Being an influential musician has always been about transcending the contemporary music scene and leading the way toward new soundscapes. Some artists create a unique, distinctive sound, while others are so versatile that they elude classification: both types of creativity embody the definition of artistry and push the boundaries of successful musicianship today.

Each music genre has creatives who have completely changed the scene and became a source of inspiration for the next generation of artists. To define someone as the pioneer of a genre is a relatively easy task in retrospect – but what about artists who are still reinventing music as we speak?

Today, we’re focusing on the musicians, producers, and bands that have defined the music we’ve listened to for the last two decades: some of the most influential musicians of the 21^st century, so far. These picks span multiple, diverse music genres to reflect the music industry’s evolution since the new millennium.

Some of the artists below are well-known worldwide, while others keep their distance from mainstream music and have maintained an indie approach throughout their careers. However, what they have in common is that their music has been a source of inspiration for the artists who came after them and are rising today.

Let’s dive in!

BURIAL

When his self-titled album came out on Hyperdub in 2006, Burial took the dubstep and electronic music scene by storm. Whereas dubstep was becoming a mainstream genre, the dystopian, gloomy soundscapes William Bevan created had an ethereal and timeless atmosphere that made them stand out.

Burial and its successor, Untrue, stood the test of time and are now considered benchmarks for a variety of music genres. For a while, Bevan upgraded dubstep until it became the most innovative genre in electronic music, with a melancholic, nostalgic feel that perfectly blended with the intricate drum texture typical of UK jungle and garage.

KANYE WEST

Love him or hate him, Kanye – or Ye – is the man who understood better than anyone else the opportunities of the digital music era. Since the early 2000s, West has pushed the boundaries of music production with ambitious albums that perfectly matched his eclectic persona.

Kanye West is living proof that stardom and creative ambition can coexist, attracting both mainstream and independent audiences. West’s productions are complex and carefully crafted, leading the new wave of progressive hip hop artists who are elevating the genre to new heights.

ST. VINCENT

A multi-instrumentalist who creates concept albums that feel contemporary yet timeless, St. Vincent is the embodiment of 21^st-century art-rock. Her albums incorporate various styles, glued together by skilful arrangements and intriguing lyrics.

Annie Clark is a talented and intriguing artist who surprises her fans and takes them on a different, enthusiastic journey with each release. Since the early 2000s, St. Vincent has been able to reinvent herself regularly: from deep and intimate songwriter to electronic producer to art-pop diva, making her one of the most influential musicians of the 21^st century.

THE WHITE STRIPES

With a carefully-crafted image and distinctive sound, The White Stripes redefined the rock scene of the early 2000s. With simple and catchy songs, a unique lo-fi feel, and an indie approach to marketing and music production, Jack and Megan White were able to draw inspiration from the music of the early ‘90s and single-handedly introduce that sound to the 21^st century.

Drawing inspiration from ‘70s hard rock and the post-punk revival of the 2000s, The White Stripes maintained the unpolished effect of indie rock and recorded irresistible hits, thanks to the immense talent of Jack White as a guitarist and songwriter.

STEVEN WILSON

With the Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson reinvented prog rock in the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s. Wilson’s apparent endless inspiration led him to start a solo career in 2008, resulting in award-winning concept albums blending electronica, Pink Floydian moods and evocative songwriting.

The vastness and diversity of Wilson’s discography would leave most artists speechless. A renowned multi-instrumentalist and audio engineer, Wilson collaborated with dozens of other artists as a producer or musician, helping other bands create critically-acclaimed works.

AMY WINEHOUSE

Despite the limited discography and sudden death, Amy Winehouse is to this day a source of inspiration for artists across all genres: from pop to soul, to funk, R&B and rock.

Amy’s voice truly sounds timeless – her singles could be from a recording from the ‘60s or a recently-released album. Thanks to her distinctive and versatile voice, she could blend musical genres seamlessly and create hits that sound incredibly fresh.

Her second and final album, Back to Black, paved the way for the revival of British soul, which led to Adele’s worldwide domination throughout the 2010s.

RADIOHEAD

Since the beginning of the 21^st century, Radiohead continued doing what they did in the mid ‘90s: pushing the boundaries of contemporary rock music further and further, cementing its place as one of the most influential musicians of the 21^st century.

In Rainbows, released under a Creative Commons license, is a beautiful and ambitious experiment that proves the dedication of a band that, already at the time, was among the most crucial of the last two decades.

The singer Thom Yorke frequently collaborates with great electronic producers and has released critically-acclaimed solo albums that defy classification.

M.I.A.

M.I.A. combines ambitious sound experimentation with political and social lyrics that resonate with a large audience. Over the years, UK producer Mathangi Arulpragasam developed her own unique sound, combining ethnic, electronic, and hip-hop elements with controversial lyrics.

Her mainstream success didn’t influence her creative output, and M.I.A. today is as creative and socially active as she was in 2005, when her first album Arular came out.

SOPHIE

In my opinion, Sophie was the most creative and versatile producer in the hyperpop genre. With her dynamic, upbeat, and surreal tracks, she could unite millions of people under the banner of alt-pop.

Sophie’s music defies labelling, and in so doing, attracts people who also don't wish to be labelled in any way. Her music gave voice to a diverse yet coherent online community that supported this one-of-a-kind artist who unfortunately passed too soon.

Despite the heavy use of synthesised sounds and the unpredictable structure of her songs, SOPHIE’s music feels ethereal and timeless: a soundtrack for new generations.

KENDRICK LAMAR

Identifying Kendrick Lamar as the king of hip hop is perhaps limiting. The sharp lyrics are there, and so are the controversial themes. But Lamar’s music goes beyond the typical features of the genre and draws inspiration from literally anything the music and social landscapes have to offer.

Jazz, funk, and electronic music find their place in Lamar’s music, while his lyrics resonate with his attentive audience, used to reading between the lines and understanding the deeper concepts behind each song.

The depth and raw emotions of Kendrick Lamar's lyrics, combined with the complex texture of his tracks, make him stand out in comparison to other great players in the current hip hop scene.

ARCADE FIRE

Arcade Fire is perhaps the best example of a contemporary rock band that’s able reach commercial success while staying true to its indie soul.

With a sound that draws inspiration from the best alternative rock of the last 30 years, Arcade Fire managed to create a distinctive sound in a time when the rock music scene was stagnant.

In their albums, ambitious, orchestral tracks are followed by electro-pop songs and more straightforward rock hits – yet, each work feels incredibly coherent and fresh. The diversity and audacity of their albums are astounding and will probably inspire rock bands for years to come.

FOUR TET

The ability of Kieran Hebden to blend natural and electronic sounds, combined with his incredible versatility, makes him a crucial figure in the indie electronic music scene.

Jumping from dance to ambient, from funk to ethnic music, Four Tet’s music knows no boundaries; each of his albums have a singular vibe while featuring the characteristic sound that made Four Tet famous. A true master of contemporary electronic music in all its forms.

JON HOPKINS

If you get to collaborate with Brian Eno at the early stages of your career, there's likely something quite special about your music. Jon Hopkins has created evocative soundtracks, hypnotising techno tracks, complex electronic compositions, and much more. You may find him performing in a club or in front of an audience mesmerised by his piano pieces.

Hopkin's ability to carefully craft soundscapes that blend different genres is unmatched in the electronic realm: an EDM producer who showed that electronic music could achieve the depth and elegance of more emblazoned genres.

Cover Credit: Scott Hemenway/Alamy Stock Photo

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Writer | Marco Sebastiano Alessi

Marco is an Italian music producer, composer and writer. He’s the founder of Naviar Records, a music community and record label exploring the connection between experimental electronic music and traditional Japanese poetry.