My fave was admitted NYU's prestigious music program at the age of 19, has been writing classical music since 13 (and has been singing jazz since then), won multiple talent shows around NYC as a child, and is an outstanding pianist. She broke into the industry as a songwriter for the likes of Britney Spears and the Pussycat Dolls. Not to mention her numerous accolades, including the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (aka the Grammys) awarding her for the unique contributions she has made to the music industry.

So, what musical credibility does your fave have, if any?

Cher didn't really set out to be a singer; it all kinda happened on accident. Nonetheless, she has one of the most distinctive voices in any genre.

Of course!

Yes. Her 7 GRAMMYS for her music prove that.

my fave is not a credible musician according to Norah Jones and Sophie Ellis Bextor. It's a shame, cause when it comes to true musicians, only Norah and Sophie know who is and who is not.

yes

I would never stan for someone who isn't

Anyone who sings and/or writes lyrics and/or produces and/or plays an instrument is a musician. They don't need a diploma from NYU or award to prove that. butttt, my favourite artists do all 4 and are acclaimed, so yay!

Hmm. Technically I wouldn't consider someone who only sings or writes lyrics a musician. That makes them a singer/vocalist or a lyricist. I'd say a musician is someone who can compose the actual music.

But yeah, no degree or awards needed.

JT writes and produces, beatboxes, plays the guitar and keyboards.

Maybe not lyrics, but I'd consider someone who's solely a vocalist to be a musician. You need to be somewhat musically talented in order to create and carry a tune- the only difference between a vocalist and a composer is that the vocalists instrument is internal.

Whether or not vocalists can be considered a musician has always been a bit of a gray area in music, though. Personally, I choose to believe they are but I can understand why others would differ.

Yes...my fave wrote her first poem at 4, her first song at 8, was signed to a record deal at 11, released her 1st album at 13 (which included 5 songs she wrote by herself between the ages of 8-13). She plays guitar, drums, harmonica, doumbek, synthesizer & writes almost all of her songs (including a bunch of the music itself). She writes lyrics, composes music, produces most of her material (about 98% of it in fact), has written for others (she wrote the violin/cumbia on Beyoncé's Beautiful Liar in addition to full songs for others), etc. In addition, she's also the creative director of her tours, composes live renditions of her songs, co-directs some of her videos & is usually in charge of her album booklet photo shoots/artwork. She has learned new languages so that she is able to write her own lyrics in these languages (English, Portuguese, French). She is definitely a musician in every sense of the word.

is it a katy-shade thread

Define what an 'actual musician' is

Yes

My fave got signed at the age of 16 because her voice is AMAZING

Yes, Beyoncé has won two ASCAP songwriting awards. She mostly does vocal production nowadays, but she still writes some. But yea, her musicianship as a vocalist is beyond. Her vocal improvisations are even better. I just love her vocal arrangements.

Rihanna.... not really.
But it doesn't matter tho
Would you rather stan for an artist that is classically trained with ****** music
or no musicianship with amazing music.

Taylor and Gaga are highly skilled musicians. Lorde is a great lyricists but as far as I know, she doesn't play instruments or compose her melodies. I'm perched for some of your responses though.

Madonna is a multi-instrumentalist, dancer, song-writer, record producer and sings well enough, so yes.