Billboard has ranked the top 75 R&B singers of all time.
The criteria is vocal prowess, body of work, career longevity, industry achievements, game-changing influence and enduring generational/cultural impact. Songwriting skills weren't a major factor.
Here are the top ten.
#1 Stevie Wonder
#2 Aretha Franklin
#3 Michael Jackson
#4 Beyoncé
#5 Whitney Houston
#6 James Brown
#7 Prince
#8 Mariah Carey
#9 R. Kelly
#10 Marvin Gaye
When Billboard last did the list in 2015, Michael Jackson was number one.
What do you think? Beyonce seems pretty high, given who comes next.