I just find it hard to believe that any of these people nowadays will be remembered in the annals of pop music history the way there predecessors will. It seems more likely that they'll be remembered the way most 80's and ninetites stars are remembered on vh1 marathon's about 100 greatest whatever. the way famous and popular 80s hair bands aren't recognized for nothing more than debauchery is the way I see modern rap being remembered. And the overly synthesized production style is awfully reminiscent of the 80's. Who do you think will emerge from the last decade as legitimate stars/artists that can survive for another 1 or two the way MJ, Prince, James Brown or STevie Wonder has?

Most 80s and 90s bands acts are NOT rememebered. VERY few acts make that huge of an impact. That is just how it is. Bey will be remembered-even though I can't stand her, I can't deny her talent or the fact that her career has been stellar. Justin Timberlake and Britney will be remembered. Beyond, that, I can't think.

None but some of Beyonce's fans are already calling her a legend LOL

Saw a poll on T.V. yesterday asking this same question basically (it was parsed as "will they be remembered?"). Over 70% said NO.

I concur. Devoid of melody, hooks, talent beyond mere vocals.....most of today's pop is a wasteland.

Should be entertaining seeing today's audience trying to wax poetic circa 2030 about any of 'em.

PASSIONFRUIT said:

I wish its only that, they're calling her "Beysus"

scriptgirl said:

When I think of any of those three I think of people like The MOnkees, The partridge family and Glenn Miller...people who were popular in their day and had some musical talent but devoid of any genuine creative and/or innovative ideas.

scriptgirl said:

Wait you say most 80s and 90s acts aren't remembered, but Justin and Britney will?

Yeah, I think they will.

What will Beyonce's legacy be? She paraded around in skimpy outfits
and sang about hooking up? Didn't Cher already do that?
[Edited 2/1/10 23:59pm]

I think Justin is going to have a nice lil music career and will be remembered despite the hate on here. Britney will be seen more as tabloid sensationalist crap. Pink has the potential to go far, Lady Gaga I think the juror is still out on that. Beyonce I could care less bout to me she will never be anything. N Ill say it I truly think that Nick Jonah's is gonna be an icon.

lazycrockett said:

Don't forget Taylor Swift. KanYe made her.

^Well now we know how Kayne will be remembered, cause its not going to be cause of his "talent".

scriptgirl said:

Wrong! There are many acts from the 80's that are remembered. But you have to be a fan of that decade's stereotypical sound to know that.

Beyonce (and Destiny's Child)
Britney
Gaga
Justin
Kanye
Usher (for Confessions)
Timbaland
Missy E
Christina
Rihanna (if only for Umbrella's success)

ratchetchan said:

I think this topic was discuss in 2009.

Probably Beyonce , Justin Timberlake , Usher(already got clones in a way and gets compared but hey *shrugs*) ,Kanye West , Lady Gaga (if she keeps people interested). Britney Spears , Eminem.

Beyonce
Outkast
.....I can't think of any others.

Not necessarily for talent, but they've already been popular for a decade. They may not last for 100 years, but they'll represent these 10 years when people look back.

Justin
Britney
Beyonce
Alicia Keys
Jay Z
Outkast
Eminem

and maybe some of the more "musician" type musicians that may contribute something to music some day, like John Mayer or Jack White

Pop is a pretty broad category, but the OP mentioned James Brown and Stevie Wonder, so I guess im gonna just name current artists in pop culture.

Dave Grohl. Probably way more influential in music history than Kurt Cobain when all is said and done.

But yes I will go with Justin Timberlake as being iconic for his generation. Kanye Jay-Z and Eminem for sure.

Christina Aguilera - her voice is legendary, she will have sustainability
Beyonce - her husband won't let her escape without legendary status
Kanye - he's already established a legacy as a spotlight hog and he has a nice mix of pop/rap sound
John Mayer - that is if he keeps bedding other celebrity women
Britney - She is literally adored all over the freakin world despite her looniness and lack luster vocals

DesireeNevermind said:

I also agree that Outkast and Alicia Keys will be regarded as "legendary" too.

Its debatable for all era's of time, i mean i can ask a teenager who is "Heart" and they have know idea, and then i asked someone who "Snooki" was and they knew. Todays media is shoved up your ass so much that even my mom who's 75 knows Snooki and thats when you know things are in trouble. But just because you are jammed down peoples throats and thats how you get them to remember you doesnt mean you have a legacy or made an impact. Its easy now to say Justin or Britney or Beyonce will be remembered, but what will they be for? Beyonce for not so much music or relevant songs, Britney for scandals and bald heads. Media today is way too powerful and important in peoples lives, its dumbed everything down. So people like a Snooki or Ray J or Kim Kardashian etc...famous for nothing more than doing scripted reality shows, may be jammed up your ass now, but when you look back and think about something that had impact on you, the only impact Kim K should have on you is her ass, but everything else, non important and not relevant to the times.

As for 80's not being remembered, well it depends who you ask, I can ask a 16 year old if they remember Soft Cell and they say WHO, and then i play Tainted Love and they say oh the Rihanna joint. Legacies and Impact are much greater, Soft Cell made an Impact and that song is a legacy, but no one today has a clue if they saw Marc Almond on the street. "Take my breath away" by Berlin is a legacy, you will not forget that song, that movie that impact it had, or when it came out, but ask the person on the street and they have no clue who Teri Nunn is, but they know the song

WaterInYourBath said:

oh yes...must not leave them out, especially Outkast. I think Alicia will become a future Carol King.

Rob Thomas

Vanilli said:

Vanilli said:

can't wait til that guy goes away forever

I would not consider Mint Condition a "pop" act but they will have a legacy as well.

Actually, not much of a fan of hers, but yeah, Beyonce will be remembered for gyrating her pelvis and her sexual dance moves, moreso than any of her songs.

Now her old group, when she was with Destiny's child will be remembered like the group the Emotions, because they both made songs that were catchy and danceable, although the 70s group the Emotions sang more ballads.

Britney, Christine Aguilera will be remembered by their generation because they were both basically competing with one another during the same era, although Britney can't sing for sh*t. She'll also just be remembered for doing more sexual moves and lip synching.

I always find it funny when I read about how this and that pop star will not have a "legacy" - reminds me of everything I read about Madonna in the early 80's.

Let's examine Beyonce, as just one example.

Here is her tally so far, solo and with Destiny's Child:

Albums:
5 No.1 albums, all multi-platinum
7 Top 5 albums.
(make that 6 and 8 if you count Dreamgirls)

Singles:
9 #1 singles. (Madonna has 12... Does SHE have a legacy, LOL)
22 Top 10 singles. Yes, TWENTY-TWO. At the age of 28.

Awards:

American Music Awards: 3
BET Awards: 6
Billboard Music Awards: 7
Grammies: 16

Seriously... 16 Grammies already, at age 28.

Then there are the massively successful tours, DVDs, her movie appearances (Dreamgirls, anyone?)

The question isn't WILL she have a legacy... She already has one. The question is, where will she rank in pop music history? She has absolutely dominated a decade. Hate her or love her, dismissing her place in pop music history is just an exercise in ignoring the facts right in front of your face.

But she ain't the only one who will have a long and lasting legacy in pop music. Justin Timberlake, for sure. Alicia Keys. Jay-Z, Outkast, Eminem, Kanye West. Britney and Christina. Lady GaGa has potential, but she's only 1.5 albums into her career - let's see what happens with her. And there are others.
[Edited 2/3/10 7:41am]