Artist is a word thrown around too much lately to the point that it's dissolving its true meaning. It's becoming trivial and unfortunately, American Idol is furthering that dissolution. Eric Clapton is a musical artist. He writes/composes and plays his own music on instruments. T-Pain samples sounds.
With that said, hate is a strong word. Musical celebrities I could do without:
Flo-Rida
Britney Spears
Deicide, Cannibal Corpse and the like - I just don't get it. They sound like an angry Cookie Monster
Fall Out Boy
Ashlee Simpson
Kanye West