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Forum nameGeneral Discussion
Topic subjectWho was biggest at the height of their fame?
Topic URLhttp://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=13044448
13044448, Who was biggest at the height of their fame?
Posted by Buddy_Gilapagos, Wed Dec-31-69 07:00 PM
This is bit of a spinoff of the Bobby Brown. It is hard to compare artist's fame when they rose at different times.

The Goal is to focus on Post Stevie/Michael Jackson/Prince, Black Male Music artist.

Also this isn't a pure record sales question. I am also talking just being everywhere. Commercials, Tours, TV Appearances, etc.

I was tempted to include Boys II Men but I left them out because they were a group and I think most people would rank them above all the folks mentioned above right?

Also left out Hammer because the Lesson proves he would have won easily.

If I am fogetting someone let me know.

Extra Points if you rank them.

Poll question: Who was biggest at the height of their fame?

Poll result (15 votes)
Usher (3 votes)Vote
R Kelly (2 votes)Vote
Kanye (5 votes)Vote
Bobby Brown (1 votes)Vote
Babyface (0 votes)Vote
Jay-Z (4 votes)Vote

  

13044452, I hate that I voted blue...
Posted by JellyBean, Fri Jul-15-16 09:06 AM
but Trapped in the Closet had niggas waiting for the next episode!
13044457, I'm torn between R Kelly and Jay-Z
Posted by after midnight, Fri Jul-15-16 09:09 AM
Also, I would've included Maxwell to this list.
13044462, Kells during the I Believe I Can Fly days, probably
Posted by Government Name, Fri Jul-15-16 09:12 AM
13044463, i think its kanye but moreso bc he has the benefit of being the
Posted by Cenario, Fri Jul-15-16 09:13 AM
most recent with social media and all i feel like its much easier for stars to have a following and allows them to have more fans, be more involved.

If not for kanye, it would be a tossup between jay and kells
13044528, I think Kanye has us convinced he is bigger than he actually is.
Posted by Buddy_Gilapagos, Fri Jul-15-16 10:58 AM
He is kinda like Trump that way.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"
13044600, bruh, he sold out MSG to play his album on a laptop
Posted by legsdiamond, Fri Jul-15-16 12:59 PM
Ye is still a big deal.
13044468, Jay's been consistently good. But was he ever the greatest?
Posted by SooperEgo, Fri Jul-15-16 09:16 AM
he had what, 12 or 13 albums? let's say they came out once a year.

during each of those years, was he ever THE guy?

actually, if you wanna know who was hottest, look at who Jay collaborated with. he stays relevant by doing joints with whoever is popping at the time
13044556, confessions era usher.
Posted by Reeq, Fri Jul-15-16 11:50 AM
13044566, ^^^ my choice
Posted by Frank Longo, Fri Jul-15-16 12:15 PM
His peak didn't have the staying power that Jay and Ye's peaks have had... but his peak was probably the highest.
13044580, I pick "Dont Be Cruel" era Bobby Brown for the same reasons
Posted by DJR, Fri Jul-15-16 12:30 PM
13044587, bobby aint go diamond.
Posted by Reeq, Fri Jul-15-16 12:40 PM
13045019, 7 million in 1988 for a R&B guy is worth double that today
Posted by Garhart Poppwell, Sun Jul-17-16 04:54 PM
The market for R&B was different then, because it was really starting to be influenced by Hip Hop around that time, and it outsold every album that came out in 1989 regardless of genre. That album was a complete 18o from his New Edition stuff and the King of Stage album before it. When Tip said "Way that Bobby Brown is just ampin' like Micheal," he was telling the truth.

It's easy to forget, but nah man Bobby was a certified pop star at that time.
13044585, outsold avril lavigne, britney spears, norah jones and eminem
Posted by Reeq, Fri Jul-15-16 12:35 PM
in the same year.

the closest thing we have seen to thriller mj.
13044715, Artists who cater to an older audience are going to SELL more but..
Posted by FILF, Fri Jul-15-16 04:21 PM
..I bet it wasn't the most pirated album.
13044588, Kanye brought back the backpacker from their grave after G-Unit & et al
Posted by FILF, Fri Jul-15-16 12:42 PM
College Dropout was being played EVERYWHERE & by EVERYONE.
13044603, had dudes rocking backpacks and polos and shit
Posted by legsdiamond, Fri Jul-15-16 01:01 PM
Ye shut down Gangster rap fast as shit...

but he also ushered in that gotdamn mumble, soft ass singing flow with 808's.
13044720, Kanye easily...he's married to a Kardashian
Posted by stankpalmer, Fri Jul-15-16 04:30 PM
13044721, Anybody not voting Kanye is being really silly.
Posted by bignick, Fri Jul-15-16 04:31 PM
13045002, ARRUH WIns this one and here is why
Posted by mistermaxxx08, Sun Jul-17-16 03:39 PM
93/94 12 play was a way of life and the cat was dominating the game actually 93-95 it was ARRUH
and then you fast forward to 03/04 same thing. Ignition remix bought near became the national anthem. he people stepping.

he did this kind of dominanting in two different decades. you gotta go back to Michael Jackson the last time an artist had that kind of run and juice.

Usher faded though he had a chance

Jay Z is big but the lines are blurred once him and Bee got together. he was never the main cat like that.

Kayne took a while. he was on a run
13045046, lol
Posted by Mynoriti, Sun Jul-17-16 07:41 PM
13045048, I'd have to agree. Ppl are forgetting "I Believe I Can Fly"
Posted by Boogie Stimuli, Sun Jul-17-16 08:07 PM
This dude was in demand, doing songs
with Celine Dion WHILE being that dude
on urban radio. Kanye's antics have
made him more universally famous than
his music did.

And not that I praise white-approval
(I actually look sideways at it if anything),
but that's what means "big" in American
mainstream, and R.Kelly was there.