Who runs the world? Beyonce does!
After a month of counting down their Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century list, Billboard has officially placed the music superstar at the top of the list. The shoe was just waiting to drop when Billboard announced Taylor Swift in second place, joining a 25-name list that includes global superstars like Rihanna, Drake, Lady Gaga, BTS, and Shakira among others.
“While Taylor Swift is the century’s biggest pop star by the numbers — from album sales to streams to touring dominance — Beyoncé tops our staff-chosen editorial list based on her full 25 years of influence, impact, evolution,” Billboard’s official statement read.
That quip mentioning the “Anti Hero” songstress caused a bit of commotion online, with Swifties – already irked by their idol’s runner up placement – questioning the need to pit the two musicians against each other when both have established such remarkable and enduring careers. Alas, there is no bad blood between the two Queens of Pop.
“Taylor knows she’s had an extraordinary career,” one insider told Page Six. “She feels blessed to share this moment with someone as iconic as Beyoncé.”
With a career spanning nearly three decades, Beyonce’s impact is indeed unrivaled. From her days as a member of Destiny’s Child to her solo endeavor later on, she consistently puts out generation-defining hits like “Say My Name”, “Survivor”, “Crazy In Love”, “Halo”, “Single Ladies”, “Lemonade”, and many many more. Her celebrity persona, fashion style, and ever-evolving image also add to the mystique of Bey, transforming her from a talented musician to an icon.
Here’s the full list of Billboard’s Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century:
- Beyoncé
- Taylor Swift
- Rihanna
- Drake
- Lady Gaga
- Britney Spears
- Kanye West
- Justin Bieber
- Ariana Grande
- Adele
- Usher
- Eminem
- Nicki Minaj
- Justin Timberlake
- Miley Cyrus
- Jay-Z
- Shakira
- The Weeknd
- BTS
- Bruno Mars
- Lil Wayne
- One Direction
- Bad Bunny
- Ed Sheeran
- Katy Perry