Music charting site, Billboard, officially named Beyoncé the “Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century” on Tuesday December 3, 2024 as part of an ongoing series.
“Beyoncé has been selected as the leading artist on our editorial list due to her extensive 25 years of influence and evolution,” stated Billboard’s Andrew Unterberger.
In their assessment, the publication noted that Beyoncé’s position as number one is due to her status as a record-breaking Grammy winner and an artist whose dedication to innovation and excellence has set the standard for all pop stars of this century.
In contrast to rankings that rely solely on commercial performance metrics like sales and streams, Billboard assessed artists using a broader perspective, highlighting Beyoncé’s over two-decade career that showcases her evolution through chart-topping albums, worldwide tours, and memorable performances, such as her acclaimed headlining act at Coachella in 2018, often referred to as “Beychella.”
Her ability to redefine pop music and create significant cultural moments has consistently kept her ahead of her contemporaries.
The announcement sparked a divide online, with Billboard acknowledging the strong competition between Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. Following the announcement, Swift’s fan base, known as ‘Swifties,’ expressed their dissatisfaction on social media.
Nonetheless, Billboard stood by their choice.
“Taylor Swift, the only artist who truly posed a challenge to Beyoncé for the top ranking—and who statistically outperforms Beyoncé in several key areas—simply hasn’t been in the industry long enough to rival the breadth of Beyoncé’s 25-year reign,” Billboard commented.
Beyoncé holds the title of the most Grammy-awarded artist, with an unprecedented 32 wins, and she is anticipated to gain even more accolades in January after receiving 11 additional nominations for her 2024 album “Cowboy Carter.”
The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer also boasts an impressive history on Billboard’s charts, with nine No. 1 hits and 24 top 10 singles on the Hot 100.
Eight of her albums have reached the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200, beginning with her debut solo album “Dangerously In Love” in 2003.
Having previously achieved major success as a member of Destiny’s Child, 11 of Beyoncé’s solo albums have landed in Billboard’s top 10.
Since August, Billboard has been compiling its rankings of the top 25 pop artists over the past 25 years, focusing on those who have significantly shaped pop stardom and embodied “pop greatness” since the new millennium.
Last week, Taylor Swift was named Billboard’s No. 2 artist, while Rihanna secured the third position.
The top 10 also includes Adele, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Drake.
