JENNIFER VS. BEYONCE
Thursday, March 8, 2007
, Posted by DJ Plan.B at 3/08/2007 02:40:00 PM
Jason and I were sitting having a debate about the endless comparisons of Beyoncé Knowles and Jennifer Hudson. While we both agree that there really is no comparison for several reasons, I felt that the best course of action to take is to not contribute to the comparisons by adding yet another point of view that someone can then debate. I feel that it is better sometimes to not dignify issues with responses.
Jason disagrees. He feels that it is that very lack of speaking out about how you feel that allows people with misguided points of view to feel as if they are right. To make a long story short, I understood his point of view and this article will testify to my feelings about the whole issue.
Let me start by saying that Dreamgirls renewed my faith in musicals-made-into-movies. It was an amazing piece of art and I thought the story was colorfully told. Jennifer Hudson (and all the actors for that matter, especially Eddie Murphy) truly showed that she is a pro and deserves all of the accolades – including her Golden Globe and Oscar wins – for best supporting actress. She covers Jennifer Holiday’s classic "You’re Gonna’ Love Me" with grace and power. I even find it eerie the similarities in tone and attitude on the song now performed by the two Jennifers.
To top it off, Jennifer’s newfound success completely eclipses her previous efforts on American Idol and she is the first Black woman to cover Vogue Magazine! I also applaud her for confidence in a "size-zero" Hollywood. She shows that curvaceous, confident, intelligent and talented Black Women can be appreciated. Her star is truly rising, and deservedly so!
But she is still no Beyoncé Knowles.
Why do I say this? Certainly not because I want to continue what I feel are unnecessary comparisons between the two. Why is it that we act like when we have two successful, attractive beauties that we have to choose? I feel that there is plenty of room for both to be successful and have their own lanes without coming into any direct competition with one another.
But, if you want to compare, Beyoncé Knowles is a seasoned and talented professional who has been under the microscope of the public eye for over ten years now. She obviously works very hard, because vocally, she cannot be touched in the game. After helming the most successful female group of all time and making a smash debut album, she has come to be able to use her voice effortlessly and it shows on such a risk-taking sophomore effort, B’Day – already a Grammy winner for Best Contemporary R&B Album! In fact, I think she truly stretched the genre. Who have you heard give so much emotion on tracks over hip-hop/rap productions save Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige? And to convey the gamut of human emotion on mostly up-tempo tracks is groundbreaking.
Ms. Knowles is the second-coming of Tina Turner and a consummate entertainer. She can sing ballads or up-tempos with the save conviction – and we are comparing her to Jennifer because of one song? Really? That is like comparing an army cadet to a five-star general. And I say that with all due respect to Ms. Hudson. But Beyoncé has proven that she can sing many different styles and genres of music and I would truly be impressed if Jen is able to match Beyoncé’s versatility. But no pressure, Jen. Accomplishments like that take time. I just do not think the two can be compared in any way until Jennifer has some movieS (plural) and albumS (at least one, please!) under her belt.
Until then we really cannot begin to compare the two. So let’s appreciate BOTH artists for what they bring to the table – they have certainly made 2006 and 2007 very interesting years for music and motion pictures.
Why do I say this? Certainly not because I want to continue what I feel are unnecessary comparisons between the two. Why is it that we act like when we have two successful, attractive beauties that we have to choose? I feel that there is plenty of room for both to be successful and have their own lanes without coming into any direct competition with one another.
But, if you want to compare, Beyoncé Knowles is a seasoned and talented professional who has been under the microscope of the public eye for over ten years now. She obviously works very hard, because vocally, she cannot be touched in the game. After helming the most successful female group of all time and making a smash debut album, she has come to be able to use her voice effortlessly and it shows on such a risk-taking sophomore effort, B’Day – already a Grammy winner for Best Contemporary R&B Album! In fact, I think she truly stretched the genre. Who have you heard give so much emotion on tracks over hip-hop/rap productions save Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige? And to convey the gamut of human emotion on mostly up-tempo tracks is groundbreaking.
Ms. Knowles is the second-coming of Tina Turner and a consummate entertainer. She can sing ballads or up-tempos with the save conviction – and we are comparing her to Jennifer because of one song? Really? That is like comparing an army cadet to a five-star general. And I say that with all due respect to Ms. Hudson. But Beyoncé has proven that she can sing many different styles and genres of music and I would truly be impressed if Jen is able to match Beyoncé’s versatility. But no pressure, Jen. Accomplishments like that take time. I just do not think the two can be compared in any way until Jennifer has some movieS (plural) and albumS (at least one, please!) under her belt.
Until then we really cannot begin to compare the two. So let’s appreciate BOTH artists for what they bring to the table – they have certainly made 2006 and 2007 very interesting years for music and motion pictures.
