Bahaha.

You posted the least talented mainstream artist out there, nobody has less talent than Lady Gaga, she just can't sing. As for modern mainstream talented artists, Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the better examples.

Thread is over! Nobody can top this man!

Tears For Fears. Super mainstream with several back to back hits, but their first 2 albums were 2 of the best albums out of the entire 80s.

Today I'd go with Kylie Minogue, Beastie Boys, OutKast, Depeche Mode, Gnarls Barkley, and Tenacious D, if I had to pick the most talented mainstream acts.

Someone outside of Australia/Europe/England knows about Kylie?

The times we live in.

The Beatles and Oasis



also: The Rolling Stones, The Who, Queen, The Stone Roses

Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Metallica...

Now THAT's a list of talented mainstream acts.   Excellent first choice as well.  Pay attention all you Brittany's, Christina's and Miley's...Kylie is how you do sexy pop music without being slutty and with quality music and vocals.

Here are some other great modern talented acts - NIN, Tori Amos, Sarah Mclachlan, Annie Lennox, Lenny Kravitz, Will Smith,

I'll throw out a few acts that get ripped on but actually are very talented....Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Evanescence, Linkin Park,

Just realized this post was about to get ver long so I'll leave it here for now.

she's the best singer and teh voice of teh generation

People tend to think mainstream music sucks and they are wrong and go by artists like the jonas brothers and such.
Today I can name a lot of them that are talented, like Keane, Muse, U2, Radiohead, Oasis, The Strokes, Artic Monkeys, the killers, weezer, coldplay, etc...

Classic mainstream music is great too, I dont think there are much better bands than Queen for example.

I agree pastro