Beyoncé vs Whitney Houston – Who’s the Best Singer?
In a battle between two music icons, Beyoncé vs Whitney Houston, who do you think reigns supreme? Today I’m going to dissect these two music giants based on their vocal range, album sales, award wins, and pop cultural impact to determine which singer emerges on top!
Beyoncé vs Whitney Houston (Summary)
Beyoncé and Whitney Houston are both immensely talented artists, but when it comes to the title of a supreme artist, Whitney Houston holds the crown. Houston’s groundbreaking achievements, unmatched vocal prowess, and profound cultural impact set her apart.
Whitney’s incredible vocal range, from soaring high notes to powerful lows, combined with her ability to infuse emotion into every lyric, made her a captivating performer. Hits like “I Will Always Love You” solidified her chart-topping success and continue to resonate with audiences today.
Moreover, Houston’s influence extended beyond her music. As one of the first African-American women to achieve mainstream success, she broke down barriers and inspired generations of artists. Her versatility and captivating presence on the stage and screen further cement her status as a true entertainment icon.
While Beyoncé is undeniably a remarkable artist, Whitney Houston’s unmatched talent, record-breaking hits, and cultural significance make her the supreme artist whose legacy will continue to inspire for years.
- You Might Also Like: Whitney Houston vs Mariah Carey
- You Might Also Like: Madonna vs Beyonce
Vocal Range
Beyoncé and Whitney Houston are two iconic talents. Both women have won over artists with incredible vocal ranges, each showcasing their artistic style.
As a versatile singer with an expansive vocal range, Beyoncé can reach up to four octaves. Beyoncé is known for her R&B sound, so her level of control over her voice through high or low notes is impressive. Beyoncé ranges from F2 to F6 on special occasions; she can reach as high as a G6.
Beyoncé’s voice is precise and powerful. She also demonstrates a masterful use of melisma, a technique in which a single syllable of a word is sung while moving between several different notes in succession. Beyoncé’s dynamic range and skillful approach allow her to deliver an emotive performance consistently.
There is a reason why Whitney Houston is considered one of the best singers of all time by Billboard. Her vocal range is approximately three and a half octaves from A2 to C5. Whitney Houston’s powerful voice was her trademark during and after her lifetime. Her ability to sustain notes has brought a dramatic touch to her music.
Houston’s flawless technique and ability to control the vocal melisma, a staple in gospel music, led her and this approach to become a famous singing style in both Pop and R&B genres.
Winner: Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston’s vocal range may be narrower than Beyoncé’s, but her use and control of her range make her outshine Beyoncé.
Houston’s mezzo-soprano voice is genuinely brilliant and luminous, capable of capturing raw emotion, which is difficult for any artist to do. Her ability to easily and effortlessly sing powerful high notes while sustaining perfect pitches is remarkable. Also, her use of melisma set a new standard within the pop and R&B world, and her style remains evident in Beyoncé’s technique. Although Beyoncé has a broader range, Whitney Houston’s depth, power, and control make her win this round.
- You Might Also Like: Janet Jackson vs Michael Jackson
- You Might Also Like: Eminem vs Kendrick
Album Sales
Beyoncé and Whitney Houston have accomplished major milestones in album sales. Comparing these talented women requires understanding that both contributed immensely in different eras and environments.
Aside from having one of the biggest record deals of all time, Whitney Houston debuted in the mid-1980s with her debut album Whitney Houston, which had a massive success and sold over 22 million copies worldwide. Her album sales bolstered her impressive vocal range and emotive stage presence. From an overall perspective, Whitney Houston sold over 200 million records worldwide.
Beyoncé first gained notice while she was in the female group Destiny’s Child, in which she also had impressive 60 million records sold worldwide. As for her solo career, Beyoncé has sold over 100 million records, which includes her most-sold album, I Am Sasha Fierce which sold more than 9 million albums worldwide.
Winner: Whitney Houston
It is important to note the changes in the music industry. During Whitney Houston’s time, physical album sales were the main source of album revenues. Whereas in Beyoncé’s era, digital sales and streaming have taken over.
It should also be noted that Beyoncé’s model of surprise album drops, such as her self-titled album Beyoncé and Lemonade was a game changer; However, it didn’t lead to as high sales numbers as conventional releases; it did revolutionize the way artists release music.
- You Might Also Like: Metallica vs Nirvana
- You Might Also Like: Michael Jackson vs Prince
#1 Singles
Beyoncé and Whitney Houston’s #1 singles demonstrate their commercial success and highlight the evolution of their musical styles.
Whitney Houston’s career has had numerous chart-topping hits. Houston had eleven #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, which includes “I Will Always Love You,” “Greatest Love of All,” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Her music, which touched on pop, R&B, and soul, resonated with a broad audience, propelling her to the top of the charts.
Beyoncé has had ten #1 singles combined as a solo artist and with Destiny’s Child, including hits like “Crazy in Love,” “Single Ladies,” and “Irreplaceable.” Beyoncé’s songs often have a significant cultural impact, becoming anthems for empowerment and individuality, especially for women.
Winner: Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston, eleven #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, has proven her brilliant talents to captivate an audience with her emotional performances and pop, R&B, and soul elements.
Some of her #1 singles, like “I Will Always Love You,” will go down in history as timeless songs and are a perfect example of how she can draw listeners in with her powerful vocals. Although Beyoncé has made her mark when it comes to #1 singles, it is without a doubt that Whitney Houston wins this round.
- You Might Also Like: R&B vs Hip Hop
Touring
Whitney Houston had several successful tours, especially in the 1980s and 1990s, where her vocals appealed to worldwide music lovers. Her Greatest Love World Tour in 1996 visited 49 cities in North America, Europe, and Japan. For at the time, this is an awe-inspiring accomplishment.
Also, her Bodyguard World Tour in 1993-1994 only encouraged the growth of her widespread popularity. However, touring took a toll on Houston’s vocal health, and her later performances were often criticized due to noticeable declines in her vocal ability.
Beyoncé’s tours are known for her choreography, visual storytelling, and grand stage designs. Her tours offer often involve an immersive experience that evolved the expectations of concertgoers. The “Mrs. Carter Show World Tour” in 2013-2014 and the “Formation World Tour” in 2016 are great examples that demonstrate her ability to combine her stunning vocal talents and her brilliant stage elements.
Winner: Beyoncé
Beyoncé stands out in this arena due to her multi-dimensional performances and brilliant stage setups. Whitney Houston’s tours focused entirely on her vocal abilities, but Beyoncé revolutionized the touring landscape with her immersive stages and emotional performances filled with stunning choreography and gorgeous visual elements.
Awards
Both Beyoncé and Whitney Houston have received an impressive amount of awards that reflect their unique talents and emphasize the evolutionary paths they have created for female artists that followed in their footsteps.
Whitney Houston has won 22 American Music Awards, which made her the female artist with the most awards in this category. She also won six Grammys, including The Bodyguard soundtrack for Album of the Year. Whitney Houston also won two emo awards and numerous Billboard Music Awards. Whitney Houston’s mindblowing vocals have led her to these incredible accomplishments.
Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy awards ever, with 28 wins. Alongside this record-breaking title, Beyoncé has also won 24 MTV Video Music Awards, including the Video Vanguard Award, which acknowledges that this significant accomplishment is a testament to Beyoncé’s talents.
Winner: Beyoncé
When comparing awards, it is hard to deny that Beyoncé beats Whitney Houston. It is hard to deny the accomplishment of holding the record for the most won Grammys, which is the top tier for awards. It may be evident that Houston outshines Beyoncé when it comes to singing abilities, but it is clear that Beyoncé’s musical abilities have her standing out in this category.
Impact on Culture
Both Beyoncé and Whitney Houston have significantly influenced music and society.
As one of the most celebrated vocalists of all time, Whitney Houston broke barriers in the 1980s and 1990s. As a Black female artist, Whitney Houston’s crossover success in pop music and her role in the movie, The Bodyguard helped open doors for artists of color in white spaces. “I Will Always Love You” reminds one of the most iconic songs in music history, inspiring artists of color to create legendary and iconic songs.
Her social activism and artistry define Beyoncé’s cultural impact. Beyoncé pushed boundaries and refined how music should be approached through her visual albums. Also, Beyoncé consistently addresses female empowerment, black identity, and social justice themes.
For example, she has made statements about police brutality and racial inequality outside and inside the music world. Some examples are her songs “Run the World (Girls), “Lemonade,” and her album, Black King. This has led her to spark a widespread dialogue about these issues.
Winner: Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s influence on culture is simply unparalleled. With her refreshing blend of outstanding vocals, stunning visuals, and unapologetic message of female empowerment, she has become a true icon and role model for millions worldwide.
While Whitney Houston was a legendary performer in her own right, her impact on culture was more limited. Beyoncé, on the other hand, has been able to transcend the boundaries of society and culture.
Beyoncé vs Whitney Houston – Who Wins?
In the Beyoncé vs Whitney Houston debate, both women have made meaningful and influential contributions to the music industry. However, it can be easily argued that Whitney Houston’s artistic prowess shines brighter than Beyoncé’s.
Whitney Houston’s vocal talents are unparalleled and unrivaled. Her range, power, and emotive delivery remain the gold standard in pop music. With her mezzo-soprano range, and her ability to effortlessly transition between octaves, her performances are constantly engaging and an emotional experience for anyone who listens to her music. While Beyoncé is also musically brilliant, her vocal skills do not compare.
As a Black female artist, Whitney Houston navigated her way to the top of the charts, making space for other women of color. Her influence helped create a pathway for artists like Beyoncé to further thrive in music.
While both artists are indisputably influential, Whitney Houston’s exceptional career makes a compelling case for her being the superior artist.
If you enjoyed the article, be sure to subscribe to my Devoted to Vinyl YouTube channel and Facebook page.
This article was written by Amanda and edited by Michael.
