(We’ve also included the little nicknames EW gave them to give some context to their inclusion.)
Entertainment Weekly‘s 30 Greatest Artists Right Now
1. Adele – Undisputed World Champion
We’re glad to see EW name recent breakout acts like Gotye, fun., and Calvin Harris amidst the ranks, plus old standbys like Fiona Apple, Coldplay, and Jay-Z, who could have made this list ten years ago and will probably still be making it a decade from now. It’s sure hard to argue with entertainers like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Drake rounding out the Top 5. (But frankly, we’re a little surprised that Rihanna just barely made the Top 10!) In fact, this list looks pretty much identical to the roster of Grammy nominees this year, doesn’t it?
You can probably thank Lady Gaga’s recent vow of silence for her relatively low ranking at #24 — a year ago, it’d be a different story. As for the most conspicuous absences, we can’t argue that Britney Spears has been too quiet lately to make the cut or that we still need to hear what else Justin Bieber is cooking up for his new album before he joins this lofty crew. The recent British boy band craze also didn’t really register here, did it?
One crime that struck us is the absence of Robyn, but (siiigh) we’re so used to seeing her be unrecognized, and franky, it only makes us love her more.
But where the hell is Madonna?
You know — the woman who just scored her eighth #1 album?
Yes, that Madonna. We demand a recount!
Read more about Adele at EW and sound off on how you feel about this list on Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments.
I have to laugh at most of the people here because most of them are not that great. For example, Rihanna and Katy Perry? They cannot even sing live. How did Drake get on this list though? He’s not that great either. I have to agree that Adele is fabulous as usual.
I love that they ranked Carrie Underwood
I would (obviously) have to agree that Adele is #1 right now. I’m SO happy to see Carrie Underwood so high on this list; however, Taylor Swift, although she may be successful, she’s just.. I don’t know… #2, really? Kelly Clarkson should be MUCH, MUCH higher on the last having the second most downloaded song of 2012 so far. I love that Jake Owen is on there, and Lady Gaga… poor thing… #24… LOL Bless her heart…
GAGA I LOVE U, and Adele to be honest, here in Germany or other countrys she’s not so flashy anymore, i don’t understand but listen to 21 you can only cry and one day you CAN’T cry anymore
…and i’m very excited of Gaga’s next album, Rumours: “RETROGRADE”, and to hear the song about Princess Diana, and I hope, that gaga used the intro/outro and the Claping of BAD ROMANCE, the piano playing of MARRY THE NIGHT VIDEO and the piano playing of PAPARAZZI VMA’S 2009 on the song, would be PERFECT
So happy to see Fiona Apple make the list! But, come on, Drake at #3?! And I’m so sick of seeing Adele EVERYWHERE. If I hear ‘Someone Like You’ once more…
This list is just… LOL!
why is taylor #2??? seriously the girl is a weak live performer and hasnt really been on the headlines
adele is so overexposed that its not even funny i liked her better during her 19 days
mmm Madonna & Britney???
BRITNEY should definitely be on the list!
katy perry pode sim cantar ao vivo só que diferente de adele ela canta e fas coreografias , interage com os fans , pula, dança, canta ,e tudu isso junto afeta a voz, se ela fosse como adele que fica parada em palco sua voz soaria como realmente é
The absence of Robyn on this list is criminal.
Agree.
Robyn / Queen of Indiepop.
Thank you.
falta BRITNEY nesta lista
WHERE IS MIRANDA LAMBERT!!?! She’s the queen of country right now, it’s not the Carrie Underwood show.
Adele, yes. Taylor Swift, yes. Mumford & Sons, The Civil Wars, Gotye, yes. Nicki Minaj? Katy Perry? NO.
Oh pu-lease! That list might be called “mass media’s most popular artists” but “greatest artists”? Absolutely not. The vast majority of those names are nothing but overchewed bubblegum.
THIS LIST…………..I’m SORRY but the FREAKIN FOO FIGHTERS are not HARD ROCK ROYALTY…………….VAN HALEN SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THIS LIST…………typical, GET OVER NIRVANA ALREADY, guess ROLLING STONE WRITERS must have made it over to Entert. “WEAKLY”…………same ole’ type of lists!!!!
THIS LIST JUST……………………….BLOWS REALLY BAD!!!!
Alicia Keys!!!!!
??????
Lady GaGa 24? Really?
Oh give over. I wouldn’t say half of these have actually contributed anything worthwhile to music. Music’s greatest? Pop-culture’s most pandered to rather, the biggest contributory factor to this list is how many headlines said manufactured artists can make.
congrats bruno but he should have been higher on the list
That;s right Adele IS THE WORLD CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kelly Clarkson should be a LOT higher!!!
A lot of people on the list are there because they had contacts/pr make them famous by default. The real artists are miles apart from them. The Black Keys, Adele…
Taylor Swift? Drake? Katy Perry? Blehk.
Why is Bon Iver not here. They should be #2, not that little girl. Come on, she’s not even country, she can’t write songs, she’s opportunistic, she’s not an artist, she’s just a celebrity!
Explain to me how Rihanna is greater than Beyonce. Explain.
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too bad in terms of overall cultural impact guiness world records considers gaga to be the most famous person on planet earth
but i do understand adele’s impact
and taylor swift? wtf
Where the hell is Eminem?!