The 1980s produced a crowded field of global superstars, synth-pop innovators, alternative bands, metal giants, R&B singers and hip-hop pioneers. It was a decade in which image, technology and songcraft became inseparable.
Global pop superstars
Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie and Cyndi Lauper defined the era’s mass-market pop culture.
Synth-pop and new wave
Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, a-ha, The Human League, OMD, Talk Talk and many others made synthesizers and electronic rhythm central to modern pop.
Rock, alternative and metal
U2, R.E.M., The Cure, The Smiths, Simple Minds, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi and Def Leppard showed how widely guitar music could range.
R&B and hip-hop
Janet Jackson, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross and Chaka Khan helped shape modern R&B, while Run-DMC, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, N.W.A, Salt-N-Pepa and others transformed hip-hop into a major national culture.
Explore artist profiles: Michael Jackson · Madonna · Prince · Whitney Houston · George Michael · Janet Jackson · Depeche Mode · Pet Shop Boys · Duran Duran · a-ha · U2 · The Cure · Metallica · Bon Jovi · Run-DMC.