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 piano music" and Bach "The father of modern music". 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 , and as a result entered early jazz and blues music, including figures such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie.
In U.S. culture, despite its republican constitution and ideology, royalist honorific nicknames have been used to describe leading figures in various areas of activity, such as industry, commerce, sports, and the media; father mother have been used for innovators, and royal titles such as king queen for dominant figures in a field. 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.
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 . 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. 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; this term, like many, is also used for other important figures, in this case including pioneer electric guitarist Les Paul.
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. Michael Jackson and Madonna have been closely associated with the terms "King and Queen of Pop" since the 1980s. Some nicknames have been strongly promulgated and contested by various artists, and occasionally disowned or played down by their subjects. Some notable honorific nicknames are in general usage and commonly identified with particular individuals.
Individual titles
A Artist Title Country Ref. Aaliyah Princess of R&B United States Queen of Urban Pop Lee Aaron Metal Queen Canada Abrar-ul-Haq King of Pakistani Pop Pakistan Christina Aguilera Voice of a Generation United States Nancy Ajram Queen of Arab Pop Lebanon Sezen Aksu Queen of Turkish Pop Turkey Rauw Alejandro King of Modern Reggaeton Puerto Rico (US) Anna Carina Queen of Peruvian Pop Peru A-Mei Queen of Mandopop Taiwan Namie Amuro Queen of J-pop Japan Aurora Fairy of Pop Norway Louis Armstrong King of Jazz United States Maki Asakawa Queen of the Underground Japan Noriko Awaya Queen of Blues Japan
B Artist Title Country Ref. Erykah Badu Queen of Neo-Soul United States Bad Bunny King of Latin Trap Puerto Rico (US) Đorđe Balašević Panonian Sailor Yugoslavia/Serbia J Balvin Prince of Reggaeton Colombia Šaban Bajramović King of Romani Music Yugoslavia/Serbia Harry Belafonte King of Calypso United States Mordechai Ben David King of Jewish Music United States Chuck Berry King of Rock and Roll United States Father of Rock and Roll Beyoncé Queen Bey or Queen B United States Justin Bieber Prince of Pop Canada King of Teen Pop Biz Markie Clown Prince of Hip Hop United States Björk Queen of Experimental Pop Iceland Mary J. Blige Queen of Hip Hop Soul United States BoA Queen of K-pop South Korea David Bowie Chameleon of Rock United Kingdom Brandy The Vocal Bible United States Julio Brito The melodic painter of Cuba Cuba Chris Brown King of R&B United States Chuck Brown Godfather of Go-Go United States Dennis Brown Crown Prince of Reggae Jamaica James Brown Godfather of Soul United States The Hardest Working Man in Show Business Solomon Burke King of Rock 'n' Soul United States Michael Bublé King of Christmas Canada
C Artist Title Country Ref. Montserrat Caballé La Superba (The Superb One) Spain Clarence Wijewardena Father of Sinhala Pop Sri Lanka Maria Callas La Divina (The Divine One) Italy/Greece Laura Canales Queen of Tejano United States Mariah Carey Songbird Supreme United States Queen of Christmas Doja Cat Queen of Pop-Rap United States Ceca Serbian Mother Serbia Cher Goddess of Pop United States Jacky Cheung God of Songs Hong Kong Jay Chou King of Mandopop Taiwan George Clinton Godfather of Funk United States King of Funk Keyshia Cole Princess of Hip Hop Soul United States Alice Cooper Godfather of Shock Rock United States Pilita Corrales Asia's Queen of Songs Philippines Celia Cruz Queen of Salsa Cuba Miley Cyrus Teen Queen United States
D Artist Title Country Ref. Amr Diab Father of Mediterranean Music Egypt Celine Dion Queen of Power Ballads Canada Queen of Adult Contemporary Diomedes Díaz King of Vallenato Colombia Nate Dogg King of Hooks United States Fats Domino King of Rock and Roll United States Morris Dorley Godfather of Liberian Music Liberia Doro Metal Queen Germany Thomas A. Dorsey Father of Gospel Music United States Rocío Dúrcal Queen of Ranchera Spain Dino Dvornik King of Funk Yugoslavia/Croatia Bob Dylan Crown Prince of Folk United States King of Folk
E Artist Title Country Ref. Missy Elliott Queen of Hip Hop United States Queen of Rap Eminem King of Hip-Hop United States King of Rap Enya Queen of New Age Ireland Gloria Estefan Queen of Latin Pop Cuba/United States Elvy Sukaesih Queen of Dangdut Indonesia
F Artist Title Country Ref. Ella Fitzgerald First Lady of Song United States Queen of Jazz Lola Flores La Faraona, Queen of Flamenco Spain Renata Flores Queen of Quechua Pop Perú Queen of Quechua Rap Zucchero Fornaciari Father of Italian Blues Italy Stephen Foster Father of American Music United States Aretha Franklin Queen of Soul United States Alan Freed King of Rock and Roll United States
G Artist Title Country Ref. Lady Gaga Queen of Pop United States Charly García Godfather of Argentine Rock Argentina Carlos Gardel King of Tango Lucho Gatica King of Bolero Chile Marvin Gaye Prince of Motown United States Prince of Soul Fatu Gayflor Golden Voice of Liberia Liberia Gloria Gaynor Queen of Disco United States G-Dragon King of K-pop South Korea Marika Gombitová Queen of Slovak Pop Music Slovakia Songstress of the 20th Century Benny Goodman King of Swing United States Vestal Goodman Queen of Gospel Music United States Narayan Gopal Emperor of Voice Nepal Karel Gott Golden Voice of Prague Czech Republic Ariana Grande Princess of Pop United States Amy Grant Queen of Christian Pop United States Olga Guillot Queen of Bolero Cuba Alejandra Guzmán Queen of Latin Rock Mexico
H Artist Title Country Ref. Nina Hagen Godmother of Punk Germany Rob Halford Metal God United Kingdom Mari Hamada Queen of Heavy Metal Japan Ayumi Hamasaki Empress of J-pop Japan Queen of J-pop Mehdi Hassan Emperor of Ghazal Pakistan Nazia Hassan Queen of South Asian Pop Pakistan Hana Hegerová Queen of Czechoslovak Chanson Czech Republic/Slovakia Kiyoshi Hikawa Prince of the Enka World Japan Lauryn Hill Queen of Hip Hop United States Mitsuko Horie Queen of the Anison World Japan Whitney Houston The Voice United States Sam Hui God of Song Hong Kong Steve Hunter The Deacon United States Al Hurricane Godfather of New Mexico Music United States
I Artist Title Country Ref. Enrique Iglesias King of Latin Pop Spain La India The Princess of Salsa Puerto Rico (US) Rhoma Irama King of Dangdut Indonesia IU Nation's Little Sister South Korea
J Artist Title Country Ref. Janet Jackson Queen of Pop United States Mahalia Jackson Queen of Gospel United States Michael Jackson King of Pop United States Wanda Jackson Queen of Rockabilly United States Jay R Philippines' King of R&B Philippines Jay-Z King of Rap United States Jaya Philippine Queen of Soul Philippines Noor Jehan Queen of Melody Pakistan Cui Jian Godfather of Chinese Rock China Joan Jett Godmother of Punk United States Robert Johnson Grandfather of Rock and Roll United States Sharon Jones Godmother of Soul United States Janis Joplin Queen of Rock and Roll United States Scott Joplin King of Ragtime United States Louis Jordan King of the Jukebox United States José José The Prince of Song Mexico
K Artist Title Country Ref. Hironobu Kageyama Prince of the Anison World Japan Shizuko Kasagi Queen of Boogie Japan R. Kelly King of R&B United States King of Pop-Soul Alicia Keys Queen of R&B United States Khaled King of Raï Algeria Chaka Khan Queen of Funk United States Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Emperor of Qawwali Pakistan B.B. King King of the Blues United States Gladys Knight Empress of Soul United States Frankie Knuckles Godfather of House United States Joseph Koo Godfather of Cantopop Hong Kong DJ Kool Herc Founder & Father of Hip Hop Jamaica/United States Alexis Korner Father of British Blues United Kingdom Fubuki Koshiji Queen of Chanson Japan Koda Kumi Queen of J-pop Japan Fela Kuti King of Afrobeat Nigeria Kygo King of Tropical House Norway Kyla Philippine Queen of R&B Philippines
L Artist Title Country Ref. Franzl Lang Yodel King or Yodler King (der Jodlerkönig) Germany La Lupe Queen of Latin Soul Cuba Lucero America's Girlfriend (La Novia de América) Mexico Patti LaBelle Godmother of Soul United States Kendrick Lamar King Kendrick United States Queen Latifah Queen of Rap, Hip Hop United States Avril Lavigne Queen of Pop Punk Canada Rita Lee Queen of Brazilian Rock Brazil Lil Jon King of Crunk United States Lil' Kim Queen of Rap United States Little Richard Architect of Rock and Roll United States Kenny Loggins King of the Movie Soundtrack United States Jennifer Lopez Queen of Dance United States Lorde Queen of Alternative New Zealand Vera Lynn Forces' Sweetheart United Kingdom
M Artist Title Country Ref. Madonna Queen of Pop United States Jolina Magdangal Queen of Philippine Pop Culture Philippines Miriam Makeba Mama Africa South Africa Bob Marley King of Reggae Jamaica Bruno Mars Prince of Pop United States Ricky Martin King of Latin Pop Puerto Rico (US) Susan McKeown Celtic High Priestess Ireland Freddie Mercury The King of Queen United Kingdom Mighty Sparrow Calypso King of the World Trinidad and Tobago Luis Miguel El Sol de Mexico (The Sun of Mexico) Mexico Slađana Milošević Rock Princess Yugoslavia/Serbia Nicki Minaj Queen of Rap Trinidad and Tobago/United States Queen of Hip Hop Kylie Minogue Princess of Pop Australia Ichirō Mizuki Emperor of Anime Songs Japan Bill Monroe Father of Bluegrass United States Andy Montañez The Godfather of the Salsa Puerto Rico (US) Rudy Ray Moore Godfather of Rap United States Giorgio Moroder Father of Disco Italy Alanis Morissette Queen of Alt-Rock Angst Canada Anita Mui Queen of Cantopop Hong Kong Peter Murphy Godfather of Goth United Kingdom
N Artist Title Country Ref. Emilio Navaira King of Tejano United States Grant Nelson The Godfather of UK Garage United Kingdom Stevie Nicks Queen of Rock and Roll United States Nike Ardilla Lady Rocker Indonesia Maki Nomiya Queen of Shibuya-kei Japan The Notorious B.I.G. The King of New York United States
O Artist Title Country Ref. Odetta Queen of American Folk Music United States Nobuyasu Okabayashi God of Folk Japan Don Omar King of Reggaeton Puerto Rico (US) Ozuna New King of Reggaeton Puerto Rico (US) Ozzy Osbourne Godfather of Heavy Metal United Kingdom Prince of Darkness Johnny Otis Godfather of Rhythm and Blues United States
P Artist Title Country Ref. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Princess of J-pop Japan Dolly Parton Queen of Country United States Abida Parveen Queen of Sufi Music Pakistan Charley Patton Father of the Delta Blues United States Peret King of Catalan Rumba Spain Katy Perry Queen of Camp United States Iggy Pop Godfather of Punk United States Elvis Presley King of Rock and Roll United States King of Pop Lisa Marie Presley Princess of Rock and Roll United States Prince The Artist United States Alla Pugacheva Queen of Russian Pop Russia
Q Artist Title Country Ref. Ivy Queen Queen of Reggaetón United States Milly Quezada Queen of Merengue Dominican Republic A.B. Quintanilla King of Cumbia United States
R Artist Title Country Ref. Ma Rainey Mother of the Blues United States Joey Ramone Godfather of Punk United States Otis Redding King of Soul United States Lou Reed Godfather of Punk United States Esma Redžepova Queen of Gypsy Music Yugoslavia/North Macedonia Frank Reyes Prince of Bachata Dominican Republic Rihanna R&B Princess Barbados Teddy Riley King of New Jack Swing United States Jenni Rivera Diva de la Banda (Diva of Banda) United States Ross Robinson Godfather of Nu Metal United States Smokey Robinson King of Motown United States Sylvia Robinson Mother of Hip-Hop United States Jimmie Rodgers Father of Country Music United States Amália Rodrigues Queen of Fado Portugal Ahmed Rushdi Magician of Voice Pakistan Paulina Rubio The Golden Girl Mexico Rossa Queen of Pop Indonesia Indonesia
S Artist Title Country Ref. Lea Salonga Pride of the Philippines Philippines Šaban Šaulić The King of Folk Yugoslavia/Serbia Gilberto Santa Rosa Gentleman of Salsa Puerto Rico (US) Tiwa Savage Queen of Afrobeats Nigeria Lady Saw Queen of Dancehall Jamaica Chuck Schuldiner Godfather of Death Metal United States Shirley Scott Queen of the Organ United States Gil Scott-Heron Godfather of Rap United States Jeannie Seely Miss Country Soul United States Raul Seixas Pai do Rock Brasileiro (Father of Brazilian Rock) Brazil Selena Queen of Tejano Music United States Queen of Cumbia / Queen of Kumbia Seo Taiji President of Culture South Korea Shakira Queen of Latin Music Colombia Ravi Shankar Godfather of World Music India Shin Joong-hyun Korea's Godfather of Rock South Korea Nina Simone High Priestess of Soul United States Frank Sinatra The Chairman of the Board United States The Voice Siti Nurhaliza Voice of Asia Malaysia Bessie Smith Empress of the Blues United States Patti Smith Godmother of Punk United States Javier Solís El Rey del Bolero Ranchero (The King of Bolero Ranchero) Mexico Britney Spears Princess of Pop United States Spice Queen of Dancehall Jamaica Bruce Springsteen The Boss United States Candi Staton First Lady of Southern Soul United States George Strait King of Country United States Johann Strauss II The Waltz King Austria Suraphol Sombatcharoen King of Luk Thung Thailand Yma Sumac Queen of Exotica Peru Donna Summer Queen of Disco United States Joan Sutherland La Stupenda (The Stupendous One) Australia Morton Subotnick Godfather of Techno United States Taylor Swift America's Sweetheart United States
T Artist Title Country Ref. Tarkan King of Turkish Pop Turkey Koko Taylor Queen of the Blues United States Teresa Teng Asia's Eternal Queen of Pop Taiwan Takeshi Terauchi God of Electric Guitar Japan Thalía Queen of Latin Pop Mexico Sister Rosetta Tharpe Godmother of Rock and Roll United States Irma Thomas Soul Queen of New Orleans United States Tiësto Godfather of EDM Netherlands Justin Timberlake Prince of Pop United States Gloria Trevi Mexican Pop Queen Mexico Jolin Tsai Queen of C-pop Taiwan Ike Turner Father of Rock and Roll United States Tina Turner Queen of Rock and Roll United States Shania Twain Queen of Country Pop Canada Tyla Queen of Popiano South Africa Mariya Takeuchi Queen of City Pop Japan
U Artist Title Country Ref. Umm Kulthum The Voice of Egypt Egypt Hikaru Utada Diva of the Heisei Period Japan Usher King of R&B United States Uncle Waffles Princess of Amapiano South Africa Carrie Underwood Queen of Country United States
V Artist Title Country Ref. Chavela Vargas Queen of Ranchera Mexico Dolores Vargas La Terremoto, Queen of Catalan Rumba Spain Luis Vargas The Supreme King of Bachata Dominican Republic Regine Velasquez Asia's Songbird Philippines Rui Veloso Father of Portuguese Rock Portugal Viguen King of Persian Pop Iran
W Artist Title Country Ref. Kitty Wells Queen of Country Music United States Paul Whiteman King of Jazz United States Wiley Godfather of Grime United Kingdom Faye Wong Heavenly Queen (天后) China Queen of Cantopop Hong Kong Tammy Wynette First Lady of Country United States
X Artist Title Country Ref. Nikos Xilouris Archangel of Crete Greece
Y Artist Title Country Ref. Tatsuro Yamashita King of City Pop Japan Daddy Yankee King of Reggaeton Puerto Rico (US) Neil Young Godfather of Grunge Canada/United States
Z Artist Title Country Ref. Jane Zhang Dolphin Princess China Yatta Zoe Queen of Liberian Folk Liberia
Group titles Artist Title Country Ref. 2NE1 Queens of K-pop South Korea Aventura Kings of Modern Bachata Dominican Republic/United States The Beach Boys America's Band United States The Beatles The Fab Four United Kingdom Bee Gees Disco Kings BigBang Kings of K-pop South Korea Blackpink Queens of K-pop BTS Kings of K-pop Exo Nation's Pick Five Stairsteps First Family of Soul United States Girls' Generation Nation's Girl Group South Korea The Jackson 5 First Family of Soul United States Los Ángeles Azules Kings of Cumbia Mexico Shinee Princes of K-pop South Korea Super Junior King of Hallyu Wave Twice Nation's Girl Group
Collective titles for multiple artists Title Artists Country Ref. The Belleville Three Juan Atkins United States Derrick May Kevin Saunderson The "Big Four" of Britpop Oasis United Kingdom Blur Suede Pulp The "Big Four" of Grunge Nirvana United States Alice in Chains Pearl Jam Soundgarden The "Big Four" of Thrash Metal Metallica United States Slayer Megadeth Anthrax The Emo Trinity My Chemical Romance United States Fall Out Boy Panic! at the Disco The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost Buddy Holly United States Ritchie Valens The Big Bopper The Five Mighty Pop Divas of the Sixties Aretha Franklin United States Martha Reeves Diana Ross Dusty Springfield United Kingdom Dionne Warwick United States The Four Divas of Vietnam Mỹ Linh Vietnam Thanh Lam Hồng Nhung Trần Thu Hà The Four Heavenly Kings of Chinese Pop Jacky Cheung Hong Kong Aaron Kwok Leon Lai Andy Lau The Holy Trinity of Pop Michael Jackson United States Madonna Prince The Unholy Trinity of British Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Black Sabbath United Kingdom Deep Purple Led Zeppelin The Vocal Trinity Whitney Houston United States Mariah Carey Celine Dion Canada The Holy Trinity of R&B Rihanna Barbados Nicki Minaj Trinidad and Tobago Beyoncé United States
See also Jazz royalty Lists of nicknames Madonna (nickname) Sobriquet Teen idol
Bibliography Harry, Bill (2000a). The Beatles Encyclopedia: Revised and Updated . London: Virgin. ISBN 978-0-7535-0481-9 . Schinder, Scott; Schwartz, Andy (2007). Icons of Rock: An Encyclopedia of the Legends Who Changed Music Forever . Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-33845-8 . wikipedia, wiki, encyclopedia, book, library, article, read, free download, Information about Honorific nicknames in popular music, What is Honorific nicknames in popular music? What does Honorific nicknames in popular music mean?
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