There’s really not another artist quite like Beyoncé. Beginning her career in the group Destiny’s Child and then continuing her solo career in the early 2000s, it was clear from the beginning that she was meant to be a stand-out artist. Throughout the course of her career (over 20 years, by the way!), Beyoncé has released eight incredibly influential studio albums. Each one of these albums reached number one on the charts, won many awards, and gained unmatched cultural popularity. I can’t say “to the left” without thinking of her song “Irreplaceable.” You can’t attend a wedding without hearing “Single Ladies.” Her surprise album release in 2013 got everyone’s attention. In her later albums, we began to see her music intertwined with themes of social justice, celebrating the culture and expression of several marginalized communities. Most recently, Beyoncé dipped into the country genre, earning her Best Country Album (the first Black woman to win) and Album of the Year (her first AOTY win) at the Grammys. Her career has spanned decades, but fans still wonder what’s next for Beyoncé. It’ll be interesting to see what creative directions she’ll explore and what impact she will continue to make.

@adele

Adele, known for her soulful vocals and heartbreaking love songs, was one of the most influential artists in the 2010s. Her albums (each named after the age she was when she wrote and recorded them) are like diary entries, showing so clearly and beautifully her journey throughout her life and career.

@kellyclarkson

As the first winner of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson has the voice of a generation. Her vocal power and emotional depth are incredible. Although there’s no debate that her best music was released in the early 2000s, her covers she performs on her talk show have gained everyone’s attention. 

Photos via beyonce.com, Adele.com and kellyclarkson.com | This article was originally titled “No Other Artist Quite Like Beyonce” in the May 2025 issue of Peer.