Syleena Johnson Says Today’s R&B Is “Watered Down;” Here’s Who’s Bringing Real Vocals Back [Video]

Iconic singer Syleena Johnson recently spoke about the current state of R&B, and she didn’t hold back.

During a recent chat with The Beat ATL, she expressed that singers of today don’t have to do as much as the artists she came up with. Johnson admitted that oftentimes, she and her musical colleagues are stunned by the work that has become popular in today’s market.

“I come from an era when you had to know how to sing,” Johnson told host Big Homie Kodaq before going on to name legendary acts such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Chaka Khan, who showcased her classic voice during NPR’s Tiny Desk in June.

While her comments may spark some adverse reactions in the R&B world, other vets have expressed such sentiments for years. Many have attributed this shift in sound to the new acts’ lack of church singing backgrounds and the rise of auto-tune. Johnson even suggested that top spots on the music charts can be bought. Whether or not this theory is true has yet to be proven.

While Johnson is not alone in her beliefs, several singers today have the vocals to back up their many accolades and massive fanbases. Here are just a few newer-generation vocalists who know how to bring down the house.

Durand Bernarr