10 Mainstream Acts That The 'Real Music Fans' Need To Check Out

4. Beyonce

She's fierce, she's cool, and she's a million times more talented than Rihanna. Queen B's ruled over the charts for what seems like an eternity now, and we're just as happy to worship her as ever. She's the sort of icon that could have her likeness carved into a golden statue and people would clamber to pray at her feet without a moment's hesitation.....but it wasn't always that way. As a fraction of Destiny's Child, Beyonce established herself as a more-than-competent modern soul singer, with a penchant for preaching independence, and the technical proficiency to rival legends such as Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston. But it wasn't until she burst from those restrictive shackles and took off solo with 'Crazy In Love', that the world became acquainted with her strong, sexual personality, and really paid attention. Her jam-packed career has proven to be both durable and prolific. Although her material hasn't all been great, when it has it's been flawless. Timeless future classics such as 'Single Ladies', 'Halo', 'Baby Boy' and 'Irreplaceable' are some of the most resonant pop songs in modern music, each one stamped with Bey's signature skittering flow and unparalleled bootyliciousness. Plus, of course it doesn't hurt that she's half of one of the most powerful couples in music. But newcomers should probably give album tracks a go, seeing as they're bound to have already heard the singles on adverts, films and television shows. Her latest self-titled extravaganza is probably her most cohesive album ever, so that'd be the best bet.