Time100: Iconic moments from the most influential musicians

New York, New York – Time Magazine released its list of the top 100 most influential people in the world, and TAG24 is looking at stand-out moments by the music artists who made the cut.

The Time100 list highlighted several musicians as influential people this year.
The Time100 list highlighted several musicians as influential people this year.  © Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/adele/Amy Sussman & Frazer Harrison & Dimitrios Kambouris / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Time's newly released list is making its rounds across the internet, and we're here for it.

Aside from the fact it seems odd to place people on a "best of" list halfway through the calendar year it serves, it's still cool to see who made the cut in sports, politics, pop culture, music, and more.

In typical Time fashion, nominations for the list came from Time 100 alumni and the publication's internal writing team, with the final list being decided by the magazine's editorial staff.

Taylor Swift's new Eras Tour book sparks criticism with spelling mistakes and layout glitches
Taylor Swift Taylor Swift's new Eras Tour book sparks criticism with spelling mistakes and layout glitches

Rather than talking about the blurbs written on Time's website about this year's musical honorees in Mary J. Blige, Jon Batiste, Adele, and Questlove, TAG24 is looking back at each artist's most influential moments over the last year.

Iconic moments by Mary J. Blige and Jon Batiste

Jon Batiste (l.) and Mary J. Blige (r.) both made the Time100.
Jon Batiste (l.) and Mary J. Blige (r.) both made the Time100.  © Collage: Patrick T. FALLON / AFP / Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
  • Mary J. Blige

We didn't need TIME's list to tell us Mary J. Blige is an icon and overtly influential in and outside the music industry. But since they did, we'll dabble in some much-deserved praise.

When we think of MJB in 2022, there are two iconic moments that come to mind: her epic showing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and her brilliant speech after receiving the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards.

Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras tour gears up for its final show
Taylor Swift Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras tour gears up for its final show
  • Jon Batiste

If the world didn't know who John Batiste was when he and Stay Human joined as the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2015, they surely do now.

When Jon Batiste won multiple Grammys this year, onlookers undoubtedly felt his joy and sense of accomplishment. That same energy was palpable during his iconic performance of FREEDOM at the award show.

When you can write an impassioned song about hard-hitting matters that still manages to get people on their feet and feeling the love as he so clearly did, then you've won.

Influential moments by Adele and Questlove

Questlove won a Grammy and an Oscar this year, making him deserving of a spot on the Time100.
Questlove won a Grammy and an Oscar this year, making him deserving of a spot on the Time100.  © David Becker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
  • Adele

When words fail to describe the utter heartache or yearning you're feeling, Adele's lyrical ingenuity is there to do the heavy-lifting.

Though she's been rather quiet this year for someone who released an album in November 2021, her music and breathtaking vocals never ceases to amaze.

Despite calling off her Las Vegas residency, the songstress made an appearance at the BRIT Awards, where she gave a golden performance of I Drink Wine, and we're still swooning over every second of it.

  • Questlove

Questlove, born Ahmir Khalib Thompson, is much more than the house drummer alongside his band The Roots on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon – he's a multifaceted creative genius.

Because of that, it's not surprising he made the Time100 list. Honestly, the 51-year-old probably deserves more recognition than he gets. After all, Questlove won an Oscar and a Grammy this year for his documentary Summer of Soul and his acceptance speeches were nothing short of tear-inducing.

Seeing people accomplish their goals and live out their dreams will never not be a feat worth noting. Here's to Time Magazine for giving credit where it's due!

Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/adele/Amy Sussman & Frazer Harrison & Dimitrios Kambouris / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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