Le Dive sottovalutate

Le Dive sottovalutate means the underrated divas. These are women singers who have made tremendous contributions to the art of music and enjoy commercial successful, as well as critical acclaim. However, they are underappreciated and go unrecognised in comparison to artists of lesser musical pedigree. Furthermore, these women are marketed to just their subculture because they are not positioned within the ambit of mainstream white pop which lessens their sphere of influence rendering them “black famous” and not famous. They are the opposite of le dive originale who are widely influential, celebrated and respected.

Danyel Smith’s seminal work Shine Bright illuminates the reality of music othering which externalizes itself between the black music culture and the mainstream. It must be stressed that this segregation affects both women and men artists.

She recollects holding a conversation with R&B singer Gerald Levert who craved the elevation and rewards that accompanied achieving a number one hit but was bewildered by his inability to access mainstream paraphernalia such as the press and bookings like lesser known mainstream artists. And the following was her response:

“He knew the answers. But I reminded him that segregation in music is as segregation is in life: whites systemize spatial separation and unequal playing fields. The systems at that time - radio and retail- enforced all other recorded music as subordinate and other” (180).

I once had a similar discussion during my Graduate studies with a white professor and he was candid in his response which was that as long as the media is white-controlled, racial biases are to be expected. However, history has shown that attempts at self-determination whereby black artists seek to create systems of promotion favourable to marginalized artists have often been resisted and sabotaged by agents of the mainstream. Cases in point would be Motown, Sam Cooke and even James Brown.

This post shares 10 underrated divas who have attained different degrees of success. Some are known within the mainstream like Chaka Khan, who despite her virtuosity is nonetheless uncelebrated. Patti LaBelle enjoys a partial recognition, but is more restrained within the subculture. Others like Miki Howard and Karyn White have never been acknowledged within the mainstream. An eerie silence surrounds these women and it echoes “You all are much too much to handle”. This speaks to their profound exceptionalism and should not be perceived negatively. This post also includes the author’s two favourite songs from each singer.

1. Patti LaBelle

For sixty-five years, Ms. LaBelle, the operatic soprano has been prominent for her passionate, spirited, animated and emotive vocal delivery. Endowed with a uniquely powerful, assertive and dense voice, Patricia Holte is one of R&B/soul’s finest vessels whose singing prowess conjures warmth, anticipation, excitement and energy within the listener.

She first came to limelight as the lead singer of the group LaBelle in the early 1960s. Their hit “Lady Marmalade” helped put the group on the radar in 1974 due mainly to its provocative French refrain, “voulez-vous couchez avec moi, ce soir?” which means “Would you sleep with me, tonight?” which became their signature song. Following their disbandment in 1976, LaBelle’s solo career took off the next year.

Since 1977, she has remained active and has to her credit 18 studio albums, 3 Live albums and 47 singles. Worldwide, she has sold 50 million records and received 2 Grammy Awards, 6 NAACP Image Awards, amongst other honours and accolades.

2 Favourite Patti LaBelle Songs : 1. “ When You’ve Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven)”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So-ERFcB6kQ Burnin’ (1991). 2. “Too Good To Be Through” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1Os_657rdg Gems (1994).

2. Chaka Khan

Chaka…. Chaka….. Chaka….Khan is a force of nature, authentic, audacious, bold, free-spirited, fiery, versatile and passionate. The mezzo soprano is a music unicorn, and an accomplished drummer and bassist. She has unequivocably defied replication since 1973, first as a member of the Funk Group, Rufus to her solo transition in 1978 with the album Chaka which featured the Ashford & Simpson penned top single “I’m Every Woman”.

The former Black Panther counterculture adherent maintains and channels her subversive traits into her music and persona. Is it her big hair and burgundian aura? Is it the displacement of vocal formalism and conventions often reminiscent of John Coltrane and Miles Davis’ trumpets and improvisational penchant? Whatever direction one turns, Yvette Stevens goes against the grain and is loved and admired internationally for her unique talent and scintillating professional style.

Just like Aretha Franklin, she is a transgenric navigator, who has explored beyond the box of funk and left an indelible mark and body of work in pop, disco, jazz, gospel, R&B and soul music. Her Song “I Feel For You” marks the beginning of the stylistic matrimony between R&B and Hip-Hop/Rap in music history. This innovation would gain ubiquity having formed the template for the 1990s music production culture.

It often goes without saying that Chaka Khan is a genius at asymmetrical disharmonic singing and has proven that music pleasure can also be derived in unconventionality and chaos. Recognised as the “Queen of Funk”, she has over 420 recorded music collaborations, created 13 Studio Albums, sold over 100 million records and received 10 Grammy awards from 22 nominations.

2 Favourite Chaka Khan Songs: 1.“Eye To Eye” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVKKb5_f2VU I Feel For You (1984). 2. “The Woman I Am” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFx4OPKXotg The Woman I Am (1992).

3. Natalie Cole

Despite being the daughter of jazz man, Nat King Cole, Natalie was not a pushover. She was the one woman who could unseat Aretha Franklin from her Grammy throne in the 1970s. Known for her romantic ballads and later transition to jazz, she released 22 studio albums and received 9 Grammys from 21 nominations, 3 American Music Awards and 4 NAACP Image Awards for her 40 year long career.

There is no doubt that her family heritage and exposure to music greatness in the form of the music personalities who frequented her home played a major role in her formative years. She even featured on her father’s 1960 Christmas album and would start performing at the age of 11. However, Natalie’s advent into music took a serious turn in 1975 with the release of the debut album Inseparable which won her the Best R&B Female Vocal Grammy Award unseating Ms. Franklin who had dominated the segment for eight consecutive years. This feat would spark a bitter rivalry between the two divas, negative as that may have been, it was an attestation to Natalie’s artistic excellence, vocal power and solid phrasing.

Her versatility and cross over appeal allowed for bouts of experimentation and effortless navigation of the R&B, funk, gospel and jazz terrains. She was an astounding live performer and a piano-thumping expert with consistent music chart presence. Her translocation to jazz in 1991 with the album Unforgettable….with Love was timely, iconic and fostered her relevance at a time when R&B was encountering a displacement by Hip-Hop/Rap. The album’s groundbreaking appeal is marked by the magical duet with her late father in “Unforgettable”, her reinterpretation of his 1951 classic. It was the first of its kind as it signalled a technological wonder that foreshadowed posthumous music collaboratory endeavours which would feature Tupac Shakur and Michael Jackson holograms.

2 Favourite Natalie Cole Songs: 1. “Sophisticated Lady (She’s a Different Lady)”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLKhJBkPjZo Natalie (1976).

2. “I Can’t Cry”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTYSqcLABXg Good To Be Back (1989).

4. Deniece Williams

June Deniece Williams’ sophisticated and sublime sopranic vocals landed her a place as Stevie Wonder’s background vocalist. Her sonorous voice is to be heard on his Talking Book (1972), Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974) and Songs In The Key of Life (1976). She contributes the same virtuousity to projects by Roberta Flack, Earth Wind and Fire, Minnie Ripperton, The Emotions, etc.

In 1976, she launched her debut album This Is Niecy produced by Earth Wind and Fire’s Maurice Green. The hit “Free” would become a global hit and a launch pad for her success, poised with a defiance of categorisations and ability to seamlessly navigate multi-genric domains marked by a clear phrasing, impressive range and tonality.

Deniece has 17 studio albums and 8 compilation albums. She has also won 4 Grammy Awards out of 13 nominations.

2 Favourite Deniece William Songs: 1. “Free” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlLrn6AVV2s This Is Niecy (1976).

2. “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziXVaxITmUc Let’s Hear It For The Boy (1984).

5. Phyllis Hyman

The legendary Phyllis Hyman was unquestionably R&B’s most sophisticated lady. She was that contraltic singer, who paved the way for the likes of Anita Baker and Toni Braxton. The 6 foot actress and model walked in her lane with an incomparable amazingness and power. Her career began in 1977 till her demise in 1995. She during the time created 10 studio albums, including a post-humous album released in 1998.

Following her musical training, she featured on the local scene for several years until a chance meeting with Norman Connors in 1975 who invited her to collaborate in his fourth album. The title song “You Are my Starship” received critical acclaim and marked her as one to watch. Phyllis released her eponymous debut album in 1977 with Buddah Records. Arista Record’s acquisition of Buddah led to her transfer to the former, where she would release five studio albums until conflicts between her and Arista management led to a hiatus during which she pursued other artistic engagements.

In the wake of her disengagement from Arista in 1985, she resumed at Philadelphia Records International the next year where the best of her virtuosity was harnessed. Her finest works would be Living All Alone (1986) and Prime Of My Life (1991) which included the hit “Don’t Wanna Change The World”.

Phyllis was a brilliant and audacious artist whose authenticity threatened the status quo. She was an A- Lister reduced to a D-Lister. Despite her sultry vocals and enchanting musicianship, she never received any awards or recognition.

2 Favourite Phyllis Hyman Songs: 1. “Walk Away”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLUtfpybnZI Prime of My Life (1991).

2. “Meet Me On The Moon” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfj9eVvsPsI Prime Of My Life (1991).

6. Jody Watley

Jody Watley was born to be a star and the stars aligned in agreement when she featured on the TV dance show Soul Train at age 14. This would open the door to Shalamar, the 1970s R&B group formed by Don Cornelius, the show’s creator/host and Dick Griffey, founder of SOLAR Records, where Watley sang along two other men colleagues till 1983 when she opted for a solo career. Since then, the mezzo-soprano, dance icon and fashionista extraordinaire has made a remarkable impression on the sands of time with nine studio albums.

Her eponymous debut album Jody Watley (1987) and Larger Than Life (1989) were pop hit wonders and sold four million copies worldwide, respectively. They positioned her vis-a-vis other sensations like Madonna and Janet Jackson. However, the next two albums Affairs of the Heart (1991) and Intimacy (1993) marked a departure from her previous dance-filled tracks to an in depth soulful sound signalling artistic development and versatility. Both captured the essence of R&B, House, pop, soul and jazz music to the max. However, they went uncelebrated.

Jody still entertains a limited audience currently and has toured successfully. She has 9 studio albums in her portfolio and has received a Grammy Award and numerous MTV Video Music Award nominations. She is also the most successful member of Shalamar, in view of the misogynistic odds and projections against her whilst there.

2 Favourite Jody Watley Songs: 1. “Affairs of the Heart” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWlT-ckM67U Affairs of the Heart (1991).

2. “Commitment of Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQaa1TRLivQ Affairs of the Heart (1991).

7. Anita Baker

The creator may have moulded a dimunitive physical vessel for Anita Baker, but the absence of a huge stature was made bearable and respectable through the infusion of a powerful and assertive contraltic voice. That voice would first be heard professionally during her stint with the funk band Chapter 8 in the late 1970s. In 1983, Anita would venture onto the solo terrain with her debut album The Songstress (1983). It is however her sophomore album Rapture (1986) that would bring her to limelight and yield well-deserved accolades. It reached the platinum mark with her signature song and Grammy winning hit “Sweet Love”.

Anita Baker is a force in the R&B/soul musicscape and carves her niche with a unique blend of jazzy soulfulness. She is an inspiration to equally iconic divas like Whitney Houston and Toni Braxton. Anita has 7 studio albums and has earned 8 Grammy Awards out of 18 nominations, 4 American Music Awards, 7 Soul Train Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2 Favourite Anita Baker Songs: 1. “Sweet Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w6udgiojlE Rapture (1986).

2. “I Apologize”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV7vvl7P10A Rhythm of Love (1994).

8. Miki Howard

Alicia Michelle Howard’s professional music journey commenced as the lead singer of the group Side Effect in 1979 and it came as no surprise considering her musical background. Her parents were prominent gospel singers who enjoyed the company of music greats like Aretha Franklin, Shirley Caesar, amongst others. She displays her array of musical influences through her mastered navigation of R&B/soul and jazz having relished the craft of jazz queens like Nancy Wilson, Bille Holliday and Dinah Washington. As well as the soulfulness of Chaka Khan and Earth Wind and Fire.

Miki’s solo career began in 1986 with Atlantic Records. She has two live albums and ten studio albums whereby the first four Come Share My Love (1986), Love Confessions (1987), Miki Howard (1989) and Femme Fatale (1992) featured consistently on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. Her fifth album Miki Sings Billie (1993), a tribute to jazz sensation Billie Holiday, displays Miki’s replication of ten of her favourite Billie Holiday songs.

She has also featured in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X (1993) and John Singleton’s Poetic Justice (1993) which starred Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur. Her underacknowledgement made her a subject on TV One’s Unsung series. Howard has received a Soul Train Award and a Grammy nomination for her years of excellent musicking.

2 Favourite Miki Howard Songs: 1. “Imagination” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6aIYlJA890 Come Share My Love (1986).

2. “Ain’t Nobody Like You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__bADzS2ZsY Femme Fatale (1992).

9. Lalah Hathaway

Eulaulah Donyll Hathaway is a chip off the old block. Every single note she sings is golden and expressly channels the spirit of her departed music maestro father, the renowned Mr. Donny Hathaway.

The remarkably versatile contralto who flows free-spiritedly through multiple genres like R&B, neo-soul, jazz and gospel began her music in earnest at the start of the 90s. Her eponymous debut album reminded a forgetful world that Donny Hathaway was still alive through his daughter. The preservation of her father’s legacy is a task executed wholeheartedly through her recreation of his old classics and her exceptionally enlivening live performances which showcase the depth of her vocal arsenal and multifarious tonality.

Lalah has 8 studio albums, received 5 Grammy Awards from 12 nominations. She may be underrated, but she remains music royalty!

2 Favourite Lalah Hathaway Songs: 1. “Heaven Knows” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp75syvk598 Lalah Hathaway (1990).

2. “Mirror” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiT9lbw8rY4 Lalah Hathaway Live (2015).

10. Karyn White

White was “That Girl” in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Endowed with a gorgeous voice and dance prowess, she made a huge R&B impression with hits like “Superwoman”, “Secret Rendezvous” and “Romantic”. “Superwoman” was especially salient during the second wave of feminism in the 1980s with its added verve to the feminist music playlist of the time.

Her eponymous debut album had productive input from the LaFace creative team which comprised L. A Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds in 1988. While the sophomore album Ritual of Love (1991) saw the introduction of the Minnesota producer duo, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis into the production equation. She has four studio albums to her credit and took a long hiatus from the industry following her third album Make Him Do Right in 1994 and would return in 2012 with Carpe Diem. Despite her artistic dexterity, White has never won an award.

2 Favourite Karyn White Songs: 1. “Ritual of Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7caVSohyHho Ritual of Love (1991).

2. “Tears of Joy” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQgWcg51t4 Ritual of Love (1991).

This list is hardly extensive and several artists have been excluded like Patti Smith,Regina Belle, Oleta Adams, Sade, Chanté Moore, Tracie Spencer, Shanice Wilson, etc. These women are successful in their own right, but hardly identify as divas due to their modest and down to earth idiosyncracies. Nevertheless, they have been snobbed and excluded by the mainstream gatekeepers, and their music contributions ignored.