From pop icons to hip-hop legends, we're diving into the most influential musicians who have defined the first two decades of the 21st century. Join us as we count down the artists who have reshaped music, pushed boundaries, and left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most influential and
00:15talented artists of the century, so far.
00:18We're focusing on artists that began their solo careers or rose to prominence after 2000,
00:23so no bands will be included, as they deserve a list of their own.
00:36Number 20.
00:37Harry Styles
00:52Although many were introduced to him through One Direction, it wasn't until his solo career
00:56kicked off that he became the star he was always meant to be.
00:59With his rich vocals and willingness to experiment with new sounds and genres, he's become one
01:04of the most versatile pop stars in recent history.
01:07His heartfelt, unpretentious lyricism has earned him huge hits and plenty of well-deserved
01:12critical acclaim.
01:13It's clear how much he's committed to honing his craft, and he's proven that he's so much
01:16more than the teen heartthrob he once was.
01:19While it's unclear what direction he'll go in for his fourth solo release, both fans
01:23and casual listeners alike can't wait to find out.
01:33Number 19.
01:34Mitski
01:44While she may not be the biggest indie rock star in terms of popularity, Mitski has cultivated
01:49a loyal following for her raw, emotional lyricism.
01:52She can tackle a familiar topic like love and imbue the song with yearning and intense
01:56angst.
01:57She provides a form of musical catharsis that resonates with many people, even if they haven't
02:02lived through her exact experiences.
02:04Although her music has softened over the years, her words remain as cutting as ever.
02:08She made her first appearance in the Top 40 in 2023, so it's clear that her career isn't
02:12slowing down anytime soon.
02:19Number 18.
02:24Tyler the Creator
02:38Artists like Eminem laid out the blueprint for intentionally shocking tunes and influenced
02:42this artist.
02:43Tyler the Creator has built a legacy around his unapologetic attitude, which permeates
02:48his work and personal life.
02:50His earlier projects are intentionally jarring both in sound and content, as if daring the
02:54listener to become offended.
02:56Much like his predecessors, he walked the line perfectly, resulting in critical acclaim
03:00and a dedicated following.
03:02However, he's proven he's no one-trick pony.
03:05His recent albums have revealed how much he's matured both artistically and personally.
03:09His unwillingness to remain stagnant in his music has paid off tenfold, and his risks
03:14continue to earn him fans and acclaim.
03:26Number 17.
03:32Pink
03:40Since the beginning of the millennium, she's proven that she can do or make whatever she
03:44wants and still see immense success.
03:46Pink has never been afraid of deviating from whatever the current popular trend is, dating
03:50back to her rock and R&B roots of the early 2000s that contrasted heavily with the bubblegum
03:55hits being released by her contemporaries.
03:57She's been able to adapt with the times, releasing hit after hit decades into her career.
04:02Both she and her music have continued to evolve side by side, and although she's pivoted to
04:07a more classic pop sound, she still manages to make it stand out.
04:11It's proof that an old dog can learn new tricks, and perform them with ease.
04:22Number 16.
04:23Sufjan Stevens
04:38Though he may not have the same level of mainstream recognition as his peers, he certainly matches
04:42them when it comes to talent.
04:43While he saw his biggest breakthrough with his music on the Academy Award winning Call
04:47Me By Your Name, he's been dazzling listeners long before then with his lush instrumentation
04:52and introspective lyrics.
04:54A true musician, Stevens often takes on a majority of creative duties on a new album,
04:58from the vocals to the instrumentals.
05:01Whether he's singing about religion or outer space, he manages to infuse each piece with
05:06yet potent emotional intensity.
05:08With his work being recently adapted into a Broadway musical, it's clear that his star
05:12is only going to keep rising, and it's completely deserved.
05:22Number 15.
05:23Phoebe Bridgers
05:35Although she may not have been around as long as some of her peers, she's proof that you
05:38can be new on the scene and still completely dominate it.
05:42If the themes found in her music aren't breaking new ground, the way Phoebe Bridgers presents
05:45them is fresh and captivating.
05:48She has a way of interjecting her own wit and personality into her lyrics, creating
05:52a slightly more controversial and blunt style that cuts through all pretenses.
05:56Whether it's a breakup song or one focusing on existentialism, she puts her feelings in
06:01a way that anyone of any demographic can relate to.
06:04The result is a body of work that's haunting, yet extremely authentic at the same time.
06:16Number 14.
06:17The Weeknd
06:29He's one of the biggest names in recent years, and it's clear to see why.
06:32He's completely turned R&B on its head, infusing it with subgenres that aren't normally
06:36associated with it, such as shoegaze.
06:39He has the ability to make any track sound fresh, whether it's his classic, darker
06:43productions or bright 80s-inspired tracks, and his soundscape expands with each subsequent
06:48project.
06:49With his impressive vocal range and commitment to theatrical performances, he totally commands
06:54only the stage.
06:55Even though his upcoming album may be the last under this particular name, everyone
06:59is ecstatic to see what Abel Tesfaye will come up with next.
07:10Number 13.
07:11Alicia Keys
07:20Although she may not be as big as she once was, there's no doubt that she's still
07:24one of the most talented entertainers to come out of the 21st century.
07:27Even with her initial releases, she displayed a sense of artistic and emotional maturity
07:32that impressed fans and critics alike.
07:34Her gorgeous, soulful vocals combined with her impeccable piano playing make it clear
07:39just how exceptional she truly is.
07:41With a mix of classic and modern instrumentation and production, she's been able to combine
07:46two distinct eras of music and highlight both of their greatest qualities.
07:50Fans are hoping she sees a resurgence on the charts, and hopefully, the hit Broadway musical
07:54inspired by her work will help facilitate that.
08:08Number 12.
08:10Billie Eilish
08:22She may not have the decades of experience of some of her peers, but in her short career,
08:26she's already proven how influential she is.
08:28Billie Eilish is one of Gen Z's defining stars.
08:31Her soft, lilting vocals juxtapose perfectly with her darker instrumentation, creating
08:36a contrast that has stunned millions.
08:38Although only in her 20s, she's already grown so much from her earliest work, and
08:43it's clear she won't stop progressing any time soon.
08:46With her already being halfway to EGOT status and being the first woman to win the Grammy's
08:50four biggest categories in one night, it's no wonder why she's already considered to
08:54be one of the best of the modern era.
09:09Number 11.
09:10Rihanna
09:26It isn't often a star can just drop off the map for nearly a decade and still be just
09:30as revered as she was in her heyday.
09:32Rihanna is the amalgamation of a 21st century pop star with her powerful voice, immense
09:37stage presence, and sheer star power.
09:40Each new release completely redefined her artistry by expanding upon her ability and
09:45playing around with new ideas, even if they were daunting to her.
09:48With a whopping 24 top 10 singles across 8 different hit albums, she's become one of
09:53the most recognizable and beloved musicians on earth, despite not having released a full
09:57album since 2016.
09:59Yet, the world is still patiently waiting for the day she makes her official return.
10:15Number 10.
10:16Lana Del Rey
10:26From derided to revered, she's shown that a bumpy start to a music career doesn't mean
10:30it has to end.
10:31Lana Del Rey ushered in an entirely new sound within the pop sphere, cutting through the
10:36radio-friendly club hits of the era with her melancholic trap-pop tracks.
10:40Though she doesn't have the chart presence of some of her peers, she's been able to show
10:44that you don't need them to be successful.
10:46While her verbose songwriting is still her greatest hallmark, she also has a penchant
10:50for imbuing her work with a classic tinge, hearkening back to the singers of the past
10:54century.
10:55You'll wonder why she's inspired some of this generation's best stars, and why
10:58even her own heroes have sung her praises.
11:13Number 9.
11:15Taylor Swift
11:26Everything Taylor Swift touches seems to turn to gold, dating as far back as her earliest
11:30releases.
11:31From stealing the world's heart with her country tunes, to completely taking it over
11:34with her shift to pure pop, she's proven to be a musical chameleon.
11:38Her poetic lyricism has resonated with millions, giving a voice to those who don't feel they
11:43have one.
11:44Each new album is its own cultural event, building upon the legacy she's already created
11:48for herself.
11:49The era's tour has propelled her even further, cementing her status as one of the biggest
11:53stars in history.
11:54It's no wonder why her cultural impact is compared to the legends that came before her.
12:10Number 8.
12:11Adele
12:21She may only release new work every few years, but each project is just as jaw-dropping as
12:26the last.
12:27Adele's rich, soaring vocals have helped make her one of the most revered singers of
12:31the 21st century, being considered an icon just a few years into her career.
12:36She helped reinvent the ballad for the contemporary era, creating the blueprint that other artists
12:41would follow.
12:42Despite having a smaller discography than her peers, each album is perfectly curated
12:46to show off her talents.
12:47To this day, 25 remains undefeated in terms of first-week sales, and it's unlikely it'll
12:52be dethroned any time soon.
12:54People are still anxiously awaiting her next zeitgeist-shifting album.
13:07Number 7.
13:08Kanye West
13:21Though he's controversial now, it's clear why he was considered one of the best rappers
13:25in the game.
13:26From the very moment Kanye West stepped onto the scene, he was unlike anyone else blowing
13:30up at the time.
13:31He's never been afraid to take chances sonically, especially when it comes to his experimental
13:35production choices.
13:37Despite that, he still manages to sound palatable to a broader audience, making each track a
13:41balancing act that he always manages to pull off.
13:44He helped usher in a new era of hip-hop, inspiring younger stars to take similar risks.
13:49Kanye is truly a once-in-a-lifetime artist, and we may not see someone like him again
13:54for a long time.
14:05Number 6.
14:06Bruno Mars
14:15Whether it's the classic sound of his debut or his newer disco-inspired aesthetic, he
14:19has helped keep genres of the past alive and well.
14:22When it comes to entertainment value, Bruno Mars has it all, with his smooth voice and
14:27ability to play multiple instruments making him one of the most well-rounded stars of
14:30his era.
14:31His collaborations are just as iconic as his solo work, fitting a variety of styles from
14:36rap to K-pop.
14:37It's clear he has reverence for the stars that came before him, infusing his own shows
14:42and work with elements of what he loved about them.
14:45Despite that, he never comes across as dated or derivative.
14:48If that isn't the making of a star, then we don't know what is.
14:59Number 5.
15:01Lady Gaga
15:17She is the personification of what has made 21st-century art so exciting.
15:21From the moment she debuted, it was clear that Lady Gaga wasn't just here to make
15:25pop music, she was here to revolutionize it.
15:28The intense production of her early work immediately made her stand out, creating modern classics
15:32that are still beloved today.
15:34While she could have easily continued to make club bangers, she went out on a limb and switched
15:38genres multiple times.
15:39Dabbling in soft rock, country, and even jazz, she has proven to be one of the most multifaceted
15:45stars in the millennium.
15:46Even when she did return to her roots with 2024's Disease, she pulled off what others
15:50couldn't, recalling what made her popular without making it sound dated.
15:58Number 4.
16:08Kendrick Lamar
16:21Hip-hop went through a renaissance in the 2010s, and he was at the helm of it.
16:25Kendrick Lamar's introspective lyricism and willingness to discuss more complex topics
16:29has made him stand out among his peers.
16:32His intellectual style pulls from several artistic references, treating each listener
16:36to a truly breathtaking piece, often with its own narrative.
16:40He pours 100% of his ability into every piece, whether it's a Pulitzer Prize-winning album
16:44or a diss track roasting another rapper.
16:47He's more than a musician, he's a modern-day philosopher and activist, encouraging his
16:51audience to question the system and fight for what they believe in.
16:55He cemented himself as one of the most significant artists of our time, and it's clear he's
16:59still just getting started.
17:14Number 3.
17:15Amy Winehouse
17:32Though her career and life were both cut tragically short, the impact she made in her short time
17:37is undeniable.
17:38Amy Winehouse was in another league of her own, with her unique contralto voice that
17:42brought listeners back to jazz icons of the past.
17:45Her non-traditional style not only helped her stand out, but also helped pave the way
17:49for future artists to take similar risks with their own art.
17:52She was the catalyst for other experimental singers to jumpstart their own careers, including
17:57present-day stars like Adele.
17:59She's one of the few truly timeless stars of the modern age, with her tracks sounding
18:03just as fresh as the day they first released.
18:16Number 2.
18:17Frank Ocean
18:34With just two studio albums, he's cemented himself as one of the most groundbreaking
18:37entertainers of the millennium.
18:39Though his work is based in R&B, it can't be tied down to one genre.
18:43He experiments on every level, from the melodies to a song's structure.
18:47He evokes a sense of nostalgia, even in listeners who may not have a single shared experience
18:51with him.
18:52While his releases may be sporadic, each is a perfect summation of his talent.
18:56Although he has the chops to back up his reputation, Ocean goes out of his way to not add embellishments,
19:01instead letting the piece speak for itself.
19:03It's clear to see why critics and fans alike are waiting with bated breath for him to release
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19:351.
19:36Beyoncé
19:37There are two words that accurately sum up both her and her career, cultural phenomenon.
19:55With her soaring, powerful voice and ability to craft a hit, Beyoncé has been a staple
19:59of the century since it first began.
20:01She's helped popularize several musical and industry tactics that are still utilized
20:06today, from dropping surprise releases to the rap-singing hybrid that is a staple of
20:10the genre.
20:11Whether it's a club track or a heartfelt ballad, each song highlights her impressive
20:15vocal and performance range.
20:17After almost 30 years in the business, she's still unafraid to shake things up and experiment
20:21with entirely new genres.
20:23Each reinvention only adds to her constantly expanding star power, and fans can only guess
20:27which road she'll go down next.
20:39What 21st century musician do you think has had the biggest impact so far?
20:43Let us know in the comments below!
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