Billie Eilish is one of the most recognizable and critically-acclaimed female singers in the music industry today. At just 18-years-old, the pop singer has quickly become a Gen-Z icon due to her eclectic music style, authentic and unapologetically bold personality, and advocacy for various social causes.
From chart-topping singles and album releases, to powerful influence on social issues, Eilish continues to be a powerful name in the music industry. Below are four reasons why Billie Eilish is inspiring her generation and making a lasting impact.
Artistic Originality
Eilish is notable for venturing into a unique music style. Rather than following the pop music industry’s conventions, Eilish conveys her songs with an eclectic blend of alternative, indie, and electronic-pop music styles.
Her record debut, “when we all fall asleep, where do we go,” is a testament to her artistic originality, earning her an array of prestigious awards. It became the first ever album to simultaneously win the four most prominent American music awards: the Grammy Awards for Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Record of the Year, as well as the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, Top Rock Album.
Authenticity
What is perhaps most inspiring, then, is Eilish’s authentic and unapologetically bold personality. In the age of social media influence and celebrity culture, it is rare to find an honest and open figure the way Eilish appears to be.
Eilish’s authenticity can be seen in her style. Her signature fashion statement has often been considered an attempt at subverting hard-wired beauty standards and reclaiming a sense of individuality.
In addition, Eilish openly speaks about her mental health, her experiences on the creative process, and how she is “terrified” to become a role model. Hundreds of thousands of listeners empathize with her messages and feel empowered by them.
Social Influence
Eilish’s reach extends beyond her music and to wider social issues. For instance, she is a proponent of the Black Lives Matter movement and expressed her support through frequent social media posts, with her songs, and during her live performances.
In the age of coronavirus pandemic, the global pop star expressed her support of the World Health Organization and released a chilling rendition of the widely-heard song “ Sunshine Kind of Love” with a dedicated video to the medical workers.
Eilish is also an environmental activist who released her newest track, “all the good girls go to hell,” to denounce the impacts of climate change. The song has been widely praised for its support of eco-friendly causes, pioneering a new wave of environmental music.
Youth Voice
Billie Eilish is the voice of her generation, which is especially obvious in her music videos. All of her videos are built around themes of personal identity, breaking of gender norms, and teenage angst.
Her music videos often take subtle digs at the commercialization of pop culture—like in her “Bad Guy” video, where she is seen lying across a pile of cupcakes, reminiscent of stereotypical beauty ads. In her “You Should See me in a Crown” video, Eilish plays a dark character similar to the Tim Burton-esque style of her generation’s fervent appreciation of dark aesthetics.
Overall, Eilish is a massive influence on Gen-Z, inspiring her generation with her artistic originality, authenticity, and her strong stance on various social issues. As Eilish continues to gain wider reach and popularity, her impact will no doubt continue to shape the music industry and make a lasting impression on young listeners.
Music Releases
As of June 2020, Eilish has released three albums, seven collaborations, and twenty-six singles. Below is a brief list of her most recent releases:
Albums
• “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” (2019)
• “Live at Third Man Records” (2020)
• “No Time to Die” (2020)
Singles
• “everything I wanted”
• “No Time to Die”
• “No Time to Die (Remix)”
• “all the good girls go to hell”
• “No Time to Die (Remix)”
• “bad guy” (Remix)
• “you should see me in a crown”
• “bury a friend”
• “when the party’s over”
• “wish you were gay”
Collaborations
• 6 Underground (with Skrillex, 2019)
• Ocean Eyes (with Peter Kuli, 2019)
• The Smart Studios Story (with Metallica, 2020)
• The End Main Theme (with Hans Zimmer, 2020)
• Xanny (with Avicii and Finneas, 2020)
• My Future (with Finneas, 2020)
• Live the Stream (with Ed Sheeran, 2020)
• Experience the Stream (with Renzyx, 2020)
Billie Eilish is an unapologetically bold and empowering voice of Gen-Z, who is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Her impact on the music industry, advocating for social causes, and her influence on her generation is aptly undeniable.
As a result of her perseverance, artistic originality and authenticity, Eilish is a small reminder that her generation and young people everywhere should not be underestimated. She gives the world a good reason to listen to this generation and the stories they have to tell. And that is far more powerful than any of her awards or number one hit singles.