After nearly four years, vocal profiles will now be graded by three different ratings as opposed to one: a Critic's rating, a Public's rating, and an overall rating. This breakdown will (hopefully) illustrate how each vocalist is given their respective ratings. In addition, there will now be +/- grades in vocal ratings, to create more accuracy as the list of profiles continue to grow.
Before these ratings are implemented, there will be a one week period where you, the viewers, will be able to leave comments and feedback on this list, so that if there's overwhelming disagreement with any of these ratings, appropriate changes may be made.
As always, please be respectful with your comments, with evidence for your comments being greatly appreciated. You also reach Critic of Music on Twitter at @CriticOfMusic.
The tentative ratings for each category can be found below.
Singers by Overall Vocal Rating - Average between Public and Critic
STAR
Aretha Franklin
Beyoncé
Mariah Carey
Michael Jackson
Whitney Houston
A+
Celine Dion
Kelly Clarkson
Lady Gaga
P!nk
A
Ariana Grande
Brendon Urie
Christina Aguilera
Demi Lovato
JoJo
Lea Michele
Sara Bareilles
Tori Kelly
A-
Adele
Carrie Underwood
Christina Grimmie
Hayley Williams
Jessie J
Liam Payne
Miley Cyrus
Sia
Usher
Zayn Malik
B+
Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine)
B
Harry Styles
Kelly Rowland
Kiesza
B-
Avril Lavigne
Elly Jackson (La Roux)
Gwen Stefani
Lana Del Rey
C+
Bridgit Mendler
Conor Maynard
Ellie Goulding
Justin Bieber
Katy Perry
C
Carly Rae Jepsen
Kesha
Pixie Lott
Rihanna
C-
Adam Levine (Maroon 5)
D+
Taylor Swift
D
Britney Spears
Selena Gomez
Critical Reception - Public Opinion
Star
Adele
Aretha Franklin
Beyoncé
Celine Dion
Christina Aguilera
Kelly Clarkson
Mariah Carey
Michael Jackson
Whitney Houston
A+
Carrie Underwood
JoJo
Lady Gaga
P!nk
Tori Kelly
A
Ariana Grande
Brendon Urie
Christina Grimmie
Demi Lovato
Lea Michele
Zayn Malik
A-
Florence Welch
Hayley Williams
Jessie J
Liam Payne
Sia
B+
Kelly Rowland
Miley Cyrus
Usher
B
Harry Styles
Kiesza
Lana Del Rey
B-
Bridgit Mendler
Conor Maynard
Justin Bieber
C+
Avril Lavigne
Ellie Goulding
Elly Jackson
Katy Perry
Kesha
C
Gwen Stefani
Pixie Lott
Rihanna
C-
Adam Levine
Carly Rae Jepsen
D+
Taylor Swift
D
Britney Spears
Selena Gomez
Critic's Rating - Technical Proficiency
STAR - Incredible technical proficiency marked by performance consistency and intonation accuracy as well as great musicality. The golden standard.
Aretha Franklin
Beyonce
Mariah Carey
Michael Jackson
Whitney Houston
A Listers: Good to great technical proficiency marked by generally consistent performances and solid intonation accuracy, as well as good to great musicality. Minor flaws.
A
Brendan Urie
Christina Grimmie
Lady Gaga
P!nk
Sara Bareilles
A-
Kelly Clarkson
B Listers: Good to acceptable technical proficiency marked by good consistency and acceptable intonation accuracy, as well as good musicality. Some flaws.
B+
Celine Dion
JoJo
Liam Payne
B
Carrie Underwood
Hayley Williams
Tori Kelly
B-
Ariana Grande
Avril Lavigne
Christina Aguilera
Demi Lovato
Elly Jackson
Gwen Stefani
Jessie J
Miley Cyrus
Zayn Malik
C Listers: Acceptable to not good technical proficiency marked by inconsistent performances and tolerable to intolerable intonation accuracy, as well as okay musicality. Considerable flaws.
C+
Adele
Florence Welch
Lana Del Rey
C
Adam Levine
Bridgit Mendler
Carly Rae Jepsen
Conor Maynard
Ellie Goulding
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Kesha
Pixie Lott
Sia
C-
Katy Perry
Rihanna
D Listers: Not good technical proficiency marked by generally bad live performances, intolerable intonation accuracy, and/or poor musicality. Flaws may exceed perfections.
D+
Taylor Swift
D
Britney Spears
Selena Gomez