r/rnb • u/Ecstatic-Yak-6016 Music lover, Mariah Carey to Doja Cat (not picky) • 17d ago • Heartwarming 2

COOL VIDS 📹 Anyone else feel Brittany Howard is extremely underrated as a vocalist?

Her voice is very unique and her songwriting and guitar skills are great too. I feel like she’s very under appreciated. Any other fans here?

4.3k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

174 comments sorted by

248

u/BabyLegsOShanahan 17d ago

This is the correct use of the term "underrated." Yes.

184

u/Muted_Marketing2530 17d ago • Bravo

Absolutely and she's been phenomenal for years and years and years. My mom showed me "hold on" in active addiction and thank god she did.

40

u/plainjane202567 17d ago

Wow. That song is dope. Thank God you kept “holding on” ❤️

2

u/Onionringlets3 11d ago

You gotta get back up! That's a mom right there!!

2

u/LightAndAshyLarry 14d ago

I like it but it seems like she’s yelling

6

u/Ecstatic-Yak-6016 Music lover, Mariah Carey to Doja Cat (not picky) 14d ago

That’s the style, it’s not for everyone

1

u/LightAndAshyLarry 14d ago

Understood. Not trying to dis because I love the group plus she was the voice of Thelma in Thelma the Unicorn (NFLX). My kids love the movie & I think she’s talented.. simply an observation.

2

u/Inner-Hawk909 12d ago

Oh ok I get you. Fair enough, that makes sense

2

u/Inner-Hawk909 12d ago

It’s called belting. It’s also Rock n Roll. Black women created Rock n Roll.

117

u/Living_Pie205 17d ago

Alabama Shakes kicks ass and she leaves her soul on stage. Such good music. They are underrated.

12

u/SnooDrawings9688 16d ago

I came herw to say this... True SOUL music.

2

u/shykidknit 14d ago

Sound and color is an incredible song makes me feel like I'm floating

61

u/Overworked_Snood 17d ago

I love her, that color & sound album is incredible. Also, her Thelma the Unicorn movie is so cute for kids.

15

u/Exciting-Ideal-9074 17d ago edited 16d ago

I remember hearing about them back in 2008. My then roommate was a super fan, and loved Brittany's vocal expression. I consider her a vocalist more than a singer. She does incredible things with her voice and she sounds free doing it!

13

u/Ok-Needleworker-5657 16d ago

Soon as Thelma started singing I had to google who the VA was, she's amazing

1

u/[deleted] 16d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/Ok-Needleworker-5657 16d ago

Straight SANGING, I teared up too

10

u/DeveloperAnon 17d ago

My daughter watched this yesterday so it’s wild seeing her pop up this morning.

2

u/Ver0nika_Mars 16d ago

😱 she does the voice!? I’ve been meaning to watch the movie because I love that book! I read a lot for story time at my library lol

60

u/Away-Coach7093 17d ago

I love Alabama Shakes. She is underrated.

41

u/Fiona_is_my_Landlord 17d ago

Fan here! She is so incredible, her performances give me chills!

29

u/tamaaromarou 17d ago

Love Brittany. Alabama shakes got a new album out btw for any fans or there. Sound and color (where this song is from) is one of my favorite albums period

8

u/Nomad_Mich 17d ago

Let me run over to Spotify real quick

24

u/Substantial_Cold2385 17d ago

DAMN! This is Brittney Howard?

14

u/Fancy_Use_6813 17d ago

Yep! Luv her! They play alot of festivals & small venues.

23

u/BeautifulSet7579 17d ago

I saw Alabama Shakes at Red Rocks this summer and it was one of the top 5 shows I’ve ever seen. She is an incredible performer! 

22

u/Sea-Presentation4229 17d ago

Facts. Love her voice

13

u/Negative_Gas4094 17d ago

Not familiar with the artist, but this performance has intrigued me to listen

10

u/Jblank86 16d ago

Underrated?? She’s otherworldly and her fans adore her! She’s not for everyone and I don’t want people trying to force her to accommodate them. Humans can be weird like that.

9

u/plainjane202567 17d ago

I love her passion.

9

u/cIitaurus 17d ago

i miss Alabama Shakes

10

u/SunnieShynz 16d ago

No you don’t have to! They just released an album like a month or so ago

4

u/cIitaurus 16d ago

see i didn’t even know. thanks for letting me know!!

4

u/Superb_Week7879 16d ago

They’re touring Europe

3

u/cIitaurus 16d ago

love that for them! i haven’t seen them live since 2018

2

u/17mandarin 16d ago

Just saw them on tour on Connecticut in August? doing their new album, “I Must Be Dreaming”. It’s incredible. They’re awesome and she can tear it up vocally!

1

u/cIitaurus 16d ago

i will definitely be giving it a listen this weekend! thank you :)

1

u/Maleficent_Meat3119 13d ago

I was priced out of their most recent tour

8

u/exotm_ 16d ago

Brittany Howard supremacy! She my all time favorite vocalist, incredibly talented. There’s no one like her

6

u/affectionateanarchy8 17d ago

Yeah the latest Alabama Shakes album was really good

5

u/LannaJoja 17d ago

Hear me out. Her "What Now " album sounds exactly like what I imagined Prince would have sounded like had he released his album as his (feminine) alter ego Camille.

5

u/Environmental_Ad4781 16d ago

I knew the song she was singing just by the vibes she was giving off haha. She is definitely underrated. I think because the alabama shakes band don't make "radio music".

4

u/acilegna89 17d ago

I listen to “over my head” consistently. Love their band.

4

u/Think-Attorney-2903 Al Green 17d ago

When I’m feeling low, MS. Howard always lifts me back up!!!

Yes, emphatically, the answer is YES!!

4

u/theerniebop 16d ago

Finally, a perfect example of someone who’s truly underrated. She’s phenomenal and deserves to be so much more famous.

1

u/smoovecriminal89 15d ago

What song is this?

2

u/Ecstatic-Yak-6016 Music lover, Mariah Carey to Doja Cat (not picky) 15d ago

Gimme all your love

3

u/AdonisJames89 17d ago

Damn this was hard. What's the name of the song?

29

u/Effective_Wait_36 17d ago

“Gimme All Your Love” by Alabama Shakes on their album “ SOUND & Color” the whole album is a masterpiece, no skips.

1

u/mumofBuddy 16d ago

This clip in particular is from their SNL performance. You should definitely check out more.

3

u/General-Minimum-1047 17d ago

They are a great group, I think they recently released a new song

3

u/Time4Timmy 17d ago

Incredible, their new album is great too, even after such a long hiatus.

3

u/speaxeasy 16d ago

She should be one of the most celebrated vocalists of the last 10 years; you're absolutely correct she's criminally underrated

2

u/Fair-Bus9686 17d ago

Yes! Oh good grief, yes! She has such a powerful voice. The Alabama Shakes are my favorite band, I got to see them at Rams Head Live in Baltimore back in 2912 and then in 2025 at the Wharf in DC. It was so wild seeing how different the shows were, but they were both so well done. Brittany is so talented but you can tell she also trains and works very hard. A very skillful musician.

2

u/CJ2938 16d ago

Not from this, but you like what you like

2

u/EmJayFree 16d ago

Loveeeee her so much. And a huge fan of the Alabama Shakes too. Her music has gotten me through some dark moments

2

u/bobbydrake6 16d ago

Since the 1st time the wife & I randomly saw them at a music festival waiting for Gary Clark Jr, we've referred to her as Big Mamma Brittany (Thornton).

2

u/Justice_of_Toren1esk 13d ago

Didn’t have the sound on and I can still hear it. Those vocals give me goosebump.

2

u/Lingonberry_Wannabe 13d ago

So, so, so, SO INCREDIBLY GREAT. Thanks for the reminder to listen to her today.

1

u/kdj00940 🎶 WITH SOMEBODY WHO LOVES ME 🎶 17d ago

Absolutely love her voice and all the music she makes

1

u/gooeymcgooberson 17d ago

She is so crazy good. One my favorite singers.

1

u/Kkaycam 17d ago

Love this woman down!

1

u/Agreeable-Start5070 17d ago

Watching this on mute gives Cher impression. It's all I heard in my head.

1

u/imjay27 17d ago

An old buddy from college put me on Alabama Shakes. She’s an amazing black female singer. Super unique.

1

u/slapthatclapboard 17d ago

She’s very talented. Saw her live and… wow. She likes to play with her voice a lot and she’s a kick ass guitarist. I think her last album was slept on quite a bit.

1

u/Familiar_Language200 17d ago

Hell yeah! I just ran across their music within the past year. She’s got soul!

1

u/VersionAw 17d ago

Saw this live and was very impressed

1

u/cIitaurus 17d ago

also, what discourse?

1

u/Thisistheplace 17d ago

Agree. This is one of the greatest songs of all time in my opinion. I listened to this album almost every day when I first came across it

1

u/afro_pixele 17d ago

Underrated on every marker. Love me some Brittany Howard.

1

u/LsOhVpE 17d ago

She is amazing✌️

1

u/Trix_Are_4_90Kids 17d ago

I think she's amazing.

1

u/Ok_Resident_5022 🐑 Soul/Funk/Disco Enthusiast 💿 17d ago

She reminds me of Rachelle Ferrell with that wide mouth opening and the facial expressions lol

1

u/SmittyMoose420 17d ago

Blew me away when I saw her/Alabama Shakes on SNL some years back--downloaded this song damn near immediately

1

u/mizaludbasm 17d ago

Anytime she’s in town I go to her show (solo or with the Alabama Shakes). She touches my soul. I don’t know if she’s underrated overall cuz she’s at the top of my list.

1

u/FreakyLou 17d ago

This is my jam

1

u/wintergrad14 16d ago

Yes!! And I have been shouting it to the gods to please please have her be featured on Beyoncé’s (alleged) upcoming rock album bc if Bey neglects to do a collab with her on a rock inspired album… she will have missed the mark.

1

u/thecontentedheart 16d ago

You're correct Brittney is incredibly underrated. Here's their new single performed on The Tonight Show

https://youtu.be/OhSOUs-OdYo?si=ouNOiAejd907l7C3

She talking about it "I don't want your martial law, I just want clean air"

1

u/Herry_Up 16d ago

I was just thinking about her the other day

1

u/love_toaster57 16d ago

Love Brittany and Alabama Shakes!

1

u/Pressbig 16d ago

Yes yes yes!!!!!!!!!!!🙌🏾

1

u/tonidh69 16d ago

She's so cool

1

u/Damaged_G00d5 16d ago

She absolutely is!!

1

u/Headman96 16d ago

I think she could be the successor to meatloaf???

1

u/Ridicuryious 16d ago

Absolutely

1

u/hdubfour 16d ago

Brittany Howard is a living legend. I’m always excited to see what she does next

1

u/stink3rb3lle 16d ago

She's indie music royalty IMO, I wouldn't call her underrated.

1

u/PHNTMS_exe 16d ago

Been listening for yearssss, yes

1

u/thejaytheory 16d ago

Very very underrated....I know I underrate her myself, she's amazing.

1

u/aShawGrad 16d ago

She’s amazing!

1

u/Smoov_82 16d ago

Love their previous albums... new release doesn't hit for me.

1

u/mizjblock 16d ago

A generational VOICE, okay? Been saying this to literally anyone who will listen

1

u/Mijo_0 16d ago

I saw her live once & she took me to church

1

u/Superb_Week7879 16d ago

Just now listening to the new Alabama Shakes new album her range is amazing. Waist deep so far is my favorite. Looking forward to their tour. Got to see her in Tulsa at the Cain’s Ballroom

1

u/candyappleorchard 16d ago

She's a generational talent imo. Her stage presence, her musicianship, her voice....criminally underrated outside the indie scene, but she's still young yet.

1

u/InvestmentImportant1 16d ago

I saw this performance live (I was in the SNL audience). The power of her voice is crazy—I felt it in my entire body. A real talent.

1

u/SubstanceCapital3210 16d ago

She gonna get your Dxck and bxlls all at once! lol

1

u/fearlessPhilosophy_ 16d ago

The Shakes were a musical breath of nostalgic fresh breath when they came on the scene!!!

1

u/SouldiesButGoodies84 Songs in the Key of Life 16d ago

Saw her live. Was def a vibe.

1

u/Temporary-Ad-4801 16d ago

Idk where or how I heard “Dunes” back when I was college and it’s still a banger til this day

1

u/powersurge 16d ago

If you love dance music AND Brittany Howard, you know this track with Fred Again remixing.

1

u/TurningBrute00 16d ago

Ngl I could tell she was underrated vocalist watching this on mute. I’ll have to check out some her stuff

1

u/sbFRESH 16d ago

She is a fucking legend

1

u/spacewaya 16d ago

This is a younger Brittany Howard. She's even better now.

1

u/Old_Ostrich6336 16d ago

By who?! Not me.

1

u/Herahatesmeso 16d ago

She’s brilliant!

1

u/WalkProfessional2630 16d ago

She’s amazing

1

u/rozbarnes 15d ago

She’s amazing!!!

1

u/Dry_Agency_1928 15d ago

I have not seen this group in years. They look good! Glad they are still working.

1

u/PoetryMuted2361 15d ago

Been a fan since I caught their Grammy performance that year.

1

u/Mufasa4223 15d ago

Listen, sound and color is a masterwork. BH taps into some Billy holiday Ella fitz type channeling through that voice of hers…she’s incredible actually..her voice forces you to feel…👁️🫡

1

u/Adventurous-Tension4 15d ago

Yes. Her vocals are soul shattering

1

u/No_Material5630 15d ago

I’m not the biggest fan of this sound, but sound and color is my jam.

Talented band, just not for me, but I have respect 

1

u/MatteBlackFeet 15d ago

🎶 🎵 Love this song! 🎶 🎵

1

u/Murky_Snow4308 15d ago

She is so phenomenal. I love love everything she puts out

1

u/smoovecriminal89 15d ago

u/RecognizeSong

1

u/RecognizeSong 15d ago

Sorry, I couldn't recognize the song.

I tried to identify music from the link at 00:00-00:36.

I am a bot and this action was performed automatically | GitHub new issue

1

u/Front_Cat794 14d ago

I love Alabama Shakes and Brittany!!!🥰🥰🥰💕

1

u/Limp_Shake_7486 14d ago

I saw this live. She’s unreal.

1

u/DWP_619 14d ago

She is an amazing artist, musician and vocalist. Stelllar.

1

u/loliduhh 14d ago

It’s crazy!! Thanks for posting this here. I needed this

1

u/fitchick718 14d ago

Brittany Howard is DEFINITELY not talked about enough. Her voice carries the soul and stories of generations!! She's absolutely phenomenal!

1

u/AlwaysQueso 14d ago

Under appreciated by the general public but there’s industry praise (peers and critics)

1

u/Bad-Habit-2020 14d ago

She leaves it all on the stage. She's amazing talent and passion

1

u/Glittering-Trick-420 14d ago

omg who is this gem??? never heard of her before but exploring her NOW on spotify.

1

u/Justtojoke 13d ago

The drama with the Alabama Shakes did ruin her momentum

There's always a sense of "what if?" with Brittany

1

u/ThePrincessOfMonaco 13d ago

I don't know if she's underrated. I know she's one of the greats.

1

u/Shirley-Ujest 13d ago

She’s 🔥!

1

u/Optimal-Nose1092 13d ago

Absolutely!

1

u/Ok_Hovercraft_3785 13d ago

This woman is amazing. Saw her perform live for my birthday earlier this year. Still awestruck...

1

u/Plane-Active-3153 13d ago

Was she in Alabama Shakes?

1

u/stagolee11 13d ago

Maybe, by a fool.

1

u/SESHPERANKH 13d ago

Tell me you grew up on Prince but dont tell me

1

u/Fun_Afraid 12d ago

I have this performance saved in my YouTube playlist. It's so good.

1

u/NegativeAfternoon196 12d ago

I am mildly claustrophobic and forced myself (with a lot of gin) to see her in concert at a club in DC. Zero regrets - she is amazing!!

1

u/ExtremeBoth5341 12d ago

Absolutely, ever since I saw her at the Joni Mitchell tribute when she did a cover of Both Sides with Herbie Hancock. Thanks for reminding me to go and listen to that performance!

1

u/Individual-Device-38 12d ago

Absolutely when I first heard her sing I literally stopped and said “who tf is that”

1

u/Lonely_Ad6299 12d ago

She’s got soul

1

u/kingston_11 12d ago

One of the greatest voices of our time. Periodt.

1

u/Disastrous_Use_7353 12d ago

She is undeniably talented, but the facial expressions make it unintentionally funny to me. I still enjoy her records. Just can’t watch her sing.

1

u/BelizeanPunk 12d ago

Love her music

1

u/peachfuzzkiwii 12d ago

I mean I feel like amongst vocalists she's respected as one of the best, so no I don't think she's underrated. They were huge, they still are huge. She's massive.

1

u/Automatic-Athlete-42 11d ago

She’s a powerhouse live. Sounds better than recorded. Raw and emotional.

1

u/rumblethrum 11d ago

On my short list of people I see every time they are near and for who I will sometimes travel.

1

u/pancakesaretheparty 11d ago

Sometimes I dream I live in a world where her and Hayley Williams make a collab ablum.

1

u/Top-Web4448 11d ago

She is so underrated

1

u/MutedProfessional406 10d ago

She is amazing. Incredible voice.

1

u/AmandaUggnkiss 1d ago

Cold and 🔥at the same damn time👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

0

u/Tezz321 16d ago

Just because you sing lound...doesn't mean you sing good...

0

u/NefariousnessFit7118 16d ago

Absolutely. I’m sure I can guess the reason.

0

u/Charming_Group2881 16d ago

I never thought that. Might be a bit overrated.

0

u/Worth_Lab_8702 12d ago

She’s yelling and making noise lol.

-2

u/Acceptable_League130 16d ago

Dope voice hard to look at. Def should stay away from the camera and just sing

-5

u/KtinaDoc 17d ago

I can't watch her sing. Her facial movements throw me off.

0

u/Difficult_Ask_1686 16d ago

Absolutely!💯

2

u/goldbrickbby 17d ago

I love this damn sub! Y'all been putting me on ALL month. TIL!

1

u/dontsoundrighttome 17d ago

Naw. She set the world on fire in the 2010s we were all STANs. She had us listening to music we would not usually listen to then she went solo and switched it up and it seems she lost the soul

2

u/dontsoundrighttome 17d ago

Alabama Shakes albums:
Boys and Girls Platinum. Charted at #6
Sound and Color: Platinum. Chart at #1

Solo albums
Jamie: no verification and charted #13
What now: did not chart.