Addison Rae Names This Pop Icon One of the Greatest Artists of Our Generation

It’s fair to say that Addison Rae is one of TikTok’s biggest success stories. The “Diet Pepsi” hitmaker, who first rose to prominence as a content creator, has strategically leveraged her social media fame to pursue a career in music. Her sudden rebrand — from influencer to singer (and actress, too) — has truly paid off. Along the way, she’s also had the chance to meet some of the most well-known musical artists before her, including the one she calls “one of the greatest artists” of this generation: Lana Del Rey.

The “Summertime Sadness” singer is a polarizing artist. There’s no denying that. While celebrated as one of the pioneers of the alternative pop genre, some perceive her lyrics about toxic relationships and domestic abuse as glamorization of such harmful and unhealthy situations. It also doesn’t help that she’s never shied away from speaking her mind. In one instance, she even went as far as naming other female artists to defend her reputation and lyrical choices, a move some felt was unnecessary and divisive. Just recently, Del Rey got into a not-so-private feud with fellow sad alternative girlie Ethel Cain. Despite all that, what Rae said about her still stands. And whether you love her or hate her, her impact is unmistakable.

Lana Del Rey Is Actually “Kind and Sweet,” Says Addison Rae

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Rae opened for the “Born to Die” singer at London’s Wembley Stadium, joining her multiple times during the main set to perform both “Diet Pepsi” and “57.5” together. Del Rey has become one of Rae’s key musical inspirations. In an Instagram post shared several weeks ago, the TikToker expressed heartfelt gratitude for the singer, calling her “the most beautiful divine woman, heart, soul, mind.” Rae went on to describe herself as “the happiest and luckiest girl on earth” for having the chance to perform alongside her idol. And in a conversation with Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1, Rae once again expressed deep respect for Del Rey.

Rae spoke warmly of the singer-songwriter, expressing deep admiration and noting how much they have in common, particularly their shared perfectionism. She said: “Lana is one of the greatest artists of our generation — honestly, of our lifetime. I think she’s just so incredible, and she’s so kind and sweet, and so helpful and open. She’s such a perfectionist, which is so inspiring to watch. I’m a perfectionist as well, and she never lets that go away. It’s really nice to see someone that is constantly wanting everything to be perfect for everyone to enjoy.”

Rae’s comments come months after she released her debut studio album, Addison, on June 6. The album, which received generally positive reviews from critics, features her hit single “Diet Pepsi,” as well as other tracks like “Aquamarine,” “High Fashion,” “Headphones On,” “Fame Is a Gun,” and “Times Like These.” While TikTok fame often carries a negative connotation, Rae came out of it strong by reaching critical acclaim, with her album being considered one of the greatest albums of this year. Even known artists like Ed Sheeran, Troye Sivan, and Demi Lovato spoke positively of the record, proving that the rising pop artist is more than just a social media personality.

Lana Del Rey’s Reputation May Have Preceded Her, But Her Talent Speaks for Itself

Del Rey has already been involved in a number of controversies that several publications could easily put together a timeline article out of. But there’s one thing no one can take away from her: her place in the industry. Her musical style and lyricism, however problematic for some, have also received praise from others, particularly for her distinctive blend of themes like vintage and nostalgia. She complements them with melancholic lyrics and sound, paired perfectly by her recognizable, dreamy voice. She complements them with melancholic lyrics and sound, perfectly paired with her recognizable, dreamy voice.

Often referred to as one of the “sad girlies,” Del Rey is responsible for tracks like “Young and Beautiful,” “West Coast,” “High By the Beach,” “Love,” “Doin’ Time,” “Video Games,” “Brooklyn Baby,” “Mariners Apartment Complex,” “National Anthem,” “Lust for Life (featuring The Weeknd),” “Blue Banisters,” and more. So to call her “one of the greatest artists of our generation” is just right, no doubt about it.