NME, our favorite publication from across the pond, has compiled a "comprehensive" list of the 100 most influential performers in music today. Radiohead, a perfectly reasonable option, takes the no. 1 spot. It's a fair assessment considering the band's overwhelming work in crafting alternative rock to what it is today.
That's about where the list starts getting wishy-washy. First the magazine sets a clear precedent in its methodology explanation, explaining the bands such as The Beatles and Rolling Stones wouldn't be included because bands today aren't trying to replicate those groups. Even if this arguable point is true, it seems odd to not include The Beatles, who realistically had an even bigger impact in the long run on alternative rock than Radiohead. But fine...at least taking out those groups will keep it more interesting for modern readers.
They do decide that Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Dusty Springfield are modern enough for mentioning however.
For the sake of argument, Music Times suggests Eminem for the "most influential" role, not only because of his abilities with a microphone but because of his key role in the nation's censorship discussion. It can't be said that he didn't inspire others to follow his footsteps. As he said, "20 million other white rappers emerge but no matter how many fish in the sea, it feels so empty without me."
NME didn't feel keen to including Eminem anywhere in its Top 100, although it did include Aaliyah at no. 18. Nothing against Aaliyah but that's a travesty of hip-hop justice against Eminem. Dr. Dre did rightfully earn a spot, but his group N.W.A. should have as well if the list was truly a measure of an act's influence on the current generation.
Read the Top 100 for yourselves and let us know if we're crazy.
