“Whoever controls the media, controls the mind.”
When Jim Morrison spoke these words, he couldn’t have imagined today’s landscape where algorithms and viral moments can seemingly make or break careers overnight. It’s enough to make our annual celebration of music’s best artist brands seem almost quaint – after all, in a world where attention is currency, does authentic connection still matter?
But this year’s artists proved that it matters more than ever. While some chased headlines at any cost, our 2024 list celebrates those who understood that true influence isn’t about controlling the narrative – it’s about sharing it with your audience. In their hands, social media became a tool for genuine conversation rather than manipulation. Concert venues transformed into communities. Album rollouts turned into shared journeys of discovery.
These artists reminded us that the most meaningful relationship in music remains the intimate connection between artist and fan, where algorithms take a back seat to authenticity. They created safe spaces for their communities to grow and express themselves, proving that in a world obsessed with control, the most powerful thing an artist can do is simply be themselves – and invite their fans to do the same.
Without further ado, here are 2024’s top artist brands – seven musicians who proved that authenticity isn’t just a buzzword, but the foundation of lasting impact.
Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan masterfully demonstrated how setting boundaries can actually deepen fan connections rather than distance them. While touring her breakthrough album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, she turned every show into a celebration of identity and self-expression, encouraging fans to come in costume and creating the kind of safe, jubilant spaces she wished she had growing up. Rather than just performing, she amplified her community by consistently featuring local drag queens as opening acts, transforming what could have been standard tour stops into full-blown queer celebrations of local culture. Her authenticity extended beyond the stage – she maintained a remarkably honest dialogue with her fanbase about her needs as an artist, showing that vulnerability and strength aren’t mutually exclusive. This approach paid off spectacularly, leading to her selection as Amazon’s Breakthrough Artist of 2023 and landing her a coveted opening slot on Olivia Rodrigo’s tour. But perhaps most impressive was how she achieved all this while staying true to her “thrift store pop star” aesthetic, proving that authenticity – not budget – is what truly resonates with fans.
Charli xcx
This year Charli xcx turned every fan interaction into a moment of shared celebration, transforming her BRAT era into more than just an album release – it became a communal experience. While other artists kept their fans at arm’s length, Charli invited her audience into her creative process, openly sharing her initial uncertainties about the album and even embracing a DIY approach to the album cover. Her genius lay in making stadium-sized pop feel like an intimate club night with friends. She hosted secret shows where fans got early previews of tracks, created interactive billboard campaigns that let fans piece together upcoming collaborations, and even carried her signature purse during her SNL performance – a seemingly casual touch that made her hardcore fans feel seen. Her signature green wasn’t just a marketing choice; it became a symbol that fans could use to identify each other, creating a visual language that spread so far it was even adopted by political campaigns. But perhaps most tellingly, Charli’s tour venues became more than concert halls – they transformed into euphoric dance parties where the line between artist and audience blurred, proving that even at her commercial peak, she never lost sight of what made her connection with fans special: the feeling that everyone’s invited to the party.
Gracie Abrams
What makes an artist’s breakthrough moment feel earned rather than manufactured? For Gracie Abrams, it came through unwavering artistic authenticity as she ascended to pop’s upper echelons. Her album rollout eschewed trendy production and overtly manicured social media in favor of honest songwriting and natural fan interactions. Rather than chase viral moments, she let her music speak for itself, with eight of her ten most-streamed tracks coming from her latest record – a rare feat that speaks to the cohesive strength of her vision. Her social media presence mirrors her musical approach: unfiltered and genuine rather than perfectly curated. This authenticity extended to her live shows, where she transformed high-profile opportunities (including support slots for Taylor Swift) into intimate conversations with her audience. As her popularity grew throughout the year, she demonstrated that steady growth built on genuine connection trumps overnight viral success, earning her acclaim not only from critics and peers but also from a fanbase that grew alongside her.
Halsey
2024 marked the year Halsey turned self-reflection into an art form with The Great Impersonator, transforming what could have been just another album rollout into an intimate conversation with fans about artistic influence and personal growth. Her track-by-track social media campaign, where she meticulously recreated iconic album covers that inspired each song, wasn’t just clever marketing – it was a showcase of artistic vulnerability. Each re-creation, from her bold interpretation of Britney Spears’ “Lucky” to the emotional resonance of re-creating her own debut album “Badlands,” gave fans a deeper insight into her musical journey and creative process. This campaign particularly struck a chord as it coincided with her return to music following her battle with health issues, adding another layer of authenticity to her artistic rebirth. Rather than simply dropping singles, she invited her audience to understand the DNA of her music, creating a shared experience where fans could trace their own musical histories alongside hers. The success of this approach proved that when artists trust their audience with their genuine artistic inspirations, the connection goes far beyond mere streams and likes.
The Red Clay Strays
Born in the marathon sets of Alabama bars, The Red Clay Strays built their following the old-fashioned way – one authentic performance at a time. Their approach defied modern music industry conventions: no polished marketing campaigns, no viral challenges, just raw talent honed through countless four-hour shows where they learned exactly what makes a crowd move. Their success manifested in striking fashion when they sold out three nights at the Ryman and packed Red Rocks – all before signing to RCA. What sets them apart isn’t just their fusion of Chris Stapleton-meets-Johnny Cash sound, but how they’ve maintained the intimacy of those early bar shows even as venues grew. Their touring photographer – the lead singer’s wife – captures behind-the-scenes moments that feel like family photos, while their social media prominently features crew members alongside the band, making fans feel part of their extended family. Despite their diverse appearances (each band member looking like they could belong to a different act), they’ve created a cohesive identity built on musical excellence and genuine connection rather than carefully curated aesthetics.
Sabrina Carpenter
Armed with clever humor and a no-holds-barred attitude, Sabrina Carpenter turned every moment – even criticism – into an opportunity to connect with her fans. When critics focused on her height, she responded by plastering their comments across Times Square billboards, transforming potential negativity into a moment of shared laughter with her audience. Her tour became a masterclass in fan engagement, particularly through her now-legendary “Nonsense” outro, where she crafted personalized, city-specific rhymes that fans eagerly anticipated and shared across social media. Each show felt uniquely crafted for its audience, creating special moments that belonged solely to that city’s fans. This authenticity extended to her social media, where she maintained a delicate balance between polished pop star and relatable friend, never afraid to show her unfiltered personality. From her viral performances to her Netflix Christmas special, every project revealed new layers of her artistic identity while maintaining her signature wit. The result? A fanbase that doesn’t just follow her career but feels personally invested in her success, proving that sometimes the best way to connect with fans is simply to let them in on the joke.
Tyler, The Creator
In just two weeks, Tyler, The Creator proved why he remains one of music’s most visionary community builders. For his CHROMAKOPIA album rollout, he didn’t just release music, he created an entire universe that fans could physically step into. Starting with cryptic black-and-white visuals that had his audience decoding every frame, Tyler built anticipation through an elaborate cross-country treasure hunt featuring two trucks driving across America, ultimately converging on two cities for surprise release parties. This wasn’t just marketing; it was an invitation for fans to literally follow his creative journey. The resulting CHROMAKOPIA world he built wasn’t just visually striking – it was distinctly Tyler, maintaining his brand while pushing into territory his audience had never seen before. Most importantly, he demonstrated once again that his fans aren’t just consumers of his art; they’re active participants in his vision, whether they’re hunting down his trucks across the country or discovering new elements of his carefully constructed visual world. In an era where artists often sacrifice authenticity for quick wins, Tyler showed that you can create massive moments while staying true to your artistic vision.
Think we missed the mark this year? Let us know. Also, feel free to take a trip down memory lane and check out our top artist brands from previous years!
Top Artist Brands of 2023
Top Artist Brands of 2022
Top Artist Brands of 2021
Top Artist Brands of 2020
Top Artist Brands of 2019
Top Artist Brands of 2018
Top Artist Brands of 2017
Top Artist Brands of 2016
Top Artist Brands of 2015