[Image credit: The Voice]
Darious Lyles (age 30) from Chicago performs Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs. Jones” against Mike Jerel (age 31) from Georgia singing Bruno Mars’ “Versace on the Floor” during The Knockouts round on The Voice 2020 (Season 18).
The Voice judges Nick Jonas, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and John Legend were very much impressed with the performances of Darious and Mike.
Nick Jonas said both singers are powershouse vocalists but said there were moments that didn’t feel comfortable when Mike hit the top register of his voice. Nick chose Darious as the winner of the Knockout. Blake Shelton picked Darious as the winner of the Knockout because he explored his range. Kelly Clarkson did not pick any winner saying both Darious and Mike were gifted and were very smooth.
Coach John Legend commented on Darious’ body movement. As to Mike, John said there’s something electric in his voice and that his range is exciting and exceptional. Going against the assessment of Nick and Blake, John picked Mike as the winner of the Knockout, which turns out to be a controversial pick.
Many commenters online disagree with John’s decision, saying Darious was robbed of the win. Some said Darious Lyles’ performance was better overall and that Mike had some pitch problems. What surprised them more was that no one stole Darious in the end.
Artists: Darious Lyles, Mike Jerel
Songs: “Me and Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul and “Versace on the Floor” by Bruno Mars
Coach: John Legend
Knockouts winner: Mike Jerel
Steal/Save result: N/A
Auditions: Darious Lyles audition, Mike Jerel audition
“Me and Mrs. Jones” is a 1972 soul song written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert, and originally recorded by Billy Paul. It topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and on Billboard’s R&B Singles chart.
“Versace on the Floor” is a song from the third studio album 24K Magic by Bruno Mars, released in 2016. It reached number 33 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the Dance Club Songs chart.
Judges Comments:
Nick Jonas said the knockout was one of those that just blows one away. “Two powerhouse vocalists, incredible control.” Jonas noted the swag and confidence of Darious and said it was a fantastic performance. For Bruno, Nick has this to say, “Bruno has one of the biggest ranges of any male artist. I felt like, just at the top part of your register, there were moments where it didn’t feel quite comfortable. But I know the vocalist that you are.” Nick Jonas chose Darious as the winner of the Knockout.
Kelly Clarkson loved both of their voices and said both were very smooth. “You’re both really, really gifted, and John is screwed.”
Blake Shelton commented, “We all have different ways of going about making these decisions, and I always try to base it on the moment. I got to say, I think Darious explored his range. So I would pick Darious in this instance.”
Coach John Legend said Darious was so intentional with every body movement. “You were being natural, but you also had a plan.” As to Mike, John commented, “There’s something electric about your voice- your range, there’s something exciting and exceptional about it. And so, it’s not easy for me to decide.” Going against the assessment of Nick and Blake, John chose 4-chair turner Mike Jerel as the winner of the Knockout.
Season 18 of The Voice premiered at 8PM on February 24, 2020 on NBC and will air Mondays at 8 PM. John Legend, Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton returned as coaches for their third, fifth and eighteenth seasons, respectively. Nick Jonas joined the panel as a new coach, replacing Gwen Stefani. Meanwhile, Carson Daly returned for his eighteenth season as host.
On the question of whether or not The Voice Season 18 will continue airing amid the coronavirus pandemic, John Legend said that the program have pre-taped shows until the end of April. Whether the three weeks of planned live shows will push through in May is still unknown at this point. John said in his interview with Billboard that everybody’s playing things by ear because no one knows “where the world’s going to be in May.”
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