Eminem did something that very few artists have ever done...like Elvis, Beatles, and Garth Brooks he became somebody who almost everyone knows. People in cities and suburbs listened just like people in small towns and farms. He moved a ton of cds, rode controversy to huge mainstream notoriety, had a hand in developing new stars, headlined successful tours and had 3 good-classic albums. He was definitly talented, like him or not.
Radiohead is alot like the Dead....doesnt move millions of cds but is still so popular that they can headline festivals and their tours are always succesful. Worldwide, they have probably been THE rock band of this generation going back to 1998. Their Grammy nomination for OK Computer was a pretty big deal at the time. Anyone who doesnt get their music 100% from mainstream radio (and still then maybe) are at least familiar with the name Radiohead. They already have more chart hits than the Grateful Dead. In a few weeks they will have headlined the two biggest American music festivals and, Im not sure, but presumably most of the European.
Kanye West has had to very successful, critic-approved albums so far. He is a much sought after producer. He has the mainstream notoriety of the Grammys and the Bush comment. He has been successful on the road, a rarity in hiphop. He isnt now, but with another cd and a couple years he could be a serious contender for defining artist.
Bright Eyes is the defining artist for a niche, but not for this entire generation.
Modest Mouse could be a defining artist in a few years. They became much more consistent on the road in '04/05 and found some mainstream popularity without cheesing up the music too much. They are becoming very popular on the festival scene. Plus, theres the chance of a total Issac Brock meltdown to garner some of the old Kurt Cobain mystique.