When describing popular music artists, honorific nicknames are used, most often in the media or by fans, to indicate the significance of an artist, and are often religious, familial, or most frequently royal and aristocratic titles, used metaphorically. Honorific nicknames were used in classical music in Europe even in the early 19th century, with figures such as Mozart being called "The father of modern music" and Bach "The father of modern piano music".[1] They were also particularly prominent in African-American culture in the post-Civil War era, perhaps as a means of conferring status that had been negated by slavery,[2] and as a result entered early jazz and blues music, including figures such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie.[3]
In U.S. culture, despite its republican constitution and ideology,[4] royalist honorific nicknames have been used to describe leading figures in various areas of activity, such as industry, commerce, sports, and the media; father or mother have been used for innovators, and royal titles such as king and queen for dominant figures in a field.[5][6] In the 1930s and 1940s, as jazz and swing music were gaining popularity, it was the more commercially successful white artists Paul Whiteman and Benny Goodman who became known as "the King of Jazz" and "the King of Swing" respectively, despite there being more highly regarded contemporary African-American artists.[7]
These patterns of naming were transferred to rock and roll when it emerged in the 1950s. There was a series of attempts to find—and a number of claimants to be—the "King of Rock 'n' Roll", a title that became most associated with Elvis Presley.[8] This has been characterized as part of a process of the appropriation of credit for innovation of the then new music by a white establishment.[9] Different honorifics have been taken or given for other leading figures in the genre, such as "the Architect of Rock and Roll", by Little Richard from the 1990s;[10] this term, like many, is also used for other important figures, in this case including pioneer electric guitarist Les Paul.[11]
Similar honorific nicknames have been given in other genres, including Aretha Franklin, who was crowned the "Queen of Soul" on stage by disk jockey Pervis Spann in 1968.[12]Michael Jackson and Madonna have been closely associated with the terms "King and Queen of Pop" since the 1980s.[13][14][15] Some nicknames have been strongly promulgated and contested by various artists,[16] and occasionally disowned or played down by their subjects.[17] Some notable honorific nicknames are in general usage and commonly identified with particular individuals.
^D. Evans, "From Bumble Bee Slim to Black Boy Shine: Nicknames of Blues Singers" in D. Evans, ed., Ramblin' on my mind: new perspectives on the blues: African American music in global perspective (Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 2008), pp. 179–222.
^S. Deger-Jalkotzy and I. S. Lemos, Ancient Greece: from the Mycenaean palaces to the age of Homer (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2006), p. 272.
^M. Benoliel and Linda Cashdan, The Upper Hand: Winning Strategies from World-Class Negotiators (Adams Media, 2006), p. 26.
^B. G. Rader, Baseball: a history of America's game (Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 3rd edn., 2008), p. 140.
^ abY. Bynoe, Stand and deliver: political activism, leadership, and hip hop culture (Soft Skull Press, 2004), p. 155.
^ abM. T. Bertrand, Race, Rock, and Elvis: Music in American Life (Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 2000), p. 220.
^G. B. Rodman, "A hero to most?; Elvis, myth and the politics of race", Cultural Studies vol. 8 (3), (1994), p. 474.
^J. Warner, On this day in black music history (Hal Leonard Corporation, 2006), p. 56,
^"Les Paul". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
^A. Kempton, Boogaloo: the Quintessence of American Popular Music (University of Michigan Press, 2005), p. 58.
^Hawes, Alison (2014), Music and Fashion, Badger Learning, p. 23, ISBN9781781477588, Many of the most successful pop artists of the Eighties were solo singers. Two of them, Michael Jackson and Madonna, were known as the King and Queen of Pop
^R Jones and S. Brown, Michael Jackson, the man behind the mask: an insider's story of the king of pop (Select Books, 2005), p. 49.
^"What's in a nickname?". BBC Magazine. January 15, 2009. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
^"Overnight the unknown 14-year old became an international star. This earned her the nickname 'Princess of R&B'.", in W. Sutherland, Aaliyah Remembered (Trafford Publishing, 2005), p. 21.
"Ep. 166 | Episode Summary, Highlights, and Recaps". VH1. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012. But Aaliyah Dana Houghton, the reigning Queen of Urban Pop, wasn't sitting still. She was hard at work, shooting her next video, when a plane crash ended her life on August 25
Hodges, Michael (August 25, 2017). "Grapevine: MAC Aaliyah collection coming in 2018". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2022. Petitions circulated last year demanding that the 'Queen of Urban Pop,' whom Essence magazine says was a loyal MAC customer before her death at 22 on a plane in the Bahamas, get her own line and the cosmetics giant responded.
Mayo, Nicki (August 25, 2017). "What's your favorite Aaliyah song?". Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022. Aaliyah Haughton will always be remembered as the "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop." She's trending today on social media because it's the anniversary of her death.
^Niester, Alan (September 22, 2000), "Metal queen slips into something jazzy", The Globe and Mail, p. R.6, ISSN0319-0714, Recall that throughout most of the eighties and even into the nineties, Aaron was known as the queen of heavy-metal rock, the loudest, brashest and sexiest female rock belter this side of Janis Joplin.
^"India Today International". India Today International. 25 (40–52). Living Media India Limited: 16. 2000. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2018. King of Pakistani Pop Arad Al Hukh, whose first album sold 10 million copies
^Pride, Dominic (May 23, 1998). "Global Music Pulse: Balkans". Billboard. p. 63. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
^"Good Times With Bad Bunny". GQ. March 20, 2019. Archived from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2021. He's the barrier-blurring king of Latin trap
^"It probably makes sense to call him – as several people do in the movie [Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987)] – as the 'King of rock 'n' roll'", in D. Denby, "What's in a game", New York, October 19, 1987, p. 102.
Williams, Phoebe (July 19, 2012). "Teen stars in 2012". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN0307-1235. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2020. Canadian singer remains the king of teen pop, with a devoted fan base
Leydon, Joe (December 26, 2013). "Film Review: 'Justin Bieber's Believe'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2020. it ain't easy being the king of teen pop
^"The nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter – who has earned such sobriquets along the way as 'the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul' and 'the Empress of Soul' – returns Dec. 21 with her ninth studio album, "Stronger" Gail Mitchell (December 12, 2009), "Strength of Character", Billboard, vol. 121, no. 49, p. 17, ISSN0006-2510
^"Universally known as the 'Queen of Hip Hop Soul' because of her frequent collaborations with rap artists and Hip Hop producers" Bynoe, Yvonne (2006), Encyclopedia of rap and hip-hop culture, Greenwood Press, p. 32, ISBN978-0-313-33058-2
^BoA – "Game", MTV, September 3, 2010, archived from the original on November 10, 2010, retrieved April 18, 2011, The queen of K-Pop made her highly, highly anticipated comeback to Korea for the first time in five years with her 9th studio album, Hurricane Venus
^Encyclopedia of Music in the 20th Century. Taylor & Francis. 2014. p. 82.
^"Tidal Music". Archived from the original on June 20, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016. With a successful 23-year career in music, film, and television, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences-Award winning artist, Brandy Norwood, is the epitome of a true artist. Known for her distinctive sound, Brandy is often referred to as the "vocal bible." She creates soul-stirring "feel good" music that inspires the masses
^Lornell, Kip; Stephenson, Charles C. (2009). The Beat: Go-Go Music from Washington, D.C. University of Mississippi Press. p. 45. ISBN978-1-60473-241-2.
^"Remembering Dennis Brown, reggae royal", Jamaica Star, archived from the original on May 4, 2008, retrieved October 25, 2008, Dennis produced an enormous catalogue of albums and singles, and earned the undisputed title of 'Crown Prince of Reggae'
^The reggae debate: still unresolved, October 17, 2008, archived from the original on October 15, 2008, retrieved October 25, 2008, Others will point to the likes of the 'crown prince of reggae' Dennis Brown, for his contribution to roots reggae and his influence on a generation of reggae artistes
^David Pullman to Securitize 'Godfather of Soul' James Brown, Business Wire, May 3, 1999, p. 1, And today, James Brown's status as 'The Godfather of Soul" remains undiminished'.
^"Burke, long ago dubbed the King of Rock 'n' Soul, was worth the wait", in M. Newman, "Soul man Solomon Burke: Live on Film; Capricorn's Smoking New Companion" in Billboard July 8, 1995, Vol. 107 (27), p. 10.
Pérez Senz, Javier (October 6, 2018). "Caballé, la 'Superba'". El Pais (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
"La Divina in ologramma Al Geox rivive il mito Callas" [La divina in hologram: at the Geox the Callas myth relives]. Il corriere della sera (in Italian). November 19, 2012. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
Epochi, rizospastis gr | Synchroni (April 30, 2006). "rizospastis.gr - Μαρία η θεϊκή" [Maria the Divine]. ΡΙΖΟΣΠΑΣΤΗΣ (in Greek). Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2023. The life of the great lyric singer, who passed into immortality as "La divina".
^Chávez Candelaria, Cordelia; Aldama, Arturo J.; García, Peter J.; Alvarez-Smith, Alma, eds. (2004). Encyclopedia of Latino popular culture. Westport, CT [etc.]: Greenwood Press. p. 822. ISBN978-0-313-33211-1. Born August 19, 1954, in Kingsville, Texas, she is recognized as 'la reina de la onda Tejana' (the queen of Tejano music).
Horowitz, Steven J. (December 16, 2014). "Mariah Carey Brings Christmas Cheer to NYC's Beacon Theater". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2014. Queen Of Christmas, Mariah Carey performs her holiday smash hits at the Beacon Theatre on December 15, 2014 in New York City.
^She doesn't need to turn back time: After a successful 45-year career, the Goddess of Pop is still going strong. She plays a veteran performer alongside Christina Aguilera in her new flick, "Burlesque", hitting theaters on Wednesday. And she continues to sing in Las Vegas. Amanda Sidman (November 21, 2010), "Cher", Daily News, New York, p. 5
^Ray Davies To Be Honored as BMI Icon at Annual London Awards October 3, Broadcast Music, Inc., August 8, 2006, archived from the original on December 2, 2008, retrieved January 22, 2009, Affectionately referred to as the 'Godfather of Brit pop,' Davies is co-founder, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Kinks, one of the most long-lived and influential rock groups of the 1960s British Invasion
^Sounds of the Middle East, Minnesota provide options for listeners, The DePauw, October 6, 2009, archived from the original on July 16, 2011, retrieved December 20, 2009, Not only has he sold more albums than anyone in the Middle East, but over the past two decades Diab has forged a unique and exciting dance style of music that has lent him an honorary title as 'Father of Mediterranean Music.'
^Crane, Kelly (April 22, 2010). "Egyptian superstar Amr Diab is set to rock Dubai". Gulf News. Archived from the original on April 26, 2010. Retrieved May 14, 2013. The Arab world's most successful recording artist, Father of Mediterranean Music, movie star extraordinaire, dedicated family man or simply the King of Arab Pop are all titles Amr Diab has picked up over the years.
^"Ebony hailed Domino as the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" in Altschuler, Glenn C. (2003), All shook up: how rock 'n' roll changed America, Oxford University Press, p. 43, ISBN978-0-19-513943-3
^"Known as England's 'King of Skiffle.' Member of Chris Barber's Jazz Band in 1954" in J. Whitburn, The Billboard book of top 40 hits (Billboard Books, 8th edn., 2004), p. 188.
^"Gord Downie, Tragically Hip frontman, dies of cancer aged 53". The Guardian. October 18, 2017. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018. Lead singer of Canadian rock group and the country's 'unofficial poet laureate' has died following battle with brain cancer
^Stephen Thomas Erlewine, "Dr. Dre (Andre Young", in Vladimir Bogdanov et al., All Music Guide to Rock, 3rd ed., Backbeat Books, p. 324. ISBN0-87930-653-X.
Baker, Lindsay (October 31, 2003), "Scary? Missy Elliott?", The Guardian, London, archived from the original on November 10, 2013, retrieved February 22, 2013, She's the unrivalled queen of rap and the first black music mogul, so it's no surprise that Missy Elliott has a reputation as the diva you cross at your peril.
Shaw, Andrea Elizabeth (2006), The Embodiment of Disobedience: Fat Black Women's Unruly Political Bodies, Lexington Books, p. 100, ISBN0-7391-1487-5, Missy Elliott, reigning queen of rap, releases five albums in only six years, earns two Grammys, the 2003 American Music Award, and MTV's 2003 Video of the Year.
Mitchell, Claudia; Reid-Valsh, Jacqueline (2008), Girl Culture: Studying girl culture: a reader's guide, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 276, ISBN978-0-313-33908-0, Widely regarded as the queen of rap music, Missy Elliott is an icon of girl culture because of her innovative style and ability to succeed in the music industry without objectifying herself.
^"Gloria Estefan to Write Her First Book, a Children's Story Starring Her Bulldog Noelle; Published in English and Spanish Editions by Rayo, an Imprint of HarperCollins, in November 2005", Business Wire, p. 1, December 6, 2004, Known far and wide as the 'Queen of Latin Pop', Gloria Estefan is one of the most recognized artists in the world
^"The Official Web Site of Ella Fitzgerald – Biography". ellafitzgerald.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2009. Dubbed 'The First Lady of Song', Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century
^"The singer who was affectionately known as 'The First Lady of Song' died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends, said spokeswoman Andrea Hecht" at "Ella Fitzgerald, first lady of song, dies at 78". findarticles.com. July 1, 1996. Archived from the original on February 11, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
^Glesson, Bridget (May 2, 2018). "Tango mystique on the Río de la Plata". Parts Unknown. Archived from the original on June 8, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2019. He was El Mago (the Wizard), El Zorzal (the Songbird), and El Rey del Tango (the King of Tango), among other affectionate nicknames bestowed upon him by an adoring public.
^Russonello, Giovanni (November 23, 2018). "Lucho Gatica, 'the King of Bolero,' Is Dead at 90". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018. Lucho Gatica, the Chilean singer whose lush, brooding croon earned him renown throughout the Spanish-speaking world as 'the king of bolero,' died on Nov. 13 (2018).
^"He was the 'Prince of Motown,' strong, silent and majestic" in R. Gulla, Icons of R&B and soul: an encyclopedia of the artists who revolutionized rhythm vol. 2 (Greenwood, 2008), p. 338.
^"Dubbed "the Prince of Soul," Marvin Gaye endured lifelong turmoil, never grasping the genius of his own talent" in N. Talevski, The Unofficial Encyclopedia of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Greenwood, 1998), p. 402.
^"Although Gaynor was crowned the 'Queen of Disco' after dance floor favourites like 'Honey Bee,' 'Never Can Say Goodbye' and 'Casanova Brown'" in P. Shapiro, Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco (Basingstoke: Macmillan, 2006), p. 213.
Čižmáriková, Zuzana (November 20, 2009). "Marika Gombitová Has No Nominating Bid for the Slávik Awards After Years". Pravda (in Slovak). PEREX, a. s. pravda.sk. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2015. After years, singer Marika Gombitová didn't make into the top five of female vocalists. Until now, the uncrowned Queen of Slovak Popular Music would always appear among the nominees at least
Šebeňa, Michal (December 21, 2014). "A Thoroughly Intended Comeback. Why Is Marika Gombitová Back?". Plus 7 dní (in Slovak). Spoločnosť 7 Plus, a. s. pluska.sk. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2015. These are the most quoted possible reasons, which the Queen of Slovak Pop Music Marika Gombitová has decided to appear in front of her devoted fans for.
^Marika Gombitova (Songstress of the 20th Century):
"Marika Gombitová Is Celebrating Today". Korzár (in Slovak). Petit Press. September 12, 2008. korzar.sme.sk. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2011. The Songstress of the Century Marika Gombitová is celebrating today her 52nd birthday and her nameday, too
"Marika Gombitová – Awards". Občianske združenie Osobnosti.sk (in Slovak). NWS. osobnosti.sk. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2011. Awards: 2000 – Title 'The Songstress of the Century'
^Martin, Henry; Keith Waters (2006), Jazz: The First 100 Years, Thomson Wadsworth, p. 138, ISBN978-0-534-62804-8, For many people the name Benny Goodman is synonymous with swing. His record sales and performances helped usher in the swing craze of the 1930s; for more than a decade, the 'king of swing' enjoyed incredible heights of popularity.
^"Interview With Amy Grant and Vince Gill", ABC News, November 27, 2010, archived from the original on January 31, 2011, retrieved March 7, 2008, When Amy Grant and Vince Gill sang a duet for her 1994 album House of Love, he was the king of country and she was the queen of Christian pop
^Takeuchi Cullen, Lisa (March 25, 2002). "Empress of Pop". Time. pp. Splash. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
Veselá, Zuzana (December 11, 2010). "Kráľovná československého šansónu má v srdci mlynské koleso". WomanMan Magazine (in Slovak). FF company. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2014. The Queen of Czechoslovak chanson has a 'Mill Wheel' in her heart; The first lady of Czechoslovak chanson Hana Hegerová has released a new studio album after almost 25 years.
"Hana Hegerová – malá velká dáma českého šansonu". Česká televize (in Czech). ČT24. October 20, 2011. ceskatelevize.cz. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014. Hana Hegerová – a little big lady of Czech chanson; At occasion of a birthday of the queen of Czech chanson the Czech Television will present on Saturday, October 22, on 2nd channel at 20.55 the document 'Hana Hegerová', and at 21.50 her recitale 'What I'll Never Understand'
^"韓国の"国民の妹"IU、来春日本デビュー決定" [The "Nation's Little Sister" of South Korea, IU, to debut in Japan next spring] (in Japanese). Oricon. November 16, 2011. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
^She confirmed her status as today's Queen of Pop when, not long ago, she signed a $35–$40 million recording contract with Virgin Records. James Robert Parish (1995), Today's black Hollywood, Pinnacle Books, p. 158, ISBN978-0-8217-0104-1
^J. Wallenfeldt, Black American Biographies: The Journey of Achievement (Rosen, 2010), ISBN1-61530-137-2, p. 320.
^Jurgensen, John. "The Queen of Rockabilly Returns". Wall Street Journal, January 21, 2011. p. D8.
^ abD. Dicaire, Blues Singers: Biographies of 50 Legendary Artists of the Early 20th Century (Mcfarland, 1999), ISBN978-0-7864-0606-7, pp. 140 and 143.
^Andrew Buncombe (July 25, 2006). "The grandfather of rock'n'roll: The devil's instrument". The Independent. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2017. the musical legacy of Robert Johnson has entranced later generations of rock and blues musicians such as the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Fans and experts alike call him the "grandfather of rock and roll
^McNally, Dennis (2003), Desolate Angel: Jack Kerouac, the Beat Generation, and America, Da Capo Press, p. 316, ISBN978-0-306-81222-4, Janis Joplin found hers in Texas and left for the West Coast, there to become queen of rock and roll.
^Edward A. Berlin, King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and his Era (Oxford: Oxford University Press US, 1995), ISBN0-19-535646-2, p. 146.
^Brewer, John M. Jr. (2007), Pittsburgh Jazz, Arcadia Publishing, p. 95, ISBN978-0-7385-4980-4, He was known as 'King of the Jukebox' and was one of the first black artists to have both white and black supporters following his jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie tunes
^Cobo, Leila (November 29, 2003). "The Prince's 40-Year Reign: A Billboard Q&A". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 48. p. 28. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2020. He says this without conceit, El Príncipe de la Canción – the Prince of Song, as he is known – had led a life that until recently, was far from charmed.
^O'Brian, Amy (November 22, 2007), "Black paves a new path for women in rhythm & blues; Canada's new queen of R&B? Who's the old one, asks trendsetter Jully Black", The Vancouver Sun, p. D.11, Jully Black has been called a lot of things. But she gets a good laugh at those who have called her the 'new queen of Canadian R&B'.
^Danielle Canada (December 28, 1998). "R. Kelly". Jet. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2012. During a recent interview with the reigning King of R&B, Kelly told Jet why success saddens him
^Holden, Stephen (December 17, 1995). "Pop Briefs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2012. The reigning king of pop-soul sex talks a lot tougher than Barry White, the father of such fluffed-up pillow talk and along with Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway, a major influence on Kelly.
^Clark, Michael (March 7, 2005). "Duff makes rodeo a pop event". Houston Chronicle. p. 5. ISSN1074-7109. On Friday, the queen of R&B, Alicia Keys, took over RodeoHouston.
^"In the past five years, Western music critics have reached into their grab bag to label him the 'Algerian Elvis' and the 'poster boy for the modern form of Algerian desert blues'. In the decade before that, he was known as Cheb Khaled (cheb means "young man" in Algeria's Arabic dialect) or, more simply, the 'King of Rai'", in Curiel, Jonathan (July 10, 2005), "The 'King of Rai' Seeks a New Name", San Francisco Chronicle
Nazel, Joe (1998), B.B. King: King of the Blues, Holloway House Publishing, p. 60, ISBN978-0-87067-792-2, Much later, as the reigning King of the Blues, BB would explain that the 'blues isn't just some sad music about a broken heart, a busted dream, or a painful love affair.
^Her string of hits since the early '60s as the Empress of Soul are known in the streets of Johannesburg and around the world. They include those she recorded with and without the Pips – such as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Neither One of Us." Phil Roura (September 26, 2010), "Knight on a Mission: Georgia's Soul Superstar Has New Orleans on Her Mind", Daily News, New York, p. 20
^McNulty, Bernadette (October 10, 2009), "Pop", The Daily Telegraph, p. 16, Gladys Knight technically supersedes them with her title 'Empress of Soul'. And rightly so: with her Pips she created solid Motown hits, followed by Seventies soul gems such as Midnight Train to Georgia and Help Me Make It Through the Night – sure to raise a tear on this farewell tour.
^At 65, the Empress of Soul is leaving on the Midnight Train to Georgia for the last time. Gladys Knight's "farewell tour" winds down a six-decade-long career that began with a talent contest at the age of seven. You can't blame her for wanting a rest, although, as one of the greats, she isn't bowing out quietly. For almost two hours, she conducts a "musical journey" that is both an emotional rollercoaster and a social history lesson.Dave Simpson (October 9, 2009), "Review: Pop: Gladys Knight Manchester Arena 4/5", The Guardian, p. 44, ISSN0261-3077
^"Frankie Knuckles". allmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2012. The man many call the godfather of house, Frankie Knuckles began DJing in New York in the early '70s while still a teenager, years before the disco boom which proved to be the first flowering of modern dance music.
^Yvonne Teh. "the godfather of cantopop". bc magazine. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2010. For Koo, who credits his music studies at Berklee with having an influence 'mainly on the theory and inspiration' of his musical arrangements, went on to make such a major impact on the local popular music scene that he was bestowed the title 'The Godfather of Cantopop'
"The Notorious KIM". NME. September 12, 2005. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022. Kim's still the queen of rap.
^"Dave Lombardo". Drummerworld. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2017. Lombardo is known for his fast, aggressive style of play utilizing the double bass technique which has earned him the title
^Alexandra Silver (January 10, 2011), "Teena Marie", Time, archived from the original on January 20, 2011, retrieved January 26, 2011, Teena Marie, born Mary Christine Brockert but also known as Lady T and the Ivory Queen of Soul, was found dead Dec. 26 at 54,
^Holden, Stephen (April 19, 2012), "Reggae's Mellow King, Defined by a Legacy He Couldn't Outrun", The New York Times, Reggae's Mellow King, Defined by a Legacy He Couldn't Outrun
^"Bob Marley", The Independent, The undisputed king of reggae helped prove the instrument's versatility
^Dorian, Frederick; Simon Broughton; Mark Ellingham; James McConnachie; Richard Trillo; Orla Duane (2000), World Music: The Rough Guide, Rough Guides, p. 606, ISBN978-1-85828-636-5, In a music heavily dominated by men, Lydia Mendoza, the First Queen of Tejano Music, stands out
^ abBogdanov, Vladimir; Chris Woodstra; John Bush; Stephen Thomas Erlewine (2003), All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul, Backbeat Books, p. 482, ISBN978-0-87930-744-8, Rudy Ray Moore has been called the Godfather of Rap (a title that has also been used to describe sociopolitical soulster Gil Scott-Heron).
^"This record was a collaboration between Philip Oakey, the big-voiced lead singer of the techno-pop band the Human League, and Giorgio Moroder, the Italian-born father of disco who spent the '80s writing synth-based pop and film music." Evan Cater. "Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder: Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved December 21, 2009.
^Hartman, Gary (2008), The history of Texas music, Texas A&M University Press, p. 52, ISBN978-1-60344-002-8, Just as millions of fans considered Selena the 'queen' of Tejano music, her closest male counterpart, Emilio Navaira, has often been called the "king" of Tejano music.
^Brackett, Donald (2007), Fleetwood Mac: 40 Years of Creative Chaos, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 159, ISBN978-0-275-99338-2, with Rolling Stone magazine dubbing Nicks, 'The Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll'
^"Plucking the Same Old Strings". Hindustan Times. February 6, 2009. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Take Edge of Seventeen, the elegy for John Lennon which launched the solo career of Stevie Nicks, queen of rock and roll and former better half of Fleetwood Mac.
^Brown, Jake (2004). Ready to Die: The Story of Biggie Smalls, Notorious B.I.G., King of the World & New York City : Fast Money, Puff Daddy, Faith and Life After Death : the Unauthorized Biography (illustrated ed.). Amber Books Publishing. p. xvi. ISBN0974977934.
^Wilson, Elliott (May 1997). "Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death: Till Death Do Us Part". CMJ New Music Monthly. CMJ. p. 51.
^"Queen of folk led way for female solo singers", The Irish Times, p. 14, December 6, 2008, Odetta, who has died of kidney failure aged 77, received many honours during her life, most notably from Martin Luther King, who called her 'the queen of American folk music', and the then US president Bill Clinton, who in 1999 awarded her the National Medal of the Arts and Humanities. She had been due to sing at Barack Obama's inauguration in January.
^Proskocil, Niz (August 7, 2008), "Who is the queen of country?", Omaha World – Herald, p. 11, Queen of Country. The title has been bestowed on Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Loretta Lynn and a few other female country stars.
^Raffeiner, Arno (September 14, 2017). "Interview: Ariel Pink". Red Bull Music Academy. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
^"But somewhere between his last album, 'Naughty Little Doggie', and his latest one, 'Avenue B', the godfather of punk turned 50", in Christman, Ed (August 7, 1999), "Iggy Pop opens a 'window into the soul' on Virgin's contemplative 'Avenue B'", Billboard, vol. 111, p. 14, ISSN0006-2510
^"Looking remarkably healthy for a man who nurtured a world-class drug habit for many years, the "Godfather of Punk" Iggy Pop is set to close the Other Stage on Saturday night." in "Godfather of punk still has lust for life", Western Daily Press, p. 30, June 5, 2007
^Schinder, Scott (2008). Icons of Rock: An Encyclopedia of the Legends who Changed Music Forever. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 2. ISBN978-0-313-33846-5. His original status as the King of Rock and Roll has never been seriously challenged, and he's remained a bottomless source of inspiration for the generations of rock and rollers who've taken up the cause in the decades since that July night in Memphis
^Gumbrecht, Jamie (July 24, 2003), "5 Questions For... Lisa Marie Presley", The Atlanta Journal- Constitution, p. 35, ISSN1539-7459, It was only a matter of time before the Princess of Rock 'n' Roll decided to rely on her royal bloodline and make a music career
^Salas, Sonia (December 23, 2016). "AB Quintanilla en Esta Navidad es Otra Onda" [AB Quintanilla in This Christmas is Another Wave]. Univision (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Sonia Salas entrevista el Rey de la Cumbia AB Quintanilla y habla sobre su nueva banda Elektro Kumbia, nuevo álbum y próximo concierto en Dallas el 31 de diciembre en Reliant Lights. [Sonia Salas interviews the King of Cumbia AB Quintanilla and talks about his new band Elektro Kumbia, new album and upcoming concert in Dallas on December 31 at Reliant Lights.]
^Maldonado, Paloma (September 19, 2022). "Así se ve el elenco de 'Selena' a 25 años de su estreno: una de las actrices falleció" [This is how the cast of 'Selena' looks 25 years after its premiere: one of the actresses died]. Univision (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. "El Rey de la Kumbia", A.B. Quintanilla, fue interpretado por Jacob Vargas en 'Selena'. En la película se pudo ver cómo era su relación con la cantante, además de su evolución profesional al ser integrante de la banda conformada por la familia Quintanilla. [“The King of Kumbia”, A.B. Quintanilla, was played by Jacob Vargas in 'Selena'. In the film it was possible to see what his relationship with the singer was like, in addition to his professional evolution as a member of the band made up of the Quintanilla family.]
^Mercedes, Villa (December 22, 2022). "AB Quintanilla visitó la Casa de la Música" [AB Quintanilla visited the House of Music]. Agencia de Noticias San Luis (in Spanish). Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. El "Rey de la Kumbia" se mostró asombrado por las instalaciones y comentó "muchas gracias a los integrantes de Casa de la Música por este tour que me brindaron, esto es un diamante escondido aquí en Villa Mercedes, San Luis". El músico estuvo más de dos horas recorriendo las instalaciones y habló con los técnicos y autoridades de Casa de la Música. [The “King of Kumbia” was amazed by the facilities and commented “many thanks to the members of Casa de la Música for this tour they gave me, this is a hidden diamond here in Villa Mercedes, San Luis.” The musician spent more than two hours touring the facilities and spoke with the technicians and authorities of Casa de la Música.]
^"Valentina Márquez grabó un videoclip con un guión generado por inteligencia artificial" [Valentina Márquez recorded a video clip with a script generated by artificial intelligence]. La Voz (in Spanish). May 22, 2023. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. A.B. Quintanilla III, también conocido como "El Rey de la Kumbia", fue creador, líder y productor de los grupos musicales Kumbia Kings y Kumbia All Starz. [A.B. Quintanilla III, also known as “The King of Kumbia”, was the creator, leader and producer of the musical groups Kumbia Kings and Kumbia All Starz.]
^Seidenberg, Robert (December 9, 1994), "Death of the King of Soul", Entertainment Weekly, no. 252, archived from the original on December 7, 2014, retrieved February 20, 2020, Paying tribute to the King of Soul – Twenty-seven years after his death, Otis Redding's influences is still strong
^"Sheryn Regis to hold benefit concert in Carcar". Sun Star Cebu. October 8, 2015. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015. "We are elated that the Crystal Voice of Asia, a native Carcaranon, will be coming here for a homecoming concert for the on-going church restoration project," said Merlea A. Cabalquinto, ASSCA Parish Pastoral Council president.
^McIver, Joel (2002). "It's their fault...the people who made it happen". Nu-metal: The Next Generation of Rock & Punk. Omnibus Press. pp. 16–23. ISBN0-7119-9209-6.
^B. Mazor, Meeting Jimmie Rodgers: How America's Original Roots Music Hero Changed the Pop Sounds of a Century (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009), ISBN0-19-532762-4, pp. 197–238.
^E. Rivadavia, "Death: biography", AllMusic. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
^David Brent Johnson (2013). "Shirley Scott, Queen Of The Organ". The Trustees of Indiana University. Retrieved March 5, 2013. Shirley Scott, Queen Of The Organ
^Verhovek, Sam Howe (April 1, 1995). "Grammy-Winning Singer Selena Killed in Shooting at Texas Motel". The New York Times. Retrieved March 8, 2017. Selena, the 23-year-old reigning queen of the Tejano music world, was shot and killed today at a Corpus Christi motel.
^Gómez, Shirley (June 28, 2017). "'Sabor Latino' Experience: Madame Tussauds Will Exhibit Latin Music Icons". The Latin Times. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Selena Quintanilla's figure will be on permanent display in the Times Square attraction and is a re-sculpt of the star's original Madame Tussauds figure unveiled last August in Hollywood. The Queen of Kumbia (La Reina de la Kumbia) catapulted to global adoration in the 1980s and 90s and is the only Latin female artist to have five albums simultaneously on Billboard 200.
^Martinez, Ileana (April 1, 2022). "Popup market celebrates 'La Reina de la Cumbia'". Sunnyside Sun. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. More than 35 women-owned businesses will be in attendance at the "Anything for Selenas" popup market celebrating Selena Quintanilla, "La Reina de la Cumbia" ("The Queen of Cumbia").
^"'He is the most imitated, most listened to, most recognized, voice of the second half of the twentieth century,' the New York disk jockey William B. Williams said in the fifties, tagging him forever with the epithet Chairman of the Board", in J. Lahr, Show and Tell: New Yorker Profiles (University of California Press, 2002), p. 52.
^Batchelor, Bob (December 30, 2008). American Pop: Popular Culture Decade by Decade [4 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. p. 218. ISBN9780313364112. Sinatra...began to learn how to phrase lyrics in his own inimitable way...which would ultimately... earn the nickname "The Voice"
^Shaw, Arnold (1984). Sinatra, the Entertainer. Delilah Books. p. 17. ISBN9780933328433. On location for ANCHORS AWEIGH . Sinatra relaxes in chair imprinted with his nickname of the time , " The Voice . "
^"SACC showcase: Dato' Siti Nurhaliza and Krisdayanti". New Straits Times. April 10, 2010. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013. Dato' Siti Nurhaliza is a multiple-award winning Malaysian pop singer-songwriter who has garnered more than 100 local awards. Known as the Voice of Asia, Siti has recorded more than 30 albums including singles. She is also known to have the most number one singles than any other artist in Malaysia.
^"Bessie Smith became the 'Empress of the Blues' based on her strong vocal abilities...When Nina Simone 'the High Priestess of Soul' performed at the Academy" in M. E. Bratcher, Words and songs of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone: sound motion, blues spirit, and African memory: Studies in African American history and culture (Routledge, 2007), p. 2.
^ abc"Some women have even been given titles. Tina Turner who is The Queen of Rock and Aretha Franklin, dubbed the Queen of Soul. Donna Summer is the Queen of Disco and Mary J. Blige is the Queen of Hip-Hop, Gloria Estefan is the Queen of Latin Pop, Madonna is the Queen of Pop, while Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera are the Princesses of Pop", in L. Bollinger and C. O'Neill, Women in Media Careers: Success Despite the Odds (University Press of America, 2008), p. 147.
^Often referred to in interviews, cover stories and promotional material as the new 'princess of pop'Susan Hopkins (2002), Girl heroes: The New Force In Popular Culture, University of Michigan Press, p. 60
^"The artists defining dancehall that you need to know". Anna Cafolla. Dazed. September 9, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2017. She's been in the game since she was 17, performing on local cable TV stations, and her debut EP So Mi Like It put Spice up on the pedestal she deserves as the contemporary queen of dancehall.
^Huey, Steve. "Koko Taylor". AllMusic. Retrieved July 7, 2024. Accurately dubbed "the Queen of Chicago blues" (and sometimes just the blues in general), Koko Taylor helped keep the tradition of big-voiced, brassy female blues belters alive,
^"KOKO TAYLOR Biography". Alligator Records. Retrieved July 7, 2024. On May 7, 2009, the critically acclaimed Taylor, known worldwide as the "Queen of the Blues," won her 29th Blues Music Award (for Traditional Female Blues Artist Of The Year), making her the recipient of more Blues Music Awards than any other artist.
^Hautzinger, Daniel (September 28, 2018). "Happy 90th Birthday to the Queen of the Blues". PBS Chicago (WTTW). Retrieved July 7, 2024. The "Queen of the Blues" would turn 90 today, were she still alive.
^"Tanks, propaganda and tourists: Welcome to Kinmen County, 'Taiwan's DMZ'". CNN. March 3, 2021. Decades ago, this sea-facing propaganda machine blasted songs by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng -- Asia's late "eternal queen of pop" -- across a 10-kilometer stretch of sea, her music aimed at residents of the mainland Chinese city of Xiamen.
^Sadatsuka, Ryō (June 19, 2021). "「エレキの神様」寺内タケシさん死去 全国の高校も回る" [Takeshi Terauchi, the "God of Electric Guitar" who visited high schools across the country, passes away]. asahi.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
^Widmer, Mary Lou (2000), New Orleans in the Sixties, Pelican Publishing Company, p. 86, ISBN978-1-58980-620-7, Irma Thomas was then a young vocalist with a nice smile who would be known for the next thirty years as the Soul Queen of New Orleans
^Goodwin, Clayton (May 2, 2007), "Win The last tickets to see Justin", Daily Record, p. 15, Prince of Pop Justin Timberlake strolls into town this week for three incredible dates at the SECC as part of his 2007 FutureSex/ Love Show – and you can be there, courtesy of our friends at Sony Ericsson and Vodafone.
^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (December 13, 2007). "In Tribute: Ike Turner". AllMusic. Retrieved December 17, 2021. Ike Turner is one of the few men that could credibly be called the father of rock & roll, revving up the rhythms behind the blues and cranking his guitar so it crackled.
^Ayres, Chris (December 13, 2007). "Ike Turner, Father of Rock 'n' Roll, Dies Aged 76". The Times. London. p. 41.
Collins, Nancy (October 23, 1986). "Tina Turner: Queen of Rock & Roll". Rolling Stone. October 23, 1986. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2017. In a business known for its exploitation of women, Tina Turner has managed, for over twenty years, to retain not only the adoration of her fans but the admiration of her peer group, male and female. She is nothing if not a survivor.
Cosgrove, Ben (November 10, 2014). "Tina Turner: Unpublished Photos of the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll". Time. November 10, 2014. Archived from the original on January 17, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2017. Some performers are so intense, so inimitable, that trying capture their appeal in mere words is the proverbial exercise in futility. For example, David Bowie probably came closest to summing up Tina Turner's fiery, un-sum-up-able persona when he famously said, after joining her onstage in Birmingham, England, during the final concert of her 1985 British tour: "Standing up there next to her was the hottest place in the universe."
^Vinson, Christina (July 9, 2014). "Shania Twain 'Looking at Dates' for Tour". Taste of Country. Retrieved September 10, 2014. The singer — dubbed Queen of Country-Pop and a Caesars Palace staple for years now — has made some exciting progress in the touring and new music realm.
^"Egypt's Umm Kulthum hologram concerts to take place at the Abdeen Palace on November 20,21". Egypt Today. November 14, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^John Farley, Christopher (September 15, 2001). "Diva on Campus". Time. pp. Splash. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2011. She's virtually unknown in the U.S., but Hikaru, 18, is Japan's biggest pop star. The Japanese media sing her praises: (...) The Diva of the Heisei Period! The Japanese public devours her music: her debut CD, First Love (1999), sold more than 9.5 million copies, making it the best-selling album in Japanese history.
Sandall, Robert (September 2, 2007). "The modfather returns". The Sunday Times. London. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
^Larkin, Colin (1992), The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, p. 2662, ISBN1-882267-00-1, In 1952, Kitty Wells was named the Queen Of Country Music by Fred Rose...
^Mazor, Barry (October 1, 2008), "Music: The Queen of Country Music Holds Court", The Wall Street Journal, p. D.9, ISSN0099-9660, A crown, presented to the singer in 1973, is among the costumes, awards, mementos and other artefacts now on display in 'Kitty Wells, Queen of Country Music', a career-spanning biographical exhibit at Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum running through next June.
^"...living up to the hype of being the First Lady of Country Music." at Smith, Sid (April 7, 2008), Tammy Wynette, Stand By Your Man, BBC, retrieved March 17, 2009
^Echard, William (2005), Neil Young and the Poetics of Energy, Indiana University Press, p. 43, ISBN978-0-253-21768-4, It had already been noted that Neil Young was an important influence on grunge musicians, and in the mid-1990s it became common to see Neil Young described as 'the godfather of grunge'
Chen, Zoe (December 21, 2016). "Could Jane Zhang become China's first global pop star?". BBC News. Retrieved August 16, 2023. nicknamed the "Dolphin Princess" - "dolphin notes" is Chinese slang for being able to hit the high notes
^Walker, Don (August 15, 1998), "Rock This Way: A Brief History of Roads Taken", Billboard, vol. 110, no. 33, p. 20, ISSN0006-2510, ...signature rifts, and it becomes clear why Aerosmith has been tagged 'America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band.' Few bands on the globe—forget just the United States—have accomplished what Aerosmith have. The band has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide and has won countless awards, including three Grammys. And, with a few exceptions, Aerosmith has delivered on its promise: to make music that strikes the listener in the heart, feet, soul and groin.
^Whatever there is to say now about Aerosmith, the long-lasting, hard-rocking quintet that has often been billed or hyped as America's greatest rock and roll band, it could've been said two decades ago. Mieses, Stanley (August 9, 1997), "Still Walking the Walk, Leading the Way", Newsday, p. B.05
Kreps, Daniel (March 8, 2016). "Watch Beach Boys' Touching Tribute to Nancy Reagan". Rolling Stone. Both Ronald and Nancy Reagan proclaimed themselves as Beach Boys fans during their White House stay, with the president even coining the group 'America's Band.'
Liu, Marian (February 18, 2017). "K-pop's growing pains: Why Asia's biggest bands are splitting up". CNN. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017. In January, 'Kings of K-pop' Big Bang played their last concert before going on hiatus – after dominating the charts for 10 years.
So-yeon, Yoon (December 28, 2023). "2023 Culture Top 10 News". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved February 27, 2024. and has been sitting on the throne as the queens of K-pop ever since.
^ ab"The Five Stairsteps were 'The First Family of Soul'. A title bestowed upon the Chicago-based teenaged group in part because of their astounding five-year run of hits, which included the 1970 million-selling single "O-o-h Child." 'The First Family...' title was later adopted by The Jackson 5. Hogan, Ed. "The Five Stairsteps". AllMusic.
^Calloway, Earl (August 22, 1998), "Five Stairsteps remembered on ultimate Regal stage revue", Chicago Defender, vol. XCVI, no. 166, p. 15, ISSN0745-7014, The Stairsteps were tremendous R&B stars and were critically acclaimed as the 'First Family of Soul'.
Kim Hyong-woo (August 5, 2014). '여전히 국민걸그룹' 소녀시대 데뷔 7주년이 말하는 것 [Still the nation's girl group, the 7th anniversary of Girls' Generation]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
Kim Sung-won (November 20, 2017). 슈주, 신곡 '블랙수트' 대만-홍콩-싱가포르 KKbox 부동의 1위 [Suju's new song 'Black Suit' immovable from no 1 in Taiwan-Hong Kong-Singapore KKbox]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved February 5, 2020.
Park Soo-jung (July 13, 2015). [슈퍼주니어 10주년②] 기록이 말한다 '한류제왕의 위엄' [[Super Junior 10th anniversary ②] Record shows 'pride as king of Hallyu']. Korea Economics Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
^Childers, Chad (October 7, 2022). "Every 'Big 4' Grunge Album, Ranked Worst to Best". Loudwire. Retrieved December 7, 2022. Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden all enjoyed their biggest successes in the '90s and here we are ranking all of the albums of grunge's "Big 4."
^McIver, Joel (April 29, 2010). "A History of Thrash Metal". Total Guitar. MusicRadar. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
Fathallah, Judith May (November 15, 2020). Emo: How Fans Defined a Subculture. University of Iowa Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctv179h22p. ISBN978-1-60938-724-2. JSTORj.ctv179h22p. First laying out the debate over what emo is, Fathallah walks superfans and newcomers through the culture surrounding thegenre's major bands, including the emo holy trinity: My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, and Panic! At the Disco." "The three bands that became known as the Emo Trinity launched their websites between 2002 and 2005.
^"What happens when the 'God of Song' descends on Genting Highlands during a cold and wet weekend? He warms and melts the hearts of both young and old with his charm and huge repertoire of hits, that's what! And that was precisely what Hong Kong superstar Jacky Cheung – arguably the most popular and enduring of the four Heavenly Kings – did at his two sold-out concerts last Friday and Saturday at the Arena of Stars. (For the uninitiated, Cheung, Andy Lau, Aaron Kwok and Leon Lai are the four "Heavenly Kings" of Chinese pop, the over-the-top title probably bestowed by the imaginative Hong Kong media because of the singers' immense popularity. Cheung, of course, has been elevated even higher on the celestial plane!)" Ming, Fong (November 9, 2002). "Jacky, oh!". New Straits Times. p. 3.
Schinder, Scott; Schwartz, Andy (2007). Icons of Rock: An Encyclopedia of the Legends Who Changed Music Forever. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN978-0-313-33845-8.