Honorific nicknames in popular music

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 piano music" and Bach "The father of modern 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 of Pop" 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".

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Aaliyah</td><td>Princess of R&B</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Queen of Urban Pop</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lee Aaron</td><td>Metal Queen</td><td>Canada</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Abrar-ul-Haq</td><td>King of Pakistani Pop</td><td>Pakistan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Christina Aguilera</td><td>Voice of a Generation</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nancy Ajram</td><td>Queen of Arab Pop</td><td>Lebanon</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sezen Aksu</td><td>Queen of Turkish Pop</td><td>Turkey</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rauw Alejandro</td><td>King of Modern Reggaeton</td><td>Puerto Rico (US)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>A-Mei</td><td>Queen of Mandopop</td><td>Taiwan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Anna Carina</td><td>Queen of Peruvian Pop</td><td>Peru</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Namie Amuro</td><td>Queen of J-pop</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aurora</td><td>Fairy of Pop</td><td>Norway</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Louis Armstrong</td><td>King of Jazz</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Maki Asakawa</td><td>Queen of the Underground</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Noriko Awaya</td><td>Queen of Blues</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

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".

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bad Bunny</td><td>King of Latin Trap</td><td>Puerto Rico (US)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Erykah Badu</td><td>Queen of Neo-Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Đorđe Balašević</td><td>Panonian Sailor</td><td>Yugoslavia/Serbia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>J Balvin</td><td>Prince of Reggaeton</td><td>Colombia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Šaban Bajramović</td><td>King of Romani Music</td><td>Yugoslavia/Serbia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Harry Belafonte</td><td>King of Calypso</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mordechai Ben David</td><td>King of Jewish Music</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chuck Berry</td><td>King of Rock and Roll</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Father of Rock and Roll</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Beyoncé</td><td>Queen Bey or Queen B</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Justin Bieber</td><td>Prince of Pop</td><td>Canada</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>King of Teen Pop</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Věra Bílá</td><td>Queen of Romany</td><td>Czech Republic</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Björk</td><td>Queen of Experimental Pop</td><td>Iceland</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mary J. Blige</td><td>Queen of Hip Hop Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BoA</td><td>Queen of K-pop</td><td>South Korea</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>David Bowie</td><td>Chameleon of Rock</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Brandy</td><td>The Vocal Bible</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Julio Brito</td><td>The melodic painter of Cuba</td><td>Cuba</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Arthur Brown</td><td>The God of Hellfire</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chris Brown</td><td>King of R&B</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chuck Brown</td><td>Godfather of Go-Go</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dennis Brown</td><td>Crown Prince of Reggae</td><td>Jamaica</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>James Brown</td><td>Godfather of Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Solomon Burke</td><td>King of Rock 'n' Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Michael Bublé</td><td>King of Christmas</td><td>Canada</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

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".

Taiwanese singer-songwriter Jay Chou is known as the "King of Mandopop".

Hong Kong singer Sammi Cheng has been identified as "Cantopop queen" and "Karaoke Queen".

Filipino singer Pilita Corrales is referred to as "Asia's Queen of Songs".

Cuban singer Celia Cruz is known as the "Queen of Salsa".

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Montserrat Caballé</td><td>La Superba (The Superb One)</td><td>Spain</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Maria Callas</td><td>La Divina (The Divine One)</td><td>Italy/Greece</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Laura Canales</td><td>Queen of Tejano</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mariah Carey</td><td>Songbird Supreme</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Queen of Christmas</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Doja Cat</td><td>Queen of Pop-Rap</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ceca</td><td>Serbian Mother</td><td>Serbia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cher</td><td>Goddess of Pop</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sammi Cheng</td><td>Cantopop queen</td><td>Hong Kong</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>KTV queen / Karaoke queen</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Clifton Chenier</td><td>King of Zydeco</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jacky Cheung</td><td>God of Songs</td><td>Hong Kong</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jay Chou</td><td>King of Mandopop</td><td>Taiwan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>George Clinton</td><td>Godfather of Funk</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>King of Funk</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Keyshia Cole</td><td>Princess of Hip Hop Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Alice Cooper</td><td>Godfather of Shock Rock</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pilita Corrales</td><td>Asia's Queen of Songs</td><td>Philippines</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Celia Cruz</td><td>Queen of Salsa</td><td>Cuba</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Miley Cyrus</td><td>Teen Queen</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

D

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	Ref.
Diomedes Díaz	King of Vallenato	Colombia
Celine Dion	Queen of Power Ballads	Canada
Queen of Adult Contemporary
Fats Domino	King of Rock and Roll	United States
Morris Dorley	Godfather of Liberian Music	Liberia
Doro	Metal Queen	Germany
Thomas A. Dorsey	Father of Gospel Music	United States
Rocío Dúrcal	Queen of Ranchera	Spain
Dino Dvornik	King of Funk	Yugoslavia/Croatia
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	Ref.
Missy Elliott	Queen of Hip Hop	United States
Queen of Rap
Eminem	King of Hip-Hop	United States
King of Rap
Enya	Queen of New Age	Ireland
Gloria Estefan	Queen of Latin Pop	Cuba/United States

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	Ref.
Helene Fischer	Queen of Schlager (Schlagerkönigin)	Germany
Ella Fitzgerald	First Lady of Song	United States
Queen of Jazz
Renata Flores	Queen of Quechua Pop	Peru
Queen of Quechua Rap
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

South Korean singer G-Dragon is known as the "King of K-pop".

American singer Gloria Gaynor is known as the "Queen of Disco".

Artist	Title	Country	Ref.
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
Fatu Gayflor	Golden Voice of Liberia	Liberia
Gloria Gaynor	Queen of Disco	United States
G-Dragon	King of K-pop	South Korea
Sarah Geronimo	Popstar Princess	Philippines
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	Czech Republic
Ariana Grande	Princess of Pop	United States
Amy Grant	Queen of Christian Pop	United States
Olga Guillot	Queen of Bolero	Cuba
Alejandra Guzmán	Queen of Latin Rock	Mexico

H

Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki is known as the "Empress of J-pop" and the "Queen of J-pop".

American rapper and singer Lauryn Hill is known as the "Queen of Hip Hop".

American singer and entertainer Whitney Houston is known as "The Voice".

Artist	Title	Country	Ref.
Nina Hagen	Godmother of Punk	Germany
Rob Halford	Metal God	United Kingdom
Mari Hamada	Queen of Heavy Metal	Japan
Ayumi Hamasaki	Empress of J-pop	Japan
Queen of J-pop
Mehdi Hassan	Emperor of Ghazal	Pakistan
Nazia Hassan	Queen of South Asian Pop	Pakistan
Hana Hegerová	Queen of Czechoslovak Chanson	Czech Republic/Slovakia
Kiyoshi Hikawa	Prince of the Enka World	Japan
Lauryn Hill	Queen of Hip Hop	United States
Mitsuko Horie	Queen of the Anison World	Japan
Whitney Houston	The Voice	United States
Sam Hui	God of Song	Hong Kong
Steve Hunter	The Deacon	United States
Al Hurricane	Godfather of New Mexico Music	United States

I

Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias is known as the "King of Latin Pop".

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Enrique Iglesias</td><td>King of Latin Pop</td><td>Spain</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>La India</td><td>The Princess of Salsa</td><td>Puerto Rico (US)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rhoma Irama</td><td>King of Dangdut</td><td>Indonesia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>IU</td><td>Nation's Little Sister</td><td>South Korea</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lili Ivanova</td><td>Prima of Bulgarian Popular Music</td><td>Bulgaria</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

J

American singer and entertainer Michael Jackson is known as the "King of Pop".

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Janet Jackson</td><td>Queen of Pop</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mahalia Jackson</td><td>Queen of Gospel</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Michael Jackson</td><td>King of Pop</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Wanda Jackson</td><td>Queen of Rockabilly</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jay R</td><td>Philippines' King of R&B</td><td>Philippines</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jay-Z</td><td>King of Rap</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jaya</td><td>Philippine Queen of Soul</td><td>Philippines</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Noor Jehan</td><td>Queen of Melody</td><td>Pakistan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cui Jian</td><td>Godfather of Chinese Rock</td><td>China</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Joan Jett</td><td>Godmother of Punk</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Robert Johnson</td><td>Grandfather of Rock and Roll</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sharon Jones</td><td>Godmother of Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Janis Joplin</td><td>Queen of Rock and Roll</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Scott Joplin</td><td>King of Ragtime</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Louis Jordan</td><td>King of the Jukebox</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>José José</td><td>The Prince of Song</td><td>Mexico</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

K

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Hironobu Kageyama</td><td>Prince of the Anison World</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shizuko Kasagi</td><td>Queen of Boogie</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>R. Kelly</td><td>King of R&B</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>King of Pop-Soul</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Alicia Keys</td><td>Queen of R&B</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Khaled</td><td>King of Raï</td><td>Algeria</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chaka Khan</td><td>Queen of Funk</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan</td><td>Emperor of Qawwali</td><td>Pakistan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>B.B. King</td><td>King of the Blues</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gladys Knight</td><td>Empress of Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Frankie Knuckles</td><td>Godfather of House</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Joseph Koo</td><td>Godfather of Cantopop</td><td>Hong Kong</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DJ Kool Herc</td><td>Founder & Father of Hip Hop</td><td>Jamaica/United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Alexis Korner</td><td>Father of British Blues</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Fubuki Koshiji</td><td>Queen of Chanson</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Koda Kumi</td><td>Queen of J-pop</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Fela Kuti</td><td>King of Afrobeat</td><td>Nigeria</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Kygo</td><td>King of Tropical House</td><td>Norway</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Kyla</td><td>Philippine Queen of R&B</td><td>Philippines</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

L

English singer Vera Lynn was known as the "Forces' Sweetheart" for her popularity among the armed forces during World War II.

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Patti LaBelle</td><td>Godmother of Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Queen Latifah</td><td>Queen of Rap, Hip Hop</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>La Lupe</td><td>Queen of Latin Soul</td><td>Cuba</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Kendrick Lamar</td><td>King Kendrick</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Franzl Lang</td><td>Yodel King or Yodler King (der Jodlerkönig)</td><td>Germany</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Avril Lavigne</td><td>Queen of Pop Punk</td><td>Canada</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rita Lee</td><td>Queen of Brazilian Rock</td><td>Brazil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lil Jon</td><td>King of Crunk</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lil' Kim</td><td>Queen of Rap</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Little Richard</td><td>Architect of Rock and Roll</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Kenny Loggins</td><td>King of the Movie Soundtrack</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jennifer Lopez</td><td>Queen of Dance</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lorde</td><td>Queen of Alternative</td><td>New Zealand</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lucero</td><td>America's Girlfriend (La Novia de América)</td><td>Mexico</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Vera Lynn</td><td>Forces' Sweetheart</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

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".

American rapper and singer Nicki Minaj is known as the "Queen of Rap".

Artist	Title	Country	Ref.
Madonna	Queen of Pop	United States
Jolina Magdangal	Queen of Philippine Pop Culture	Philippines
Miriam Makeba	Mama Africa	South Africa
Biz Markie	Clown Prince of Hip Hop	United States
Bob Marley	King of Reggae	Jamaica
Bruno Mars	Prince of Pop	United States
Ricky Martin	King of Latin Pop	Puerto Rico (US)
John Mayall	Godfather of British Blues	United Kingdom
Freddie Mercury	The King of Queen	United Kingdom
Mighty Sparrow	Calypso King of the World	Trinidad and Tobago
Luis Miguel	El Sol de Mexico (The Sun of Mexico)	Mexico
Slađana Milošević	Rock Princess	Yugoslavia/Serbia
Nicki Minaj	Queen of Rap	Trinidad and Tobago/United States
Queen of Hip Hop
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 (US)
Rudy Ray Moore	Godfather of Rap	United States
Giorgio Moroder	Father of Disco	Italy
Alanis Morissette	Queen of Alt-Rock Angst	Canada
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	Ref.
Nate Dogg	King of Hooks	United States
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
Nike Ardilla	Lady Rocker	Indonesia
Maki Nomiya	Queen of Shibuya-kei	Japan
The Notorious B.I.G.	The King of New York	United States

O

English singer Ozzy Osbourne has been identified as the "Godfather of Heavy Metal" and the "Prince of Darkness".

Puerto Rican singers Don Omar (left) and Daddy Yankee (right) are both referred to as the "King of Reggaeton".

Artist	Title	Country	Ref.
Odetta	Queen of American Folk Music	United States
Nobuyasu Okabayashi	God of Folk	Japan
Don Omar	King of Reggaeton	Puerto Rico (US)
Ozzy Osbourne	Godfather of Heavy Metal	United Kingdom
Prince of Darkness
Johnny Otis	Godfather of Rhythm and Blues	United States
Ozuna	New King of Reggaeton	Puerto Rico (US)

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	Ref.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu	Princess of J-pop	Japan
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
Katy Perry	Queen of Camp	United States
Iggy Pop	Godfather of Punk	United States
Elvis Presley	King of Rock and Roll	United States
The King
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	Ref.
Ivy Queen	Queen of Reggaetón	United States
Milly Quezada	Queen of Merengue	Dominican Republic
A.B. Quintanilla	King of Cumbia	United States

R

American singer Smokey Robinson has been called the "King of Motown".

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Ma Rainey</td><td>Mother of the Blues</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Joey Ramone</td><td>Godfather of Punk</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Otis Redding</td><td>King of Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lou Reed</td><td>Godfather of Punk</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Esma Redžepova</td><td>Queen of Gypsy Music</td><td>North Macedonia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Frank Reyes</td><td>Prince of Bachata</td><td>Dominican Republic</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rihanna</td><td>R&B Princess</td><td>Barbados</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Teddy Riley</td><td>King of New Jack Swing</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jenni Rivera</td><td>Diva de la Banda (Diva of Banda)</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ross Robinson</td><td>Godfather of Nu Metal</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Smokey Robinson</td><td>King of Motown</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sylvia Robinson</td><td>Mother of Hip-Hop</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jimmie Rodgers</td><td>Father of Country Music</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Amália Rodrigues</td><td>Queen of Fado</td><td>Portugal</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rossa</td><td>Queen of Pop Indonesia</td><td>Indonesia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ahmed Rushdi</td><td>Magician of Voice</td><td>Pakistan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Paulina Rubio</td><td>The Golden Girl</td><td>Mexico</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>RuPaul</td><td>Queen of Drag</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

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 been referred to as "America's Sweetheart".

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Lea Salonga</td><td>Pride of the Philippines</td><td>Philippines</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gilberto Santa Rosa</td><td>Gentleman of Salsa</td><td>Puerto Rico (US)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Šaban Šaulić</td><td>The King of Folk</td><td>Yugoslavia/Serbia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tiwa Savage</td><td>Queen of Afrobeats</td><td>Nigeria</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lady Saw</td><td>Queen of Dancehall</td><td>Jamaica</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chuck Schuldiner</td><td>Godfather of Death Metal</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shirley Scott</td><td>Queen of the Organ</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gil Scott-Heron</td><td>Godfather of Rap</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jeannie Seely</td><td>Miss Country Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Raul Seixas</td><td>Pai do Rock Brasileiro (Father of Brazilian Rock)</td><td>Brazil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Selena</td><td>Queen of Tejano Music</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Queen of Cumbia / Queen of Kumbia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Seo Taiji</td><td>President of Culture</td><td>South Korea</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shakira</td><td>Queen of Latin Music</td><td>Colombia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ravi Shankar</td><td>Godfather of World Music</td><td>India</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shin Joong-hyun</td><td>Korea's Godfather of Rock</td><td>South Korea</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nina Simone</td><td>High Priestess of Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Frank Sinatra</td><td>The Chairman of the Board</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Voice</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Siti Nurhaliza</td><td>Voice of Asia</td><td>Malaysia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bessie Smith</td><td>Empress of the Blues</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Patti Smith</td><td>Godmother of Punk</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Javier Solís</td><td>El Rey del Bolero Ranchero (The King of Bolero Ranchero)</td><td>Mexico</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Britney Spears</td><td>Princess of Pop</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Spice</td><td>Queen of Dancehall</td><td>Jamaica</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bruce Springsteen</td><td>The Boss</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Candi Staton</td><td>First Lady of Southern Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>George Strait</td><td>King of Country</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Johann Strauss II</td><td>The Waltz King</td><td>Austria</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Suraphol Sombatcharoen</td><td>King of Luk Thung</td><td>Thailand</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Morton Subotnick</td><td>Godfather of Techno</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L. Subramaniam</td><td>God of Indian Violin</td><td>India</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Elvy Sukaesih</td><td>Queen of Dangdut</td><td>Indonesia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Yma Sumac</td><td>Queen of Exotica</td><td>Peru</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Donna Summer</td><td>Queen of Disco</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Joan Sutherland</td><td>La Stupenda (The Stupendous One)</td><td>Australia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Taylor Swift</td><td>America's Sweetheart</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

T

Mexican singer Thalía is known as the "Queen of Latin Pop".

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Tarkan</td><td>King of Turkish Pop</td><td>Turkey</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Koko Taylor</td><td>Queen of the Blues</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Teresa Teng</td><td>Asia's Eternal Queen of Pop</td><td>Taiwan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Takeshi Terauchi</td><td>God of Electric Guitar</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Thalía</td><td>Queen of Latin Pop</td><td>Mexico</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sister Rosetta Tharpe</td><td>Godmother of Rock and Roll</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Irma Thomas</td><td>Soul Queen of New Orleans</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tiësto</td><td>Godfather of EDM</td><td>Netherlands</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Justin Timberlake</td><td>Prince of Pop</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gloria Trevi</td><td>Mexican Pop Queen</td><td>Mexico</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jolin Tsai</td><td>Queen of C-pop</td><td>Taiwan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ike Turner</td><td>Father of Rock and Roll</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tina Turner</td><td>Queen of Rock and Roll</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shania Twain</td><td>Queen of Country Pop</td><td>Canada</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tyla</td><td>Queen of Popiano</td><td>South Africa</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mariya Takeuchi</td><td>Queen of City Pop</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

U

Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum is often referred to as the "Voice of Egypt".

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Umm Kulthum</td><td>The Voice of Egypt</td><td>Egypt</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Uncle Waffles</td><td>Princess of Amapiano</td><td>South Africa</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Carrie Underwood</td><td>Queen of Country</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Usher</td><td>King of R&B</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hikaru Utada</td><td>Diva of the Heisei Period</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

V

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Chavela Vargas</td><td>Queen of Ranchera</td><td>Mexico</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dolores Vargas</td><td>La Terremoto, Queen of Catalan Rumba</td><td>Spain</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Luis Vargas</td><td>The Supreme King of Bachata</td><td>Dominican Republic</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Regine Velasquez</td><td>Asia's Songbird</td><td>Philippines</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rui Veloso</td><td>Father of Portuguese Rock</td><td>Portugal</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Viguen</td><td>King of Persian Pop</td><td>Iran</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

W

Kitty Wells is often referred to as the "Queen of Country Music".

Artist	Title	Country	Ref.
Kitty Wells	Queen of Country Music	United States
Paul Whiteman	King of Jazz	United States
Clarence Wijewardena	Father of Sinhala Pop	Sri Lanka
Wiley	Godfather of Grime	United Kingdom
Charlotte de Witte	Queen of Techno	Belgium
Faye Wong	Heavenly Queen (天后)	China
Tammy Wynette	First Lady of Country	United States

X

Artist	Title	Country	Ref.
Nikos Xilouris	Archangel of Crete	Greece

Y

Canadian and American singer Neil Young is referred to as the "Godfather of Grunge".

Artist	Title	Country	Ref.
Daddy Yankee	King of Reggaeton	Puerto Rico (US)
Tatsuro Yamashita	King of City Pop	Japan
Neil Young	Godfather of Grunge	Canada/United States

Z

Artist	Title	Country	Ref.
Jane Zhang	Dolphin Princess	China
Yatta Zoe	Queen of Liberian Folk	Liberia

Group titles

Honorific nicknames in popular music

The Beatles are known as "The Fab Four".

<table><thead><tr><th>Artist</th><th>Title</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2NE1</td><td>Queens of K-pop</td><td>South Korea</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aventura</td><td>Kings of Modern Bachata</td><td>Dominican Republic/United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Beach Boys</td><td>America's Band</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Beatles</td><td>The Fab Four</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bee Gees</td><td>Disco Kings</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BigBang</td><td>Kings of K-pop</td><td>South Korea</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Blackpink</td><td>Queens of K-pop</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BTS</td><td>Kings of K-pop</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Exo</td><td>Nation's Pick</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Five Stairsteps</td><td>First Family of Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Girls' Generation</td><td>Nation's Girl Group</td><td>South Korea</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Jackson 5</td><td>First Family of Soul</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Los Ángeles Azules</td><td>Kings of Cumbia</td><td>Mexico</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shinee</td><td>Princes of K-pop</td><td>South Korea</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Super Junior</td><td>King of Hallyu Wave</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Twice</td><td>Nation's Girl Group</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Collective titles for multiple artists

Honorific nicknames in popular music

<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Artists</th><th>Country</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>The Belleville Three The Godfathers of Techno</td><td>Juan Atkins</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Derrick May</td></tr><tr><td>Kevin Saunderson</td></tr><tr><td>The "Big Four" of Britpop</td><td>Oasis</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Blur</td></tr><tr><td>Suede</td></tr><tr><td>Pulp</td></tr><tr><td>The "Big Four" of Grunge</td><td>Nirvana</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Alice in Chains</td></tr><tr><td>Pearl Jam</td></tr><tr><td>Soundgarden</td></tr><tr><td>The "Big Four" of Thrash Metal</td><td>Metallica</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Slayer</td></tr><tr><td>Megadeth</td></tr><tr><td>Anthrax</td></tr><tr><td>The Emo Trinity</td><td>My Chemical Romance</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Fall Out Boy</td></tr><tr><td>Panic! at the Disco</td></tr><tr><td>The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost</td><td>Buddy Holly</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ritchie Valens</td></tr><tr><td>The Big Bopper</td></tr><tr><td>The Five Mighty Pop Divas of the Sixties</td><td>Aretha Franklin</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Martha Reeves</td></tr><tr><td>Diana Ross</td></tr><tr><td>Dusty Springfield</td><td>United Kingdom</td></tr><tr><td>Dionne Warwick</td><td>United States</td></tr><tr><td>The Four Divas of Vietnam</td><td>Mỹ Linh</td><td>Vietnam</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Thanh Lam</td></tr><tr><td>Hồng Nhung</td></tr><tr><td>Trần Thu Hà</td></tr><tr><td>The Four Heavenly Kings of Chinese Pop</td><td>Jacky Cheung</td><td>Hong Kong</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aaron Kwok</td></tr><tr><td>Leon Lai</td></tr><tr><td>Andy Lau</td></tr><tr><td>The Four Heavenly Kings of Visual Kei</td><td>Fanatic Crisis</td><td>Japan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>La'cryma Christi</td></tr><tr><td>Malice Mizer</td></tr><tr><td>Shazna</td></tr><tr><td>The Holy Trinity of Pop</td><td>Michael Jackson</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Madonna</td></tr><tr><td>Prince</td></tr><tr><td>The Unholy Trinity of British Hard Rock and Heavy Metal</td><td>Black Sabbath</td><td>United Kingdom</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Deep Purple</td></tr><tr><td>Led Zeppelin</td></tr><tr><td>The Vocal Trinity</td><td>Whitney Houston</td><td>United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mariah Carey</td></tr><tr><td>Celine Dion</td><td>Canada</td></tr><tr><td>The Holy Trinity of R&B</td><td>Rihanna</td><td>Barbados</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nicki Minaj</td><td>Trinidad and Tobago</td></tr><tr><td>Beyoncé</td><td>United States</td></tr></tbody></table>