Throughout the years, music has continued to transcend generations. The industry has become so diverse with so many genres and sub-genres, and even though you think you’ve heard it all, there is still plenty of undiscovered music. Exposure to new music is always exciting, especially if you’ve fallen in love with one specific genre. Still, it’s the artists and composers whose hard work creates this music for us all to appreciate.
What separates a good musician from a great one is their ability to adapt and explore new sounds to elevate their music. Their creativity and connection with their audience allow them to stay relevant and fresh for decades. Developing an understanding with your fanbase does take time, but the music you put out there speaks to them and makes them appreciate your music even more.
Who are these creative and innovative musicians? Of course, you have legends like Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon, for example, who paved the way for future generations of guitarists and composers. Their impact on music is so significant that it’s almost impossible to find an article about influential musicians where they aren’t mentioned. However, in the contemporary world of music, who’s currently working towards creating and inspiring the next generation of musicians? The list is never-ending, but here are a few notable musicians inspiring the world through their music today.
John Mayer
John Mayer continues to be a favorite amongst many people, and since he’s been in the business for over 20 years, he continues to inspire many musicians worldwide. Suppose you feel inspired by the music he created or are an aspiring musician in Lafayette, Colorado. In that case, you should head out to the Center for Musical Artsif you’re looking for music classes for adultsto polish your skills.
Even after reaching global success in the early 2000s, he could still reinvent himself and find new and creative ways of staying relevant in the industry. Since 2013, his collaborations with artists like Ed Sheeran and Barbara Streisand and bands like Maroon 5 have allowed him to reach even greater heights in his musical career.
Kanye West
Say what you want about Kanye (also known as ‘Ye’ or ‘Yeezy’) and the controversies surrounding him, but there is no doubt that his music career has influenced many musicians. His creativity has spearheaded a new wave of hip-hop. The music he produced reflected his outspoken personality, and no one understood the benefits of the early stages of digital music better than he did, incorporating pop, indie-rock, soul, and gospel elements into his work.
Yeezy’s accolades seem to be endless. He’s a multi-Grammy award-winning artist, sharing the most significant number of Grammys for a rapper with fellow artist Jay-Z. His albums have been mentioned several times as part of The Rolling Stones’ list of most influential albums, and he’s been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine. Despite these achievements, his creative ambitions are still at their peak, and it’s exciting to see what he’ll do next.
Tame Impala
Talk about a one-man band; Kevin Parker, the brains behind Tame Impala, writes, records, produces and performs all of his songs in the studio. Sure, he does use accompanying musicians when performing live, but there would be no Tame Impala without Kevin Parker at the helm. His work in collaboration with artists like The Weeknd has earned him several awards and nominations during his career, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
Kevin’s creative musical knowledge shines bright in the music he produces. While his music is more of the psychedelic rock genre, he’s known to be fascinated by pop artists such as Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue. His use of multiple expressions and effects for his guitar, like reverb, delay, and fuzz mixed with some synth waves and a beat to tie it all together, makes for some brilliant compositions. Listen to songs like ‘Let it happen’ and ‘Feels like we only go back to hear what his music is all about.
St. Vincent
Any artist that can blend multiple styles of music in their compositions has already achieved an incredible feat. Anne Erin Clark (aka St. Vincent) and her skills at being a multi-instrumentalist take her compositions to a whole new level.
Ever since she began her career in the early 2000s, she has been able to reinvent herself on several occasions. Her earlier work showcased her writing skills, developing deep and intimate lyrics that resonated with many fans. From there, she could experiment with electronic production and elevated compositional skills that attracted a new generation of fan following for her music. Her ability to keep herself fresh and relevant across multiple generations makes her one of the most influential musicians of this century.
The White Stripes
Have you ever heard of the song ‘Seven Nation Army’? If the name doesn’t sound familiar, the tune definitely will. Jack and Megan White of the White Stripes were able to develop a massive following for themselves. Their music was simple but catchy, resonating with many people during the early 2000s, making them one of the most famous duos of that era.
This popularity was mainly due to Jack White’s genius as a songwriter and artist. Their inspiration takes some aspects of 70’s hard rock combined with the punk rock styles of the early 2000s, enabling them to give that extra punch to their music. Their single ‘Icky Thump’ is another example of something that doesn’t seem too complicated but is easily recognizable just by hearing a note or two.
Conclusion
Some believe it takes a lot of hard work to be an accomplished musician. Others think that artists just need one hit to take them towards stardom. While both arguments are valid to an extent, everyone’s music tastes are different. You could be a metalhead jamming along to some Iron Maiden while the rest of your friends are vibing to something else of a completely different genre.
The musicians and artists mentioned above are only a handful of the number of musicians out there making their marks on the music industry. From veteran artists who have been in the game for decades to aspiring Youtubers who are skillful and talented in their own right. Everyone continues to push their content out there for the world to enjoy.
Anyone can become a musician, and while some take it up as a hobby, others take it on as a career. If you can develop music that speaks to even one person, you’ve got something special that could take you to unimaginable heights. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with constant practice and growth, your name could soon be on lists like this in the future.