List Rules Only artists who were huge in the era of MTV, vh1, and music videos. Image, style, influence, and icon status
We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, Ranker may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
The music world will never be the same, ever since "video killed the radio star". In honor of this we are listing the best artists of the video era. All of these artists included on this list had a major impact on pop music in the last thirty years. This list begins in no particular order. Of course, this countdown isn't limited to pop artist--iconic artists that have had major impact in the video era of rock, hip-hop, and R&B are also included. Music fans, remember to look at each artist for their iconic status--looks, image, style, uniqueness, stage presence, as well as their videos. This list is also re-rankable, in case you don't see your favorite artist. But please only artists who have made music videos. At first, MTV started off as a place to see your favorite white rock bands like Van Halen and Bon Jovi jam out. Since Michael Jackson's breakthrough, however, MTV has became a diverse musical haven, making bonafide stars out of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem, the Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, The Notorious B.I.G, George Michael, Lady Gaga, and many more on this list. Of course, one of the era's biggest breakthroughs was Madonna, who has been making music as long as the time frame of this list, and has introduced a new format for women in the last thirty years of music, influencing Britney Spears, Beyonce, and others. David Bowie and Boy George are also recognized on this list for experimenting with androgyny and human sexuality. And in addition to Jackson opening doors for black artists to be bonafide superstars, Prince, Whitney Houston, and others broke through easily. Since the '80s, and '90s have died down, many fresh faced pop stars are carving their place in music history for the 21st century. So where would artists like Justin Beiber, Miley Cyrus, or One Direction rank? With your votes, it's your call. Also: There is a limited time to vote, so hurry up and vote while you have the opportunity, just in case you might not like your favorite artists' rating.
1
Michael JacksonGary, Indiana, United States of America - Influences: James Brown, The Beatles, Elvis Presley Peers: Stevie Wonder, Prince, George Michael, Freddie Mercury, Madonna Followers: Usher,Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown
2
MadonnaNew York City, New York, United States of America - Influences: Marilyn Monroe, Cher Peers: Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Prince, George Michael Followers: Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Beyonce
3
David BowieBrixton, London, United Kingdom - David Bowie is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, arranger, and actor. He is also a painter and collector of fine art. Bowie has been a major figure in the ...more
4
EminemDetroit, Michigan, United States of America - Influences: Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 2pac Peers: Busta Rhymes, Lil' Wayne, Jay-Z Followers: 50 Cent, Asher Roth, The-Game, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar
5
RadioheadAbingdon, United Kingdom - Influences: David Bowie, U2, Bjork, Dinosaur Jr. Peers: Oasis, Blur, Beck Followers: Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol, Matt Kearney
6
Britney SpearsKentwood, Louisiana, United States of America - Influences: Madonna, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey Peers: Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, Jessica Simpson Followers: Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Hilary Duff
7
NirvanaAberdeen, Washington, United States of America - Influences: The Pixies, R.E.M., Sonic Youth,The Beatles Peers: Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Hole Followers: Foo Fighters, Breaking Benjamin, Silverchair
8
StingWallsend, United Kingdom - Influences: Bob Marley, Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello Peers: Annie Lennox, George Michael, Rod Stewart, Peter Gabriel Followers: Maroon 5, John Mayer, Rob Thomas
9
U2Dublin, Republic of Ireland - Influences: David Bowie, The Ramones, The Clash Peers: The Smiths, Depeche Mode, The Cure Followers: Radiohead, Oasis, Coldplay, The Killers, MUSE
10
Tupac ShakurMarin City, California, United States of America - Influences: NWA, Ice-T, Too $hort Peers: Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, The Notorious B.I.G. Followers: Canibus, Game, Lil' Wayne, Kurupt
11
Janet JacksonEncino, California, United States of America - Influences: Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Tina Turner Peers: Madonna, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Paula Abdul Followers: Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Aaliyah
12
Red Hot Chili PeppersLos Angeles, California, United States of America - Influences: Chuck Berry, Parliament Funkadelic Peers: REM, Guns N' Roses Followers: Sublime, 311, No Doubt, Pepper, Incubus
13
Green DayBerkeley, California, United States of America - Influences: The Sex Pistols, Black Flag, The Who Peers: Nirvana, Bad Religion, Weezer, blink-182 Followers: Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, sum-41, Fall Out Boy
14
Mariah CareyInfluences: Gladys Knight, Teena Marie, Minnie Riperton Peers: Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige Followers: Brandy, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Beyoncé
15
George MichaelLondon, United Kingdom - Influences: Freddie Mercury, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson Peers: Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Prince, Madonna, Duran Duran Followers: Robbie Williams, Ricky Martin, Maxwell, Justin Timberlake
16
R.E.M.Athens, Georgia, United States of America - Influences: Iggy Pop, The Beatles, Neil Young, Bob Dylan Peers: Talking Heads, Morrissey, David Bowie, The Police Followers: Nirvana, Radiohead, Tori Amos
17
OutKastAtlanta, Georgia, United States of America - Influences: UGK Peers: Three 6 Mafia, Goodie Mobb Followers: T.I., Ludacris, Lil' Scrappy, the Yin Yang Twins
18
BeckLos Angeles, California, United States of America - Influences: Bob Dylan, Beastie Boys, Nirvana, Sonic Youth Peers: Radiohead, Bjork, Luscious Jackson, The Flaming Lips, Garbage, Cake Followers: Gorrilaz, Ben Kweller, LCD Soundsystem, MIA, Air, Ke$ha
19
BeyoncéHouston, Texas, United States of America - Influences: Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson Peers: Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Britney Spears, Pink, Justin Timberlake Followers: Rihanna, Ciara, Nicole Scherzinger, Frank Ocean
20
MetallicaLos Angeles, California, United States of America - Influences: Led Zeppelin, Lynard Skynard, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath Peers: Megadeath, Anthrax, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Black Label Society Followers: Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Godsmack
21
PrinceMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America - Influences: Al Green, Santana, Jimi Hendrix Peers: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, George Michael, Madonna, David Bowie Followers: Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Pharrell Williams, Lenny Kravitz
22
Beastie BoysNew York City, New York, United States of America - Influences: Bad Brains Peers: LL Cool J, Biz Markie, De La Soul, Public Enemy, Run-DMC Followers: Kid Rock, Eminem, 311, Cypress Hill
23
AerosmithBoston, Massachusetts, United States of America - Influences: The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Deep Purple Peers: Queen, Motley Crue, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake Followers: Metallica, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Soundgarden, The Black Crowes
24
Queen/Freddie MercuryLondon, United Kingdom - Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1970, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor. Queen's earliest works were influenced by progressive ...more
25
Whitney HoustonEast Orange, New Jersey, United States of America - Influences: Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan Peers: Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Janet Jackson Followers: Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Brandy
