Ryan Murphy Says Madonna Is the MOST Important Artist of the Last 50 Years & Taylor Swift Is the Only Woman Who Comes Close

Ryan Murphy has sparked quite the debate online when the film producer said that Madonna is the most important artist of the last 50 years, and the person who comes close to cultural impact in music is Taylor Swift.

via; That Grape Juice

Ryan Murphy may have created some of modern history’s most celebrated shows (see: ‘Nip/Tuck,’ ‘American Horror Story,’ ‘Monster,’ ‘Feud,’ etc.), but the EMMY, TONY, and GRAMMY-Award winning writer, director, and TV producer has reignited a feud between some of the entertainment industry’s biggest fan bases for his belief that Queen of Pop Madonna‘s reign extends across all genres of music.

Much like Beyonce fans (also known as the #Beyhive) who cried foul at her omission from New York Times‘ recent “30 Greatest Living Songwriters” tally, Madge fans echoed the sentiment at her name being left off the list.

Among those making headlines for the dissension is Murphy who took to Instagram to voice his disapproval.

“Madonna is THE most important artist of the last 50 years. No one comes close in cultural import, other than Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney, both of whom are truly incredible artists for the ages,” he shared via a lengthy comment on the MadonnaLiteral fan page. “The hate Madonna has received, and survived. It’s beyond comprehension. 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.”

As his statement started making its rounds and getting mixed reactions across social media, Ryan weighed in again to double down on his stance.

“I stand behind this 100 percent. How can you not include Madonna on this list?! It’s insane not to. And my deeper question is WHY are other artists who Madonna paved the way for not saying this? So many of them walk down paths Madonna paved ALONE,” he relayed.

And while the debate ignited from his commentary rages on, Madonna, Taylor, nor ‘New York Times’ has weighed in on the hoopla…yet.

Ryan’s high praise of Madge follows similar adulation delivered by Hall & Oates legend Daryl Hall who claimed “modern Pop music wouldn’t exist without her.” Revisit his statement here.

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I half agree with Ryan on this debate. I do agree that no other artist in my lifetime has had the cultural impact that Madonna has, and she paved the way for how young women find power in their sexuality and womanhood. She also reinvented the live pop show, bringing a three part act, Broadway theatrics and visual technology to the forefront.

Madonna is not some woman who just struts around the stage in a leotard and ripped stockings patting her puss for two hours for attention. Her music, her live shows, her stage presence all have substance. No one also has her insane work ethic.

We have seen time and time again how hard she works, and her tenacity and energy on the stage puts people a quarter her age to shame.

I also get Paul McCartney being included. But Taylor Swift? Yes she has impact from a business and financial standpoint, but I get nothing cultural from Taylor, especially them elementary school lyrics she's still incorporates in her music at 35.

Quiet as it's kept Beyoncé has more of a cultural impact and comes close to Madonna in regards to cultural importance. But I believe because Taylor has a choke hold on a majority white female audience she gets Ryan's seal of approval. Other than that he is absolutely correct about Madonna.