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Words by Ebony LaDelle

The Dream claims he “made R&B cool again” (which we know is a blatant lie), but it makes us wonder, has there yet to be an R&B songster with capabilities of being a triple threat?  

Not a triple threat in terms of being an actor, singer and dancer, but having all the components of the perfect R&B singer.  The one that causes women to swoon because of their smooth vocals, impeccable body, and swag out of this world.

So who has the potential?  Trey Songz is in the running.  With his serenading voice and body mass come up, him being an R&B king is probable.  But his downfall is his lack of subtlety.  Whatever happened to lyrics like “oh I like the way you receive me, girl I love the way you relieve me, I’m comin’ on, comin’ on strong”?  The play on words were what kept R&B classy, yet sexy.  But Trey’s lyrics, “do he play wit’ ya hair, does he love you there, do he spank you from the back, do he do it like that,” leaves little room to the imagination, and too many vivid pictures for teenage girls and boys to emulate nowadays.  As a young kid, I had no idea what the Isley Brothers meant in their songs, but now my younger nieces and nephews can sing back and comprehend every word from artists like  Trey.

Usher was another performer who at one point had the “king of R&B title”.  With a mix of sensual songs and love ballads, and a body to match, he was capable of making a woman feel just about anything.  But with his recent divorce and newfound freedom, Usher is trying to keep up with the young R&B generation now instead of trying to evolve.

Others include Tyrese, R. Kelly, and D’Angelo.  But no R&B singer should EVER attempt to rap, solicit a young girl for sex, or begin a drug habit. These are guaranteed career killers.

Maxwell entices women with his voice like no other (believe me fellas, you want to win over a woman, take her to a Maxwell concert), but doesn’t have the body to back it up.  But if we put it all together:

1. Maxwell’s vocal range

2. Usher’s body (pre Tameka) AND

3. Trey Songz’ ego

Then we might be on to something.  What other components do you think make a great R&B singer and who would you include in this list?

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