Apr 21, 2016
This year's edition of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential people includes the usual assortment of political leaders, athletes and CEOs... but it's also host to several of the biggest names in music, too.
Each name on the list comes with an essay written on their work and influence by peers. Who was chosen to write for these artists and icons speaks to their importance as much as what they wrote.
Jason Robert Brown, an accomplished composer, spoke to the power of Grande's voice in spite of those who might underestimate her:
"You are going to be underestimated. But one you get used to that ... you recognize it as a weapon... you are going to open your mouth and that unbelievable sound is going to come out."
Alicia Garza wrote about her respect for Kendrick Lamar's ability to bring central issues of race and poverty to the forefront. About TPAB, Garza wrote:
"that album made me feel—moved and troubled, challenged, uplifted, angry, skeptical and raw ... Kendrick Lamar has evolved a new genre of movement music that asserts no answers but raises hard questions and brings us together to take them on."
Jennifer Lawrence and Lil Wayne wrote for Adele and Nicki Minaj respectively, discussing their undeniable ability and status as icons and role models. Of Adele, Lawrence said:
21 came out, mine and billions of other lives were—not to sound dramatic—changed. Suddenly there were words to that before-indescribable pain, frustration, sadness, then revolution that all comes from a breakup. I felt understood, I felt stronger, and above all, I hadn’t sung in front of a mirror with a hairbrush since Destiny’s Child.
About Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne wrote:
She’s reached far beyond everything I would have imagined. Man, she’s so influential and doing all the right things. She’s an icon, a boss and a role model to all these young girls out here on how to do it the right way. Her work ethic speaks volumes and has yielded these results. The scary thing is she’s still going."
Check out the full list here.
Image: TheQuietus