Yes but while Beyoncé is certainly a popular icon of our times, she is also a legend of our generation: a unique and powerful performer that is widely respected and recognized for her talents and abilities. And what she does is legendary. You can be both an icon and a legend (Josephine Baker).

Taylor will be a legend but come on. She isn't yet.

Shakira is above Beyoncé too, imo

Beyonce, Kanye, and Gaga are like the 3 most interesting/game changing commercial(top 40) artists of our generation. Love em' or hate em'.

Rihanna, Katy, Taylor, etc are all popular for sure. They excel on radio and in sales or whatever. But they're not game changers.

Look at Prince. That is a legend. Who knows off the top of their head how many #1s he has, how many albums he sold? Not most people. Who has ever mentioned in any of the tributes to him anything about his level of success in the music industry? What is said, because he is a legend, is centred around his terrific abilities, his presence on a stage, his artistry, etc. A legend has to possess these types of things.

I agree with this.

I think Gaga is a legendary artist.
Even if she doesn't have another hit, she is legendary. Liza Minelli had very little hits, had a short run of movie success and she is a legend.