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Is British Singer Adele the New Queen of Soul?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 | 11:30 AM
by Hillary Crosley
Rumor has it that British native Adele is the new Queen of Soul? But Aretha's still alive!
In 2008, a blue-eyed soul battle began with Amy Winehouse, Duffy and Adele tussling front and center. Winehouse played the reigning champ, boasting two internationally successful albums, "Frank" and "Back To Black," the thin-voiced Duffy touted her hit "Mercy" and finally the least-known Adele.
When I first heard Adele's debut album "19" at Columbia Records' office, I couldn't help but think the label was latching onto the newest wave of soulful non-black folks. But listening to "Hometown Glory," I realized this girl could genuinely sing. In fact, if Winehouse continued to wrestle with her very public drug addiction, Adele could very easily waltz into her spotlight. Enter 2011 and Adele's sophomore LP "21" is an internationally-acclaimed critical darling. Everyone wants a piece of the former chain-smoking singer and some have even called her the "Queen of Soul." Wait, what?
Now, Adele is not the new Teena Marie - she hasn't made a true R&B song yet - nor is she the new Queen of Soul. The controversy reminds me of when Mary J. Blige's Queen of Hip-Hop Soul title came into question and people had a similar reaction: But Aretha's still alive! Honestly ladies, would it matter if Aretha was gone? She would still be the Queen of Soul, just like Michael Jackson will always be the King of Pop. However the London native is wildly talented and, while I'm sure there are scores of overlooked brown musicians, Adele deserves the attention she's receiving. Good songs are good songs and she's got plenty on "21."
Like Mary and Keyshia Cole, Adele's second album draws from a rough breakup that her listeners can enjoy. The piano-driven "Someone Like You" tugs at the heartstrings from the first line where the Brit finds her former love "settled down ... and you're married now." The lead single "Rumour Has It" is a complimentary blend of folky boom-bap alongside her big vocals while the aptly titled "Set Fire To The Rain" proves that even though break ups are hard, moving on is even harder. Ultimately, "21" lays bare Adele's broken heart in an honest way and women, no matter what color, are better for it.
Read more: http://www.essence.com/entertainment/hot...p#ixzz1GmeQtmxb
Is British Singer Adele the New Queen of Soul?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 | 11:30 AM
by Hillary Crosley
Rumor has it that British native Adele is the new Queen of Soul? But Aretha's still alive!
In 2008, a blue-eyed soul battle began with Amy Winehouse, Duffy and Adele tussling front and center. Winehouse played the reigning champ, boasting two internationally successful albums, "Frank" and "Back To Black," the thin-voiced Duffy touted her hit "Mercy" and finally the least-known Adele.
When I first heard Adele's debut album "19" at Columbia Records' office, I couldn't help but think the label was latching onto the newest wave of soulful non-black folks. But listening to "Hometown Glory," I realized this girl could genuinely sing. In fact, if Winehouse continued to wrestle with her very public drug addiction, Adele could very easily waltz into her spotlight. Enter 2011 and Adele's sophomore LP "21" is an internationally-acclaimed critical darling. Everyone wants a piece of the former chain-smoking singer and some have even called her the "Queen of Soul." Wait, what?
Now, Adele is not the new Teena Marie - she hasn't made a true R&B song yet - nor is she the new Queen of Soul. The controversy reminds me of when Mary J. Blige's Queen of Hip-Hop Soul title came into question and people had a similar reaction: But Aretha's still alive! Honestly ladies, would it matter if Aretha was gone? She would still be the Queen of Soul, just like Michael Jackson will always be the King of Pop. However the London native is wildly talented and, while I'm sure there are scores of overlooked brown musicians, Adele deserves the attention she's receiving. Good songs are good songs and she's got plenty on "21."
Like Mary and Keyshia Cole, Adele's second album draws from a rough breakup that her listeners can enjoy. The piano-driven "Someone Like You" tugs at the heartstrings from the first line where the Brit finds her former love "settled down ... and you're married now." The lead single "Rumour Has It" is a complimentary blend of folky boom-bap alongside her big vocals while the aptly titled "Set Fire To The Rain" proves that even though break ups are hard, moving on is even harder. Ultimately, "21" lays bare Adele's broken heart in an honest way and women, no matter what color, are better for it.
Read more: http://www.essence.com/entertainment/hot...p#ixzz1GmeQtmxb
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