40 years from now...

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Name a producer from 40 years ago.

The point is, nobody gives a shit in the context of this discussion. Producing music does not make you memorable or make you a star.

FWIW, I don't 99% of those songs.

edit: are those even songs? I recognize some of those as albums. Goes to show how far producing gets you in terms of lasting fame.

Phil Spector.
Brian Eno.
George Martin.
Quincy Jones.

There are plenty of great producers with name value. If you don't know, then that is your own ignorance.

Is Kanye one? I dunno...he definitely is well known in hip hop and will go down as one of the better producers ala Rick Rubin, Dr. Dre, and Timbaland of all times in that circle.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Phil Spector.

Quincy Jones.

Missing the point, though.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Quincy Jones.

Missing the point, though.

Not missing the point, there are plenty of good producers with name value.

To go right next to the timelessness of Michael Jackson, goes Quincy Jones. To dismiss it is like dismissing a member of the band because they aren't the front man.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Not missing the point, there are plenty of good producers with name value.

To go right next to the timelessness of Michael Jackson, goes Quincy Jones. To dismiss it is like dismissing a member of the band because they aren't the front man.

In the context of this discussion, nobody gives a shit who played bass for Led Zeppplin, and nobody gives a shit who produced Madonna in the 80's.

You are naming uber producers, and still none of them have the cultural signifigance of the acts they produce. If that's really the argument some are making for Kanye, I rest my case.

[Senser81]

In the context of this discussion, nobody gives a shit who played bass for Led Zeppplin, and nobody gives a shit who produced Madonna in the 80's.

You are naming uber producers, and still none of them have the cultural signifigance of the acts they produce. If that's really the argument some are making for Kanye, I rest my case.

John Paul Jones. Very underrated. I think he produced Lenny Kravitz, too.

I would say 40 years from now we will still be listening to Lawrence Muggerud.

[Senser81]

Phil Spector.
Brian Eno.
George Martin.
Quincy Jones.

There are plenty of great producers with name value. If you don't know, then that is your own ignorance.

Is Kanye one? I dunno...he definitely is well known in hip hop and will go down as one of the better producers ala Rick Rubin, Dr. Dre, and Timbaland of all times in that circle.

Nice ipso facto with George Martin. The only reason anyone would remember George Martin is because of his association with the Beatles. The same might even be true of Phil Spector.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Nice ipso facto with George Martin. The only reason anyone would remember George Martin is because of his association with the Beatles. The same might even be true of Phil Spector.

Martin, I'd agree with you...Spector, not so much.

[Pitty]

So are you trying to tell me that Kanye is more recognizable, and more entrenched in american culture, than Britney Spears?

Are you trolling?

Britney Spears transcends the pop bubble. Kanye does not. Nobody over 30 knows who the fuck he is.

This is the most ignorant statement in the thread. Because you can't name a Kanye song, no one over 30 know who he is? Accept it that Kanye West is more relevant today than Britney Spears. The fact that every single one of his albums is multiple platinum should tell you that people over 30 know who he is, since they are the only people still paying for albums.

[Senser81]

This is the most ignorant statement in the thread. Because you can't name a Kanye song, no one over 30 know who he is? Accept it that Kanye West is more relevant today than Britney Spears. The fact that every single one of his albums is multiple platinum should tell you that people over 30 know who he is, since they are the only people still paying for albums.

In 2001, Britney Spears became a spokesperson for Pepsi. Spears' contract concluded with an advertisement with Pink and Beyonce. The ad was made featuring the cover of the song "We Will Rock You" by Queen.


According to allhiphop.com, in 2005, a rumor spread that the newest spokesperson for Pepsi, Kanye West, was dropped after a comment made against President George W. Bush. Nicole Bradley, public relations manager of Pepsi, clarified that the company's relationship with West had not changed and their marketing will continue as planned.

[Pitty]

In 2001, Britney Spears became a spokesperson for Pepsi. Spears' contract concluded with an advertisement with Pink and Beyonce. The ad was made featuring the cover of the song "We Will Rock You" by Queen.


According to allhiphop.com, in 2005, a rumor spread that the newest spokesperson for Pepsi, Kanye West, was dropped after a comment made against President George W. Bush. Nicole Bradley, public relations manager of Pepsi, clarified that the company's relationship with West had not changed and their marketing will continue as planned.

The only thing Spears is famous for nowadays is flashing her cooter, and that happened half a decade ago. No one remembers, or cares for, her music.

[Warner2BruceTD]

This is the most ignorant statement in the thread. Because you can't name a Kanye song, no one over 30 know who he is? Accept it that Kanye West is more relevant today than Britney Spears. The fact that every single one of his albums is multiple platinum should tell you that people over 30 know who he is, since they are the only people still paying for albums.

Define relevant. Relevant in the music world? Relevant in terms of lasting fame?

He is not more famous that Spears. I would argue she is significantly more famous. I would also argue that her music is far more identifiable, despite the fact she peaked close to a decade ago.

You are severly overrating the cultural signifigance of Kanye West. The reasons for this are right under your fucking nose in this thread. but you are ignoring it.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Isnt it funny how Spears hasnt had a hit record in god knows how long, yet is still ridiculously famous and identifiable today?

If Kanye West disappeared tommorow, who would be able to idnetify him in a decade? As I said earlier, i'm fairly certain most people woildnt know him if he knocked on the front door.

[Pitty]

Define relevant. Relevant in the music world? Relevant in terms of lasting fame?

He is not more famous that Spears. I would argue she is significantly more famous. I would also argue that her music is far more identifiable, despite the fact she peaked close to a decade ago.

You are severly overrating the cultural signifigance of Kanye West. The reasons for this are right under your fucking nose in this thread. but you are ignoring it.

Or that you are discrediting that Kanye hasn't peaked yet. Fun fact, since Kanye's debut in 2004, not a single Britney Spears release has outsold his.

I'm not ignoring anything. You're saying the guy who is outselling almost every artist not named Perry or Gaga, has won many awards for being known (most influential person/man/etc) performs within a bubble, unknown to anyone over the age of adolescence. Since when is Kanye not an international superstar? Did I miss something? Did I miss him spanning across almost every genre? I don't care if you like/hate his music. He is the most well known male artist of the 2000's.

You realistically expect me to believe that if I asked a person aged 30+ who Kanye West is, they wouldn't know?

[Golden Taters]

Being from Seattle, my area will at least be keeping the grunge scene alive far into the future. Even if it's basically dead, elsewhere.

I don't really listen to any rap or pop music so I can't really comment on what effect those artists will have.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Or that you are discrediting that Kanye hasn't peaked yet. Fun fact, since Kanye's debut in 2004, not a single Britney Spears release has outsold his.

I'm not ignoring anything. You're saying the guy who is outselling almost every artist not named Perry or Gaga, has won many awards for being known (most influential person/man/etc) performs within a bubble, unknown to anyone over the age of adolescence. Since when is Kanye not an international superstar? Did I miss something? Did I miss him spanning across almost every genre? I don't care if you like/hate his music. He is the most well known male artist of the 2000's.

You realistically expect me to believe that if I asked a person aged 30+ who Kanye West is, they wouldn't know?

There are three people around that age in this thread who admitted to knowing the name, but could not identify with his music and didnt know any of his songs. And two of those people (heels & relaxed) are gigantic music fans.

I would bet nearly EVERY SINGLE FUCKING PERSON ON THIS SITE not only knows who Britney Spears is, but can instantly recognize her music. She is far more recognizable that West, I don't even think it's worth debating, frankly.

I knew his name, and after investigating, recognized some of his songs. And even though I knew the songs, I wouldnt have known most of them were his if they had come on the radio or whatever.

And i'm your perfect test subject to determine how "memorable" or "recognizable" he is, because im not part of his fan base and I dont enjoy his genre of music. If he was so transcendent of his bubble (you know, like a real famous musician like Spears), his fame and recognizability (is that a word?) would extend to people like me. White guys over 30 who think his music sucks, and wouldnt be caught dead listening to it. Eminem, Spears, and a host of others succeed in this, West falls short.

I dont care if you think he's more talented, or if he's more critically acclaimed. That doesnt mean anything in terms of the question in the OP.