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.
Individual titles
A
American singer Aaliyah is known as the "Princess of R&B".American singer Christina Aguilera is known as the "Voice of a Generation".
American singer Beyoncé is frequently referred to as "Queen Bey" and the "First Lady of Music".South Korean singer BoA is known as the "Queen of K-pop".American musician James Brown was known as the "Godfather of Soul".
American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey is known as the "Songbird Supreme" and "the Queen of Christmas".American entertainer Cher is referred to as the "Goddess of Pop".Cuban singer Celia Cruz is referred to as the "Queen of Salsa".
Puerto Rican singers Don Omar (left) and Daddy Yankee (right) are both referred to as the "King of Reggaeton".Canadian singer Céline Dion is referred to as the "Queen of Power Ballads" and "Queen of Adult Contemporary".American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has been called the "Crown Prince of Folk" and "King of Folk".
American singer Ella Fitzgerald is known as the "Queen of Jazz" and "First Lady of Song".American singer Aretha Franklin is known as the "Queen of Soul".
American rapper and singer Lil' Kim is known as the "Queen of Rap".English singer Vera Lynn was known as the "Forces' Sweetheart" for her popularity among the armed forces during World War II.
American singer-songwriter Madonna is known as the "Queen of Pop".Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar is widely acknowledged as the "Queen of Melody".Jamaican musician Bob Marley is known as the "King of Reggae".
American singer Elvis Presley is known as the "King of Rock and Roll".American musician Prince has been referred to as "The Artist", "The Purple One" and "His Royal Badness".
American singer Britney Spears is known as the "Princess of Pop".American singer Donna Summer has been referred to as the "Queen of Disco".American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has gone by multiple honorifics, such as "America's Sweetheart".
^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'