Jennifer Hudson vs. Queen Latifah | Head 2 Head

On the first edition of Head 2 Head, Queen Latifah and Jennifer Hudson duke it out over their respective takes on a Hairspray classic. 

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing and contrasting their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  For our first head-to-head, the source material is Hairspray, specifically a personal favorite song and moment from the musical, “I Know Where I’ve Been.”  The two divas going head-to-head are none other than Queen Latifah and Jennifer Hudson. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Queen Latifah, “I Know Where I’ve Been”

Hairspray (Soundtrack) • WaterTower Music / Warner Bros. Entertainment • 2007

Queen Latifah was originally renowned for her rhyming skills.  However, the Grammy-winner and Academy Award nominee went onto show just how potent and powerful she was as a vocalist.  In the Academy Award-winning film Chicago, she was totally awesome as Matron Mama Morton, particularly from a vocal standpoint.  She was equally superb as “Motormouth” Maybelle Stubbs in the 2007 film version of Hairspray.  Stubbs has two songs from in the film, with no moment being bigger than “I Know Where I’ve Been.” I’d go as far to say that “I Know Where I’ve Been” is one of the best songs to appear in any musical.

A song requiring some big vocal chops, Latifah definitely exceeds expectations.  She exhibits great control early on, never forcing things.  Sounding effortless, it’s as if the Queen simply allows the song to come to her.  Of course, “I Know Where I’ve Been” being a gospel-tinged number, soon enough, the bar is raised – dynamic level too!  Queen Latifah begins to dig in, giving a more assertive, rousing vocals, truly impressing with her vocal nuances.  Even as she shows us how accomplished and soulful she is, she never oversteps or overshoots.  Honestly, a hard performance to follow.  But of course, when it’s Jennifer Hudson on deck, watch out!

2. Jennifer Hudson, “I Know Where I’ve Been”

Hairspray LIVE! Original Soundtrack of the NBC Television Event • Sony Music • 2016

In Hairspray LIVE!, there was a new Maybelle Stubbs, courtesy of Academy- and Grammy-award winner Jennifer Hudson. Simply put, Hudson has an incredibly special voice – I’d venture to characterize it as truly anointed.  Without ever hearing her perform a rendition of this musical classic, on paper, it totally feels right.  Of course, that ends up being the case.

Hudson arguably tweaks the melody a bit more than Queen Latifah on her take on “I Know Where I’ve Been.”  From the start, she blesses the listener with her soulful tone, showing control and even more restraint than we’re sometimes accustomed to hearing from her.  No worries, as it doesn’t take too long for J Hud to kick into the next gear – ascend to that next level.  As the song naturally grows more dynamic, so does Jennifer, and even more of those commanding gospel pipes shine like a beacon.  Her ad-libs give chills, not to mention the support by the rest of the star-studded cast.  Still, it’s Hudson who absolutely slaughters, particularly that electrifying ending.

The Verdict

Queen Latifah or Jennifer Hudson? Woo, that’s tough.  That said, I give Hudson the edge.  Simply put, as stated in the aforementioned blurb, she possesses a truly special voice.  Her ability to tastefully yet powerful integrate the gospel histrionics is simply incredible.  Latifah does so as well, but J Hud takes it to another level.

Jennifer Hudson vs. Queen Latifah: Head 2 Head No. 1 [: Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Sony Music, Valentin Tikhonov from Pixabay, Warner Bros, WaterTower]