Pushing aside the arbitrary (and silly) nature of this shellgame, tell me
why it shouldn't be:
Perry Farrell (who commercialized the most interesting aspects of Nirvana's
"revolution")
Dr. Dre (who made rap safe for white people; God bless Eminem)
U2 (who legitimized dance music for young suburban moms with ZOOROPA)
Prince (who led artists with committed audiences to the realization that
record companies are superfluous while still making vital music) PS: his
next record is on a major label ...and it is mind-blowing. Miles Davis
said that the greatest musician he ever met was named Prince.
Red Hot Chili Peppers (who brought tattooing to the heartland)
Hootie and the Blowfish (who brought yuppies away from John Tesh to
something approximating rock and roll)
PJ Harvey (because she actually made great records, ignored her press and
finally had a sandwich)
Cesaria Evora (who didn't even know she was making beautiful records for
consumerist dissection)
Trent Reznor (who tried unsuccessfully to avoid the traps of the celebrity
culture while commenting upon it AND fucking fashion models; and making
great music)
Master P (the first black man since Berry Gordy to keep most of the money;
of course he treats his artists like shit)
Don Yates (a master of disguise)
