Keyshia Cole vs. Mary J. Blige

People used to say Keyshia Cole was the new Mary J. Blige. Like her hip-hop soul forebear, Cole could topple a boxer with the force of her pipes; she too sings about loving, losing and leaving. And like MJB, she can ride beats like a rapper. But this playlist also shows their contrasts—where Blige is effortless, Cole is determined—so maybe there's no new anybody, just two R&B vocal powerhouses.