An icon and a legend? Or are the two interchangeable?

What do you think is the main difference is? If there is one at all.

I'm sure this has been asked here before, but oh well lol.

For instance, i've heard many argue that Mariah Carey, Janet and Madonna are icons but not legends. Why is that?

I mean even more recent artists such as Beyonce and Britney are considered icons for their generation, but certainly not legends.

My view is that to be an icon you have to have had some kind of impact on pop culture. Icons are usually quite successful as record sales go as well. With legends, record sales are not as big a factor I don't think. You can be a legend without having had phenomenal record sales but I think to be a legend, critical acclaim and lasting impact are more important than anything else.

Of course you have artists that are both.

A legend is an old story, like a tall tale.

"Legend" tends to be used for someone who's had great longevity.

Pikachu is an icon but Mickey Mouse is a legend.

musicjunky318 said:

Pikachu is an icon but Mickey Mouse is a legend.

Gotcha

musicjunky318 said:

Pikachu is an icon but Mickey Mouse is a legend.

Hey, Pikachu is a legend.

minneapolisFunq said:

musicjunky318 said:

Pikachu is an icon but Mickey Mouse is a legend.

Hey, Pikachu is a legend.

I love Pikachu but he stops at icon. Mickey, considered to be the best-known and most recognized character ever, s**ts all over him. The yellow mouse debuted in 96 but the latter has reigned since 1928. He is the face of Walt Disney Company, the largest media and entertainment conglomerate in the world. He became the first cartoon character to have his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and is even so popular that his name is constantly used in politics as a form of protest votes. You know how people write down his name for s**ts and giggles? He always plays a minor but forever-present contestant in virtually every single U.S. election.

Pikachu can't compete with that. Yes he is the mascot of the Pokemon franchise but he does not, I repeat, he DOES NOT outrank the original Mouse Mickey.

He owns him in every possible way.

Good day.

Icon status is basically a person who was just on top of the world, in their repected field. I;ll use basketball as an example.

Los Angeles Laker Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and James Worthy.

James Worthy is a Legend, Magic Johnson is an Icon.

thanks 4 asking this question op, I've always wondered that too, and Thanks for your explanation music junky,

HAPPYPERSON said:

thanks 4 asking this question op, I've always wondered that too, and Thanks for your explanation music junky,

Your welcome.

musicjunky318 said:

minneapolisFunq said:

Hey, Pikachu is a legend.

I love Pikachu but he stops at icon. Mickey, considered to be the best-known and most recognized character ever, s**ts all over him. The yellow mouse debuted in 96 but the latter has reigned since 1928. He is the face of Walt Disney Company, the largest media and entertainment conglomerate in the world. He became the first cartoon character to have his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and is even so popular that his name is constantly used in politics as a form of protest votes. You know how people write down his name for s**ts and giggles? He always plays a minor but forever-present contestant in virtually every single U.S. election.

Pikachu can't compete with that. Yes he is the mascot of the Pokemon franchise but he does not, I repeat, he DOES NOT outrank the original Mouse Mickey.

He owns him in every possible way.

Good day.

That is not true

In todays modern world, Pikachu and Pokemon in general surpass Mickey Mouse in popularity by a landslide.

Take a look at internet culture, Pokemon is everwhere.

I highly doubt that Mickey Mouse has the same impact overseas that Pokemon has.

Pikachu is a legend to the people of my generation.