Whitney Houston began walking the path to soul-pop greatness very early in life: Backup singer-turned-marquee performer Cissy Houston was her mother, R&B belter Dionne Warwick was her cousin, and Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin was her honorary aunt. Houston's blend of church-choir moxie and after-dark elegance also draws from gospel-pop pioneers like The Sweet Inspirations and R&B innovators like Minnie Riperton.