Assignment 2-1 Icon Analysis

POP CULTURE ICONS

The World English Dictionary defines an icon as a person or thing regarded as a symbol of a belief, nation, community, or a cultural movement. A true pop culture icon can withstand “the test of time”. Meaning, that years after their work or career has ended, the icon is still very well know. Three major pop icons of the past 20 years are Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson and Michael Phelps.

Michael Jordan was one of the greatest and most well known athletes of all time. Easily proven by the fact that he is the proud owner of six NBA championship rings. Then, even after Jordan could no longer compete athletically, his shoe brand has withstood the test of time with people of all ages wearing Nike Air Jordans. The Nike Air Jordans have actually sold more shoes than any other shoe and made Michael Jordan the first athlete to reach $1 billion in annual sales (Rovell, 2009). Three out of every four pair of basketball shoes sold in the U.S. are Jordan branded.

Michael Jackson may be the most recognizable pop culture icon of the past 30 years. He certainly is one of the most popular musicians of all time, with his album “Thriller” spending more weeks at number one on the Billboard charts than any other album in the history of the Billboard Top 200 ("Michael jackson: The," 2013).

Yet another Michael that has become a recent popular culture icon is Michael Phelps, the US Olympian. Michael Phelps has the world record for most Olympic medals with 22 total medals, 18 of which were gold. Phelps’ three great showings at the Olympic games started in 2004, which were the first summer games following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and gave America yet another figure to unify behind.

REFERENCES

Icons- definition. In (2013). World English Dictionary. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/icons

Michael jackson: The artist. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/the-artist/timeline/legacy

Rovell, D. (2009, September 11). Michael jordan first athlete to $1 billion. . Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/id/32798277