Top 10 Pop Musicians Who Don't Get the Credit They Deserve

Top 10 Pop Musicians Who Don’t Get the Credit They Deserve

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the pop artists that don’t get credit for their contributions to the genre.

#10: Zara Larsson

A high number of streams doesn’t equate to automatic mainstream success. When Sweden’s Zara Larsson first came on the international scene in the 2010s, she wowed listeners with her electropop production and impressive vocals. Her initial releases blew up, with “Lush Life” racking up over a billion streams on Spotify alone. Although several tracks have been certified platinum in the US, they haven’t made a huge splash on American charts, with “Never Forget You” being the exception. She’s found a loyal following in her home country, but elsewhere she’s often overlooked. While it may not have achieved commercial success stateside, her 2024 album “Venus” displays her original sound – so hopefully she’ll someday find the level of success she deserves.

#9: Janelle Monáe

She isn’t just an artist or entertainer – she’s a tastemaker. With the ability to blend genres flawlessly, Janelle Monáe is a unique artist. They’ve been compared to several icons, from Judy Garland to James Brown. Yet, the only time that’s really been reflected on the mainstream charts has been their collaboration with fun. on “We Are Young.” Monáe was also ahead of the curve when it came to gender-bending, making a tuxedo their signature outfit far before it was considered cool. Despite their groundbreaking moves, they’ve found most of their success among critics rather than the general public. She isn't even close to slowing down, so hopefully she’ll soon get the credit she’s deserved for over a decade.

#8: Adam Lambert

He came close to winning “American Idol,” but he’s still criminally underrated within the scene. Adam Lambert made a huge impact in the late 2000s, with his voice wowing viewers across the nation. His debut album was also met with widespread acclaim. He did all of this while being openly gay – something that was inspiring yet risky, as he was removed from several high profile gigs as a result. While his voice is revered, he’s never been given credit for creating a perfect intersection between a modern sound and a classic theatrical style. Not all hope is lost, though; while his presence in pop has faded, he’s found plenty of success supplying vocals for Queen for the past decade.

#7: Bebe Rexha

She’s had some major songs since her recording debut in 2014, and yet she’s not the commercial powerhouse of many of her contemporaries. Bebe Rexha has found most of her success through her high-profile collaborations. Working with performers from Florida Georgia Line to David Guetta, she’s proven that she can take on multiple genres with ease. However, she hasn’t been able to break through and become a household name. The talent is clearly there, as evidenced by her live performances and expertise on multiple instruments. But for whatever reason, she hasn’t been able to capture the hearts of the public yet. As she keeps releasing music, we can only hope she’ll get credit for her effortless genre-bending.

#6: Victoria Monét

She’s one of the best artists you may have never heard of. Monét’s been in the industry since 2010, and has helped write several acclaimed hits – but they weren’t for her. Her work with Ariana Grande in particular has been pivotal, with tracks like “7 Rings” and “Thank U, Next” becoming cultural phenomenons. Her music released under her own name has barely seen a fraction of that success. There was a shift in 2023, when “On My Mama” suddenly blew up, revealing her greatness to a wider audience and helping her snag several Grammys. Her newfound success has been amazing to see; let’s hope it won’t just be a passing trend.

#5: Madison Beer

At one point, she was set to be the next “It” girl. She had a similar start to Justin Bieber, and was even discovered by the star himself. Despite her amazing connections early on, Madison Beer hasn’t had the most luck in launching her pop star career. She isn’t acknowledged for her songwriting, which often focuses on deeper themes like mental health and lost love. Between releasing a series of singles over a period of years and focusing on other business ventures, her two full-length releases took a large hit commercially. Despite that, she hasn’t allowed the quality of her output to be affected, so hopefully, the pendulum will eventually swing back in her favor and grant her more success.

#4: Carly Rae Jepsen

If there’s any artist society judged far too early, it’s Carly Rae. Her debut single “Call Me Maybe” dominated upon release, becoming a guilty pleasure bop for many. Her subsequent singles failed to reach the same level, but they kept increasing in sheer quality. She has her finger on the pulse of pop, masterfully blending catchy lyrics with upbeat production. Yet, she’s hardly even acknowledged outside of her most successful work. She had a brief viral moment with “The Loneliest Time” in 2022, but even that wasn’t enough to fully revitalize her mainstream career. While she seems content having the freedom to make whatever music she wants, her fans are still waiting for the day she reclaims her spot on the throne.

#3: Marina Diamandis

Several alternative-pop artists blew up in the early 2010s, particularly women like Lorde and Lana Del Rey. While they’ve gone on to see critical acclaim, not all of their peers have been quite so lucky. Marina Diamandis, sometimes known as Marina and The Diamonds, had the first part of the decade in a chokehold. Her synth-laden sound was ahead of its time, and the depth found in her lyrics has been emulated by younger artists like Billie Eilish. She struggled to amass the same recognition as her peers, and a sudden split from her recognizable aesthetic didn’t help things. However, her work remains amazing and fans hope that a long-deserved recognition is on the horizon.

#2: Tori Kelly

YouTube has helped give several artists a platform. While some have gone on to become global superstars, others have struggled to get the same recognition. Tori Kelly’s unique voice and interesting sound helped her stand out. Her first album made it all the way to

#2 on the Billboard 200, and she even snagged a recurring role in the “Sing” movie series. She was on her way to becoming the next big sensation– until she suddenly shifted to a new genre mid-career. While her gospel music was rewarded, it was vastly overlooked by pop fans, causing her to fade among her peers. She did return to her roots with 2024’s “Tori”-- so hopefully, some of that initial praise will return.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Rina Sawayama
Her Experimental Sound Is More Beloved Online Than in the Mainstream

Kimbra
Everyone Swooned over Her Duet with Gotye, but Her Solo Work Is Underrated

Charli XCX
The World Had a Brat Summer in 2024, but Largely Overlooked Her Other Work

Allie X
A Shoutout from Katy Perry Hasn’t Translated into Success in the U.S.

FKA Twigs
Her Unique Voice & Sound Have Yet to Be Appreciated by a Wider Audience

#1: Robyn

Robyn’s been a trendsetter since her debut in the 1990s and has been influencing the soundscape for decades. Though two early singles made the U.S. top 10, “Dancing On My Own” didn’t even crack the Hot 100, despite receiving widespread critical acclaim. Her influence is vast, yet hardly acknowledged. She was pivotal in pop being taken seriously, yet her sales don’t reflect that. She was also unafraid to incorporate political themes in her work at a time when it was unpopular, paving the way for a new generation. While she hasn’t released an album since 2018, her contributions are significant – and only now is she starting to be recognized for it.

Which pop artist do you think deserves more credit? Let us know in the comments below.