Which artists/groups of the past 15 years do you think will most likely go down in POSITIVE music history, be staples of the oldies stations of the future, and become the apples of several future critics' and historians' eyes?

My list:

1. Nirvana
2. Alanis Morissette
3. Radiohead
4. En Vogue
5. TLC (hey, they'll never be the Supremes, but I genuinely believe they kept the TRUE girl group spirit alive)
6. Beck
7. Outkast
8. Mariah Carey
9. Whitney Houston (even though she started off in the '80s)
10. Green Day

.. any others?

In addition to your list:

Björk
PJ Harvey
Liz Phair
Annie
Dr. Dre
OutKast
Nas
Jay Z
The Strokes
Franz Ferdinand
Arcade Fire
Interpol

Color Me Badd, Digable Planets, Xavier, The Family Stand, Black Sheep, Disposible Hero's Of Hiphoprisy, Urban Dance Squad, Ice-T, Babyface, Living Colour, Everything But The Girl.

Moonbeam said:

Mainstream?

Nirvana (like this needs explanation as to why)

Dr.Dre (he's the most influential rap producer)

Green Day (American Idiot cemented their place)

Eminem (He did create an impact, and his lyrics are so wrong it's beautiful)

Jay Z (also influential)

No Doubt(especially Gwen)

Justin Timberlake (if he plays his cards right)

Nine Inch Nails (Trent's a musical genius, and the NIN fanbase is too big to be ignored)

Radiohead (Definitely our version of R.E.M., and OK Computer is an indefinite classic)

Coldplay (they'll likely be another U2)

Christina Aguilera(if she plays her cards right)

The Killers(they could either be the next Nirvana or an underground hipster group like New Order)

Beyonce(if she plays her cards right)

Marilyn Manson(though likely as a 90s artifact)

The Smashing Pumpkins (they made some really memorable music)

Dave Matthews Band (they'll never go away)

GangstaFam said:

The original poster limited Radiohead and Beck.

lol @ people only naming people they like.

Anyway ...


TLC
Nirvana
Mariah
No Doubt/Gwen
Green Day
Eminem
Britney Spears
Destiny's Child/Beyonce
Alanis Morisette
Dr. Dre
2Pac

2freaky4church1 said:

xavier? who did "work that sucker to death"??... that was 1982

as much as i tried to avoid saying this, Britney will be remembered. What separates her from someone like J.Lo is that people, even those whom hate her guts, are always going to be curious how the next single is going to sound like. She's in the press so much that it's understandable.

Also, though singing isn't her strongest suit, at least she has a rather good ear for talent and manages to pump out a true pop classic every once in a while.
Toxic is a great example. Many were surprised to like it and for a while, some of the negative press actually diminished.

So yes, she'll probably be remembered for the long run.