A boundary-breaking artist, Miley Cyrus incorporates different styles — pop, country, hip-hop, and indie — into her music while balancing her acting and singing careers. She established her voice with singles such as 2009’s “Party in the U.S.A.” and furthered her reputation as a freewheeling, sometimes controversial performer with 2013’s hip-hop-influenced, Grammy-nominated, triple-platinum album Bangerz. As…
One of the most acclaimed artists of his generation, hip-hop or otherwise, Kendrick Lamar is known for his top-tier lyricism, virtuosic microphone command, and sharp conceptual vision. His talents have translated to a rare combination of continuous chart feats and critical acclaim, plus respect and support from the rappers who paved the way for his…
One of the greatest stars of the rock & roll era, David Bowie evaded easy categorization throughout his career, operating as the artiest rocker within the mainstream and the most accessible musician on the fringe. Bowie may have trafficked in ideas cultivated in the underground, but he was never quite an outsider as far as…
“Sashay, shantay!” With those famous lyrics, RuPaul Andre Charles broke into the public consciousness with his 1993 hit “Supermodel (You Better Work).” The iconic actor, model, author, television personality, musician, and LGBTQ pioneer was born in San Diego and, as a teen, moved to Atlanta to study performing arts. In the early ’80s, he got…
The Weeknd is the alias of Abel Tesfaye, an enigma turned superstar whose accounts of emotionally and physically toxic indulgences are related through morose alternative R&B ballads and fluorescent electro-pop throwbacks alike. The singer and songwriter rose out of Toronto in 2011 with three mixtapes that seemed to have no designs on mainstream appeal. Within…