Why Gen-Z Artists are Struggling to Attain A-list Status

It’s undeniable: the music scene is brimming with fresh talent from Gen-Z stars like Tyla, PinkPantheress, Ice Spice, Chloe Bailey, and Olivia Rodrigo. You’ve probably noticed how these acts are everywhere right now. They’re getting tons of streams, topping the charts, making headlines, and have huge followings. But despite their success, they seem to be missing that elusive A-list status that icons like Beyoncé, Adele, and Rihanna have. So, what’s going on?

One major issue is the shift from album sales to streaming. In the early 2010’s selling a million albums in a week was a huge deal but very achievable. Nowadays, it’s much harder to pull off. For example, Ice Spice’s album Y2K only garnered about 28,000 first-week sales—a surprisingly low number given her prominence, Tyla’s self-titled album Tyla saw 24,000 sales in its first week. Chloe Bailey’s Trouble in Paradise and Normani’s Dopamine had first-week sales of 10,000 and 12,000, respectively. These numbers highlight just how challenging it is to achieve the same level of sales that artists like Taylor Swift and Mariah Carey used to enjoy. Why? Because now it takes about 1,500 streams to equal one album sale, meanwhile back in the day, artists could rely on straightforward sales figures.

Another issue is the sheer similarity among artists today. Record labels seem to follow one blueprint, replicating the formula of really famous stars to create their own versions. When there are plenty of artists doing the same thing, it stifles creativity and becomes generic, making it harder for any one artist to stand out and achieve A-list status.

In addition, the fast pace of today’s music scene makes it tough for artists to build long-term fame. Previously, artists had time to release several singles and slowly promote their albums over months, creating a steady buildup. Today, trends come and go so quickly, that a song can be the biggest hit one week and forgotten the next. This rapid turnover makes it hard for new artists to maintain long-term success.

Social media also plays a big role. While it’s great for promotion, it’s also a double-edged sword. Public opinion can turn on a dime, as seen with Jack Harlow. He went from being the hottest name in music to facing criticism and a quick drop in popularity in a matter of months. This constant chatter and short attention span online means that it’s tough for artists to keep their momentum.

Moreover, media consumption has changed drastically. In the past, everyone watched the same TV shows and listened to the same radio stations. Now, with so many streaming platforms, podcasts and social media channels, it’s harder for artists to reach a wide audience. This fragmentation means that getting widespread recognition is more challenging than ever.

So, is the A-list status a thing of the past? In some ways, it is. But that’s because the definition of success is changing. While the traditional markers—massive album sales and universal fame—may seem out of reach, Gen-Z artists are finding success on their own terms. They’re connecting with fans in new and innovative ways through their music, fashion, and online presence, creating viral moments, shaping trends, and building loyal fanbases through platforms that didn’t even exist a decade ago.

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Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo