I'm trying to figure out technically the year of the last icon, I mean a singer who has the following characteristics:

- A catalog of albums
- Originality, meaning there's only one of a kind of this person(which rules out Britney, Ciara's, who are replicas of Janet, Christina, replica of Mariah, Usher, Neyo, replicas of MJ, etc.
- Cross-Generational - Like Prince, MJ, Madonna, Janet, Whitney etc., all loved by the old schoolers and new schoolers
- Sort of a phenomenon.

My mind came across Mariah, but I can't remember the year she made a debut, and then I thought of Mary J. Blige, because she debut in 93? I'm obviously drawing a blank real bad. Can someone help me out?

Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince!

these are the ultimate pop icons...after them...none!

How many albums are in a catalog, because Madge was an "icon" with very few albums. So was MJ and Prince (in the 80s) if you want to get technical.

well I listed a few albums to differentiate (sp?) from the ones who had a huge debut album then tanked later (like Alanis and now Beyonce (sorry yonce fans).

I would think someone who has had more than two or more good albums. so I was trying to think that last artist who we could consider a pop icon today. I'm thinking that last pop icon was in the 80's. which is sad because it's been twenty years already. so i'm thinking maybe it was mariah carey.

Mariah? Eminem? Missy? Kurt Cobain?

Maybe Mariah is closer to be a pop icon.

Kurt Cobain had more impact than Eminem or Missy Elliot!

So I think he can be considered a pop icon

the crossover is very important, in that case Kurt Cobain should be considered also a pop icon

dammme said:

I agree 100%

okay, so the last trendsetting pop icon is Nirvana, who debut in '91 right? okay, i was wondering if it end in the 80's.

wonder505 said:

They first was released in 1989 and it's called "Bleach". "Nevermind" is their second album

MikeMatronik said:

CinisterCee said:

I was a flanel boy in the 90's!

MikeMatronik said:

me too, I even took a break from hiphop for about a year.

CinisterCee said:

check ur pm's!

MikeMatronik said:

i'm at work! last time you posted something about Janet's p***y!

CinisterCee said:

you must be confusing me with someone else!

wonder505 said:

Mariah debut in 1990.

Kate Bush

EmbattledWarrior said:

I love Kate, but to be a pop icon I think your records have to show up on the U.S. charts!

CandaceS said:

not true, i think in order to be a pop icon, it really depends on your influence,
and every god damn body name drops kate bush

so i vote Kate Bush

wonder505 said:

I think the qualifications listed contradict the title. 'Pop Icon' seems 2 suggest more of a cultural impact than anything else, in which case I could make a good case 4 Britney Spears. However, in keeping with the specifications U gave, I think your choice of Mariah is spot-on.

TonyVanDam said:

thanks for the info. wow, 16 years in the making huh?

npgmaverick said:

i don't think Britney would qualify because she copies janet a lot in her performances, I don't see Britney all that original for her to be considered in a class by herself and I don't think she is loved by too much old schoolers. to me an icon should be cross-generational.

Pop icons are still around today. The only difference is, today they ain't shit.

MJ had an amazing age range of fans in the late 80's. 5-85yo, all colours. i've never seen that at a gig since by anyone since, that was just crazy.

So him.

Marrk said:

I always scan the audience at concerts I go to just to get an idea of their main fanbase. Yep, never seen anything as diverse as MJ's.

to the world outside of the US i'd have to say Kylie Minogue is the last Pop Icon.


Elvis, the Beatles, Michael Jackson and Madonna being the biggest.


Elvis and Madonna being the ones that have effected pop culture outside of music the most. Fashion, tv, movies, news, life, social norms.