The most iconic/influencial artists of the 21st century?

[brit4ever 2,034]

So, who do you think are the 5 most iconic and influencial artists of the 21st century(both male and female)?

Here's my opinion:

1. Britney - she brought solo pop music back to mainstream, set a higher bar for performances(so high, even she can't top them nowadays), paved the way to all female/teen stars who came after her and literaly designed the pop music of the 00s and 10s. She is the most successful female artist of the 00s. Every artist that came after her praises her and credits her as an influence, she is an example of what a pop-star should be. Not to mention her music and visuals that are all iconic and legendary.

2. Eminem - he is a legend, love him or hate him. He was the first to succeed in an industry considered for black man only, and not only succeeded, but became the most successful one. He is the best selling artist of the past decade and his music was decade deffyning, he inspired a ton of younger artists that are emerging nowadays. He has some of the most successful and iconic rap/hip-hop songs of all time.

3. Gaga - she was the biggest star since Britney, changed the music scene and set the bar for a performer(dancing, visuals and live singing simultaneously) even higher, paved the way for EDM and other famouse genres in music that are popular these days. She achieved more in 3 years than others can't in 30. Her visuals where stunning and shocking and left a mark in the industry.

4. Beyonce - She is not much of a trend-setter, but she is a realy talented and creative artist. She is an inspiration for a lot black(and white) artists and is seen as idol by many. Despite the fact that I don't like her a lot, I can't take away her achievements and should give her a credit.

5.Avril Lavigne/Coldplay/Adele/Nickelback/Nicki Minaj/Rihanna( I realy can't decide between them, because they are all not as iconic as the first 4, but I think they all deserve credit).

 

Edit: Kanye at #5  

[HOTNebraskaGuy 19,547]

1. Kanye

2. Beyoncé 

3. Eminem 

4. Lady Gaga 

5. Britney 

Extra: 

6. Rihanna 

so on and so forth

[The Surrealist 27,470]

Beck

Kanye 

Gaga

Britney

Amy

[Thomas P 18,479]

1. Beyoncé (changed the industry in 2013, and major social effect) 

2. Lady Gaga (made music interesting again for the first time since like 1995)

3. Adele (brought back album sales)

4. Kendrick Lamar (people care and listen to his opinion on issues) 

5. Rihanna (because it's rihanna)

[brit4ever 2,034]

Just now, HOTNebraskaGuy said:

1. Kanye

2. Beyoncé 

3. Eminem 

4. Lady Gaga 

5. Britney 

6. Rihanna 

so on and so forth

I should've included Kanye on my list, gota fix it  

[MaryJaneHolland 77,348]

Unbiasedly, Rihanna or Adele.