"I don’t doubt that these singers actually grew up going to church, or that they might have even sung in church, but the fact is that at this point in time the majority of black singers are more influenced by radio/MTV/BET than any kind of “pure” church tradition. In other words, they learn to sing “black” the same way their authenticity-seeking white peers do."

Just replace "church" with "streets" and there you go. I agree with AFKAP on most of these points by the way. I just don't need Beyonce to have any sort of "pass" to know she is a better signer than Joss Stone. But really it's just all a matter of taste.