After a months-long countdown, Billboard has now announced its pick for the “Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century”… Beyoncé.
The former Destiny’s Child star, who went solo in 2003, left behind the best-selling pop star of the 21st century: Taylor Swift Had to be content with second place.
But Billboard wasn’t just using record sales to determine its list. Beyonce’s Game-Changing 2013 Self-Titled AlbumA surprise release that ushered in a new era of visual albums, noted by reputable music outlets as a key factor in securing the top spot.
The top five, and announced in the past weeks, are Rihanna in third place, Drake in fourth place and Lady Gaga in fifth place.
Despite the top three being all women, it is a male-heavy list, featuring 14 male artists and bands compared to 11 female artists.
Only two groups made the list: Korean boy band BTS at 19th and UK X Factor group One Direction at 22nd. It’s also a rap-heavy selection, featuring Kanye West, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and Bad Bunny. Joining Drake on the list.
Last week, Justin Bieber’s wife Hailey Bieber was publicly upset over his top 10 spot, apparently bemoaning his ranking as the eighth-best pop star of the century – as well as Billboard’s characterization of his “unique An extended tribute was given praising her “presence” – which was below that of her husband.
“Billboard is a f–king joke as always!” he wrote at the bottom of a post announcing his place on the list.
Perhaps Bieber should be grateful he made this list: possibly the biggest pop star to play for Australian audiences this century, pink, had to compromise For a spot in the long list of 25 singers who didn’t quite make it.
The billboard’s logic?
“She never put together so many big hit songs and albums in any one era that she could really dominate the pop landscape.”
Christina Aguilera, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar and Jennifer Lopez are among the other stars who had to settle for honorable mentions and spots outside the coveted top 25.
is here complete list Billboard’s picks for the greatest pop stars of the 21st century:
1. Beyonce
2. Taylor Swift
3.Rihanna
4. Drake
5. Lady Gaga
6. Britney Spears
7. Kanye West
8. Justin Bieber
9. Ariana Grande
10. Adele
11. Usher
12. Eminem
13. Nicki Minaj
14. Justin Timberlake
15. Miley Cyrus
16. Jay-Z
17. Shakira
18. The Weeknd
19. bts
20. Bruno Mars
21. Lil Wayne
22. One Direction
23. Bad bunny
24. Ed Sheeran
25. Katy Perry
