Trendy yet timeless. This Spotify playlist is a nostalgic trip through the last 20 years, highlighting top Billboard hits from 1998-present which still sound fresh today.
When I first started the Future Mainstream Classics series back on December 2012, Spotify was still in its early days, Beyoncé just came off from the under-performing 4 with seemingly fading legacy, Rihanna had just finally earned her first #1 album and Bruno Mars had just graduated from newbie to a sophomore.
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I grew up as a teenager on a time in which pop music was looked down upon. The premise was that pop music is rubbish and will not withstand the test of time.
But here we are in 2019, 20 years after Britney Spears released her first album which formed the blueprint for today’s Max Martin-esque pop music and after the very last of our Millennial pop star (Ariana Grande) ascended to pop throne, time has finally shown to be the ultimate truth-teller. Our Rihannas and Brunos are certified bona fide icons, and in the case of Beyoncé, inching into the category of Living Legend.
With pop music finally gearing up for future Gen-Z superstars like Post Malone and Dua Lipa, it is perhaps finally time to revisit our top favorite teen and post-adolescent artists with a degree of poptimism, recognizing that crafting infectious melodies is an art itself.
The question is…. who had and who had not withstand the test of time?
Methodology
Three indices were measured and normalized in relative to the artist who does the best in each respective index.
- Worldwide Album Sales (200 points, 50%): The single most important yardstick properly measuring how much the general public is investing on your music. Album sales weight 50% to help balance out the next two factors which may tip in favor of younger artists.
- Worldwide Streaming (100 points, 25%): Pop music is all about infectious melodies which keep you hitting that replay button. Streaming represents not only replayability, but it’s also a reliable way to weed out front-loaded hits of yesteryears and identify truly evergreen classics which are still remembered today.
- Social Media (100 points, 25%): A true measure of an icon is one who can amass a solid fan base: a true sign that as an artist, you are bigger than that one accidental smash you had. Social media is a reliable way to weed out past and future one-hit wonders who only get lucky once or twice.
The list does not aim to be comprehensive, and thus, should not be treated as an absolute ranking. Most of today’s biggest artists are analyzed, but with focus on pop music and those who debut around the turn of the millennium.
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Legends of yesteryears such as Michael Jackson and Madonna, who ARE the rightful King & Queen of Pop may see lower points due to statistic limitation which are not able to quantify their success during the pre-millennium prime. Some of the biggest artists from other genres may be included where streaming data shows significant numbers.
The Elites (> 120pts)
[Image Credit: abbieabc]
Ten out of the Elite 23 had already performed in the Super Bowl, while the rest are frequently courted to headline the most-watched annual TV show. The Elite 20 are indisputable Millennial icons whose brands can command attention, and in many cases, future legends in training.
1. Eminem (304pts) – current Rap God and highest-scoring artist overall 2. Taylor Swift (285pts) – currently reigning Queen of Pop 3. Adele (277pts) 4. Justin Bieber (271pts) – currently reigning King of Pop 5. Rihanna (240pts) 6. Britney Spears (226pts) 7. Ed Sheeran (221pts) 8. Katy Perry (200pts) 9. Beyoncé (199pts) 10. Coldplay (192pts) – highest-scoring band/group 11. Drake (188pts) 12. Shakira (179pts) 13. Lady Gaga (174pts) 14. Linkin Park (165pts) 15. Ariana Grande (165pts) – definitely not too early for her to join the Elites given her consistent success, which might not be right out of the gate, but proven to show Rihanna-esque trajectory 16. Michael Jackson (159pts) – it’s spectacular that MJ snatched a place here despite only releasing 1 album in the new millennium, a true testament that his original King of Pop reign is fondly-remembered 17. Maroon 5 (155pts) 18. Bruno Mars (148pts) 19. Justin Timberlake (135pts) 20. One Direction (135pts) 21. Selena Gomez (134pts) – the highest-scoring artist who has yet to hit her imperial phase, but she’s clearly one of today’s most bankable stars and she came really close to dominating during the Revival era 22. The Black Eyed Peas (125pts) 23. Pink (123pts)
Honourable Legacy Acts (90-119pts)
While they may have seen relatively limited success compared to the elite-tiers, these are current or future legacy acts who have made lasting marks in the industry.
24. Alicia Keys (112pts) 25. Avril Lavigne (111pts) – vastly underrated; her US success may have waned, but US only accounts for 34% of worldwide music retail value (as per IPFI 2017 data), but the rest of the world continues to remember, purchases and streams her music 26. Michael Bublé (111pts) 27. Backstreet Boys (110pts) – another Max Martin protege who clearly defined post-2000s pop music 28. Miley Cyrus (110pts) 29. Nicki Minaj (109pts) – Rap Goddess 30. Madonna (105pts) – the original Queen of Pop is still achieving massive post-Millennium success although she’s 36 years deep into her music career, when will your fave? 31. 50 Cent (103pts) 32. Norah Jones (102pts) – her streaming and social numbers are actually quite weak, but the blockbuster success of Come Away with Me alone contributes to 100 points, which brings her here 33. Nickelback (102pts) 34. David Guetta (101pts) 35. Jennifer Lopez (100pts) 36. Enrique Iglesias (98pts) 37. Usher (97pts) 38. U2 (91pts) – keep in mind that if their 1980-1990s prime had been factored in, they would have scored wayyyy much higher
Notable Princes & Princesses of Pop
Wondering where do your other favorites stand?
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Future Legacy Act Contenders They have amassed significant presence in public mind, but just short of one imperial phase from solidifying their place in future pop history. Shoutout to Nelly, Kelly and Christina who were cultural juggernaut but have yet to transition to streaming age seamlessly.
39. The Weeknd (88pts) 40. Chris Brown (87pts) 43. Demi Lovato (83pts) – like Selena Gomez, her fan base is tremendous but she needs the right material to get her that imperial era 50. Sam Smith (71pts) 52. Calvin Harris (69pts) 53. Shawn Mendes (68pts) – highest-scoring Gen-Z artist, perhaps in a few years’ time we might see an imperial phase from him? 56. BTS (66pts) – highest-ranking K-Pop artist 58. The Chainsmokers (65pts) 69. Sia (55pts) 70. Nelly Furtado(55pts) 71. Kelly Clarkson (55pts) 72. Cardi B (53pts) – absolutely the one to watch as she had just very recently debuted and already breaking records; her social statistics clearly show that people are interested in her brand and she’ll likely be coming for wigs next eras 74. Christina Aguilera (49pts) 79. Avicii (46pts) 80. Lana Del Rey (46pts)
Early Seeds or Niche Legacy Acts They have had a brief taste of how it feels like to reign, but just need to prove themselves more.
80. ZAYN (45pts) 82. Camila Cabello (44pts) – an ambitious hard-worker with good backing, strong potential to be a future Main Pop Girl 83. Dua Lipa (43pts) – my personal pick for a future Main Pop Girl, and with the humongous streaming and that Max Martin album coming, she might very well be 93. Charlie Puth (39pts) 95. Carrie Underwood (38pts) – given her limited niche in country music, I’d actually upgrade her to Legacy Act status 97. EXO (38pts) – a potential K-Pop breakout star 98. Jason Derulo (38pts) – a major radio mainstay, but sadly never built his legacy beyond quick little singles 101. Meghan Trainor (37pts) 104. Ellie Goulding (36pts) – another major radio mainstay, a very prominent non-A-lister 109. Gwen Stefani (34pts) – most of her legacies reside with No Doubt, as a solo star sadly her ship had sailed 110. Harry Styles (34pts) – astounding fan base but needs the right material and pop ambition 112. Prince Royce (34pts) 114. Fifth Harmony (33pts) 116. Ricky Martin (33pts) – niche Latin legacy act 118. Becky G (32pts) 120. Jessie J (32pts) 121. Pharrell Williams (32pts) – as a producer he would rank much higher, but as a solo star he has some ways to go 122. LMFAO (31pts) 125. ‘N Sync (31pts) – Justin Timberlake may have won the lottery, but history has shown that BSB won the boyband battle. 128. Fergie (30pts) 130. Little Mix (30pts) 132. OneRepublic (30pts) 133. Niall Horan (28pts) – quite a dark horse, don’t overlook him just yet 135. Ke$ha (28pts) – that her career is so grossly-mismanaged breaks my heart 137. Liam Payne (27pts) 138. Leona Lewis (27pts) 141. Halsey (27pts) 143. John Legend (27pts) 145. Lorde (26pts) 146. Blackpink (26pts) – highest-ranking K-Pop girl group 149. The Pussycat Dolls (26pts)
Other Favorites These artists are either one-hit wonders or has significant followings but have never truly “reigned” yet. But some of them could strike gold in the future, who knows?
20-24pts: Florence + The Machine, Jonas Brothers, Zedd, 5 Seconds of Summer, Fall Out Boy, Ne-Yo, Louis Tomlinson, Bebe Rexha, Ciara, Destiny’s Child, Iggy Azalea, Nick Jonas, Hilary Duff, Rita Ora 15-19pts: Zara Larsson, Paramore, Jason Mraz, Anastacia, Girls’ Generation, Billie Eilish, Carly Rae Jepsen, Austin Mahone, Hailee Steinfeld 10-14pts: Troye Sivan, t.A.T.u., Anne-Marie, Alessia Cara, Lily Allen, Robin Thicke, SZA, Tove Love, Kelly Rowland, Ashlee Simpson 5-9pts: Cher Lloyd, Miranda Lambert, Joss Stone, Joe Jonas, Charli XCX, Melanie Martinez, Kehlani, Olly Murs, Jess Glynne, Nicole Scherzinger, Taio Cruz, Lindsay Lohan, John Mayer, Keri Hilson, Westlife, Simple Plan, Cheryl, Julia Michaels, Bridgit Mendler, DNCE, Jordin Sparks, Daya, Madison Beer, Miguel, Tinashe, Jennifer Hudson, Jessica Simpson, Ella Mai, Normani 0-4pts: Hayley Williams, Noah Cyrus, Lauren Jauregui, Marina and the Diamonds, Spice Girls, Ava Max, Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane, Mandy Moore, Kat DeLuna, Hayley Kiyoko, JoJo, Azealia Banks, Jesse McCartney, Natasha Bedingfield, McFly, Robyn, Vanessa Carlton, Kacey Musgraves, Michelle Branch, Busted, Daniel Bedingfield
Where do the Pop Legends Stand?
Do take the points at a pinch of salt as their primes clearly reside in the pre-Millennium time. But this is a good way to assess how well their appeals have translated to the new generation of social/streaming era.
16. Michael Jackson (159pts) 30. Madonna (105pts) 59. Céline Dion (65pts) 60. Mariah Carey (64pts) – while Céline slightly edged Mariah due to slightly higher worldwide album sales in early 2000s when the music economy is still great, I’d probably give a slight edge to Mariah as #3 among pop legends as she does outstandingly better across all three indices 68. Whitney Houston (55pts) 76. The Beatles (47pts) 99. Shania Twain (37pts) 178. David Bowie (19pts) 184. Prince (19pts) 220. George Michael (13pts) 297. Elvis Presley (6pts) 308. Elton John (5pts) 326. Janet Jackson (4pts) – the fact that Janet becomes the very first (unfair) victim of “cancelled culture” is a historical tragedy 327. Kylie Minogue (4pts) – the fact that Kylie never really took of in USA is a geographical tragedy 339. Cher (2pts)
New Artists to Watch Out For
53. Shawn Mendes (68pts) – The highest-scorer among the Gen-Zers. Amassing strong social media followers comparable to Coldplay or One Direction’s solo members already. 56. BTS (66pts) – Growing rapidly fast in popularity, regardless of Western or Korean pop music standards. 72. Cardi B (53pts) – With strong core fanbase showing in all social metrics, she’s most likely here to stay. 80. ZAYN (45pts) – Strongest performer across all metrics among former One Direction members. 82. Camila Cabello (44pts) – Slowly growing, but surely given her work ethics. 83. Dua Lipa (43pts) – Tremendous potential, but needs the right materials. #MaxMartin 93. Charlie Puth (39pts) – Plenty of streaming, but lacks fanbase. Reminiscent of Meghan Trainor’s trajectory, but he’s improving fast on the quality department, so hope is not all lost yet. 110. Harry Styles (34pts) – While he didn’t exactly smash out of the gate, don’t count his mammoth-sized fanbase out yet. 133. Niall Horan (28pts) – That sophomore album will be a make-or-break. 137. Liam Payne (27pts) – If he gets the right materials, currently skirting on 1D’s goodwill. 141. Halsey (27pts) – Slowly ascending, but has become a mainstay. Sort of P!nk for the new generation? 146. Blackpink (26pts) – I can feel that one mega-wig-snatching album coming. 169. Nick Jonas (21pts) – That JoBros renaissance could re-spark interest in him. He’s a capable pop star, for sure. 177. Zara Larsson (19pts) – Has ears for catchy melodies. Need the right marketing team and a more compelling image. 204. Billie Eilish (16pts) – Her metrics is growing madly fast. She is practically 18pts now in just the few days between my initial tracking and the day this post gets published.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHO
