Greatest R&B Artists

[Zach]

A sensible viewpoint.

[ManPerson]

James does have influence over Stevie, but since it's an R&B-focused list, I don't think his mammoth influence on hip-hop, rock, and popular music at large should count as much as his influence on R&B styles specifically (which of course is still absolutely huge).

I'd also like to add that I strongly disagree with the notion that influence on non-r&b styles shouldn't count as much as influence on r&b itself. As long as the influence stems from r&b (and where else would it stem from in JB's case?), I think that if anything it should count even more. Isn't it a greater feat to influence music from areas outside your own comfort zone?

I more or less agree with this.

Fwiw, here's how I'd rank the top 4 artists in the criteria
Popularity
1. Stevie
2. Aretha
3. James/Ray
Acclaim
1. Stevie/Aretha/James
2. Ray
Influence
1. James
2. Ray
3. Aretha
4. Stevie

Based on this, I'd say
1. James Brown
2. Stevie Wonder/Aretha Franklin
4. Ray Charles

[Zach]

I really do think James would have to be at least a notch lower in acclaim, considering Stevie's and Aretha's are more comprehensive in terms of both critical and industry recognition.

While James' work is universally celebrated, his albums and songs, with a few exceptions, did not receive the same level of consistent critical adoration across decades as Stevie's landmark works. Stevie's albums (Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life, etc.) are considered milestones of artistic and critical success in ways James' discography is not typically discussed. James earned some key awards (e.g., Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award) but not at the same volume or diversity as Stevie or Aretha, who both hold numerous Grammys in a wide variety of categories.

[ManPerson]

Kind of feels like punishing James Brown for being more of a singles artist, and even if Stevie and Aretha have slightly more acclaimed discographies, I think James Brown makes up for it in the live arena.