Tamela Mann's R&B Contemporaries

These stars have more in common than you think.

Tamela Mann - Tamela Mann is not only a hilarious comedic actress who has starred in several Tyler Perry projects, she's also a powerhouse songstress. Her lush soprano voice has made her one of the most beloved award-winning singers in gospel music. Here's a peek at a few R&B artists whose styles are reminiscent of Mann's musical gifts. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Super Bowl)

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Tamela Mann - Tamela Mann is not only a hilarious comedic actress who has starred in several Tyler Perry projects, she's also a powerhouse songstress. Her lush soprano voice has made her one of the most beloved award-winning singers in gospel music. Here's a peek at a few R&B artists whose styles are reminiscent of Mann's musical gifts. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Super Bowl)

The Breakthrough  - Mary has transitioned from her depressed, heartbroken records but admits some people wanted her to reamain in a box. But for her, life goes on, as she explained, “A lot of people would rather that I stayed messed up and sad because that’s where they were. But when you grow, you’re going to lose some people and either they’re going to follow you later or they’re not and that’s the chance you have to take as a leader.”  (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Nobel Peace Prize Concert)

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Mary J. Blige - Mary J. Blige has been on the scene for 25 years, and like Mann, she's collected many awards for her musical contributions. Another strong commonality between the two singers is their dramatic live performance styles. These ladies don't just sing; they emote their songs to new musical heights. (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Nobel Peace Prize Concert)

Playing for the First Lady — May 5, 2014 - We told you the frst lady's a fan. While Ledisi rocked her concert at Pier Six in Baltimore, Michelle Obama not only stopped by to catch the show but bought her own ticket.  (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for BET)

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Ledisi - Ledisi is a versatile singer whose vocal stylings span soul, jazz, neo-soul, R&B and gospel. What she shares in common with gospel kindred spirit Mann is her vibrant and rich soprano voice. The two women's powerful singing uplifts and ignites every recording they share with audiences. (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for BET)

India.Arie - Singer songwriter India.Arie's earthy and folk-inspired songs have endeared the singer to her legions of fans. Writing hit songs like "Video" and "I Am Not My Hair" has showed Arie's musical versatility through five studio albums. She and singer-songwriter Mann continue to redefine themselves as trailblazers in their genres. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BET)

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India.Arie - Singer songwriter India.Arie's earthy and folk-inspired songs have endeared the singer to her legions of fans. Writing hit songs like "Video" and "I Am Not My Hair" has showed Arie's musical versatility through five studio albums. She and singer-songwriter Mann continue to redefine themselves as trailblazers in their genres. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BET)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BET

"Think Like a Man" - Advising women to "act like a woman, but think like a man" the title track to the 2012 film "Think Like a Man" was led by Jennifer Hudson and featured Ne-Yo and Rick Ross. She belted throughout the song and made quite an impression on the charts.   (Photo: Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Jennifer Hudson - Being a double threat has come easy for Jennifer Hudson. She began in music as an American Idol runner up and then later, she became an actress, starring in the 2006 film Dreamgirls, which earned her an Oscar. She's a kindred spirit to Mann, who has made a second career for herself on the big and small screen by starring in Madea Goes to Jail, Meet the Browns and House of Payne. (Photo: Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Judith Hill - Judith Hill is known today for appearing in the Oscar-winning film 20 Feet From Stardom and becoming a popular finalist on NBC's hit music competiton show, The Voice. But her initial claim to fame was as a background singer for King of Pop Michael Jackson for his This Is It tour and movie. Likewise, Mann got her start in music as a backing vocalist in Kirk Franklin and The Family. (Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for BFCA)

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Judith Hill - Judith Hill is known today for appearing in the Oscar-winning film 20 Feet From Stardom and becoming a popular finalist on NBC's hit music competiton show, The Voice. But her initial claim to fame was as a background singer for King of Pop Michael Jackson for his This Is It tour and movie. Likewise, Mann got her start in music as a backing vocalist in Kirk Franklin and The Family. (Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for BFCA)