On the whole, I tend to believe that Rihanna is the better artist.

Despite that Beyonce probably has the better voice, I feel that Rihanna has the whole package. Whereas Beyonce has had a string of mediocre hits (with "Single Ladies" and possibly "Crazy in Love" being the only ones that people will still remember in 20 years*), I feel that "Umbrella", "Don't Stop the Music", "Pon de Replay", "Rude Boy" and even "Only Girl (In the World)" will still be playing in discos and the like for many years to come.

I also think that Rihanna has more longevity as an artist. Beyonce has already worked extensively in acting and fashion, whereas Rihanna is only slowly creeping into these areas. In short, Beyonce will have run out of avenues to explore within a few years, whereas Rihanna could take time out and make a few films if her music career dies down as a form of hibernation.

On the whole, I feel that Beyonce is the better singer whereas Rihanna is the better popstar, with the catchy tunes to boot.

What do you think?

* = Let's face it, the non-Beyonce version of "Telephone" is no different in quality to the one that she does feature on. She doesn't add much to the song.

I haven't heard the non beyonce version of telephone.

I prefer Rihanna to Beyonce. This will probably turn into a "but rihanna can't sing/beyonce is a real artist" type thread.

Always preferred rihanna to beyonce.

Not a big fan of either, but anyway, Beyonce is the more talented by miles, but Rihanna has generally had the better material

I know - and the bit in bold is something I really get confused by. She constantly credits herself as a writer of some songs but either gets sued for plagiarism or it's proved that she did very little writing at all (like when she was credited for co-writing "Smash Into You", when all she'd done was change the title line from "Smack Into You").

"Real artist" my arse. I like her music, but she's very over-rated.

RIHANNA!

loved Destiny's Child but Beyonce is TOO overated, not even the best vocalist by miles really.

Anyways i love an artist with real passion and creativity in their work and a voice that is captivating without being all about the belting! and Rihanna does that for me with her image, re-inventions, style and attitude as well as her own distinctive style with her voice.

there are loads of Beyonce diva types but there is only 1 Rihanna!

I hate that these two are always compared considering as they're so different.

Rihanna.

Beyoncé is so samey all the time.

Not really; both are contemporary and successful R&B singers who have recorded and released both ballads and up-tempo tracks.

It's not as if we're comparing Susan Boyle with Jay-Z, is it?

i like beyonce's voice but prefer rihanna's material, to me she the more versatile of the two.

Not a massive fan of either but I think Rihanna has better songs. I like one or two of Beyonce's songs though.

Rihanna - Pop

Beyonce by a mile, and IMO it's no contest. Rihanna's good, but for me she's very contrived and only where she is because she's been given good songs. Beyonce may steal songwriting credits but she is also a songwriter, plus has huge star power. As a singer and performer, having seen them both live, Rihanna doesn't compare at all, and for me Rihanna reckons herself much better than she is. All this recent rubbish about 'generic' music whilst promoting the most generic song right now (Only Girl) is completely hypocritical in my view.

Beyonce is an amazing singer, dancer, performer, as well as being an actress with her own fashion line. Rihanna, to me, seems a bit of a wannabe. I don't think she dances well at all, she doesn't keep my interest on stage and other than being gorgeous (which Beyonce also is) and a competent singer I don't see her appeal, other than the songs she's given. I believe she's very lucky.

then I'd argue that Beyonce was pop.

This.

...there's only one way to find out...FIGHT!!!!

I usually hate reading the 'sensible' posts, but I feel the need to throw one in here; why the hell are they being compared?

They make different music, they have different career structures, they don't look similar, they don't even have a media feud to put them both in the same sentence.

I agree that people hype Beyonce far too much, but I think you are putting a bit too much faith in Rihanna's material longevity and not giving Beyonce credit where it's due.

Both of them have some instant pop classic songs, a number of 'support' hits and a lot of filler. They are also both serial collaborators, with varying success.

For what it's worth though, Rihanna seems to be more of a hit machine with approximately one or two hits per album...but it's questionable how, realistically, memorable they'll turn out to be...and Beyonce has less hits, but more intense ones in hindsight.

I guess it's kind of like the Britney vs. Christina situation. There's no doubt that Britney has a bigger hit back catalog, but the ones Christina does have are genuine pop classics and arguably have made more impact than the majority of Britney's hits - even if they didn't chart or sell as well.

Beyonce has Crazy In Love and Single Ladies as the crown jewels, with Listen, If I Were a Boy, Halo, Irreplaceable and perhaps Deja Vu. She also has a very sizeable Destiny's Child back catalog of hits; Survivor, Bootylicious, Say My Name, Independent Women etc.

Rihanna's major crown jewel is Umbrella, and probably will always be. Her 'support' hits would be; Don't Stop the Music, Disturbia, Unfaithful, Shut Up and Drive, Take a Bow, SOS and Rude Boy.

Then there are the collaborations. I agree that Telephone was all about Gaga, Beyonce being there was more an added bonus. She's had pretty solid duets though amongst average ones with; Beautiful Liar, Telephone and Bonnie & Clyde 03.

Rihanna's biggest duet is easily Love The Way You Lie, probably followed by Live Your Life and Run This Town. Hate That I Love You and Rehab very possibly.

Ok this has turned into more of a rant than I intended. Basically, they're both good and will probably continue being good...but I'd say that Beyonce will always be regarded higher in hindsight. Rihanna is younger though, and has the ability to mould herself to different sounds, which could pay off tenfold in years to come...while Beyonce is winding down I think. Not completely, but I can see her becoming more of a respected album artist rather than hit maker.

Beyonce.

Beyonce has the overall package, she can sing, dance and has AMAZING stage presence.

Rihanna has an okay voice, and is okay at singing slow songs, but uptempo she isn't that good and her dancing is laughable.

Rihanna does however have a better image and has more hits but she is more of a hitmaker than an album artist I'd say. Whereas Beyonce does have hits but works hard for an all rounded album(albeit with some filler songs).

About the acting/fashion statements, Beyonce has been around since 1997 and Rihanna 2005, Obviously Beyonce would have ventured into acting, and producing a clothing line, perfume, etc.. before Rihanna would.

I don't know why but I always feel that in the business Rihanna will always been in Beyonce's shadow, I don't know if thats because of whom Beyonce socialises with or what not, but it seems as if Beyonce is more respected than what Rihanna is.

Great post taboo, as always

Edit: Just one thing, I'd actually dispute whether Christina's songs have made more of an impact than Britney's - songs like Baby One More Time and Toxic made a huge impact and are still remembered now as much as they ever were

Beyonce. No contest, really.

Beyonce is the best singer of her generation, so comparing her to Rihanna is so stupid. Rihanna has a distinct voice and is a good pop package, but she will never be as talented as Beyonce. She's not even as good as the likes of Britney and Madonna, neither of whom were the best vocalists, but they really knew how to present themselves and perform. Rihanna's performing abilities are lackluster, to say the least. And she hasn't even had half of the cultural impact that Beyonce has had. EVERYONE knows Beyonce. I'd argue that she's the biggest singer in the world, despite the fact that her private life is hugely private. She's popular because of her ambition and talent.

I think Rihanna's music is a bit more consistent, though. And Rated R is one of my favourite albums, which I'd rate above any of Beyonce's.

And Telephone would certainly not be the same without Beyonce. I have the non-Beyonce version (bought from iTunes), and it's quite forgetful. Beyonce really adds something to that song.

It's close but definitely Rihanna. She has had better songs and better albums.

Rihanna

She may not have a strong vocal ability and put on a huge production like Beyonce. But i absolutley adore the beauty of Rihanna. Her songs really speak to me. I've never liked an r&b female like her. I think she is unique and just such a great artist. She has evolved so much from 2005 to now. I like artists that evolve. Something i feel Beyonce hasn't. But i still love Beyonce and she has already established herself as a legend which she deserves.

Probably Beyonce as she has a much better voice. Material wise they are about equal but Beyonce offers more as an artist.

I prefer Rihanna's music, but I'd rather watch Beyonce live.

Beyonce.

Rihanna, Beyonce is an overrated knob-head! I wouldn't put any of their material on willingly but would rather listen to Rihanna, Beyonce is utter pants.