Billboard 2026 Sports & Music Power Players Name Favorite Artists

“If I had to narrow it down, I’m sticking with my girls Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. They’re two of the greatest in the game and completely unapologetic about who they are. Their music makes me feel confident, powerful and fully myself — like there are no limits on what I can do.”

“Depends on the mood, the season, the vibe. But one person I respect that can do it all is Chris Brown.”

“Jay-Z. In the same respect as Michael Jordan, the way he handles his business. It’s not easy to navigate and transcend the music business.”

“J. Cole. He has a love for sports as well, so I love that about him, but just overall his lyricism is top tier and untouchable. His impact is undeniable, and he just speaks real lyrics that I can genuinely relate to.”

“Bon Iver. Their effortless ability to create specific seasons of music through their albums — I resonate so strongly with each album in a different way.”

“Jerry Garcia. His world building and storytelling are unmatched.”

“Impossible question, but I’d say currently The Clipse. I’ve been a fan throughout their entire career, and watching them pull off something remarkable 25 years in, with an album of the year [Grammy] nomination, has been incredible.”

“If you’re not familiar with Jean Dawson you need to be!”

“It’s an impossible question because my answer changes every five years or so, but if I had to shortlist a top five of all time it would be Prince — the ultimate songwriter in my opinion — RZA, Kurt Cobain, Westside Gunn/Griselda, and T. Rex.”

“Elton John! He’s been my pop star since my teenage years, and I learned English by reading his lyrics line by line. Decades later, his music is still in my heart. He didn’t just write songs, he reshaped pop culture, performance and identity. A true Rocket Star whose legacy will outlive all of us.”

“Stevie Nicks. The artistry, the songwriting, the style and raw talent. Just all of it combined with the grit and resilience it took to be a female voice that’s heard in the room back then — she’s just stunning in every way.”

“Growing up on the East Coast, I’ve always admired the New York hip-hop scene, and Nas was a constant on my playlists. Beyond creating genre-defining music, he has always told authentic stories that capture the culture and was ahead of his time with forward-thinking deals and partnerships that paved the way for artists today.”

“I came across a cassette tape of the Cracked Rear View album in 1994. From then on, I have always been a super fan of Hootie & the Blowfish. To be able to work closely with Hootie, Darius [Rucker] and his incredible new project Howl Owl Howl is the honor of a lifetime. And since so many agents are failed musicians themselves, I learned to play the guitar looking up to heroes like Jimmy Page and Jerry Garcia.”

“It’s impossible for me to pick just one, but my short list includes Aerosmith, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana and Eminem.”

“Jay-Z, who has been the soundtrack to multiple eras in my life.”

“Michael Jackson. Aside from his musical genius, the fact that he was able to amass such a following globally before digital music, streaming and social media is hard to fully grasp. As a kid I learned to dance to his music on vinyl records, and he is still an influential artist on my playlists today.”

“Either Garth Brooks or Cody Johnson. Both incredible live performers who tell incredible stories in their music.”

“Eddie Vedder. Seeing him perform live represents heavy nostalgia for me. He’s a master lyricist and his voice exudes raw emotion. I could hear ‘Black’ on infinite repeat if I were stranded on an island. And he’s a legitimate diehard baseball fan!”

“The Beatles, Bob Marley, Santana, Elton John, Cat Stevens and Stevie Wonder all had a lasting influence on me. What they share is timeless songwriting, emotional honesty and the ability to bring people together — music that transcends generations, cultures and moments, much like sports at its best.”

“Prince/George Clinton. Prince had no weakness as a musician and George has no fear as an artist.”

“Otis Redding. There are zero bad songs in his catalog, just one incredible song after another, all in just 26 years.”

“Having grown up in New Jersey, my favorite artist would be Bruce Springsteen. I am happy to admit I have seen him in concert over 200 times.”

“Jay-Z. The way he speaks has resonated with me throughout different stages of my life, and over time our relationship has grown into a real brotherhood.”

“Madonna. She was there during my adolescence and throughout my adulthood. She is a marketing genius and has reinvented, defined and bucked trends her entire career.”

“Kanye West, because he is the most influential and the purest.”

“Sting. Nobody did it better, through every decade, from The Police to the solo records. I love it all.”

“I grew up on everything from punk like Operation Ivy to hip-hop like Wu-Tang Clan. These days, I can jump from EDM to indie and everywhere in between. If I had to pick one at the moment, Elton John’s Honky Chateau always hits for me.”

“Prince. His mastery of multiple instruments and fearless blending of genres make him a true innovator and one of the most influential artists in music history.”