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

[aholbert32]

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

The Super Bowl? This thread is titled "...artist in THE WORLD."

"The world" could care less about the Super Bowl. No one is saying Z isn't popular, or big. You make my point kinda when you say DM isn't in "your" Top 10. Right. And they outsell JZ worldwide 10x. If DM isn't in your 10, Z is way behind them.

He just isn't worldwide man. Doing one festival doesn't make him international. And sure he did a whopping 50 city tour, but he needed another A-List artist (Blige) traveling with him to help put butts in seats.

Not that I don't believe you. But could you link me up to show how he "constantly touring Europe and Asia."

The US is the biggest music market in the world. If you are a worldwide artist like U2, Springsteen, Prince, MJ.....you can headline a Super Bowl. Jay cant. Depeche Mode cant. Muse is a huge band throughout the world but they mean **** in the US (starting to get popular now) so they arent considered a world wide artist.



Depeche has 1 gold artist in the last ten years and you are seriously trying to make this argument. They have 1 gold album in the last 10 yrs in the UK (another big market). They havent had a platinum album since 1993. And you are saying they should be in the same discussion as U2, Radiohead, Springsteen, Prince, MJ? Really? LOL. If they are so popular...why dont they sell records?

Here is Jay's 2009 World Tour Schedule including Africa, Asia and Europe (and Mary aint on this tour):

09/09 - Krakow, Poland (Coca Cola SW Live Festival)
09/10 - Bratislava, Slovakia (Incheba)
09/15 - Amsterdam, Netherlands (Heinekien)
09/16 - Germany (TBA)
09/18 - Istanbul, Turkey (Refresh The Venue)
09/19 - Athens, Greece (Olympic Arena)
09/21 - Manchester, UK (MEN Arena)
09/22 - Glasgow, UK (SECC)
09/23 - Birmingham, UK (NIA)
09/24 - London, UK (Wembley Arena)
09/26 - Dublin, Ireland (The Point)
09/27 - London, UK (Royal Albert Hall)
09/29 - Paris, France (Zenith)
09/30 - Milan, Italy (Fiera di Milano) (MTV Event)
10/02 - Barcelona, Spain (Teatro Heineken)
10/04 - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Diamond Jubilee)
10/06 - Accra, Ghana (Accra Conference Center)
10/07 - Lagos, Nigeria (Ocean View)
10/09 - Luanda, Angola (Cine Karl Max)
10/11 - Cape Town, South Africa (Belleville Velodrome)
10/13 - Durban, South Africa (ABSA Stadium Outer Fields)
10/14 - Johannesburg, South Africa (Coca Cola Dome)
10/17 - Hong Kong (TBA)
10/18 - Bangkok, Thailand (BEC Tero Hall)
10/20 - Seoul, Korea (Walker Hill Gayagum Concert Hall)
10/21 - Taipei, Taiwan (Taipei Dome)
10/23 - Singapore, Singapore (Suntec City Concert Hall)
10/25 - Sydney, Australia (Entertainment Centre)
10/27 - Brisbane, Australia (Entertainment Centre)
10/28 - Melbourne, Australia (Rod Laver Arena

[Laettner32]

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

The US is the biggest music market in the world. If you are a worldwide artist like U2, Springsteen, Prince, MJ.....you can headline a Super Bowl. Jay cant. Depeche Mode cant. Muse is a huge band throughout the world but they mean **** in the US (starting to get popular now) so they arent considered a world wide artist.



Depeche has 1 gold artist in the last ten years and you are seriously trying to make this argument. They have 1 gold album in the last 10 yrs in the UK (another big market). They havent had a platinum album since 1993. And you are saying they should be in the same discussion as U2, Radiohead, Springsteen, Prince, MJ? Really? LOL. If they are so popular...why dont they sell records?

Here is Jay's 2009 World Tour Schedule including Africa, Asia and Europe (and Mary aint on this tour):

09/09 - Krakow, Poland (Coca Cola SW Live Festival)
09/10 - Bratislava, Slovakia (Incheba)
09/15 - Amsterdam, Netherlands (Heinekien)
09/16 - Germany (TBA)
09/18 - Istanbul, Turkey (Refresh The Venue)
09/19 - Athens, Greece (Olympic Arena)
09/21 - Manchester, UK (MEN Arena)
09/22 - Glasgow, UK (SECC)
09/23 - Birmingham, UK (NIA)
09/24 - London, UK (Wembley Arena)
09/26 - Dublin, Ireland (The Point)
09/27 - London, UK (Royal Albert Hall)
09/29 - Paris, France (Zenith)
09/30 - Milan, Italy (Fiera di Milano) (MTV Event)
10/02 - Barcelona, Spain (Teatro Heineken)
10/04 - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Diamond Jubilee)
10/06 - Accra, Ghana (Accra Conference Center)
10/07 - Lagos, Nigeria (Ocean View)
10/09 - Luanda, Angola (Cine Karl Max)
10/11 - Cape Town, South Africa (Belleville Velodrome)
10/13 - Durban, South Africa (ABSA Stadium Outer Fields)
10/14 - Johannesburg, South Africa (Coca Cola Dome)
10/17 - Hong Kong (TBA)
10/18 - Bangkok, Thailand (BEC Tero Hall)
10/20 - Seoul, Korea (Walker Hill Gayagum Concert Hall)
10/21 - Taipei, Taiwan (Taipei Dome)
10/23 - Singapore, Singapore (Suntec City Concert Hall)
10/25 - Sydney, Australia (Entertainment Centre)
10/27 - Brisbane, Australia (Entertainment Centre)
10/28 - Melbourne, Australia (Rod Laver Arena

Fair enough. Much more than I thought he did. And I never said DM was as good as U2, Bruce, Prince..et.al. I was using them as an example of "worldwide" fame. Which, to be honest I still know DM is far and away more popular.

As for the "why don't they sell records" question. That is the million dollar? Spin and Rolling Stone have had articles in the past regarding how huge of a following DM has, how they can sell out arenas/stadiums worldwide, yet just make a blip on the Soundscan rankings. Lots of theories...they are regarded as an "electronic" band, they don't have a dynamic frontman, their music just isn't radio friendly, their videos back in 80's and 90's were just way to abstract/weird not catchy and hot like Duran Duran.

And if it were all about record sales...Miley Cyrus, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and Lady GaGa would be on Mt. Rushmore.

Anyway, I go in peace.

[aholbert32]

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

Fair enough. Much more than I thought he did. And I never said DM was as good as U2, Bruce, Prince..et.al. I was using them as an example of "worldwide" fame. Which, to be honest I still know DM is far and away more popular.

As for the "why don't they sell records" question. That is the million dollar? Spin and Rolling Stone have had articles in the past regarding how huge of a following DM has, how they can sell out arenas/stadiums worldwide, yet just make a blip on the Soundscan rankings. Lots of theories...they are regarded as an "electronic" band, they don't have a dynamic frontman, their music just isn't radio friendly, their videos back in 80's and 90's were just way to abstract/weird not catchy and hot like Duran Duran.

And if it were all about record sales...Miley Cyrus, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and Lady GaGa would be on Mt. Rushmore.

Anyway, I go in peace.

My point is its not just about record sales but record sales are a big part. Typically if people like your music...they buy it. The Cyrus, Britney, Gaga comparison doesnt work because like Ive said previously anyone can have a good 5 yr run. The Backstreet Boys couldnt sell out a conference room much less an arena now. Cyrus will be in the same position in 5 yrs.

To be in the top 10, you have to sell out arenas/stadiums, sell records and people in all demos have to know and enjoy your music. I dont think Jay meets all 3 of those. I dont think Depeche does either. Radiohead does. U2 does. Prince does.

Good discussion everyone.

[Streets]

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

My point is its not just about record sales but record sales are a big part. Typically if people like your music...they buy it. The Cyrus, Britney, Gaga comparison doesnt work because like Ive said previously anyone can have a good 5 yr run. The Backstreet Boys couldnt sell out a conference room much less an arena now. Cyrus will be in the same position in 5 yrs.

To be in the top 10, you have to sell out arenas/stadiums, sell records and people in all demos have to know and enjoy your music. I dont think Jay meets all 3 of those. I dont think Depeche does either. Radiohead does. U2 does. Prince does.

Good discussion everyone.

aholbert, I generally have been agreeing with everything you wrote throughout this thread, which basically boils down to defending Jay when people are downplaying his accomplishments (like the most #1 albums... I agree that a person doesn't just get lucky that many times especially when he came from nothing). But at the same time, you don't think Jay is the biggest/ most popular artist in the world.

However, where I disagree is the Miley, Gaga, Kanye comments. Like I said when I mentioned Eminem, Beyonce, and Kanye, this thread is hard to gauge because of the ambiguity of "biggest" and "popular", and everyone including you is forgetting the word "today". It can be argued that today Kanye is more well known than Jay (despite where he is at in his "run"). However, a lot of people who know of Kanye hate him. I asked earlier if it was enough to be known, or do you have to be known and loved? Does infamy count when talking about the biggest artist? Also, alot of people are confusing talent with popularity. Cyrus is not exactly the most talented artist in the world, but I'm sure her shows and albums sell. So, without the numbers, right now I'd say she has a legit claim to be bigger than Jay-Z (I don't know if she's as big overseas).

[yankeesgiants]

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

aholbert, I generally have been agreeing with everything you wrote throughout this thread, which basically boils down to defending Jay when people are downplaying his accomplishments (like the most #1 albums... I agree that a person doesn't just get lucky that many times especially when he came from nothing). But at the same time, you don't think Jay is the biggest/ most popular artist in the world.

However, where I disagree is the Miley, Gaga, Kanye comments. Like I said when I mentioned Eminem, Beyonce, and Kanye, this thread is hard to gauge because of the ambiguity of "biggest" and "popular", and everyone including you is forgetting the word "today". It can be argued that today Kanye is more well known than Jay (despite where he is at in his "run"). However, a lot of people who know of Kanye hate him. I asked earlier if it was enough to be known, or do you have to be known and loved? Does infamy count when talking about the biggest artist? Also, alot of people are confusing talent with popularity. Cyrus is not exactly the most talented artist in the world, but I'm sure her shows and albums sell. So, without the numbers, right now I'd say she has a legit claim to be bigger than Jay-Z (I don't know if she's as big overseas).

Good call on Miley Cyrus. Heck, Miley Cyrus is a brand when you think about it. On TV everyday all over the world as well as bags, books, dvds, toys, video games, movies and concerts.

[APD0290]

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

Not one person has mentioned Lil Wayne?

[sb24]

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

Not one person has mentioned Lil Wayne?

They are talking world wide not the us. Even then im pretty sure most if not all his appeal is to his own genre but i may have missed something.

[Fresh Tendrils]

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

Not one person has mentioned Lil Wayne?

Is there really a reason to?

[Cebby]

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

Again anyone can have a 5 yr run (Ask Nelly). Kanye is at the tail end of his. If he is still as popular as he is 5 years from now then its an argument.

I assumed the question is talking about now.

If it's including longevity than Paul McCartney is the only acceptable answer.

Kanye is bigger than Jay right now, and Em, 50, and Nelly were bigger than him pre-2006.

[cooldude]

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

He was more popular with the Beatles, he hasn't had a album debut at number 1 since 1982. But no doubt EVERYBODY knows who he is..

Well you could say that about all the former Beatles really.