The 2000s represent a decisive turning point in pop music. The last vestiges of the 1990s ran their course and gave way to a new wave of pop music. Running parallel to changes in pop music were the undeniable effects of changing social media and communication technology, which rocked the music industry and allowed artists to control their own destiny. These artists are some of the last greats to ride the coattails of the traditional music industry.
Let’s take a look at the top ten pop artists of the 2000’s, and how they changed the face of pop music.
Let’s take a look at the top ten pop artists of the 2000’s, and how they changed the face of pop music.
- 10. Jay-Z
Jay-Z has been a dominant force in hip-hop since the early 1990s. Through his collaborations with other musicians and his own albums, he was involved in 14 songs that charted in the Billboard Top 100. It wasn’t until the end of the decade that one of his own songs, “Empire State of Mind,” hit number one on the charts. His commitment to cross genre collaboration has expanded the reach of hip-hop, making it a truly universal art form.
- 9. Amy Winehouse
Even after her death, the influence of Amy Winehouse is strong. With the help of Daptone Records, Winehouse revived the classic sound of 1960’s soul and brought it to the mainstream. While throwbacks are nothing new, Winehouse made a classic sound popular again, and paved the way for other artists to embrace and exploit the sounds of the past while staying current. Check out “Rehab” and “Back to Black” for the powerful vocals and Motown sound that made her famous.
- 8. Coldplay
Coldplay has sold over 50 million albums, making them an unstoppable force in pop music. They proved that heartfelt pop music could be fun, serious, and a little adventurous all at the same time. They’ve managed to explore new musical territory without abandoning the original style that brought them to fame. Many of the indie artists who are achieving success in this decade owe much to the lyricism and solid songwriting that made Coldplay stadium giants.
- 7. Beyonce
Nobody would have suspected that abandoning Destiny’s Child, one of the most successful pop groups of the 1990’s, would be one of the best moves that Beyonce made. Since then, she expanded on the Destiny’s Child message of empowerment for women and made it all her own. She’s become a household name and helped young ladies hold their heads high in the pop music world. Her marriage to Jay-Z seems almost inevitable, since both are business savvy pop powerhouses, and it only bolstered her career.
- 6. Justin Timberlake
Like Beyonce, JT broke away from N’Sync, another amazingly successful group from the 1990’s, only to achieve greater notoriety on his own. Though he only released one album in the 2000’s, Futuresexx/Lovesounds, that record was a defining moment for pop music of any decade. It catapulted JT to worldwide fame and established his dominance as a master of R&B. It’s hard to imagine pop music without his influence, which seamlessly assimilated the sounds of the 1970’s through the 2000’s and showed just how funky a white guy can be.
- 5. Green Day
Green Day has their roots in pop-punk, which they dominated in the 1990’s. They took that fame and vision to a whole new level with a one-two hit of rock operas: first, American Idiot, followed by 21st Century Breakdown. Both illuminated the decadence of American culture, with catchy hooks and subversive lyrics. They simultaneously affirmed pop artists as cultural critics and sold out stadiums around the world. Decrying the state of the world has never been so fashionable and rocking.
- 4. Lady Gaga
In the spirit of Alice Cooper and Madonna, Lady Gaga used immensely catchy songs to push the buttons of the musical elite and critics alike. Her sense of style combined with musical ability made her an agent provocateur in the music world, while garnering her millions of followers. The sensationalism of her image and personality is no new trick in the pop world, but she came along at just the right time to show us how stuffy and orthodox our tastes could be. All to driving beats and unforgettable lyrics.
- 3. Kelly Clarkson
No Top Ten of the 2000’s would be complete without an American Idol contestant. The show brought pop music back into our TVs and made us believe in a pop star, before they even got their sea legs. Clarkson showed that the faith of viewers wasn’t misplaced. She has continued to deliver pop hits and has become a force in her own right, something that few people suspected American Idol could do.
- 2. Alicia Keys
The maturity and talent of Alicia Keys have made her a perennial favorite of the adult contemporary crowd. Her music isn’t rooted in pop tradition, instead drawing on jazz and easy listening to showcase her piano talent, a singular voice, and amazing songwriting. In pop music, it’s easy to get lost in the bright lights and fads, but Keys brings a timeless sensibility to the table that will far outlast that decade and this one.
- 1. Eminem
Few would deny the impact of Eminem. His rags-to-riches story touches everyone who wants to overcome their situation and become something greater. His acidic tongue and clever rhymes helped him deliver messages that both scathed and soothed. Self disclosure rarely carries artists far, especially when they are as graphic as Eminem’s. He managed to take his dirty laundry and make hits out of it, even despite the bad press he received for his personal and professional life. Modern hip hop owes a great deal to Eminem, who showed artists just how genuine they could be.
While the 2000’s fade deeper into our memories, the legacy of these artists will persist for decades. All these artists contributed to what will be remembered as the sound of the 2000’s. As we leave those years behind, and embark upon a new era of music that is defined by Facebook, Kickstarter, and home studios, the echoes of these artists will be felt in a new batch of stars that find their fan base without the help of the music industrial complex. Given the rapid changes in music and how we listen to it, the artists on this list will one day be viewed as living at the end of an era, and the dawning of the new.
While the 2000’s fade deeper into our memories, the legacy of these artists will persist for decades. All these artists contributed to what will be remembered as the sound of the 2000’s. As we leave those years behind, and embark upon a new era of music that is defined by Facebook, Kickstarter, and home studios, the echoes of these artists will be felt in a new batch of stars that find their fan base without the help of the music industrial complex. Given the rapid changes in music and how we listen to it, the artists on this list will one day be viewed as living at the end of an era, and the dawning of the new.
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