Billboard has officially unveiled the rankings of the greatest pop stars of the 21st century, and Taylor Swift has claimed the prestigious second spot. While the “Anti-Hero” singer comes in at number two, Beyoncé is widely expected to take the top position in the coming week. Swift’s fans, however, are not entirely pleased with her silver medal, and they are vocal about why she deserves the number one spot.
The list, which Billboard has been unveiling piece by piece over the past few months, celebrates the artists who have most defined pop music and culture over the last 25 years. With Taylor Swift in the runner-up position, she surpasses other major stars like Rihanna, Drake, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears. Despite this remarkable achievement, her supporters are arguing that her groundbreaking accomplishments, especially her record-shattering Eras Tour, warrant the number one spot.
The Full List of Billboard’s Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century (So Far):
- (To be revealed next week)
- 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
A Look at the Top Contenders
Taylor Swift’s placement at number two reflects her profound impact on the music industry. Billboard’s Hannah Dailey attributes Swift’s success to her ability to bend culture to her will, becoming one of the world’s most dominant pop stars despite her late start in country music. Her career took a remarkable turn as she evolved into a global pop phenomenon, breaking records with albums like 1989 and her latest, Midnights.
Swift’s fans, however, feel she should have taken the top spot. Many Swifties took to social media to express their frustrations, pointing out that Swift has consistently broken records, including having the highest-grossing tour of all time, and her multiple No. 1 albums. They argue that her influence, sales, and cultural impact should make her the greatest pop star of the 21st century.
Fans are particularly vocal about her accomplishments, with some highlighting her “Eras Tour,” which has shattered multiple records, and others noting her dominance across sales, streams, and awards. One fan wrote, “Taylor Swift has released or re-recorded 9 albums in the past 5 years and continues to set new standards in the industry. How is she not number one?”
What’s Next?
While Taylor Swift’s supporters are vocal about her deserving of the top position, it is expected that Beyoncé will soon take the crown as the greatest pop star of the 21st century, considering her long-standing influence on pop and R&B music since the early 2000s. As the only artist to rival Swift’s success and cultural dominance, Beyoncé is likely to be crowned number one when the final rankings are revealed.
