In all honesty, not enough people read this blog to host a meaningful poll, but I'd love to receive some thoughts from everyone on this one.
As per a debate I engaged in a few weeks ago, I'm wondering who everyone thinks is the most successful American pop idol of the decade. To simplify the matter, I've narrowed it down to the two candidates I think merit the title: Beyonce Knowles and Justin Timberlake.
Here's a few matters to consider before you vote:
Point:
Beyonce's artistic history is perhaps less embarrassing than Justin's -- The Destiny's Child years are full of hit songs that feel antiquated, but not shamefully so.
Counterpoint:
Justin managed to reinvent and distance himself from trickier roots. What other idol can you name took part in the the boy band movement and lived to tell the tale?
Point:
Beyonce sold more records than Justin in the '00s -- Dangerously In Love alone has sold 11 million while FutureSex/LoveSounds sold 9 million (which doesn't even take into account B'Day and I Am...Sasha Fierce).
Counterpoint:
Justin's "FutureSex/LoveShow" is the 18th highest grossing tour of all time. The gross was $130,374,996 (adjusted for inflation), and chances are that Justin saw far more of that money than Beyonce saw for her record sales.
Point:
Between Destiny's Child and her solo career, Beyonce spent 52 weeks at number one of the Billboard Hot 100. That's a full year out of the 2000s spent at #1.
Counterpoint:
Justin was more ubiquitous from a cultural standpoint. Not only was he a part of "Nipplegate" and "Dick in a Box," but he seemed to receive almost no negative press for either. He also won an Emmy, which is a step above a Grammy.
Counter-counterpoint:
Beyonce created the "Single Ladies" video, which inadvertently led to one of the most memorable moments of the decade.
Point:
Beyonce was in Goldmember.
Counterpoint:
Justin was in The Love Guru.
If you have any other pertinent arguments, please feel free to voice them in the comments section. Otherwise:
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6 comments:
I think you picked the right 2 choices. I said Beyonce. From my own subjective view she was bigger and more ubiquitous. From my recollection, part of the success of futuresex/lovesounds also came from the collaboration with Timbaland, who is probably the most marketable producer of the era. I don't remember if Beyonce had a similar kind of leg up, but she still seemed to get even bigger after leaving D-child. But you know, maybe not.
1. ok, JT had a big tour, but how does that compare to HER touring, not her record sales?
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGkvXp0vdng
The "I Am...Tour" has grossed $53.5 million so far, so she could outpace Justin, certainly.
I couldn't find figures on her other three before that.
I think the argument boils down to "more bang for your buck"?
It's hard to say precisely who has more money, especially given endorsements and whatnot.
yeah, my point was just that tours and record sales are apples and oranges, these days more than ever. who has more money doesn't really matter unless you're Ari Gold or something
What were the votes for "other"?
"LADY GAGA"
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