Who Are the Critics' Favorite Singers of the Last Decade?

When it comes to the critics' favorite singers of the last decade, the spotlight shines brightest on Billie Eilish, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Adele. These critically acclaimed singers have not only dominated the charts but have also bagged an enviable collection of awards from the Grammys to the Brits, sealing their reputations as the undeniable titans of modern music.

Billie Eilish: The Gen Z Prodigy

Beyoncé: Queen Bey Reigns Supreme

Kendrick Lamar: The Poet of Rap

Adele: The Ballad Queen

Honorable Mentions: Artists On The Rise

Rosalía: Flamenco Meets Pop

H.E.R.: The Enigma

Childish Gambino: The Multi-Talented Marvel

The Critics' Criteria: What Makes a Singer Critically Acclaimed?

Beyond Western Borders: Global Favorites

BTS: K-Pop Sensation

FKA twigs: The Avant-Garde Alchemist

Burna Boy: The African Giant

Closing Notes: An Era of Musical Renaissance

FAQs: Delving Deeper into the World of Critically Acclaimed Singers

BILLIE EILISH: THE GEN Z PRODIGY

At the tender age of 20, Billie Eilish has already established herself as a powerhouse in the music industry. With her haunting vocals and avant-garde style, Eilish took home five Grammy Awards in 2020 alone, becoming the youngest artist to win the four main Grammy categories in a single year. Critics laud her for her authenticity and unique sonic landscape, making her one of the most critically acclaimed singers of the decade.

Highlights

• 7 Grammy Awards
• Multiple Billboard Hot 100 Hits
• Youngest artist to win in all four major Grammy categories

BEYONCÉ: QUEEN BEY REIGNS SUPREME

Bow down to the queen! Beyoncé has ruled the last decade with an iron fist encased in a velvet glove. Her 2016 album "Lemonade" became a cultural watershed, earning her a Peabody Award and solidifying her as a social icon. With 28 Grammy Awards under her belt as of 2021, she holds the record for the most Grammy wins by a female artist. Beyoncé is a force of nature, redefining the boundaries of pop and R&B with each masterstroke.

Highlights

• 28 Grammy Awards
• Peabody Award for "Lemonade"
• Billboard's Top Female Artist of the 2010s

KENDRICK LAMAR: THE POET OF RAP

Kendrick Lamar, the Compton native who has been called "the Bob Dylan of his generation," has a way with words that resonates with both critics and the public alike. His album "DAMN." won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018, making him the first non-classical or jazz musician to win the prestigious award.

Highlights

• Pulitzer Prize for "DAMN."
• 13 Grammy Awards
• Named on Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2016

ADELE: THE BALLAD QUEEN

No one belts out a heart-wrenching ballad quite like Adele. With her soulful voice and emotive lyrics, Adele captured the hearts of millions and the ears of critics. Her album "21" spent 24 weeks at the number-one position on the Billboard 200, a record for a female artist. She's also snagged 15 Grammy Awards as of 2021, proving that she’s not just a commercial success but a darling of the critics as well.

Highlights

• 15 Grammy Awards
• Album of the Year for "21" and "25"
• Brit Awards Winner

HONORABLE MENTIONS: ARTISTS ON THE RISE

While the aforementioned artists have reigned supreme, it's worth mentioning some critically acclaimed singers who have made significant strides in the last few years, shaking the music industry and challenging the status quo.

ROSALÍA: FLAMENCO MEETS POP

This Spanish sensation has blended traditional flamenco with contemporary pop and urban sounds, earning her two Grammy Awards and multiple Latin Grammy Awards. Critics have hailed her as one of the most exciting global pop stars of the decade.

Highlights

• 2 Grammy Awards
• 8 Latin Grammy Awards
• Billboard's Top Latin Female Artist (2020)

H.E.R.: THE ENIGMA

The mysterious singer-songwriter known simply as H.E.R. (Having Everything Revealed) is a critics' darling, earning rave reviews for her emotive lyricism and sultry voice.

Highlights

• 4 Grammy Awards
• Academy Award for Best Original Song ("Fight for You")
• Soul Train Music Awards

CHILDISH GAMBINO: THE MULTI-TALENTED MARVEL

From acting to rapping and everything in between, Childish Gambino, aka Donald Glover, is a man of many talents. His song "This is America" became a cultural phenomenon and the first rap song to win both Record and Song of the Year at the Grammys.

Highlights

• 5 Grammy Awards
• First rap song to win Record and Song of the Year ("This is America")
• Multiple Emmy Awards for his TV show "Atlanta"

THE CRITICS' CRITERIA: WHAT MAKES A SINGER CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED?

What separates these critically acclaimed singers from the rest? It's not just their ability to make hits; it's their commitment to pushing artistic boundaries, their mastery over their craft, and their capacity to resonate with audiences on a deeper level. Whether it's the poignant storytelling of Kendrick Lamar or the visual artistry of Beyoncé, these musicians are setting trends while also defying them. They are breaking new ground in both music and culture, and that makes them the critics' favorites.

BEYOND WESTERN BORDERS: GLOBAL FAVORITES

The world of critically acclaimed singers isn't limited to English-speaking countries. Artists like BTS from South Korea, FKA twigs from the United Kingdom, and Burna Boy from Nigeria have all received international recognition and critical praise.

BTS: K-POP SENSATION

These seven young men from South Korea have turned the world into their stage. Not only have they topped charts and smashed records, but they've also captured critical acclaim for their exploration of social issues and impeccable musicianship.

Highlights

• First K-pop group to present at the Grammy Awards
• Multiple Billboard Music Awards
• TIME's 100 Most Influential People

FKA TWIGS: THE AVANT-GARDE ALCHEMIST

The British singer FKA twigs has been praised for her experimental take on pop and R&B. Her multi-disciplinary artistry, which extends into dance and visual arts, makes her one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed singers on the global stage.

Highlights

• Nominated for the Mercury Prize
• Brit Award Nominee
• Acclaimed by Pitchfork, The Guardian, and more

BURNA BOY: THE AFRICAN GIANT

Nigeria's Burna Boy blends Afrobeat, dancehall, and reggae to create music that is as socially conscious as it is danceable. He has received international acclaim, earning him a Grammy Award for his efforts.

Highlights

• Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album
• BET Award for Best International Act
• Praised by The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and more

CLOSING NOTES: AN ERA OF MUSICAL RENAISSANCE

We are living in a golden age of music where artists are not confined by genres, languages, or borders. This has been a decade of cross-pollination, of risks that paid off, and of artists who dared to defy the norm. From the mainstream monoliths like Beyoncé and Adele to the genre-bending rebels like Billie Eilish and Rosalía, the past decade has been flush with critically acclaimed singers who have stretched our imaginations and enriched our playlists.

So as we groove to the hits, let's also take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship, the originality, and the sheer talent of these artists. After all, it’s their dedication to their art that has made the last decade one of the most exciting times to be a music fan. Here's to another decade of groundbreaking music and, hopefully, a new generation of artists who will pick up the torch and continue to dazzle us all!

FAQS: DELVING DEEPER INTO THE WORLD OF CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SINGERS

As we celebrate the artists who have defined the last decade with their groundbreaking work, let's address some common questions that often arise when discussing critically acclaimed singers.

1. What Makes a Singer "Critically Acclaimed"?

A critically acclaimed singer is one who consistently receives positive reviews from music critics and experts. This acclaim often stems from their vocal abilities, artistic innovation, lyrical depth, and impact on the music industry and culture at large.

2. How Important Are Awards in Defining an Artist's Success?

Awards like the Grammys, Brits, or Billboard Music Awards are important indicators of an artist's success and recognition in the industry. However, they are not the sole measure. Many critically acclaimed artists are celebrated for their influence and artistic merit, sometimes even without a plethora of awards.

3. Can Commercial Success and Critical Acclaim Go Hand in Hand?

Absolutely. Many artists like Beyoncé, Adele, and Billie Eilish enjoy both massive commercial success and critical acclaim. However, some artists may be critically adored without achieving mainstream commercial success.

4. How Do Critics Evaluate Music?

Music critics often evaluate music based on several criteria, including vocal ability, composition, originality, emotional impact, and the artist's contribution to their genre or the music industry as a whole.

5. Are There Any Critically Acclaimed Singers Who Are Also Songwriters?

Many critically acclaimed singers are also songwriters, which adds to their artistry. Adele, Kendrick Lamar, and H.E.R. are known for their songwriting skills, often drawing on personal experiences to create deeply resonant music.

6. How Has the Definition of a "Critically Acclaimed Singer" Changed Over the Decade?

With the rise of social media and streaming services, the definition has expanded to include artists who may not fit the traditional mold of commercial success but have made significant impacts through digital platforms, innovative music, and global influence.

7. How Do Global Influences Affect a Singer’s Critical Acclaim?

Global influences have broadened the scope of critical acclaim. Artists like BTS and Burna Boy, who bring cultural and musical influences from their home countries, have not only won critical acclaim but have also played a key role in shaping global music trends.