Musicians that made the aughts

Like every era, the ’00s introduced us to many new artists, some very good and some very bad.

But for every Justin Bieber we had to listen to, we also were lucky enough to get a Justin Timberlake solo effort to redeem the image of our musical generation. I thought there were several artists who seriously separated themselves into another level in terms of importance and influence, and their music will define the aughts.

Thom Yorke of Radiohead: Although they had an enormous influence on ’90s culture, Radiohead arguably reached a higher level of prominence this decade, and frontman Thom Yorke was the catalyst for it all. Yorke and company had already mastered the use of electronic instruments early in the ’00s before many bands had considered how to utilize them. Always one step ahead on both the musical and commercial front, Yorke established Radiohead as music’s true trendsetters.

Kanye West: Love him or hate him – and I love him – Kanye West was a big deal this decade for reasons other than making Taylor Swift cry. Today, his influence permeates virtually all aspects of pop culture. He started the decade as the wunderkind producer behind Jay-Z’s “Blueprint” and later exploded onto the scene with “College Dropout” before he dominated with three No. 1 albums.

Jack White of the White Stripes, Raconteurs: Though he shies from the public, Jack White’s raw garage rock was anything but shy. While not unpolished, White had mastered the art of stripping down his music and combining it with kooky lyrics to create a distinct, brash sound. His enigmatic personality and tendency to deviate from the norm while still being accessible helped make him one of the decade’s best.

M.I.A.: Another multifaceted artist, M.I.A. makes the list because of this and her global popularity. One of the first artists whose influence touched all parts of the world, M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” set the U.S. ablaze in the summer of 2008 and was later sampled heavily. Her well-disguised lyrics and dance/folk/hip-hop style give her sound an eclectic but fun feel and are what will help her music hold up over time.

Sometimes controversial but always creative, these are the artists will be able to hold up the legacy of the aughts.