More than 50 years after he died in 1977, Elvis Presley is still a completely seductive and influential cultural figure. Elvis was known throughout the world as the “King of Rock and Roll.” His massive output, live presence, and abrasive public persona were the fundamental origins of popular music.
Elvis’ influence over modern music trends is still with us in 2024, and it’s as slight as it is profound. From his inimitable fashion sense to his boundary-pushing musical fusion of country, gospel, R&B, pop, and even in slot games at Brango Casino, present-day artists across genres are still finding inspiration in Elvis’ trailblazing example. As new generations discover the King’s timeless catalog and peerless charisma, his crown remains secure.
Enduring Popularity of Elvis’ Catalog
Even in 2024, Elvis Presley remains one of the best-selling musical artists of all time. According to RIAA certifications, his extensive catalog has moved well over 1 billion total units worldwide:
| Album Category | Total Units Sold |
| RIAA Album Certifications (US) | 203 million |
| Global Album Sales | Over 500 million |
| Digital Streams & Downloads | Over 500 million |
These staggering numbers put the King on par with modern pop juggernauts like Drake and The Weeknd in terms of sales. When accounting for inflation, he still out-earns every living artist except Beyoncé.
Clearly, Elvis doesn’t just belong to the history books. His music continues to be as relevant among contemporary listeners as ever. Whether it’s the dangerous sensuality of “Jailhouse Rock,” the operatic pathos of “It’s Now or Never” or the joyful bombast of “Viva Las Vegas,” Elvis’ catalog has proven its timelessness.
Still Influencing Stage Style
Beyond his music, Elvis Presley also made an indelible impact for his flamboyant performance style and gender-bending fashion sense. His penchant for skin-tight jumpsuits, capes, jewelry and eyeliner shattered norms about how pop stars – especially male ones – could dress on stage.
From glam rock bands like Mötley Crüe to pop provocateurs like Harry Styles, Elvis’ influence as a pioneer of androgynous stage fashion cannot be overstated. Styles in particular, known for his gender-fluid Gucci suits and feather boas, owes a clear debt to the King’s fearless experimentation with aesthetics and sexuality.
Once, in an interview with Howard Stern, Styles revealed that he had tried out for Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie: “Elvis was probably the first person I knew besides my family when I was a kid,” and added, “For that reason, there was something incredibly sacred surrounding him, so I thought I should try to get the part.“
This statement shows very much the adoration Styles has for Presley, and his determination to define oneself through fashion, regardless of gendered expectations, is a thoroughly Elvis-ian attitude that resonates with creators today.
…And Still Pushing Musical Boundaries
As much as he loved tradition, Elvis Presley was also determined to break boundaries. His incorporation of country, R&B and gospel elements into pop compositions was nothing short of revolutionary in the 1950s. These fusions came to exemplify the musical melting pot known as rock and roll.
In 2024 Elvis’ spirit of boundary-pushing innovation continues to inspire artists across the musical spectrum. Take Lil Nas X, for example, whose hit “Old Town Road” fused country and trap to similarly paradigm-shifting effect. Like Elvis, Lil Nas X faced controversy for bringing unconventional sounds to the mainstream. Also like Elvis, the young rapper’s musical alchemy proved both irresistible and profoundly influential.
“Old Town Road” opened the floodgates for country-trap fusions and propelled Lil Nas X to pop stratosphere. Meanwhile Korean boyband BTS managed to top charts worldwide by rapping and singing primarily in Korean over hybrids hip-hop, EDM and J-pop. These kinds of unprecedented crossovers have Elvis’ pioneering musical DNA coded into their foundations.
Decades since his passing, the King’s spirit of fearless innovation continues to inspire artists to push creative boundaries everywhere. His crown remains as visible as ever atop modern pop’s melting pot.
