Honorific nicknames in popular music

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 music" and Bach "The father of modern piano 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 or mother have been used for innovators, and royal titles such as king and 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

American singer Aaliyah is known as the "Princess of R&B".
American singer Christina Aguilera is known as the "Voice of a Generation".
Artist Title Country Source
Aaliyah Princess of R&B United States
Queen of Urban Pop
Lee Aaron Queen of Heavy-Metal Rock 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
A-Mei Queen of Mandopop Taiwan
Amr Diab The Father of Mediterranean Music Egypt
Namie Amuro Queen of J-pop Japan
Anitta Queen of Brazilian Pop Brazil
Anna Carina Queen of Peruvian pop Peru
Louis Armstrong King of Jazz United States

B

American singer Beyoncé is frequently referred to as "Queen Bey".
South Korean singer BoA is known as the "Queen of K-pop".
American musician James Brown was known as the "Godfather of Soul".
Artist Title Country Source
Erykah Badu First Lady of Neo-Soul United States
Queen of Neo-Soul
Bad Bunny King of Latin Trap Puerto Rico
Joan Baez Queen of Folk United States
J Balvin Prince of Reggaeton Colombia
Šaban Bajramović King of Romani Music 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 United States
Justin Bieber Prince of Pop Canada
King of Teen Pop
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
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
Solomon Burke King of Rock 'n' Soul United States
Michael Bublé King of Christmas Canada

C

American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey is known as the "Songbird Supreme" and "the Queen of Christmas".
American entertainer Cher is referred to as the "Goddess of Pop".
Cuban singer Celia Cruz is referred to as the "Queen of Salsa".
Artist Title Country Source
Montserrat Caballé La Superba (English: The Superb One) Spain
Clarence Wijewardena Father of Sinhala Pop Sri Lanka
Maria Callas La Divina (The divine one) United States/Italy/Greece
Laura Canales Queen of Tejano United States
Mariah Carey Songbird Supreme United States
Queen of Christmas
Cher Goddess of Pop United States
Jay Chou King of Mandopop Taiwan
Kelly Clarkson The Original American Idol United States
Sam Cooke King of Soul United States
Alice Cooper Godfather of Shock Rock United States
Celia Cruz Queen of Salsa Cuba

D

Puerto Rican singers Don Omar (left) and Daddy Yankee (right) are both referred to as the "King of Reggaeton".
Canadian singer Céline Dion is referred to as the "Queen of Power Ballads" and "Queen of Adult Contemporary".
American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has been called the "Crown Prince of Folk" and "King of Folk".
Artist Title Country Source
Daddy Yankee King of Reggaeton Puerto Rico
Ray Davies Godfather of Britpop United Kingdom
Amr Diab Father of Mediterranean Music Egypt
Lana Del Rey Queen of Alternative Music United States
Celine Dion Queen of Power Ballads Canada
Queen of Adult Contemporary
Nate Dogg King of Hooks United States
Fats Domino King of Rock and Roll United States
Don Omar King of Reggaeton Puerto Rico
Lonnie Donegan King of Skiffle United Kingdom
Doro Metal Queen Germany
Thomas A. Dorsey Father of Gospel Music United States
Gord Downie Canada's Unofficial Poet Laureate Canada
Dr. Dre Father of G-Funk United States
Rocío Dúrcal Queen of Ranchera Spain
Bob Dylan Crown Prince of Folk United States
King of Folk

E

American rapper Eminem has gone by multiple honorifics, such as "King of Hip-Hop" and "King of Rap".
Artist Title Country Source
Eazy-E Godfather of Gangsta Rap United States
Missy Elliott Queen of Hip Hop United States
Queen of Rap
Eminem King of Hip-Hop United States
King of Rap
Gloria Estefan Queen of Latin Pop Cuba/United States
Elvy Sukaesih Queen of Dangdut Indonesia

F

American singer Ella Fitzgerald is known as the "Queen of Jazz" and "First Lady of Song".
American singer Aretha Franklin is known as the "Queen of Soul".
Artist Title Country Source
Vicente Fernandez King of Ranchera Mexico
Ella Fitzgerald First Lady of Song United States
Queen of Jazz
Lita Ford Queen of Heavy Metal United States
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

American singer Gloria Gaynor is known as the "Queen of Disco".
Artist Title Country Source
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
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 Czechia
Ariana Grande Princess of Pop United States
Amy Grant Queen of Christian Pop United States
Alejandra Guzmán Queen of Latin Rock Mexico

H

American rapper and singer Lauryn Hill is known as the "Queen of Hip Hop".
American singer Whitney Houston is referred to as "The Voice".
Artist Title Country Source
Nina Hagen The Mother of Punk Germany
Rob Halford The Metal God United Kingdom
Ayumi Hamasaki Empress of J-pop Japan
Mehdi Hassan Emperor of Ghazal Pakistan
Nazia Hassan Queen of South Asian Pop Pakistan
Hana Hegerová Queen of Czechoslovak Chanson Czechia/Slovakia
Kiyoshi Hikawa Prince of the Enka World Japan
Lauryn Hill Queen of Hip Hop United States
Whitney Houston The Voice United States
Al Hurricane Godfather of New Mexico Music United States

I

Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias is known as the "King of Latin Pop".
Artist Title Country Source
Enrique Iglesias King of Latin Pop Spain
La India The Princess of Salsa Puerto Rico
Rhoma Irama King of Dangdut Indonesia
IU Nation's Little Sister South Korea

J

American singer and entertainer Michael Jackson is known as the "King of Pop".
Artist Title Country Source
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
Elmore James King of the Slide Guitar United States
Rick James King of Punk Funk United States
Al Jarreau Acrobat of Scat 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 Grandfather of Chinese Rock China
Blind Lemon Jefferson Father of the Texas Blues United States
Joan Jett Godmother of Punk United States
Joey Boy Godfather of Thai Hip Hop Thailand
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
Jully Black Queen of Canadian R&B Canada

K

Artist Title Country Source
Hironobu Kageyama Prince of the Anison World 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
Koda Kumi J-pop Queen Japan
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu J-pop Princess Japan

L

American rapper and singer Lil' Kim is known as the "Queen of Rap".
English singer Vera Lynn was known as the "Forces' Sweetheart" for her popularity among the armed forces during World War II.
Artist Title Country Source
La Lupe Queen of Latin Soul Cuba
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
Héctor Lavoe El Cantante de los Cantantes (The Singer of the Singers) Puerto Rico
Lil' Kim Queen of Rap United States
Lil' Mo Godmother of Hip-Hop and R&B United States
Lisa Lisa Queen of Latin Hip Hop United States
Little Richard Architect of Rock and Roll United States
Kenny Loggins King of the Movie Soundtrack United States
Dave Lombardo The Godfather of Double Bass United States
Jennifer Lopez Queen of Latin Pop United States
Vera Lynn Forces' Sweetheart United Kingdom

M

American singer-songwriter Madonna is known as the "Queen of Pop".
Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar is widely acknowledged as the "Queen of Melody".
Jamaican musician Bob Marley is known as the "King of Reggae".
Artist Title Country Source
Madonna Queen of Pop United States
Miriam Makeba Mama Africa South Africa
Lata Mangeshkar Queen of Melody India
Teena Marie Ivory Queen of Soul United States
Bob Marley King of Reggae Jamaica
Bruno Mars Prince of Pop United States
Ricky Martin King of Latin Pop Puerto Rico
Reba McEntire Queen of Country United States
Lydia Mendoza Queen of Tejano United States
Freddie Mercury The King of Queen United Kingdom
Mighty Sparrow Calypso King of the World Trinidad and Tobago
Luis Miguel The Sun of Mexico Mexico
Nicki Minaj Queen of Rap Trinidad and Tobago/United States
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
Rudy Ray Moore Godfather of Rap United States
Giorgio Moroder Father of Disco Italy
Morissette Asia's Phoenix Philippines
Anita Mui Queen of Cantopop Hong Kong
Peter Murphy Godfather of Goth United Kingdom

N

American singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks has been called the "Queen of Rock and Roll".
Artist Title Country Source
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
Martin Nievera Concert King of the Philippines Philippines
Nike Ardilla Queen of Rock, Lady Rocker Indonesia
No I.D. The Godfather of Chicago Hip Hop United States
Larry Norman Father of Christian Rock United States

O

English singer Ozzy Osbourne has been identified as the "Godfather of Heavy Metal" and the "Prince of Darkness".
Artist Title Country Source
Odetta Queen of American Folk Music United States
Nobuyasu Okabayashi God of Folk Japan
Roy Orbison The Caruso of Rock United States
Ozuna New King of Reggaeton Puerto Rico
Ozzy Osbourne Prince of Darkness United Kingdom
Godfather of Heavy Metal
Johnny Otis Godfather of Rhythm and Blues United States

P

American singer Elvis Presley is known as the "King of Rock and Roll".
American musician Prince has been referred to as "The Artist", "The Purple One" and "His Royal Badness".
Artist Title Country Source
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
Ariel Pink Godfather of Chillwave 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

Dominican singer Milly Quezada is known as the "Queen of Merengue".
Artist Title Country Source
Ivy Queen Queen of Reggaetón United States
Milly Quezada Queen of Merengue Dominican Republic
A.B. Quintanilla III King of Cumbia
King of Kumbia
United States

R

American singer Smokey Robinson has been called the "King of Motown".
Artist Title Country Source
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 North Macedonia
Sheryn Regis Crystal Voice of Asia Philippines
Frank Reyes Prince of Bachata Dominican Republic
Rihanna R&B Princess Barbados
Teddy Riley King of New Jack Swing United States
Ross Robinson Godfather of Nu Metal United States
Smokey Robinson King of Motown United States
Sylvia Robinson Hip-Hop's First Godmother United States
Mother of Hip-Hop
Jimmie Rodgers Father of Country Music United States
Amália Rodrigues Queen of Fado Portugal
Paulina Rubio The Golden Girl Mexico

S

American singer Britney Spears is known as the "Princess of Pop".
American singer Donna Summer has been referred to as the "Queen of Disco".
American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has gone by multiple honorifics, such as "America's Sweetheart".
Artist Title Country Source
Lea Salonga Pride of the Philippines Philippines
Šaban Šaulić The King of Folk Serbia
Julie Anne San Jose Asia's Pop Sweetheart Philippines
Gilberto Santa Rosa Gentleman of Salsa Puerto Rico
Romeo Santos King of Bachata United States
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
Raul Seixas Pai do rock brasileiro (Father of Brazilian rock) Brazil
Selena Queen of Tejano Music United States
Seo Taiji President of Culture South Korea
Shakira Queen of Latin Music Colombia
Deke Sharon Father of Contemporary A Cappella United States
Shin Joong-hyun Korea's Godfather of Rock South Korea
Frank Sinatra The Chairman of the Board United States
Siti Nurhaliza Voice of Asia Malaysia
Bessie Smith Empress of the Blues United States
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
Donna Summer Queen of Disco United States
Joan Sutherland La Stupenda (The Stupendous One) Australia
Taylor Swift America's Sweetheart United States

T

Mexican singer Thalía is known as the "Queen of Latin Pop".
Artist Title Country Source
Tarkan King of Turkish Pop Turkey
Teresa Teng Asia's Eternal Queen of Pop Taiwan
Takeshi Terauchi God of Electric Guitar Japan
Thalía Queen of Latin Pop Mexico
Tiësto Godfather of EDM Netherlands
Sister Rosetta Tharpe Godmother of Rock and Roll United States
Irma Thomas Soul Queen of New Orleans United States
Justin Timberlake Prince of Pop United States
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

U

American singer Usher is known as the "King of R&B".
Artist Title Country Source
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 Country Music's Queen United States

V

Artist Title Country Source
Luis Vargas The Original King of Bachata Dominican Republic
The Supreme King
Suzanne Vega Mother of the MP3 United States
Katrina Velarde Asia's Vocal Supreme Philippines
Regine Velasquez Asia's Songbird Philippines
Rui Veloso Father of Portuguese Rock Portugal
Viguen King of Persian Pop Iran
Rhonda Vincent Queen of Bluegrass United States

W

Artist Title Country Source
Kitty Wells Queen of Country Music United States
Wiley Godfather of Grime United Kingdom
Paul Whiteman King of Jazz United States
Faye Wong Queen of Cantopop Hong Kong
Tammy Wynette First Lady of Country United States

X

Artist Title Country Source
Nikos Xilouris Archangel of Crete Greece

Y

Artist Title Country Source
Tatsuro Yamashita King of City Pop Japan
Neil Young Godfather of Grunge Canada/United States

Z

Artist Title Country Source
Jane Zhang Dolphin Princess China

Group titles

The Beatles are known as "The Fab Four".
Artist Title Country Source
2NE1 Queens of K-pop South Korea
Los Ángeles Azules Kings of Cumbia Mexico
Aerosmith America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band United States
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 K-pop Queens
BTS Kings of K-pop
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
Shinee Princes of K-pop South Korea
Super Junior King of Hallyu Wave
Twice Nation's Girl Group

Collective titles for multiple artists

Artists Title Country Source
Buddy Holly The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost United States
Richie Valens
The Big Bopper
Juan Atkins The Belleville Three
Godfathers of Techno
United States
Derrick May
Kevin Saunderson
Oasis "Big Four" of Britpop United Kingdom
Blur
Suede
Pulp
Black Sabbath Unholy Trinity of British Hard Rock and Heavy Metal United Kingdom
Deep Purple
Led Zeppelin
Jacky Cheung Four Heavenly Kings of Chinese Pop Hong Kong
Aaron Kwok
Leon Lai
Andy Lau
Michael Jackson Holy Trinity of Pop United States
Madonna
Prince
Whitney Houston The Vocal Trinity United States
Mariah Carey
Celine Dion Canada
Metallica "Big Four" of Thrash Metal United States
Slayer
Megadeth
Anthrax
Nirvana "Big Four" of Grunge United States
Alice in Chains
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Mỹ Linh Four Divas of Vietnam Vietnam
Thanh Lam
Hồng Nhung
Trần Thu Hà
Aretha Franklin Five Mighty Pop Divas of the Sixties United States
Martha Reeves
Diana Ross
Dusty Springfield United Kingdom
Dionne Warwick United States

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-02-20 14:04 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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