What is a Legend? How does one become a music legend?

[HIM]

What makes an artist a legend? Success(i.e., selling records)? Being the FIRST? Changing the game? What do you guys think? Do you still crown artists legends even if you dont like their music? Career longevity?

I say Jay Z has to be a hip hop legend, even if im not a diehard fan of the guy(I do like some of his stuff)..some people say he is not? How is he NOT? Because he's still alive? Will Wayne end up being a legend? How does one become a legend?

 

[HiLsyde707Kloun]

good question.

I'll try 2 think harder and add to it l8r. I got a Philly Cheese Steak I'm about to devour.

* I would say that timelessness of the music is a must.

* Being Innovative

* Being a true Artist, who understands the value and influence of music in culture.

* Some people argue that to be a musical legend, you have to have passed on. That may or may not be true. I think if the music lives on, though, then that person will always live on through their music. I think it's not so much that you have to die, but that you are always around, through music. Sorta like being omnipotent, sonically.

* Messages or Personal Beliefs that may encourage change in society.

 

[Checkmate Muzik]

Legends are born, not made!

 

[REdRUM]

These days, if you're older than 16 in the rap game, you're a legend.

An underground rapper with 5 fans and 9 cd's sold is a legend because that guy >
says so.

 

[bayflip]

changing game, yes.. anything that helped contribute to hip hop or paid their dues in the music industry

 

[Speedy]

I believe someone has to be in involved in at lease 2 different generations of their genre and still be musically relevant to be a legend.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Ice Cube is the perfect example of a Rap Legend.

 

[Young Lou]

A legend is well respected whether majorly or on an underground level. The music speaks for itself. You have to have a solid following of fans that love what you delivering to the table. Hear are some examples

RAKIM
BIG DADDY KANE
DR. DRE
DJ PREMIER
SNOOP DOGG
EAZY E
ICE CUBE
SCARFACE
NAS
JAY Z
Z RO
ESHAM
TUPAC
BIGGIE
TECHN9NE
BRAND NUBIAN
EMENIM

There are more but these on this list have such a fan base that even in the times of slow record sales they still command major $$$ and there concerts whether in big or small venues will be filled almost to capacity.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

^^^ Great explanation