Dionne Warwick says she’s not convinced Beyonce Knowles-Carter rises to the level of a classic or iconic singer.
The iconic soul singer who is best known for her hits “What The World Needs Now” and “Say A Little Prayer,” has returned with a new album, titled, She’s Back.
In an exclusive interview with ESSENCE magazine, Warwick, 78, says she’s proud of building a career that’s based on music that have a “beginning, middle and an end.”
When asked if today’s music were classics, she laughed out loud, and responded, firmly, “Not yet.”
“I don’t know if 10 years from now, anybody can actually sing the songs of our babies today. That’s not, as you guys say, ‘throwing shade,’ it’s looking at it with reality,” she explained.
While Warwick is a fan of Beyonce’s work, she is not convinced that “Single Ladies” hitmaker is at the level of a classic or iconic artist.
Warwick said Beyonce still has a long way to go before she earns Icon status.
“I love her to death and can appreciate her talent. But that iconic status, it’s a long road [ahead],” Warwick said.
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