Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

[Laettner32]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

Thats not true. 17 albums if you count a rerelease, 2 compilations (both#1 debuts), 2 live albums and a greatest hits album. He's had 12 studio albums and 11 were number 1.

13 #1 albums

Nobody has done that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay-Z_discography

Impressive. But c'mon, compare a U2, Rolling Stones, Springsteen, or even Tom Pettty, Depeche Mode, or Madonna "World Tour" to a JayZ "World Tour". I haven't looked up anything, but I feel confident J doesn't come close to tour dates/countries traveled to. I know DM tours up to almost two years straight across the world. Does J tour that long promoting one album? Where else besides the U.S. or UK does he perform?

[aholbert32]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

And the technology today makes access to purchasing music a million times easier than in the 60's and 70's. Not to mention the drop off of the importance of radio and MTV in recent years.

You can only use that argument for sales in the last 3-4 yrs. People werent using Itunes and Amazon to buy mp3s until the last few years. Also the argument isnt about the number of records sold...its about the # of times you were #1 so access doesnt really matter in that argument

[aholbert32]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

Impressive. But c'mon, compare a U2, Rolling Stones, Springsteen, or even Tom Pettty, Depeche Mode, or Madonna "World Tour" to a JayZ "World Tour". I haven't looked up anything, but I feel confident J doesn't come close to tour dates/countries traveled to. I know DM tours up to almost two years straight across the world. Does J tour that long promoting one album? Where else besides the U.S. or UK does he perform?

Look I'm dont think he is even close to the most popular artist in the world. I just dont think people can discredit his #1 record accomplishment. Jay's done world tours though. Not on the level of a U2 or the Stones but he's done them.

[Schism 6]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

Not even close....

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

I'm not saying that these guys are more popular than Jay or anything, but I think Elton John, Springsteen, and Radiohead are all either just as popular or close. All of their tours seem to do very well.

[Laettner32]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

Just looked up his 2009 Tour. From Sept. 8th thru Nov.22 (in Austin!) Still, that is a small, short tour by the "most biggest (popular) artist in the world" standards.

[MassNole]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

You can only use that argument for sales in the last 3-4 yrs. People werent using Itunes and Amazon to buy mp3s until the last few years. Also the argument isnt about the number of records sold...its about the # of times you were #1 so access doesnt really matter in that argument

Well there are a lot of socio-economic issues that greatly effect that record as well as technological advancements, such as the CD. Records need to be viewed in context, like Cy Young's records in MLB. Sure he has records that will never be touched, but changes in the game is what creates that.

[Laettner32]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

Look I'm dont think he is even close to the most popular artist in the world. I just dont think people can discredit his #1 record accomplishment. Jay's done world tours though. Not on the level of a U2 or the Stones but he's done them.

Fair enough. I think that answers the question to the thread though. A solid "No".

[yankeesgiants]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

Id say no. Rap acts dont have the crossover appeal of all ages to be the most popular in the world. Rap much like Bubblegum pop music is something you outgrow over time. UmmBop and NWA as well as Tigerbeat and Source magazine are cool at 15, not so much at 60. Somebody brought up a great point about stadiums. Rap acts arent selling stadiums out worldwide. When you talk about banging out stadiums worldwide as a solo artist. Your talking Madonna, Prince, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney. In there hay day, I'd throw Tina Turner and Whitney Houston on that list as well.

[aholbert32]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

Well there are a lot of socio-economic issues that greatly effect that record as well as technological advancements, such as the CD. Records need to be viewed in context, like Cy Young's records in MLB. Sure he has records that will never be touched, but changes in the game is what creates that.

How? Jay went #1 last month. He was using the same outlets, tech advancements, socioeconomic issues as everyone else that week. He simply out sold them. When Elvis last went #1 he the same outlets, tech advancements, socioeconomic issues as everyone else that week.

I'm not comparing the number of sales Jay had against Elvis. I'm comparing the number of times he went #1.

[aholbert32]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

Id say no. Rap acts dont have the crossover appeal of all ages to be the most popular in the world. Rap much like Bubblegum pop music is something you outgrow over time. UmmBop and NWA as well as Tigerbeat and Source magazine are cool at 15, not so much at 60. .

There are no people who were young during the Hip Hop era who are 60 now, so we dont know if people out grow it. I listened to rap when I was 10. I'm 32 with a house and job and still listen to it regularly.

[rockchisler]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

Rap much like Bubblegum pop music is something you outgrow over time.

Commercial Rap yes I've outgrown the Soulja boy, New Boyz, Gucci Mane music but REAL hip hop Like Common, De La, Kanye, Little Brother, Hov That is what I listen to. Rap is not going anywhere, Sorry bub

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

I don't know if someone can do the research, but a more telling figure IMO would be weeks at #1 and not how many times times you've been #1. Being #1 can be a result of timing and luck. If you release in a week or month of no other major CD's coming out, it's not as hard to be #1. Especially now days when many of the major bands/solo artists release one album every 2-3 years.

I would think that a label could look at upcoming releases and hand pick a week or two that they could pretty much guarantee that their artist would be #1.

You release your CD up against a U2 release a Kanye release or a Green Day release and you're going to struggle to be #1. You release it against the P*ssy Cat dolls and you will dominate.

[Laettner32]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

I don't know if someone can do the research, but a more telling figure IMO would be weeks at #1 and not how many times times you've been #1. Being #1 can be a result of timing and luck. If you release in a week or month of no other major CD's coming out, it's not as hard to be #1. Especially now days when many of the major bands/solo artists release one album every 2-3 years.

I would think that a label could look at upcoming releases and hand pick a week or two that they could pretty much guarantee that their artist would be #1.

You release your CD up against a U2 release a Kanye release or a Green Day release and you're going to struggle to be #1. You release it against the P*ssy Cat dolls and you will dominate.

Kinda. I just think that JZ has a very vocal, faithful, hardcore following. It isn't growing, nor is it shrinking. He is (from what I have read, and heard the current King of Hip Hop) what he is. A major hip-hop act. That being said, hip-hop isn't selling out arenas/stadiums nationwide much less worldwide. People buy the music, watch the videos, read the magazines...but it isn't mainstream, you know..tours selling out coast to coast like other A list performers. Hell, more people can name all three of the Kardashian sisters than can name more than 3 of his songs.

[rockchisler]

Re: Is Jay Z the most Biggest ( Popular ) Artist in the world today?

He may not sell out stadiums but look at all the other things hes into because of hip hop, Hes part owner of the Nets, Rocawear clothing, 40/40 clubs, working on getting his upscale J Hotels in New York. Jay z/Hip hop is not pigeon holed into just music its culture, trends, Lifestyle..I don't see anybody wanting to know what Bono or McCartney is wearing, what trends their setting.. Also someone mentioned about short Tours Jay Z has, he has alot of other ventures going on that prevents him from doing 4 month tours...