Queen Riri & Queen Bey

I was participating in a group chat and we were wrapped up in a conversation about music choices. I have been a hardcore Rihanna fan for a while, and you know what the means! Yes, a Beyonce stan is never to far away when I speak of her name. Of course, I made the decision to entertain the topic and write a blog about Beyonce and Rihanna. Which lets be clear Beyonce is definitely in my top 3 favorite female artist, but she is not number one. Don’t worry this is not going to be a rip Beyonce to shreds moment - because that would be like trying to rip heavy duty plastic with baby hands. Let’s be frank -she is a Queen.

Just for the sake of it this is my top 5 favorite female artist right now…

1. Rihanna

2. Beyonce

3. Lana Del Rey

4. Kehlani

5. Switches between (Alicia Keys, Katy P., Demi, Willow Smith)

Let’s start with Beyonce:

Beyonce is the critically acclaimed Queen of music performance and vocals. She is capable of singing you out of your seat whether she is just standing there or dancing, jumping, popping, etc across the stage. Beyonce has always set out to be a star since a very young age, so honestly I expect nothing less than what she is giving us. She had the great's to look up to for motivation like Michael Jackson who was going to give it his all at every single moment of the performance. Beyonce’s discography is second to none the fact that she has had a number 1 album every time she has dropped music. Including the two that were not marketed to the people. Her albums do tend to have the same tone of music to them, but nonetheless they are always going to be a banger for anytime and anyplace. Her singles are not nearly as successful, but they tend to still gain some traction when necessary. Songs like Single Ladies, Formation, Diva and Deja Vu will always get the people together when they need to have their wigs snatched. I admit that some of the “Beyhive Members” are so obsessed with the popular singles that they miss out on tracks that are genius works of Beyonce. Some of those major hits that I think some people have missed out on are Resentment, Green Light, Radio, Scared of Lonely, Rather Die Young, and 1+1. Obviously this is my opinion, but I think some people were misinformed when looking for something good from the Queen herself. Let’s not forget that she has dabbled in other areas as well. Although her movie life is not as glamorous as her singing career she has occasionally given us a good laugh...the performance in Obsessed was mediocre, but because it is Beyonce I enjoy it and I am corny enough to watch it whenever it is on. I refuse to skip over Carmen: A Hip Hopera a throwback for when I cried really thinking that she died. She had everyone chasing her and continued that same trend into her current gorgeous life now. Beyonce has little to stress about it seems, take the line from the recent joint album with her hubby; like she said “her great, greats are already rich” and that is a fact. Now before we move on to wonderful Riri...ummmm let’s take a moment to recognize that Everything is Love did not do as well as I expected. It even seems as though the OTR 2 tour is lackluster seeing as I am not hearing anything. The tour I am not going to give much grief until it comes to America because that is where most of her annoying fans reside. On the other hand Everything is Love does not seem to keep the people talking. I enjoyed the album and it actually hyped me to hopefully see them in Houston for OTR II. I just want to know...Who caused the album to be so lackluster? Beyonce is now known for dropping albums whenever she feels like it so let’s not make that an excuse for why it seems to be so boring to the people right now. Did people like them more when she was singing about things that keep you mad at Jay-Z or your own significant other.

Moving on to Rihanna:

Baby Riri is the Holy Mecca of taking something and making it everything and more and society wants to be a part of it all She is building an empire and doing pretty well might I add...or the trickling dollars of hers might add as well. She is killing the fashion industry, cosmetics industry, and she is making some splashes in Hollywood. I think she can improve in that area, but hey she is sought after so she will make that money regardless.

When thinking about Rihanna and music, you automatically gravitate toward her reign as the Queen of singles. Not many people know how to make the summer their child...but she does and the amount of number one singles prove that. Although Rihanna has not been “successful” with albums she still manages to send the club up with hits like Wild Thoughts, Rude Boy, Work, Rockstar 101, We Found Love, Cheers, and BBHMM. Everyone walks around acting like they don’t like Queen Riri’s music, but can’t help talking about how “Savage” they are when Needed Me comes on in the club. Just like Beyonce but the opposite people have become so infatuated with the singles that Rihanna puts out - when it is time for the album they miss the full effect. Albums like Loud, Rated R, ANTI, and Unapologetic just to name a few has a wide range of tracks that can be useful for any mood. I am unsure about how so many songs on one album can hit the chart, but people say they are not a fan of the album. Maybe it is the construction of the album for some, but then again people like things like Post Malone. Before ANTI, Rihanna gave us all the pop hits that we wanted and now she is over that. She is going to continue serving us the BDE as she makes her way back to her lair to work on the next Fenty Empire project. On another note, let us not leave here without discussing her vocals that people seem to think are so poor. I as an avid Rihanna fanatic will admit that she has days and nights and weekends and moments and etc, when she is not doing what she needs to do. On the other hand when girl needs to slay she shall do exactly that - checkout Love on the Brain at the BBMAs live. Just like any performer she has improved over the years and will continue to do so because she is not perfect. There are performers like Ariana Grande who has an amazing voice, but shouldn’t try to ride a bike and sing at the same time. She just is not built for that type of life. Rihanna brings a certain pizzazz to her performances that may not be like Beyonce, but not many people really seem to leave unsatisfied. Rihanna has served the audience and given them what they want and is unapologetic about her twitter responses, performances, and choice in songs on albums. She reigns supreme with many other legends and it is about time that people start giving her the props that she deserve.

Overall, both of them are amazing artists but bring two different styles to the industry of music that we love so much. If everyone was the same or strived to be the same when performing then we would get bored. I need my Beyonce when I am in the mood for someone to dance across the stage and I need my Rihanna when I need to feel the BDE that will then give me the BDE that I need. They both have a leg up on one another in many different categories and honestly it can change up at any moment. They are adorable!