7. Beyoncé
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1JPKLa-Ofc In 2013 everyone quite correctly marvelled at the fact that David Bowie managed to release a record seemingly out of thin air, no one knew it was coming and it was seen as one of the greatest musical and marketing coups of century so far. The fact that Beyoncé managed to pull of the same feat plus seventeen videos despite all the media scrutiny on her, perhaps even tops Bowie's achievement; he at least had the advantage that no one saw him coming. Originating from one of the real modern-day purveyors of Girl Power; Destiny's Child - just compare 'Survivor' to 'Wannabe' - Beyoncé has reached stratospheric levels of fame, but at times has struggled to match the genius that was her solo launchpad 'Crazy in Love'. However, how cool is a woman who effortlessly headlined Glastonbury in 2011 - blowing away an established stadium band like U2 who fell flat on their jacksies on the same stage who keeps ducking the punches that come with modern fame to stay relevant and puts her seriously talented sister Solange in the shade? Beyoncé's comeback would have been perfect if Solange's lost treasure 'Missing You' had been part of the set, but you can't have everything can you? This is a god-honest goddess showing the boys, and her husband, how a real rockstar rolls.
Ed Nash
Contributor
What makes music fantastic? Star quality, amazing music, breathtaking lyrics and the ability to bring something new to the table, even if that means a new take on the classics. That's what I love to listen to and write about.
As well as writing for What Culture, I occasionally write a blog http://tedney.blogspot.co.uk and sometimes use Twitter, but sparingly @TedneyNash
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Ed