10 Musicians You Need to Follow on Twitter
It was 10 years ago that Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey sent the social media platform's first message: "just setting up my twttr." Since then, presidents have joined the conversation, political and social revolutions have been fueled by it and many a celebrity has launched a new campaign. Despite its ups and downs, Twitter has certainly transformed the cultural landscape.
Whether you have no love for its "like" button, are a master of mean tweets or just enjoy sitting on the sidelines as the world feuds in 140 characters or less, there's no question that many musicians have owned the medium since the beginning. Here's our list of 10 essential Twitter handles to follow so you're part of the conversation.
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Katy Perry
Image Credit: Tasso Mercello/Getty Over the past seven years, Katy Perry has cultivated Twitter's most-followed account with funny, heartfelt, endearing missives. She offers glimpses into her own life (this tragic tweet speaks for itself), engages with other pop stars (wishing Miley Cyrus good luck at the VMAs) and pokes fun at herself (such as the GIF of Left Shark dancing with a twerking shrimp). It's like your friends' Twitter accounts, if they'd sung "Roar."
Speak your truth even if your voice shakes. Live your truth even if your body breaks. Spirit survives.
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) January 23, 2016
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A valid reason they call it the club sandwich could be if you can fit your mouth round it you must be in some kinda club
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) March 13, 2016
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Deadmau5
Image Credit: C Flanigan/Getty Producer, DJ and perpetual shitstorm-starter Joel "Deadmau5" Zimmerman revels in his online persona – a caustic mix of Howard Beale, Noel Gallagher and Holden Caulfield – and is quick to take aim at who he deems "phonies." In the past three months alone, he has provoked online feuds with Skrillex, Kanye West and Justin Bieber, among others. His line between anger and hyperbole is debatable, but it's always entertaining.
made the mistake of listening to this jack u shit with bieber assuming they at least did something cool… nope. what the fuck is this shit?
— dead mow cinco (@deadmau5) June 29, 2015
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What the fuck @kanyewest … Can't afford serum? Dick. pic.twitter.com/8B2aiyORZs
— dead mow cinco (@deadmau5) March 2, 2016
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Kanye West
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty A one-man publicity house, Kanye's Twitter is the CNN of the mad-genius entertainment-industrial complex. Practically every time he opens his Twitter account, it becomes news: announcing new music; showcasing new fashion; exacting a point-by-point ethering of other rappers; providing the pivot point for the death of the compact disc; or just letting his complex, contradictory emotions fly. Catch it here so you don't have to read every website's aggregation of it.
uuuuuuum, so there it is… No more CDs from me
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) March 7, 2016
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I'm not even gon lie to you. I love me so much right now.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 24, 2016
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Axl Rose
Image Credit: Isaac Brekken/Getty The Guns N' Roses frontman tweets rarely, but when he does, it's often hilarious and poignant. Whether refusing to confirm GN'R reunion rumors ("The only thing I know 'confirmed' is my LOVE of Taco Bell") or awarding a "Global 'Civilian Douche of the Year' Award" to the Iranian journalist who forbade his soccer-playing wife from participating in the Asian Cup, Axl keeps true to the spirit of his music, cutting to the quick. He posts cat photos, too.
I said
"The 'No Swimsuit' Competition Round"
Not "No Swimsuit Competition Round!!"— Axl Rose (@axlrose) December 20, 2014
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Dijon thanks everyone very much for the bday wishes pic.twitter.com/IDlTetxmfV
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) July 7, 2015
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Killer Mike
Image Credit: Paul R. Giunta/Getty The outspoken Run the Jewels rapper is as likely to murk a Twitter hater as he is to launch into an impassioned endorsement about Bernie Sanders. Whenever news happens, Killer Mike provides more lucid opinions than your favorite thinkpiece writer — and posts pics of his toy car collection!
Sen. Sanders ordered Fried Chix (dark meat), Yams (who wuda thunk it & Rice n Gravy). Ok stop asking now
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) November 25, 2015
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All these niggas "trapping" and I ain't seen a real live J (junkie) in years. Who the fuck the selling too, each other?
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) November 17, 2015
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David Crosby
Image Credit: Al Pereira/Getty Who needs Reddit AMA's when David Crosby will answer any question succinctly at any hour of the day? The erstwhile Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and CSNY singer routinely fields questions – mostly about music, but sometimes about the most random subjects imaginable – with curt, plain and often funny responses.
I think I don't want to know https://t.co/Ebjgt4aMh8
— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) March 14, 2016
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Not that I know of no https://t.co/L9TnhpBpc3
— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) March 13, 2016
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Patrick Carney
Image Credit: Steve Jennings/Getty The opinionated, oft-ridiculous Black Keys drummer's biggest claim to Twitter fame is probably his epic war with True Beliebers, but focusing on that is like saying the Keys' best song is "Lonely Boy." Instead, we prefer the deep cuts: the weird asides about Star Wars, the occasional grilling tips, the deep thoughts about publicity shots. It's the work of a wonderfully weird genius – not bad for a self-professed "Celebrity Dentist [and] Sandwich Advocate."
New @pitchfork website review – 2.8
— Patrick Carney (@patrickcarney) March 14, 2016
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Putting your record on on tidal is as cool as putting your record out on aol
— Patrick Carney (@patrickcarney) February 14, 2016
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Cher
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty If the "T" in EGOT stood for "Twitter," Cher would finally achieve the final step in joining the elite club. The diva is an unfiltered master of the social media form, generously peppering her 140-character limit with artfully used emojis, caps lock and searing rants against the political far right. Cher is proof that even icons can break down barriers between stars and fans, responding frequently to her "chickadees" and engaging with movements like #BlackLivesMatter with a willingness to learn.
Stanley Tucci is a Brat
— Cher (@cher) August 26, 2014
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.@GagasFMonster96 kids my Emojid
Ass— Cher (@cher) April 13, 2014
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Vince Staples
Image Credit: Fiona Goodall/Getty Long Beach-native Vince Staples is not only one of rap's brightest stars, he is also one of its most natural comedians. On Twitter, the 22-year-old lets his real self shine, tweeting as if he's texting his followers his random thoughts, stream-of-consciousness style. Between pop culture references and a straightforward approach to race and race relations, some of Staples' funniest moments come from his deep love for Sprite, a brand he not only enjoys but is also the face of and has represented with a gung-ho fervor.
Some of the white homies stay tryna hate on Black Lives Matter when we let y'all pretend y'all liked Dane Cook for all them years. Not fair.
— Vince Staples (@vincestaples) March 13, 2016
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We taking off you guys have a good day & remember to pay your taxes it is very important shoutout Sprite.
— Vince Staples (@vincestaples) August 25, 2015
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Nicki Minaj
Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty For as big a mogul she's become, Nicki Minaj is one of the most interactive stars on Twitter. She engages with fans and keeps herself as aware as possible of new Barbz-created memes about the hip-hop titan — and typically with the weary-faced or cry-laughing emojis. Though she's been known to get caught in a few Twitter feud webs, Minaj is quick to offer glamorous glimpses into her life as a jetsetting celebrity and is always willing to spare a joke.
I've gone toe to toe w/everyone of your favorite male MC's. To undermine my skill & diversity as an MC is actually comical @ this point.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) December 11, 2015
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Yea. I had ya man buyin me mad snacks. Wuts good?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) August 27, 2014