disgusting
we all know who can elevate or musical conscience, but these artists are relatively not played on the radio

does the next generation of greats have to be mainstream, have crossover appeall or a mega entertainer like beyonce
most of the artists i love have never won a grammy but havent had the acclaim they deserve, can you be a great one without the acclaim from the media etc?

@ jayrom... I agree. some of the mainstream artist are lackluster at best. And those who aren't have convoluted their talent with poor presentation.

Given the state of things, I doubt that mainstream success will be a criteria for greatness. When I survey the greats, they weren't incredibly popular until later in their careers, and for some not until they were dead. The other thing I noticed is their uniqueness was the main qualifier for their greatness and set them apart from the other greats.

Here are a few i think will carry the torch:

Oleta Adams
Rachelle Farrell
Lalah Hathaway
Cassandra Wilson
Jonathan Butler
Marcus Miller
Norman Brown
Anita Baker

Yeah!!! I like this thread!!! I was actually waiting for you to list some people who you thought would become legends.

Here's to add to you list.

1. Stephanie Mills
2. Peabo Bryson
3. Sade
4. Will Downing
5. Yolanda Adams
6. Eric Benet
7. Rahsaan Patterson
8. Mariah Carey
9. Lenny Kravitz
10. Maxwell
11. The Brand New Heavies
12. Frank McComb
13. Faith Evans

A few more who definitely have the potential to do so:

D'Angelo (He has the real potential of becoming the next Marvin Gaye - type figure in music)
Jazmine Sullivan (especially if she continues to make music with a live/ old-soul feel)
Lauren Hill (the fame is there, we just need consistency)
Rahsaan (Keep Funk Alive) Patterson
PJ Morton & Daniel Moore (For their song writing and use of live instruments in popular music)
Sylvain Luc (youtube him and you'll understand that he's on of the best jazz guitarists living)
Robert Glasper (A young, hip pianist who transcends genre)

@dread.. some of your list may be considered greats already (Kravitz, Mills Bryson Carey) lol

@ dj... i couldnt agree more about Jazmine, Morton and Moore

I think we are going to see a resurgence of musicians due to increased funding to school art's programs. Lack of funding is a one reason for our current musical landscape (...the beats and tracks thing that is)

John Legend?
Maxwell?
Alicia?

When I survey the greats, they weren't incredibly popular until later in their careers, and for some not until they were dead.

Interesting. Yes, but for every Betty Carter, there are 50 Sarah Vaughans. I think the late bloomers are the exception. Fame is elusive to begin with - the vast majority of musicians who reach high levels of popularity, do it in the earlier parts of their careers.

I don't necessarily love or like everyone on this list but if I had to take a stab at it with a 50 year age limit:

Whitney Houston
Mariah Carey
Janet Jackson
Wynton Marsalis
Beyonce
Alicia Keys
Kanye West
LL Cool J
Maxwell
Jennifer Hudson
Usher
Rihanna
Mary Blige
Fantasia
Audra McDonald
Erykah Badu
Jill Scott
John Legend



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2010 12:57PM by KnightOverEgypt.

@ KOE.... good point .....But did you have to say 50 Sarah Vaughans?
She was her own, no other 49 can compare!

I'm a 80's baby so I'll do my best
Some of the artist I've listed are pretty much already legends in my opinion, some are on there way if they just keep making music, some will definitely become legends if they make a comeback,some can be legends if they reognize their individuality and stay true to themselves, and some can be legends if they focus more on the quality of their music and less on popularity, sex appeal, and record sales.

Karen Clark Sheard
Rachelle Farrell
Lalah Hathaway
Yolonda Adams
CeCe Winans
Kim Burrell
Kirk Franklin
Fred Hammond
Marvin L. Winans
Natalie Cole
Ledisi
Jill Scott
Mary Mary
Mary J. Blige
Sade
Janet Jackson
Erykah Badu


Monica
Anthony Hamilton
Chrisette Michele
Jennifer Hudson
Musiq Soulchild
John Legend
Fantasia
India Arie
Usher
Jamie Foxx
Lauryn Hill
Jazmine Sullivan
Syleena Johnson
Angie Stone
Raheem Devaughn

Tyrese
Beyonce
Brandy
Kelly Price
Faith Evans
Robin Thicke






Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2010 01:38PM by joyjoy4807.

@Thomas - Yeah...they're great, but not Legendary like some you mentioned in your thread earlier. I would never compare Mariah to Aretha. LOLOL. However, in time, they will have that status! Hmmmm....but Stephanie may already be there. I just LOVE her. Had to mention her, just in case! LMAO!!!

Wow this is a real tuffee as many are not appreciated till they are gone(Like Papa Hath). We have become very loose with that word "Legend" and how its percieved. I cant speak for gospel because even if they don hold on as fine as Cece Winans trough the years they are still revered for their talent moreso than anything unlike Todays Climate...where 20 years from now If Mary J packed on three people like Aretha has she would not be as recieved as Ms Franklin is even with the ridicule she gets. Its hard to find any recent artist who came out in the past 20 years that have the material, catalog or quality to do a one person show and keep the audience engaged 20 years later.


Chrisette Michelle
Maxwell
Musiq
Fantasia
Carrie Underwood
Esperanza Spalding
John Legend
Anthony Hamilton
Alicia keyes
Jenifer Hudson
Beyonce
Jill Scott

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I wouldn't mind seeing Calvin Richardson on the Generation next stage. His last two albums were really soulful.

I wouldn't mind seeing Calvin Richardson on the Generation next stage. His last two albums were really soulful.

It's hard to say. I think that in some cases, it's not us Americans carrying the torch for music. For instance, in Europe, jazz at its best is definitely more accepted over there. In the UK, soul music is more cherished. I would have to say that we're into fads so much more in this day and age than ever before. Longevity now is much harder to come by. I don't know if some of the greats we talk about would be able to survive in this climate now if they just happened upon the scene in these times.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/2010 11:29PM by Jeff.

Good thread

Anthony Hamilton
Maxwell
Lalah Hathaway
Chrisette Michelle
Whitney Houston (she did a lot in her time)
Marcus Miller

wow, it's hard to think up everyone, I'm sure I have more to add. I just thought of people that I thought I'd still want to listen to 20 years from now (and who I have been listening to for more than 5, save Chrisette, but I think she will go places)

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Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding - Albert Einstein
...unless you live in my house - Tanyashia

If Carol Riddick could get better promotion I could see her around for awhile.........

@jeff... I never considered the global music climate when asking this question. But that is a great point to consider. Maybe it won't be an American

if we take those we consider the greats of the past and place them within the context of today's music I think we'd bring the industry to a halt. Their uniqueness and prowess would challenge music consumers and media.... which brings me to my original question. I think we need that spectrum of artistry to return to the forefront.

I beleive it will soon...