Prince for me.
Music Best Solo Artist in Pop Music History
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
If Dylan doesn’t count then Bowie
Another one of those discussions where time has a huge impact. The fact that so far only 1 person has mentioned Elvis is an indicator of the time factor.
Also Best is very vague. I saw the sales factor being mentioned, MacDonalds sells an absolute shit ton of food but there is no way that could be considered Best.
Also Best is very vague. I saw the sales factor being mentioned, MacDonalds sells an absolute shit ton of food but there is no way that could be considered Best.
Michael Jackson.
Dr Bombay with Rice and Curry was a game changer.
A fact I never disagreed with. Although musicianship (in all its forms) will obviously be relevant in a discussion about the best musician of any genre you can think of.
I wonder if something can be so cancel-worthy that it loops around and becomes acceptable? Like how The Room is "so bad it's good".
Nothing beats this line: "Sitting on my elephant, pretty and intelligent nananana nananana"
Prince. It’s not even close either in terms of a solo recording artist.
Though I guess the thread title is ‘Pop’ and Prince has only flirted with Pop music for periods. If it’s purely Pop music then MJ.
Though I guess the thread title is ‘Pop’ and Prince has only flirted with Pop music for periods. If it’s purely Pop music then MJ.
Absolutely, which is why vocal ability should be high on everyone's list.
Best: MJ / Prince
My favourites: Craig David / Bruno Mars
My favourites: Craig David / Bruno Mars
It's so clearly Bowie to me that I don't know why anyone else is even being mentioned.
The 13-year run of 13-or-so albums from The Man Who Sold The World through to Let's Dance blows the back catalogue of anyone else that has been mentioned so far out of the water. What is the "best" in music if not who produced the best music? Subjective though that is, you're not gonna find another solo pop artist with as much acclaimed music as Bowie.
The fact that his 25th and final album was hailed as one of that decade's best too is a bonus.
Impact, influence, sales, longevity, whatever. Bowie ticks every box.
Michael. He's a superstar in pretty much every corner of the globe.
Best, probably Bowie, in terms of music alone. Then Prince.
Biggest, most influential etc? Elvis or MJ.
Biggest, most influential etc? Elvis or MJ.
100%. And Prince had a hell of a set of pipes on him!
I have a sneaking suspicion Pogue likes Prince. Not sure why, I just get that vibe.
In terms of talent Prince
In terms of success MJ
In terms of success MJ
Ha! You know I’m not actually a fan. Not a fan of pop music in general. Just sticking up for someone who was insanely good at what he did and was mysteriously overlooked on the first page of this thread.
When Doves Cry was a banger though tbf.
No shame in being a Prince fan, he's got a great catalogue
"Best" is subjective. We need a list of somewhat objective metrics: success, talent, appeal, longevity, uniqueness and maybe how well the music has aged.
MJ scores really high on all of those. It doesn't matter if you like rock, country, techno, hip hop, gospel or classic: almost everyone has at least one MJ song that they like. Young or old. Elementary school kids today all over the world will almost instantly recognise an MJ song. Could the same be said of Bowie or Prince?
MJ just defines pop music: catchy, memorable and as wide of an appeal as possible. He just happened to be extremely talented and unique on top of this, which just further strengthens his case.
MJ scores really high on all of those. It doesn't matter if you like rock, country, techno, hip hop, gospel or classic: almost everyone has at least one MJ song that they like. Young or old. Elementary school kids today all over the world will almost instantly recognise an MJ song. Could the same be said of Bowie or Prince?
MJ just defines pop music: catchy, memorable and as wide of an appeal as possible. He just happened to be extremely talented and unique on top of this, which just further strengthens his case.
Prince is a great shout. For those who like him, the NYT recently published a video explaining how he created Sign o‘ the times. Which happens to be my favorite song of his.
https://www.nytimes.com/video/arts/music/100000007334512/prince-sign-o-the-times.html
https://www.nytimes.com/video/arts/music/100000007334512/prince-sign-o-the-times.html
Definitely. He’s objectively excellent. I’ve got pretty shitty taste in music though. I never really got the Beach Boys or Bowie either.
The Beach Boys suck. But Bowie is a legend and you should be ashamed of yourself.
Michael Jackson undoubtedly.
the original version by Harry Styles is better.
He's ok. Ain't no Ludacris though...
Rebecca Black
banger of a song
banger of a song
Yes Bruno is a good shout.
The Weeknd and Beyonce also probably, maybe even Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Bieber could enter the discussion.
oh, and Eminem. Em is actually probably the closest to MJ the last 20 years.
Depends how you define pop.
Bowie is head and shoulders above most mentioned here but his best work wasn't pop.
That said his pop output was also better than Prince or Michael Jackson no matter how talented they were.
Bowie is head and shoulders above most mentioned here but his best work wasn't pop.
That said his pop output was also better than Prince or Michael Jackson no matter how talented they were.
Stevie Wonder can either match or surpass every plaudit being aimed at Prince. And other dancing and fashion sense, he can do the same for Michael Jackson.
Yeah would think he's in the mix for sure.
I think overall MJ is the 'best', he has the consistency over 40+ years, commercial success, awards and influence.
The shoutouts for Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and of course Prince are accurate, they are not too far behind him.
In terms of recent success - Beyonce quite easily for me, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Taylor Swift closest behind her.
The shoutouts for Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and of course Prince are accurate, they are not too far behind him.
In terms of recent success - Beyonce quite easily for me, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Taylor Swift closest behind her.
It speaks to how brilliant MJ was that he essentially created a machine where artists with as little talent as those two can become global superstars.
No.
It’s a remarkable price of art. I remember blasting it out in my room to the point where my dad threatened to take my speakers away
I wonder if something can be so cancel-worthy that it loops around and becomes acceptable? Like how The Room is "so bad it's good".
Nothing beats this line: "Sitting on my elephant, pretty and intelligent nananana nananana"
It was best wasn’t it, not best known?
Remember being blown away by this as kid. Still haven't seen anything quite like it in the pop world.
Don't think you can have one without the other.
But things like this are entirely subjective, everyone has their own favourite.
Marvin Gaye for me
Nina Simone
Bob Dylan
Paul Simon
Beck
Leonard Cohen
MJ
Bowie
Prince
Neil young
I Cant separate them, they are all GOAT depending on how you’re feeling
Bob Dylan
Paul Simon
Beck
Leonard Cohen
MJ
Bowie
Prince
Neil young
I Cant separate them, they are all GOAT depending on how you’re feeling
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