DaveT said:

DaveT said:

MOST INFLUENTIAL POPULAR MUSIC ICON: Michael Joseph Jackson [MJJ], hands down!

INFLUENCED: Foster Sylvers, Ralph Tresvent, Rahsaan Patterson, Tevin Campbell, Jason Weaver, Aaron Carter, Jay Kid, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, and other talents that I may have overlooked.

did MJ EVER cover a Prince song???????

luvsexy4all said:

did MJ EVER cover a Prince song???????

No.

TonyVanDam said:

luvsexy4all said:

did MJ EVER cover a Prince song???????

No.

Well..... sorta kinda, but no. On the Bad tour, during the band instrumental break, called "Bad Groove", they played an extended instrumental of "It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night". Later, it became a long version of "Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough".

That is sort of full circle with Prince because after MJ passed, Prince played "Don't Stop" in concert off and on. There's a clip of him on the 20Ten tour playing it. Didn't he mix that with "Cool" or something similar in other shows?

This was on MJJC Community as well, as I said there - "In the absence of Prince, Michael Jackson is my proxime acessit". Madonna is great and all but MJ has transcended everyone to be the global pop icon, in music, dance and stage, his talent was breath taking and continues to inspire to this day. Prince was music, but Michael was magic!

LiLi1992 said:

DaveT said:

As I said, its not necessarily to do with quality. Madge can't touch those ladies as singers but I don't think they had the global popularity Madge had at her height. Some of it was right place at right time but it took someone like Madge to take advantage.

BUT you mentioned a long list of black artists before MJ?! Who among black artist had the same level of global popularity before Michael Jackson had at his height? (: If you call Madonna the first female superstar, then MJ for sure the first black superstar.

Perhaps I worded it wrong. I think there were barriers for a black artist that people before MJ brought down, folks like James Brown, Berry Gordy, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, Smokey, etc...

... but there were still significant barriers in place for a female artist which weren't toppled until Madonna got in to her stride during the late 80s.

MJ on TV dancing up a storm (grabbing his crotch!) to some fabulously written pop songs. Brilliant stuff for sure, but nothing we hadn't seen before from Elvis or James Brown shaking their money makers. Madge performing Like A Virgin provactively on a bed? Ban her BAN HER (remember the hoo-hah in Italy and Canada?) ... we can't have this from a female performer!! Well, tough sh*t, times are gonna change and you're gonna get it whether you want it or not.

MJ did a lot of things that arguably had already been done by other male artists (and sure, he also did some stuff that hadn't been done ... hello 'event' music videos). But Madge did a whole heap of things that no female had ever done ... hell, she took her stuff to places no mainstream artist male or female had dared to touch when you look at the hints of rape confessional and abortion stance in Live To Tell and Papa Don't Preach, the religious provocation of Like A Prayer, the sexual 'taboos' of Justify My Love, Erotica, SEX, etc. Did MJ's stuff push boundaries like that or was it simply fantastic pop music (not to disparage how amazing his pop was) ... ?

[Edited 3/22/17 6:07am]

DaveT said:

TonyVanDam said:

MOST INFLUENTIAL POPULAR MUSIC ICON: Michael Joseph Jackson [MJJ], hands down!

INFLUENCED: Foster Sylvers, Ralph Tresvent, Rahsaan Patterson, Tevin Campbell, Jason Weaver, Aaron Carter, Jay Kid, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, and other talents that I may have overlooked.

DaveT said:

LiLi1992 said:

DaveT said:

Perhaps I worded it wrong. I think there were barriers for a black artist that people before MJ brought down, folks like James Brown, Berry Gordy, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, Smokey, etc...

... but there were still significant barriers in place for a female artist which weren't toppled until Madonna got in to her stride during the late 80s.

MJ on TV dancing up a storm (grabbing his crotch!) to some fabulously written pop songs. Brilliant stuff for sure, but nothing we hadn't seen before from Elvis or James Brown shaking their money makers. Madge performing Like A Virgin provactively on a bed? Ban her BAN HER (remember the hoo-hah in Italy and Canada?) ... we can't have this from a female performer!! Well, tough sh*t, times are gonna change and you're gonna get it whether you want it or not.

MJ did a lot of things that arguably had already been done by other male artists (and sure, he also did some stuff that hadn't been done ... hello 'event' music videos). But Madge did a whole heap of things that no female had ever done ... hell, she took her stuff to places no mainstream artist male or female had dared to touch when you look at the hints of rape confessional and abortion stance in Live To Tell and Papa Don't Preach, the religious provocation of Like A Prayer, the sexual 'taboos' of Justify My Love, Erotica, SEX, etc. Did MJ's stuff push boundaries like that or was it simply fantastic pop music (not to disparage how amazing his pop was) ... ?

[Edited 3/22/17 6:07am]

Marilyn Monroe was very sexually frank ... by the way, Madonna borrowed most of her images. Cher, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry were also quite provocative. This dispute is about nothing. I think that MJ was bigger, more talented and more influential. But I generally like his music more. Maybe I'm biased

Exactly. Madonna is influential but I believe she is overcredited.

http://www.vh1.com/news/1...nderstand/

One thing about Madonna is that unlike other icons from her era like Michael Jackson, Prince, George Michael and Whitney Houston, she could have never ever become a superstar without MTV. The reasons she is bigger than her predecessors has more to do with the creation of MTV rather than Madonna.

[Edited 3/23/17 6:32am]

TrivialPursuit said:

TonyVanDam said:

No.

Well..... sorta kinda, but no. On the Bad tour, during the band instrumental break, called "Bad Groove", they played an extended instrumental of "It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night". Later, it became a long version of "Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough".

That is sort of full circle with Prince because after MJ passed, Prince played "Don't Stop" in concert off and on. There's a clip of him on the 20Ten tour playing it. Didn't he mix that with "Cool" or something similar in other shows?

He once did an acoustic medley of "Mountains" and "Shake Your Body Down To The Ground."

He also covered one verse of "Bilie Jean," which may have been done in the weeks following MJ's passing.

Shawy89 said:

It's not up for debate.

Michael is the most popular figure in the history of music (Pop and classical alike). The only one who matches his popularity is either Bob Marley, Mozart, Elvis or The Beatles.

And his overall popularity is matched by Jesus's, Mohammed's, Einstein's, Che Guevara's, Hitler's and other globally known figures.

He is influential in every aspect. I say this because I actually traveled to a lot of third world countries and the man is just a major thing. He's like sushi. Even the penguins in Antarctica know about MJ and tried at least once in their lives to moonwalk.

I'd estimate that 60% of current world population knows about MJ. He's known mostly for being the greatest dancer / entertainer ever lived, then comes Billie Jean's popularity, then his vitiligo and image... plus so many things.

Madonna is widely influential but her influence is only big in North America, Europe, Australia, Canada, parts of Asia and that's it really, you don't go to Brazil and see singers impersonating her. You don't go to Sierra Leone and ask someone about her and expect a reaction. Still though, she is a MAJOR FIGURE in pop culture.

[Edited 3/15/17 20:39pm]

I agree However, I would argue a good 90% of the general world population knows who Michael is. Not only is MJ well known, but he is also loved and respected as a cultural world figure not just in music and he is known in most countries including developing ones

[Edited 3/23/17 8:44am]

namepeace said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Well..... sorta kinda, but no. On the Bad tour, during the band instrumental break, called "Bad Groove", they played an extended instrumental of "It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night". Later, it became a long version of "Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough".

That is sort of full circle with Prince because after MJ passed, Prince played "Don't Stop" in concert off and on. There's a clip of him on the 20Ten tour playing it. Didn't he mix that with "Cool" or something similar in other shows?

He once did an acoustic medley of "Mountains" and "Shake Your Body Down To The Ground."

He also covered one verse of "Bilie Jean," which may have been done in the weeks following MJ's passing.

Yeah, those two songs seemed to blend well together. The clip from the 20Ten tour of "Mountains/Don't stop" is so fun. It's a high energy show. (For those looking for it, he's in his white 20Ten shirt, and the video is from to the right of the stage on floor level.) I've not heard the "Billie Jean" thing but that'd be dope! I think you're spot on in saying he started putting MJ songs into stuff here and there shortly after MJ passed. I don't know if Tamar was around in 2009 (I honestly forget), but I do remember a show w/ her (I think?) and they're doing an MJ song. Probably "Don't Stop".

Michael has surpassed Elvis and the Beatles in global popularity, reach and impact. When you go to a African country for instance, your not going to see a painting off The Beatles or Elvis hanging up along side Nelson Mendela. You will see Michael Jackson right there a long with other prominent figures in that particular country, I have seen it for myself. MJ has long surpassed them. Madonna is global as well but she is not as global as Michael and she doesn't make the same impact. You have to remember, being known vs being known AND loved and respected are two different things.

[Edited 3/23/17 9:07am]

TrivialPursuit said:

namepeace said:

He once did an acoustic medley of "Mountains" and "Shake Your Body Down To The Ground."

He also covered one verse of "Bilie Jean," which may have been done in the weeks following MJ's passing.

Yeah, those two songs seemed to blend well together. The clip from the 20Ten tour of "Mountains/Don't stop" is so fun. It's a high energy show. (For those looking for it, he's in his white 20Ten shirt, and the video is from to the right of the stage on floor level.) I've not heard the "Billie Jean" thing but that'd be dope! I think you're spot on in saying he started putting MJ songs into stuff here and there shortly after MJ passed. I don't know if Tamar was around in 2009 (I honestly forget), but I do remember a show w/ her (I think?) and they're doing an MJ song. Probably "Don't Stop".

It may have been Tamar but I'm not sure. The supporting cast seemed to change so much between the mid-00's to early '10's it was hard to keep track. I'll see if I can catch that 20Ten show.

Michael has surpassed Elvis and the Beatles in global popularity, reach and impact. When you go to a African country for instance, your not going to see a painting off The Beatles or Elvis hanging up along side Nelson Mendela. You will see Michael Jackson right there a long with other prominent figures in that particular country, I have seen it for myself. MJ has long surpassed them. Madonna is global as well but she is not as global as Michael and she doesn't make the same impact. You have to remember, being known vs being known AND loved and respected are two different things.

[Edited 3/23/17
You're right when comparing Jackson to the Beatles and Elvis, but if there'sone artist who is loved and respected the world over, then it's not Michael Jackson, it's Bob Marley. He truly is a world star.
[Edited 3/23/17 10:58am]

If we're talking modern popular music, for me, it has to be Michael. Thats not downplaying Madonna's influence on popular music either at all. She has influenced Lady Gaga, Britney, Katy Perry the list goes on. However I believe MJ's influence is more all encompassing in terms of his vocal style (see The Weekend, Chris Brown, NeYo, Justin Timberlake et al as examples of trying to sound like Mike), his dancing (NeYo, Chris Brown, JT et al), but his showmanship has yet to be equalled or surprassed yet. Only Prince really could compete with Mike, they were like the Jordan/Bird of the music industry or Magic/Bird, whichever comparison you prefer. There's no mistaking both MJ & Prince were in a league of their own. Both were and of course still are what a true Superstar should be defined as. Madonna too shouldn't be underestimated. She's the chamelon of popular music, a superstar herself, changing with the times and still being relevant. Not the same as in her heyday sure, but she's still an artist with superstar appeal. It's almost unbelievable to believe that Prince, MJ & Madonna were all born in 1958, guess there was some sort of star alignment or something going out that year.

If we're talking retrospectfully - Elvis, James Brown, Marvin, Stevie, Sam Cooke, Sly Stone, The Beatles et al influence on popular music shouldn't ever be overlooked. Jackie Wilson for example was one of Michael's influences so really he deserves a honorable place in the evolution of pop music from stars to superstars. Also Sam Cooke who took a gospel song (Wonderful) into a secular song (Lovable) helped merge the lines between gospel & R&B to create soul music. I think had Sam lived he was going to make a socially concious record ala Whats Going On. He started the ball rolling with 'A Change is Gonna Come' so who knows how far to the top he could have gone. So in the influential discussion, you have to discuss those who influenced Michael, Prince et al.

NorthC said:

mjscarousal said:

Michael has surpassed Elvis and the Beatles in global popularity, reach and impact. When you go to a African country for instance, your not going to see a painting off The Beatles or Elvis hanging up along side Nelson Mendela. You will see Michael Jackson right there a long with other prominent figures in that particular country, I have seen it for myself. MJ has long surpassed them. Madonna is global as well but she is not as global as Michael and she doesn't make the same impact. You have to remember, being known vs being known AND loved and respected are two different things.

[Edited 3/23/17 You're right when comparing Jackson to the Beatles and Elvis, but if there'sone artist who is loved and respected the world over, then it's not Michael Jackson, it's Bob Marley. He truly is a world star. [Edited 3/23/17 10:58am]

MJ and Bob Marley are both equally loved and respected world wide. Elvis and the Beatles may have sold lots of records but they don't have the same impact on people. I do think your right about Marley though, I think he is much bigger than Elvis and the Beatles too.

thetimefan said:

Thats not downplaying Madonna's influence on popular music either at all. She has influenced Lady Gaga, Britney, Katy Perry the list goes on.

And I believe that Janet Jackson has influenced as many artists as Madonna. She's not the icon that Madonna or Michael or Prince are but she's probably influenced more male artists than Madonna and she's influenced almost the same female artists that Madonna has influenced. Sure Janet is influenced by Michael, Prince etc... but Madonna is clearly influenced by Cher, Debbie Harry Diana Ross etc... (and Prince too.)

mjscarousal said:

NorthC said:

mjscarousal said:

MJ and Bob Marley are both equally loved and respected world wide. Elvis and the Beatles may have sold lots of records but they don't have the same impact on people. I do think your right about Marley though, I think he is much bigger than Elvis and the Beatles too.

I know for a fact that Bob Marley has one of the biggest selling greatest hits/best of albums of all time. As a matter of fact, someone worldwide is still buying Legend for the first time as of 2017.

TonyVanDam said:

mjscarousal said:

MJ and Bob Marley are both equally loved and respected world wide. Elvis and the Beatles may have sold lots of records but they don't have the same impact on people. I do think your right about Marley though, I think he is much bigger than Elvis and the Beatles too.

I know for a fact that Bob Marley has one of the biggest selling greatest hits/best of albums of all time. As a matter of fact, someone worldwide is still buying Legend for the first time as of 2017.

Marley is in a category by himself, one bigger than pop music or global sales. During his life, and in the years after his death, he's not just a "Legend" . . . he's an inspiration for change in a way neither MJ nor Madge are.

Not taking away from MJ or Madge and their efforts, but Marley is just in a different realm.

TonyVanDam said:

luvsexy4all said:

did MJ EVER cover a Prince song???????

No.

i know its blasphemy...but thanks for controling your hostility

Shawy89 said:

It's not up for debate.

Michael is the most popular figure in the history of music (Pop and classical alike). The only one who matches his popularity is either Bob Marley, Mozart, Elvis or The Beatles.

And his overall popularity is matched by Jesus's, Mohammed's, Einstein's, Che Guevara's, Hitler's and other globally known figures.

He is influential in every aspect. I say this because I actually traveled to a lot of third world countries and the man is just a major thing. He's like sushi. Even the penguins in Antarctica know about MJ and tried at least once in their lives to moonwalk.

I'd estimate that 60% of current world population knows about MJ. He's known mostly for being the greatest dancer / entertainer ever lived, then comes Billie Jean's popularity, then his vitiligo and image... plus so many things.

Madonna is widely influential but her influence is only big in North America, Europe, Australia, Canada, parts of Asia and that's it really, you don't go to Brazil and see singers impersonating her. You don't go to Sierra Leone and ask someone about her and expect a reaction. Still though, she is a MAJOR FIGURE in pop culture.

[Edited 3/15/17 20:39pm]

LOL the greatest dancer ? Sorry he is not know as the greatest dancer. Or the greatest entertainter, either. And as far as influence that is definitely up for debate....there are so many artist that influenced (other artist) and music in general in a way the MJ didn't.

HAPPYPERSON said:

#TeamMichaelJackson

#TeamMadonna

Join the conversation and vote below

Michael Jackson and Madonna are the crowned King and Queen of Pop. Both legends shaped pop music and influenced generations of artists. MJ's magical dance moves, visually-compelling music videos and showmanship inspired today's top entertainers. Madonna's reinvention, sexual freedom and female empowerment not only pushed boundaries, but helped future pop divas to continue that legacy. While MJ and Madonna proudly earned their honorific titles, who ultimately influenced pop music more? 🎤 👑

There have been numerous comparisons in legacy and impact, but who had a greater influence on pop music? Moonwalkers and Madonna wannabes have 10 days to vote on either pop icon. GO!

Michael and Madonna are among the best-selling artists of all time. It wasn't that uncommon for their paths to cross. In fact, they tried working together. Obviously that didn't happen, but they hung out—as Madonna explained at the 2009 VMAs. She later revealed they also had a brief romance. Though it was understood they were king and queen of pop, they were also fierce competitors.

Both have inspired today's artists, but there can only be one greatest pop music icon of all time.

The King of Pop literally broke records and barriers in music. He cemented a level of greatness that no other artist could accomplish. His art was visually-compelling, and his showmanship was magical. Many artists have followed in his footsteps. Michael taught them to reach for the stars, but he was truly one of a kind. The greatest entertainer of all-time, to be exact.



The Queen of Pop is also the queen of reinvention. Madonna constantly reinvented her look, fashion and music style—always remaining relevant and setting trends. She used controversy to push boundaries with her sexuality, and empowered freedom for other women and LGBTQ people to "express themselves." Because of Madonna, more female artists are able to explore sexuality, girl power and independence in their music.

To be honest, many believe no other music artist will ever accomplish what MJ did—not even Madonna. Back in 2010, The Atlantic writer Hampton Stevens wrote:

If Jackson had only been a great musician who also invented music video, he still wouldn't have mattered as much. Madonna, his only worthy heir, was almost as gifted at communicating an aesthetic on-screen. The aesthetic Jackson communicated, however, was much more powerful, liberating and globally resonant than hers. It was more powerful than what Elvis and Sinatra communicated, too. Hence, that whole "Most Influential Artist" thing.

[QUOTE]

But more than that, it was the visual and lyrical content that set a successful pattern Madonna has followed through her career: intentionally provoking with a mix of overtly sexual content, religious symbolism and devil-may-care girl-power rebellion.

30 years of Madonna: How ...cessful...

Thirty years after her debut release, Madonna has become one of the top-selling female artists of all time, moving more than 300 million records worldwide. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, her first year of eligibility.

MJ broke the color barrier on MTV with his visionary music videos "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Thriller." He shook the world when he moonwalked across the stage at Motown 25. "Thriller" became the best-selling album of all time—cemented MJ's status as the King of Pop. "Thriller" inspired so many artists, and set a precedent for what a pop star could accomplish.

His groundbreaking "Bad World Tour" showed just how powerful of a pop icon he really was, breaking even more records in 1988. "Bad" was the album that paved the way for artists like Katy Perry to have five #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits from the same record. He continued to produce visually-compelling stories after "Thriller" in music videos for hits like "Bad," "Smooth Criminal" and "Remember the Time." MJ also continued to give groundbreaking performance after performance, like the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVII.

MJ remained a visionary artist and magical entertainer throughout the '80s and '90s. Usher, Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown have all emulated Michael's moves. His unique voice and musical styles inspired the sounds of Ne-Yo, Bruno Mars and The Weeknd. MJ's showmanship paved the way for Beyoncé to become an entertainer of a similar trajectory. To put it simply, artists of today wouldn't exist without the groundbreaking and unmatched talent of the King of Pop.

Watch an ode to MJ below, and see for yourself.

While Madonna became a pop star with her self-titled debut album, her sophomore effort "Like a Virgin" made her pop icon after her performance at the 1984 VMAs. Many girls wanted to be like Madonna following that VMA performance in 1984—coining the phrase Wannabes, but can you blame them? She later paid homage to her iconic performance with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the 2003 VMAs.

That's just the thing—Madonna influenced so many female artists to come, and broke down gender barriers. She became the ultimate sex symbol, fashion icon and gay icon. It started with that controversial-yet-iconic VMAs performance.

She continued to explore her sexuality with songs like "Justify My Love." She talked about controversial subject matters on hits like "Papa Don't Preach," and tackled religion on "Like a Prayer." She jumped on trends with hits like "Vogue." She empowered women on tracks like "Express Yourself."

Madonna's sexual freedom and stage presence inspired Britney. Her sense of reinvention influenced Christina. She's a reference point for both the musical styles and fashions of both Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. That empowerment many artists feel to use their art to create controversy, be free, lead trends and reinvent themselves can be credited to the Queen of Pop.


https://thetylt.com/entertainment/most-influential-pop-music-icon-michael-jackson-or-madonna?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tylt

[Edited 3/15/17 16:44pm]

Jackson was never crowned the King of Pop - he demanded to be called the King of Pop (big difference). Not sure who writes this stuff. The Weeknd biggest influence was Prince (his own words). Madonna broke down gender barriers ???...do we have an example of this ?

mnbvc said:

DaveT said:

Had there been female megastars before Madge? Nope; she changed that, which was a huge thing.

Couldn't you easily argue that has as much to do with MTV (and Michael Jackson leading the way) as much as it does Madonna?

[Edited 3/20/17 7:21am]

Sorry I responded to the wrong person - I apologize

[Edited 3/25/17 17:26pm]

[Edited 3/25/17 18:48pm]

mnbvc said:

thetimefan said:

Thats not downplaying Madonna's influence on popular music either at all. She has influenced Lady Gaga, Britney, Katy Perry the list goes on.

And I believe that Janet Jackson has influenced as many artists as Madonna. She's not the icon that Madonna or Michael or Prince are but she's probably influenced more male artists than Madonna and she's influenced almost the same female artists that Madonna has influenced. Sure Janet is influenced by Michael, Prince etc... but Madonna is clearly influenced by Cher, Debbie Harry Diana Ross etc... (and Prince too.)

Whether or not you like Madonna...she certainly wasn't influence by Cher or Diana Ross. Cher had 3 # 1 hits before 1974 as a solo artist, and one top 10 at the end of the 70's and wasn't heard from again, on the charts, until 1988. In a earlier comment you eluded to the fact that her vidoes where some how ground breaking and had influenced Madonna... since she did't have one out unitl 1987 ... and Madonna was well on her way, it really makes no sense at all. Now, even when people say Madonna influenced Lady Gaga... Gaga is way more Bette Midler than Madonna. Madonna took Donna Summer's crown as queen of dance music...but I certainly wouldn't know if she was even influence by Donna. I know she respect and liked her and her music, but that doesn't really add up to being influenced. I think the whole idea of being influenced by another artist is personal to that particular artist. Cher was like a drag queen (which is why they loved her)....and Diana who also had 4 #1s in the 70's all before the end of 1976, and no gold singles or albums to speak of (had her best period from the end 1980-1984) where she had 8 of her 12 top 10's. But her vidoes where pretty standard - boring - pouring on the glam. Things changed for everyone after Donna Summer came through at the end of the 70's. Diana Ross had her best period ...even Streisand has her biggest selling album and single (Woman in Love), Oliva Newton-John as well had her biggest hit (Physical). She didn't just change things for black women - but for all women. Kicking the door down for artist to build careers on dance music.

[Edited 3/25/17 21:25pm]

LiLi1992 said:

DaveT said:

MJ was bigger at the time, but Madge did it for longer,

Interestingly, from which year do you count the chronology? Michael had hit # 1 in 1969, and his last album Invincible was released in 2001. Yes, it was not a huge hit, but Madonna's albums after 2005 are hardly more successful. As far as I know, Michael has many records just for the long time of his popularity. Hits # 1 in 4 decades. Hits top 10 in 5 decades (in 6, if you count his posthumous records too).

If you are talking about world wide success - Madonna was the #2 artist worldwide for the 80's, 90's & 2000's (Jackson was not in the top 50 in the 70's- that is what is listed) he was 4 th in 80's 12th in the 90's and 29th in the 2000's.

DaveT said:

MJ was bigger at the time, but Madge did it for longer, still going strong long after MJ's star faded.

There had been huge male stars before MJ to (Elvis, Beatles) but Madge was the first female megastar, so arguably she had a greater influence.

Donna Summer was the first pop female superstar. She was the first female to dominate the pop charts, the first to have the #1 single and album simultaneously (3 times in 8 months) in the modern era. The first to have 3 #1 singles in a calendar year. The first to have 2 songs in the top 3, and did it twice, with 4 different songs in 1979. She brought 3 double albums to the top of the charts in 14 months. In one 12 month period Nov 25, 1978 to Nov 24, 1979 she had 6 top 4 singles - (4 #1's, 1 #2, 1 #4). Between Aug 1978 and Nov 1980 she had 9 consecutive top 5 singles. She was Billboards top music act from 1976-82 with 12 top 10 singles (10 top 5's).She sold 20 million plus albums and 15 million singles in 4-1/2 years in the US alone, with Casablanca Records. She is under-certifired by the RIAA because they didn't start multi-platinum certifications until 1984 (two of her albums were update to double platinum by the RIAA in 1993, due to a formant change, that counts albums with more than 100 minutes of music as two units). She sued Casablanca Records in January 1980 for 25 million and her release (she was awarded the rights to her songwriting catalog and her release). She singed with Geffen in March of 1980. Neil and Joyce Bogart who signed and managed her at Casablanca, also left the label by the end of February 1980, thus there was no impetus for the label to ever have her re-certified. She was the mega star who sold millions of records world wide and who pushed the boundaries by crossing into multple genres in a segregated radio landscape, Mary J Blige and Lenny Kravitz called her the Game Changer. She is the only aritst to be nominated for Grammy's in 5 different genres (at least 3 times each), and the only artist to win in 4 different genres. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named her the "Diva De Tutte Dive" - the first true diva of the modern pop era. She broke the colour barrier on MTV for black women in 1983 (SWHFTM), she was the first black female to have her videos played in consitent heavy rotation (followed by the Pionter Sisters and Tina Turner), and the first to be nominated for an MTV Award (Tina was the first to win).