All of the monarchs of the music industry are resting securely on cemented thrones. We have an undisputed Queen of Soul, King of Rock n’ Roll, King of R&B, and of course, a King of Pop. Even though such title was initially self-proclaimed, there was no denying its delegation. Interestingly, there is a vacancy on that list…the queen’s chair sits ostensibly empty. And though many may vie and eye the throne, no woman has boldly professed herself as such (unlike her male counterpart). So, it begs the question: Who is the Queen of Pop? While there are candidates many-a-fan would crown as such, there has been no definitively, unquestioned female pop potentate. And then…
In an age where the merit of ‘pop royalty’ is defined by fly-by-night radio hits and digital downloads, famed music magazine Rolling Stone developed an index of criteria to best crown the genre’s new queen. For anyone who has been alive for the last three years (inhabitants of the animal kingdom included), it was a no brainer that Lady Gaga would be enthroned the genre’s reigning female monarch. However, the list, which only included Pop’s active acts, was greeted with so much backlash it was later revised.
But, even the revision still featured Lady Gaga (a relative newcomer) above legends Mariah Carey and Celine Dion (with no mention of Janet Jackson or Whitney Houston). While the magazine’s attempt to fill the void is applaudable, it is also laughable. With music’s other matronly monarchs having a spate of success under their individual belts, is it really fair to say the Lady named queen would only have two albums under hers and less than 5 years in the game?
Thusly, That Grape wants to know: what should be the criteria for determining queenship? Sales? Influence? Awards? If so, with so many candidates, who is the Queen[Q1] ?
That Grape Juice has chosen six leading ladies who would probably be the real contenders for the throne. Each of the succeeding songstresses have, at minimum, 20 years experience,100 million records sold, and immeasurable influence over the industry (especially over those who decorated Rolling Stones’ list). Did your fave make the cut?
