Music evolves, but a handful of artists from each decade don't just rise to the top—they redefine what "being on top" even means.
Let's take a look at the era-defining stars who dominated, each with their unique brand of flair, controversy, or pure musical genius.
Together, let's recap the biggest music artists of each decade.
1970s: The Legends Who Gave Us Rock, Funk, and Sequins
Elton John
If Elton John wasn’t actually the king of the '70s, he sure looked the part. Between his outlandish outfits, piano prowess, and a string of hit ballads like Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer, Elton practically invented the superstar concept.
Led Zeppelin
Nobody could wail, riff, or rock quite like Led Zeppelin. Stairway to Heaven wasn’t just a song; it was practically a cultural ritual. The band’s heavy, bluesy rock helped create the template for countless rock bands to come.
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder’s unstoppable groove and genre-defying talent made the ’70s a wonderland of Superstition, Sir Duke, and countless other hits. His incredible output cemented him as one of the all-time greats.
Bee Gees
Disco kings of the ’70s, the Bee Gees, practically invented Saturday nights. With their falsettos on Stayin’ Alive and Night Fever, they made disco a cultural phenomenon, leaving glitter and sequins in their wake.
David Bowie
Bowie didn’t just change with the times; he set them. From Ziggy Stardust to Heroes, Bowie redefined what rock could be, blending glam, punk, and out-of-this-world personas that inspired generations of artists.
1980s: The Era of Pop Powerhouses & Synth Overload
Michael Jackson
There’s a reason he’s called the King of Pop. Thriller was more than an album; it was a seismic event, and Jackson’s moonwalk, iconic videos, and hit-packed career made him one of the most recognizable humans on the planet.
Madonna
Madonna didn’t just push boundaries; she obliterated them. From Like a Virgin to Like a Prayer, she combined pop with controversy, and her knack for reinvention made her a cultural juggernaut whose influence has never really waned.
Prince
With Purple Rain and his genre-bending style, Prince was unstoppable in the '80s. Known for his virtuosity and mystery, Prince created his own world of funk, rock, and pop, and we were just lucky to live in it.
U2
Love them or hate them, U2 was the biggest rock band of the '80s. Albums like The Joshua Tree transformed them into international superstars, with Bono’s stage presence and The Edge’s guitar sound giving them rock’s ultimate power duo.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston's voice was one of the wonders of the world, belting out I Wanna Dance with Somebody and How Will I Know with ease. She was the pop diva blueprint, bringing vocal prowess to every hit and setting a high bar for pop vocalists.
1990s: Grunge, Rap, and the Golden Age of Angst
Nirvana
Kurt Cobain and Nirvana took the angst of a generation and turned it into pure rock gold. With Smells Like Teen Spirit, they brought grunge into the mainstream, leading a musical rebellion that made flannel shirts and existential dread all the rage.
Tupac Shakur
Tupac wasn’t just a rapper; he was a poet and social commentator. Songs like California Love and Dear Mama cemented him as a cultural icon, and his impact on hip-hop still reverberates today.
Mariah Carey
With a vocal range that could shatter glass, Mariah Carey became a defining voice of the ’90s. From Vision of Love to her annual Christmas takeover with All I Want for Christmas Is You, Mariah was (and is) a pop phenomenon.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie didn’t just rap; he painted stories with his words. His flow, charisma, and storytelling prowess in songs like Juicy and Big Poppa made him an icon with a legacy that hip-hop fans still cherish.
Britney Spears
Though she rose at the tail end of the decade, Britney Spears and ...Baby One More Time reshaped pop music. She brought teen pop to new heights and ushered in the era of millennial superstars with dance moves and drama to match.
2000s: The Pop & Hip-Hop Takeover
Eminem
With The Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem crashed into the 2000s like a lyrical tornado. His rapid-fire rhymes, dark humor, and unmatched flow made him a hip-hop legend whose influence went far beyond the genre.
Beyoncé
Going solo was the best decision Beyoncé ever made. Crazy in Love set the stage for a decade of domination as she evolved from pop queen to full-on cultural icon, redefining what it meant to be a superstar.
Jay-Z
Jay-Z didn’t just make hits; he built an empire. With anthems like 99 Problems, he cemented himself as one of hip-hop’s all-time greats, all while proving that moguls can, in fact, wear Yankees caps.
Kanye West
Kanye West was a groundbreaking artist before becoming the most polarizing music figure. Albums like The College Dropout and Graduation blended genres, reshaping hip-hop and making Kanye an unavoidable force in music.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga didn’t walk onto the scene in the 2000s; she exploded onto it. With her fearless style, massive hits like Poker Face, and theatrical performances, she turned pop into high art and brought avant-garde to the mainstream.
2010s: Streaming Stars and Genre Shapeshifters
Drake
Drake was everywhere in the 2010s, with his blend of hip-hop and R&B dominating streaming charts. With hits like Hotline Bling and God’s Plan, he was the face of a new era in music, redefining what it meant to be a hip-hop artist.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift went from country sweetheart to pop queen, selling out stadiums and creating anthems like Shake It Off and Blank Space. With her knack for reinvention and record-breaking, Swift became an artist in a league of her own.
Rihanna
Rihanna gave us hit after hit, from Umbrella to We Found Love, all while staying on the cutting edge of pop and R&B. The 2010s belonged to her as much as anyone else, and fans are still waiting eagerly for her next album.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar didn’t just make music; he made statements. Albums like To Pimp a Butterfly showcased his storytelling prowess and social commentary, making him one of the most respected and impactful artists of the decade.
Adele
With a voice that could shatter hearts and a discography that could make the strongest cry, Adele’s ballads, like Rolling in the Deep, dominated the charts. She made heartbreak and power ballads cool again in a world of quick hits.
2020s (So Far): The New Icons of the Streaming Age
Billie Eilish
With her whispery, dark pop and boundary-pushing visuals, Billie Eilish defined the new sound of the 2020s. Her haunting tracks like bad guy and everything i wanted have made her a Gen Z icon with a unique edge.
Bad Bunny
Latin music is global, and Bad Bunny is leading the charge. With his mix of reggaeton, Latin trap, and genre-blending tracks like Yo Perreo Sola, he’s not just a Latin star—he’s a global one.
The Weeknd
The Weeknd’s blend of pop, R&B, and dark, cinematic vibes in songs like Blinding Lights has made him one of the 2020s’ defining stars. His smooth vocals and edgy style have set him apart in the streaming era.
Harry Styles
After breaking away from boyband roots, Harry Styles took the 2020s by storm with hits like Watermelon Sugar, combining rock, pop, and retro vibes. He’s reinvented himself as a modern rockstar, captivating audiences worldwide.
Dua Lipa
With her disco-inspired pop and chart-dominating singles like Don’t Start Now, Dua Lipa brought the dancefloor back to life. She’s not just a pop star; she’s a powerhouse who’s helped redefine the sound of pop in the 2020s.
Each decade brings its own icons, but these artists didn’t just ride the waves—they made them. From funky '70s grooves to today's streaming superstars, these names will echo through history, keeping us dancing, crying, and cranking up the volume.