This question popped into my mind today.

For myself, I tend to think of visionaries as geniuses.

Yes, visionaries tend to be virtuoso(a)s. Like Miles or Stevie or Rakim or The Bomb Squad. But coming up with a style or a sound that has never been heard of before and is also innovative is a trait that is beyond human to me.

And while I appreciate virtuosos, like Dilla or Monk or GZA, I tend to not value their art as much as the music of a visionary.

Not that I don't appreciate Dilla's or any other virtuoso's music. But my enjoyment tends to be intellectual and not fawning.

What do you think?