Music is the voice of the soul. It knows no language, it knows no boundaries. It is the language of the heart to the heart. There was a time when music was the greatest art that humans could practice. Something limited to the elites. Today, it is not the same. Everybody has access to music. Just like democracy, music is for the people, of the people, and by the people. It has retained its previous position of importance if anything; the position has only increased with musicians being one of the highest-earning individuals.
Today music is not just about listening. It has begun to address important issues, mental health, climate change, feminism, and anything one can talk about. Musicians are the new kings being the biggest influence on an entire generation. They are destined to be remembered and revered for centuries. Then, who are the kings of today?
5) Khalid
Born in El Paso, Texas, Khalid is the current R&B sensation. One of his earliest tracks Young, Dumb, and Broke became a sensational hit. He made his Debut in 2017 with Location which immediately began charting. He made history in 2018 by being the only artist to occupy all top 5 positions on the Billboard R&B chart. Such is his magic.
Khalid has worked with many A-Listers, Halsey, Future, Calvin Harris, Marshmello, and many more. His music is truly authentic and vocals absolutely shining through. His lyrics are the voice of a generation. With words like ‘we’re just young, dumb and broke, but we still got love to give’ or ‘moving on seems harder to do, when the one that you love moves faster than you.’ it is not hard to influence listeners.
4) Billie Eilish
Currently 18 years old, Billie Ellish had charmed listeners with her debut album in 2019. With a forte in electro-pop, Billie Ellish brought forward a very unconventional kind of music to her listeners. She has been called the representative of adolescent angst even though she herself has denied this idea. Her fashion choices also gained the same attention as her music, with her clothing baggy and eccentric she stands out among mainstream choice makers.
She revealed that she suffers from depression, synesthesia, and Tourette syndrome. With this very information, she managed to spark a conversation about mental health and has often addressed this issue in her music as well. A truly inspiring character, her tracks are not just about music but so much more. She is a multi-dimensional musician who not just meddles in one aspect of music but all. Her track All the Good Girls Go to Hell was an interesting take on climate change. Through her music, she has changed the stigma around mental health and helped her fans in similar conditions battle their thoughts. If that does not make her the queen of electro-pop, then what does?
3) Beyoncé
It is safe to say that no matter what era or what generation, Beyoncé will always be the true pop queen. Queen-B is just a pop icon but also a fashion diva whose outfits will always remain legendary. She has become a feminist icon and the voice of many with her always commercially successful tracks.
She has tackled sexism, racism, and infidelity from her husband. Despite all odds, her fans have never stopped worshipping her. Her vocals hit the heart. There is no living human who would not sing and dance to All My Single Ladies. A strong woman of color on the top demanding respect of all who come across her releasing hit after hit, she is the one true queen.
2) Ariana Grande
This 27-year old has become the voice of pop. Her lyrics and four-octave vocal range have made sensations in the world that she belongs to. Debuting with the song Put Your Hearts Up, Ariana Grande is one of the most commercially successful pop singers of this century. She started out as an actress on the famous Nickelodeon show Victorious. You can sing along to Into You while driving, listen to God Is a Woman when you need confidence, and dance to Breakfree.
Her activism and support for new day agendas have also created a place in fans’ hearts. She is known for her songs just as she is known for her various controversies that surround her. But this brave woman has always surfaced above it and told all haters out there, Thank You, Next.
1) BTS
BTS is the K-Pop band that made history. With the most devoted fan base to back them, BTS managed to create a wave of unstoppable success. Currently the top artists on everything, they created triumph with amazing vocals, astounding raps, and intricate dance sequences. Their music videos are so artistically appealing that their visuals alone are otherworldly. They address mental health and coming of age issues in their music combined with philosophical connotations.
They have also resolved to break stigmas and the arches of toxic masculinity by wearing makeup and experimenting with fashion. Their rise is the perfect example that language is only secondary in music and what heart listens is not the language but the sheer idea behind it.
