Who's to say that pop success and artistry are mutually exclusive? Even today?
Example:
Fun.
Two huge hits: "We Are Young" and "Some Nights"

You may not like them, but you cannot argue with their musicial skills, nor their artistry. They can write a song and perform the hell out of it.

Yes, they use auto tuner, but they do so as an artistic choice. Nate Ruess can HIT those high notes -- full voice. I saw them live. I've seen him do it. The rest of the musicians: rock-solid; excellent, even.

So... to say that all pop is pap is just, plain wrong.

Also... hip-hop/rap:
Like it or not, the turntable/computer/studio has become an instrument in and of itself, and today's hip-hop artists are virtuosos.
And, there may not be a lot of "melody" per se, but a lot of the wordplay is just flat-out amazing.
Hell, I hate a lot of hip-hop, but I respect the artistry of a lot of it.

Hop On Pop, the band at Facebook!
STREAM and DOWNLOAD Hop on Pop music