ONTD Original: Best Boy Band Vocalists of All Time
Leaving aside any problematic messiness of these men, this is a post strictly about the VOCALS. In no specific order, this is a list of my personal fave boyband vocalists of all time. Add your own in the comments!
Sisqó (Dru Hill)
Sisqó feels like a superstar ahead of his time in some ways. Crazy stage presence (he's so perfectly OTT but in the best way), a single unique name, dance skills, a recognizable look, and a great voice for which he doesn't get the recognition he deserves. His voice is rich, full, slightly raspy, powerful, and carries across emotion so well. I implore you to go back and listen to the Thong Song and realize he was giving some A+ vocals on that song that you probably didn't even clock because you were caught up in the lyrics lol.
Here he is at the VMAs back in 2000 (introduced by the Williams sisters - timestamped but starts at 4:09 in case it doesn't work) putting on a performance that your faves today just can't. They just physically CANNOT.
The way pop culture has course-corrected to give JC Chasez his flowers, the same needs to be done for Sisqó imo.
Ralph Tresvant (New Edition)
Vocally almost the complete opposite of Sisqó, Ralph's voice is high, bright, clear, a little breathy, and smooth. Everyone in New Edition can sing, but Ralph's voice is such a nice contrast to the rest of the group - it comes in and soars over top the rest and is this bright ray of sunshine that adds such a nice quality to their music.
He's got one of those voices that is just instantly recognizable and you can always count on him to deliver.
JC Chasez (*NSYNC)
All the recent *NSYNC content inspired this post. I do love how over the years, people have come to realize that the music industry tried to gaslight the public into believing that Justin Timberlake was the superstar of this group when JC and his lovely voice was right there. I think the timbre of JC's voice is just straight up beautiful. While JT's vocals tip towards mosquito-like shrill, JC is much easier (and much more interesting) to listen to.
I feel like there's not much else to say here - everyone knows. ONTD knows. He was THE singer of that group. While I liked BSB as a group too - none of their voices are all that interesting to me. If I had to pick one for this list, it would probably be AJ but I don't care about his voice enough to put him on this list.
Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men)
I don't know what the general consensus is on Boyz II Men, but I wouldn't be surprised if people said Nathan has the best voice in the group. But for me, Shawn's voice is just pretty. Just beautiful. He's got a Disney prince voice. He elevates their songs which is a real feat considering this group is already so talented.
Why isn't there an official upload of this on YouTube!?
Onew (SHINee)
A lot of people will say Jonghyun is the best singer in the group (the blonde one in the video above) and I'm not going to fight anyone on that at all. But to me, Onew (the other blonde one) has one of my favourite voices in pop. It's unique, crystal clear - almost sharp but never shrill. He doesn't sound quite like anyone else. And when he hits those high notes, that interesting tone in his voice really shines.
Trying to keep this list short, but other Kpop boyband fave voices include Xia Junsu, Baekhyun, Kyungsoo, and Kihyun.
David Ruffin (The Temptations)
Alright, I don't know if people necessarily consider vocal groups like The Temptations as boybands but I don't know why we wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't. David Ruffin is probably my favourite voice on this list. Just unbeatable, undeniable, talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular...
A voice truly like no other.
Who are your fave boyband singers, ONTD?
Sources: Sisqo 1 | Sisqo 2 | Ralph Tresvant 1 | Ralph Tresvant 2 | JC Chasez 1 | JC Chasez 2 | Shawn Stockman 1 | Shawn Stockman 2 | Onew 1 | Onew 2 | David Ruffin 1 | David Ruffin 2
Sisqó (Dru Hill)
Click to viewSisqó feels like a superstar ahead of his time in some ways. Crazy stage presence (he's so perfectly OTT but in the best way), a single unique name, dance skills, a recognizable look, and a great voice for which he doesn't get the recognition he deserves. His voice is rich, full, slightly raspy, powerful, and carries across emotion so well. I implore you to go back and listen to the Thong Song and realize he was giving some A+ vocals on that song that you probably didn't even clock because you were caught up in the lyrics lol.
Here he is at the VMAs back in 2000 (introduced by the Williams sisters - timestamped but starts at 4:09 in case it doesn't work) putting on a performance that your faves today just can't. They just physically CANNOT.
The way pop culture has course-corrected to give JC Chasez his flowers, the same needs to be done for Sisqó imo.
Ralph Tresvant (New Edition)
Vocally almost the complete opposite of Sisqó, Ralph's voice is high, bright, clear, a little breathy, and smooth. Everyone in New Edition can sing, but Ralph's voice is such a nice contrast to the rest of the group - it comes in and soars over top the rest and is this bright ray of sunshine that adds such a nice quality to their music.
He's got one of those voices that is just instantly recognizable and you can always count on him to deliver.
JC Chasez (*NSYNC)
All the recent *NSYNC content inspired this post. I do love how over the years, people have come to realize that the music industry tried to gaslight the public into believing that Justin Timberlake was the superstar of this group when JC and his lovely voice was right there. I think the timbre of JC's voice is just straight up beautiful. While JT's vocals tip towards mosquito-like shrill, JC is much easier (and much more interesting) to listen to.
I feel like there's not much else to say here - everyone knows. ONTD knows. He was THE singer of that group. While I liked BSB as a group too - none of their voices are all that interesting to me. If I had to pick one for this list, it would probably be AJ but I don't care about his voice enough to put him on this list.
Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men)
I don't know what the general consensus is on Boyz II Men, but I wouldn't be surprised if people said Nathan has the best voice in the group. But for me, Shawn's voice is just pretty. Just beautiful. He's got a Disney prince voice. He elevates their songs which is a real feat considering this group is already so talented.
Why isn't there an official upload of this on YouTube!?
Onew (SHINee)
A lot of people will say Jonghyun is the best singer in the group (the blonde one in the video above) and I'm not going to fight anyone on that at all. But to me, Onew (the other blonde one) has one of my favourite voices in pop. It's unique, crystal clear - almost sharp but never shrill. He doesn't sound quite like anyone else. And when he hits those high notes, that interesting tone in his voice really shines.
Trying to keep this list short, but other Kpop boyband fave voices include Xia Junsu, Baekhyun, Kyungsoo, and Kihyun.
David Ruffin (The Temptations)
Alright, I don't know if people necessarily consider vocal groups like The Temptations as boybands but I don't know why we wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't. David Ruffin is probably my favourite voice on this list. Just unbeatable, undeniable, talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular...
A voice truly like no other.
Who are your fave boyband singers, ONTD?
Sources: Sisqo 1 | Sisqo 2 | Ralph Tresvant 1 | Ralph Tresvant 2 | JC Chasez 1 | JC Chasez 2 | Shawn Stockman 1 | Shawn Stockman 2 | Onew 1 | Onew 2 | David Ruffin 1 | David Ruffin 2