Ryan Murphy defends Madonna as ‘most important artist of last 50 years’ after NYT snub

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ryan Murphy has strongly defended Madonna and called her the “most important artist of the last 50 years” after an April list by The New York Times did not include her in the ‘30 Greatest Living American Songwriters’.

The director, who has long been an outspoken fan and champion of Madonna, also stated that, aside from Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney, no one “comes close” to the 67-year-old icon in terms of cultural impact.

Ryan Murphy hails Madonna for traveling road that was 'original and lonely'

“The road that Madonna traveled is truly original and lonely and a first...The hate Madonna has received and survived. It's beyond comprehension,” he asserted.

The ‘American Horror Story’ writer also further added that “there is no one in my lifetime who has meant more to me, or had more of an impact on art, fashion, music, ALL OF IT than Madonna.”

Netizens say Madonna's 'a performer, not an artist'

Murphy’s statement has garnered a lot of mixed attention online, with one person slamming him, “The sheer disrespect to Michael Jackson and Prince in one breath is sickening. Ryan living in his own specific bubble does not rewrite global music history Recency bias and personal obsession talking loudly here.”

Another person commented, “Ryan Murphy is wrong,” while attaching a screenshot of an article that says, “Michael Jackson has become the only singer in history to achieve Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits across different decades.”

But one X user, agreeing with Murphy, commented, “And that’s the most accurate thing anyone could’ve ever said about entertainment and pop culture. She’s the blueprint, and everyone singing today, owes a big chunk of that freedom and normalization of what once was stigmatized, to her bravery.”

“Madonna is very important to pop culture, but Taylor Swift & Paul McCartney, Ryan, it's your opinion but I’m calling CAP!!!! Madonna is mother & Michael is father!!!” someone commented on the social media platform.

A comment disagreeing with Murphy read, “Madonna was/is an icon. But ain’t NO WAY she’s the “most important” artist last 50 years. MJ, Prince, Dr Dre, Nirvana, Beyonce, Led Zeppelin, Snoop Dogg, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Public Enemy, Bowie, U2, Kanye, Beastie Boys…so many more.”

“Madonna’s contribution to the music industry is undeniable. He totally loses his argument by mentioning Taylor Swift and even Paul McCartney. Michael Jackson. Whitney Houston. Prince. Janet Jackson. And, yes, Beyonce are the most important artists then and now,” another comment read.

Someone posted on X, “I really have no idea who this person is. Maybe she's that FOR HIM. Making declarative statements for all of society is problematic. She's a performer not an artist or musician. While she did change performance landscape, there was no societal tectonic shift concerning her scope.”

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