ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the influence that Madonna has had on other performers who have followed her in the sphere of popular music, and her impact upon the pop world in general. Arguably her biggest influence, however, has been on newer generations of female pop performers. The chapter discusses the ways in which Madonna opened up avenues, opportunities and themes which were capitalized upon by more recent female artists such as the Spice Girls, Britney Spears, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez, Lil' Kim, Anastacia, Missy Elliot, Kylie Minogue, Pink and others. It could be said that Britney was able to be so successful at such a young age in part because Madonna had already cleared the way for that kind of female pop star. The chapter presents four key themes that Madonna established as central: a celebration of 'popular feminism'; women as confident sexual agents; fluid identities and reinvention of the self; and transformations and contradictions.
