Billboard ranks Beyoncé as top pop icon, leaving Taylor Swift fans in disbelief

2 hours ago 3

As the only artist to achieve a new #1 hit in each of the last four decades, it should come as no surprise Billboard has crowned Beyoncé as the greatest pop star of the 21st century.

After gradually revealing its ranking in a series of articles, Billboard has been drip-feeding the 25 artists who have most defined pop stardom for the last 25 years.

Chaos ensued this week when Billboard named Taylor Swift as the second-greatest pop star of the 21st century. Swifties came out in droves on social media to note their disappointment, with the hashtag #BillboardIsOverParty trending on X (Twitter).

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

However, the backlash was something Billboard’s Hannah Dailey, who wrote an article outlining the decision, preempted.

Dailey said that while Swift has become one of the world’s biggest undisputed pop stars, despite her eight-year late start in country music, her placement shouldn’t leave Swifties upset for too long.

“[...] especially considering how much later in the millennium she got her start, both in the genre and music in general,” wrote Dailey.

Sharing the top 10 with Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Drake, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Adele, respectively, Beyoncé’s dominance is yet to be editorialised by Billboard.

Expected to release its official announcement in the coming days, Billboard’s editorial team is likely to note Beyoncé’s enduring legacy in entertainment through multiple career sign-post moments.

For example, Beyoncé is the first artist in history to chart simultaneously at #1 on 23 different Billboard charts.

She’s also the most awarded artist in Grammys history with 32 wins and 99 nominations.

What’s more, not only is she the only female act with the most tours (4) grossing over $200 million each, she is the first touring artist in history to gross over $100 million in three separate calendar months.

Outside of her accolades, Beyoncé’s impact extends to multiple groundbreaking visual albums, surprise releases, and genre-defying music which have redefined how artists approach music and the industry in general.

Thanks to her records, Dangerously in Love, Beyoncé, Lemonade, Renaissance and Cowboy Carter — as well as her voice-acting and film career (The Lion King, Dreamgirls etc.), Beyoncé has remained at the forefront of pop culture for 25 years and counting.

Honorable Mentions included artists like 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Christina Aguilera, Dua Lipa, Kelly Clarkson, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, Maroon 5, Missy Elliott, Nelly, Olivia Rodrigo, Post Malone, Sean Paul, and SZA.

Read Entire Article