The Biggest Influencers in the Music Scene

With the advent of the internet, being an influencer today can take on a variety of meanings. It could mean successfully encouraging people to wear certain clothing or play free games at California online casinos, or perhaps inspiring an audience to live life in a specific way. It could also mean influencing other influencers to create at a superior level of artistry.

In the music scene, being influential doesn’t just involve getting people to listen to your music – it involves solidifying a legacy that shapes the trajectory of music and culture. We’ve all seen the impact bands and artists like The Beatles, Prince, and The Rolling Stones have had on pop culture and music, but there are myriad musical icons in every era who have influenced our world. Let’s explore six notable leaders in the music scene.

The Velvet Underground

Put on a Velvet Underground album, and a number of things could happen – you could nod your head and understand how such a gritty product paved the way for genres like art rock, shoegaze, indie, and punk, or you might be left scratching your head and wondering why on earth people listen to this. That in itself is a quality that many of the world’s greatest artists incite in people – they challenge the standard and provoke polarizing reactions from their listeners. In their on-and-off existence as a band, The Velvet Underground developed the DNA for experimental and alternative music through provocative subjects and unconventional musical choices. And you’ll hear that influence on tons of tracks and albums, including Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures and Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation.

Otis Redding

When Otis Redding sat on the bay dock, his goal was to feel. He took in his idyllic surroundings and poured his heart out, making sure his music expressed his true feelings and natural energy. Redding easily became a seminal artist in the realm of R&B and soul. His vocal style was heavily inspired by gospel, influencing other ‘60s soul artists with his power and raw emotion. That signature sound became associated with other legendary singers in the genre, such as James Brown and Sam Cooke. However, his musical influence went above and beyond, with Redding’s intense stage presence, vocal delivery, and storytelling becoming a staple of bands like The Grateful Dead and The Doors.

Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell established herself as a symbol in music, with not just her unconventional song structures, poetic and personal songwriting, and musical choices but with her authentic persona as well. She embodied the story of a “broke, struggling artist,” playing gigs in coffeehouses and nightclubs in the hopes of becoming a successful folk singer. At one point in time, she made $15 a week “singing long tragic songs in a minor key” at The Depression Coffee House in Calgary, which couldn’t be more Joni. When her career took off, people aspired to follow in her footsteps, winning the respect of fellow musicians and all those in the folk scene. She is considered incredibly gifted and influenced a notable lineage of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift, and Alanis Morrisette as a result of her art.

Tupac Shakur

As the subject of over a dozen documentaries, a variety of tributes, and two museum exhibits, it’s clear that Tupac Shakur, also known as 2Pac, had an impact on the music and entertainment industry. Before his life was tragically cut short at the age of 25, his music was used as a way to communicate the struggles, injustices, and issues that African Americans faced in America. But it wasn’t just his lyrics that impacted contemporary culture – it was his mastery over genre-blending and ability to add jazz, soul, and funk elements into his tracks. 2Pac left behind a musical legacy complemented by activism and social justice, leveraging his poetic talents, life experiences, and style.

Michael Jackson

For many people in the world, Michael Jackson embodied a sort of god. Fans would faint at the sight of him at concerts, spend unholy amounts of money on memorabilia, and moonwalk wherever they could. The way he was able to single-handedly influence dance, pop music, and fashion after he launched his solo career is unlikely to ever be replicated. Jackson is a celebrated cultural figure, known as the “King of Pop” for his groundbreaking songs, legendary stage presence, and transformative impact on music production. Without Michael, it’s impossible to say what contemporary popular music would sound like today.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé was once a member of R&B girl group Destiny’s Child. In 2001, the group decided that each member would produce solo albums, but none of them quite took off like Beyoncé’s album Dangerously in Love. In one week, the album sold 317,000 copies. Music critics jumped at the chance to review it, and she effectively reached international commercial success. The following year, she went on to win five awards at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards. This was just the beginning of a successful and storied career as a pop culture figure, influencing people far and wide with her exploration of themes related to womanhood and feminism, Black culture, and LGBT rights. She also notably popularized the concept of the visual album, featuring high-concept music videos that enhance the musical experience.