Worldwide Voices Who Defined The Decade

From reshaping genres to redefining global culture, the past decade has been shaped by artists whose influence extended far beyond music.

Between 2016 and 2026, a new generation of voices emerged across Hip-Hop, R&B, and popular culture - transforming the way music was created, consumed, and experienced worldwide. From global superstars who dominated streaming platforms to boundary-pushing creatives who challenged the conventions of their genres, these artists defined the sound, style, and conversations of a generation.

As part of our 10 Year Anniversary celebrations, CGuk highlights the Worldwide Voices Who Defined The Decade.

DRAKE

Maintained near-unrivalled dominance throughout the decade, bridging the era of 'Views' with a sustained run of global chart success that led him to become one of the biggest artists in the world. His ability to evolve sonically while consistently shaping mainstream rap and pop culture cemented his position as a defining global figure of the streaming era.

CARDI B

Redefined female stardom in rap in the late 2010s with a breakthrough that fused charisma, cultural impact, and chart dominance. From her rapid ascent to sustained global success, she maintained a commanding presence in mainstream Hip-Hop, influencing both the sound and visibility of women in rap while solidifying her status as one of the genre’s most recognisable and impactful figures.

KENDRICK LAMAR

Remained the benchmark for lyrical excellence across the decade, translating critical acclaim into sustained cultural dominance. Following the Grammy recognition for 'To Pimp a Butterfly', he continued to push the boundaries of rap storytelling and concept-driven artistry, reinforcing his position at the forefront of the genre. His consistency, thematic depth, and cultural resonance solidified him as one of Hip-Hop’s most important and enduring voices.

MEGAN THEE STALLION

Since her 2016 mixtape debut, Megan Thee Stallion brought a bold, unapologetic Southern rap sound into the mainstream, defined by confidence, technical skill, and commanding presence. Her rise to global prominence - cemented through Grammy recognition and era-defining hits like 'Savage' and 'WAP' - reshaped conversations around female rap at the highest level of pop culture. Beyond chart success, she established herself as a dynamic performer and cultural force, influencing both the sound and visibility of contemporary Hip-Hop on a global scale.

FUTURE

A defining force in Trap music throughout the decade, whose early dominance in 2016 helped shape the genre’s mainstream direction and sound. His prolific output, emotive delivery, and melodic innovation influenced a generation of artists and producers, embedding his style deeply into the fabric of modern Hip-Hop. Remaining a consistently relevant and influential figure, he solidified his place as one of the scene’s most important architects and cultural voices.

YOUNG THUG

A foundational architect of modern “sing-rap” and melodic trap, Young Thug reshaped the possibilities of vocal delivery in Hip-Hop through his unconventional flows, emotive phrasing, and boundary-pushing approach to melody. His influence extends far beyond sound - impacting cadence, style, and fashion across an entire generation of artists who emerged during the decade - cementing him as one of the most innovative and quietly transformative figures in contemporary rap.

TRAVIS SCOTT

A visionary who redefined the modern rap superstar, Travis Scott blurred the lines between Hip-Hop, psychedelia, fashion, gaming, and live performance - creating immersive experiences that expanded what an artist could represent in the streaming era. His influence stretches beyond chart success, shaping the sound of mainstream rap, elevating the spectacle of live shows, and pioneering new intersections between music and global brands - cementing him as one of the defining cultural forces of the decade.

DOJA CAT

Known for her genre-blending versatility and instinct for viral, pop-infused rap, Doja Cat emerged as a major cultural force in the early 2020s, rapidly scaling from breakout success to sustained global streaming dominance. Her ability to move fluidly between rap, pop, and R&B - often within the same project - helped redefine the boundaries of mainstream female artistry. By consistently delivering chart-topping, internet-driven hits, she solidified her position as one of the most streamed and culturally influential artists of the decade.

LIL UZI VERT

Emerging in 2016 as a leading figure of the SoundCloud and melodic rap era, Lil Uzi Vert reshaped the sound and energy of modern Hip-Hop. Their fusion of high-intensity delivery, emotional melody, and genre-blurring production helped redefine what mainstream rap could sound like, influencing a new wave of artists and cementing their status as one of the decade’s most distinctive voices.

KEHLANI

A defining voice in contemporary R&B, Kehlani reshaped the genre through emotionally transparent songwriting, genre-fluid experimentation, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Her influence extends beyond music, championing vulnerability, self-expression, and representation while inspiring a new generation of artists to embrace honesty in their artistry - cementing her as one of the most impactful voices in modern R&B.

PLAYBOI CARTI

A trailblazer of rap’s avant-garde movement, Playboi Carti challenged convention through minimalist production, unconventional vocal inflections, and an aesthetic that prioritised mood, energy, and experimentation over traditional lyricism. His influence has inspired a new generation of artists, producers, and creatives, with his fearless approach to sound, fashion, and identity helping redefine the direction of modern Hip-Hop - cementing him as one of the decade’s most influential and polarising voices.