With Ticketmaster going crazy at the moment with traffic from devoted fans desperate for tickets to Sabbath and for Beyonce, there is lots of chatter about how awesome each act is and how much of a spectacle each event will be.  Ella and I were lucky enough to score access to the events we chose and were talking about who we consider to be more influential on the music industry

 

 

Black Sabbath and Beyoncé have influenced the music industry in vastly different ways. Black Sabbath essentially pioneered heavy metal, while Beyoncé has reshaped pop, R&B, and the business of music itself. Let’s break it down with 10 key arguments for each.

 

Black Sabbath’s Influence on the Music Industry

 

1. Invented Heavy Metal – Black Sabbath is widely credited with creating the heavy metal genre, influencing countless bands across multiple subgenres like doom, thrash, and death metal.

 2. Darker, Heavier Sound – Their use of tritone (“the devil’s interval”), down-tuned guitars, and ominous lyrics set the blueprint for metal’s signature sound. An entire industry.

3.Influence on Generations of Rock & Metal Bands – Without Sabbath, bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Pantera, and even grunge acts like Soundgarden wouldn’t sound the same, and may not even have started.

4. Longevity of Impact – The metal genre they pioneered continues to thrive worldwide, with metal festivals, fanbases, and new bands constantly citing Sabbath as a core influence.

 5. Cultural Shift in Rock Music – Before Sabbath, rock was blues-driven and upbeat. They brought in themes of darkness, horror, and social commentary, influencing everything from punk to industrial music.

6. Ozzy Osbourne’s Solo Success – Even outside of Sabbath, Ozzy’s career furthered metal’s mainstream appeal, proving the genre’s staying power.  He is considered a hero to many.

7. Blueprint for Metal Imagery & Aesthetic – Their use of gothic album covers, occult references, and horror themes became a staple in metal culture.

8. Shaping Music Production Techniques – Sabbath’s use of distortion, heavy bass, and slower tempos became standard for metal production techniques.

9. Pioneering the Concept of the Anti-Hero Rock Star – Their rebellious, gritty image was a shift from the polished rock stars of the ’60s, influencing the rise of punk, grunge, and alternative rock.

10. Heavy Metal as a Global Movement – Metal is one of the most globally enduring and widespread rock genres, and its roots trace directly back to Sabbath.

 

Beyoncé’s Influence on the Music Industry

 

1. Revolutionized Modern Pop & R&B – Beyoncé has shaped contemporary pop and R&B through her vocal style, production choices, and genre-blending.

2. Pioneered the Surprise Album Drop – When she released her self-titled album in 2013 without prior promotion, it changed how artists release music, influencing streaming-era marketing.

3. Impact on Feminism & Representation in Music – Her music and brand have empowered women, particularly Black women, in the industry and beyond.

4. Mastery of the Visual Album Format – From Lemonade to Black Is King, her visual storytelling has become a new industry standard.

5. Live Performance Standard-Setter – Her Coachella 2018 (“Beychella”) performance redefined what a festival headline act could be, blending high art with cultural commentary.

6. Business Savvy & Artist Independence – She took control of her career, owning her masters and forming Parkwood Entertainment, which influences how artists approach ownership.

7. Crossover Appeal & Global Reach – Unlike many artists who are big in one region, Beyoncé’s music resonates worldwide, cutting across race, gender, and nationalities.

8. Redefining R&B’s Mainstream Success – She has kept R&B relevant in an era dominated by hip-hop and EDM, proving that soulful, melodic music still sells at a massive scale.

9. Paving the Way for Other Artists – She opened doors for artists like SZA, Chloe x Halle, and even mainstream pop acts who incorporate R&B and hip-hop elements.

10. Cultural & Political Impact – Her music tackles race, feminism, and empowerment, making her an artist whose influence extends far beyond just music.

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So, who Is More Influential?

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It depends on how we define influence.

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If we’re talking about shaping a genre: Black Sabbath takes the win by f***ing miles!. They created a genre that has endured for decades, influencing entire subcultures and generations of musicians and 55 years since their debut, there isn’t a guitarist who hasn’t tried playing Paranoid.

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If we’re talking about redefining the industry and cultural impact: Beyoncé wins. She has revolutionized how music is released, marketed, and performed, while also shaping cultural conversations about race, gender, and artistry.

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If influence is measured in lasting impact on music itself, Black Sabbath is more influential because they fundamentally altered the sound of rock and metal, which remains one of the most globally popular genres. However, if influence is measured in shaping modern music business practices, artistry, and pop culture, then Beyoncé is the bigger force.

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Ultimately, I’d say Black Sabbath had a deeper impact on music itself, while Beyoncé had a broader impact on the industry and culture. Who you consider more influential depends on which of those you value more.

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And indeed we can look at album sales, which because the numbers don’t support my wanted outcome here, I’ll ignore!

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Black Sabbath:                      

Black Sabbath has sold over 75 million albums worldwide.Their best-selling album, Paranoid, has sold over 12 million copies globally.  

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Beyoncé: As of December 2024, Beyoncé has sold over 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In the United States alone, she has sold 37 million albums. Her best-selling album, I Am… Sasha Fierce, has sold over 9.68 million copies.  

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While Black Sabbath has achieved impressive album sales with over 75 million copies sold, Beyoncé’s global record sales surpass 200 million, reflecting her significant impact on the music industry… but sphere of influence on music?  She is amazing, but is part of her genre, not the originator of it.

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So I could agree with Ella, but then we would both be wrong.   Without Sabbath, we would have no Led Zep no Metallica, no Queen, no Maiden, no punk, no Sunset Strip, no corpse paint, and dreams of this and many other teenagers would have been very different. No rock stars.  Without Beyoncé there would be a lot more women waiting for an engagement ring, and there wouldn’t be the awesome video of her dancing to Thomas the Tank Engine.