Beyoncé Reigns Supreme as Billboard’s Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century

Beyoncé, a cultural icon and musical powerhouse, has been crowned the greatest pop star of the 21st century by Billboard. This prestigious honor comes after the outlet revealed its list of the most influential pop stars from the last 100 years, with Beyoncé securing the top spot over global megastars like Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Drake, and Lady Gaga.

Why Beyoncé Is Number One

According to Billboard, Beyoncé was chosen for her “25 years of influence, evolution, and impact.” The outlet praised her extraordinary journey, describing her as “an all-timer” whose greatness is both “immediately obvious” and “worthy of extensive exploration.” Her dazzling stage presence, stunning beauty, flawless fashion, and unmatched vocal ability were all highlighted as key elements of her enduring legacy.

Beyoncé’s dominance isn’t surprising. She’s the most decorated Grammy artist in history, boasting 32 wins. Earlier this year, she broke another record by becoming the most-nominated artist of all time with 99 career nominations.

Breaking Records Across Genres

Beyoncé’s influence extends beyond pop music. Her eighth studio album and debut country record, Cowboy Carter shattered barriers. She became the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with her single “Texas Hold ‘Em” and made history again as the first woman to claim the top three spots on the same chart.

Though snubbed by the Country Music Association Awards, Beyoncé earned Grammy nominations in major country categories, including Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“II Most Wanted” featuring Miley Cyrus), Best Country Album (Cowboy Carter),  and Best Country Song (“Texas Hold ‘Em”).

What About Taylor Swift?

Billboard acknowledged that Taylor Swift, the No. 2 greatest pop star of the 21st century, has an undeniable claim to current global dominance. Swift’s commercial success and cultural influence are unparalleled, with Billboard stating, “There is zero question who the biggest pop star in the world is right now…”

However, when it comes to a legacy spanning the entire 21st century, Beyoncé stands alone. “She has pursued excellence thoroughly and relentlessly,” Billboard wrote.

Rihanna and Other Icons in the Top 25

Rihanna, Drake, and Britney Spears made the top six, with Lady Gaga taking fifth place. Other notable mentions include Adele, BTS, and Bad Bunny, all of whom contributed to shaping the modern pop landscape.

Here’s the complete list of Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century:

25. Katy Perry
26. Ed Sheeran
27. Bad Bunny
28. One Direction
29. Lil Wayne
30. Bruno Mars
31. BTS
32. The Weeknd
33. Shakira
34. Jay-Z
35. Miley Cyrus
36. Justin Timberlake
37. Nicki Minaj
38. Eminem
39. Usher
40. Adele
41. Ariana Grande
42. Justin Bieber
43. Kanye West
44. Britney Spears
45. Lady Gaga
46. Drake
47. Rihanna
48. Taylor Swift
49. Beyoncé