Billboard names Taylor Swift second greatest pop star of 21st century, Beyoncé expected to take the top spot

Taylor Swift takes the silver medal but Billboard has seemingly saved the last and best seat for Beyoncé, and we don’t know about you, but Swifties are not feeling no. 2. Swift edges out Rihanna (No. 3), Drake (No. 4), Lady Gaga (No. 5), and Britney Spears (No. 6) on the prestigious list. She also outranks her longtime rival, Ye (formerly Kanye West), by a comfortable five spots.

For the uninitiated, Billboard has been building excitement around a highly anticipated list, showcasing “the artists who have most defined pop stardom for the last 25 years”. The reveal has been a slow burn, with one name being unveiled every week over the past few months.

Taylor Swift No. 2 greatest pop star of the 21st century by Billboard

According to Billboard’s Hannah Dailey, Taylor Swift’s success can be attributed to her unwavering commitment to embracing what sets her apart. Dailey added Swift was “able to forcefully, gravitationally bend culture to her will and become one of the world’s biggest undisputed pop stars, despite her eight-year late start in country music.”

Billboard’s Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century: No. 2 — Taylor Swift https://t.co/x4IvELBh10

— billboard (@billboard) November 26, 2024

The Folklore hitmaker was previously named Billboard’s top artist of 2023.

Beyoncé expected to be the number 1 artist of the 21st century

Queen Bey is coming for her throne. With Taylor Swift taking the no. 2 spot on the coveted list, it’s now expected that Billboard will next week unveil Beyoncé as the greatest pop star of the 21st century. While Swifties might be feeling a little salty about it, the Beyhive is undoubtedly rejoicing!

How are Swifties feeling about it?

No. 2 in a Billboard list is a top-tier achievement but not when you are Taylor Swift who is used to being at the top in almost every task that she undertakes. Her fans, known as Swifties, have now called out Billboard for not giving her the deserving spot, citing she has had the most no 1 albums, and not to forget her groundbreaking Eras Tour to back her position.

One fan wrote, “Greatest Artist – Impact & Influence Most Selling Artist – Commercial Success We can see Taylor Swift in the top 10 of the greatest and most selling artists but we can’t find Beyonce in the top 10 most selling artists.”

Another user mentioned, “Idc what Billboard says. TAYLOR SWIFT is the greatest pop star of ALL TIME.

Idc what Billboard says. TAYLOR SWIFT is the greatest pop star of ALL TIME. pic.twitter.com/ODBR4md8GY

— Dylan ⸆⸉ 🫶🏻 | EDI N3 (@thatswhen_tv) November 26, 2024

“Taylor Swift has released or re-recorded 9 albums in the past 5 years. the Eras Tour has been the highest-grossing tour of all time. she has cleared the billboard multiple times and shattered records. she has made a huge economic impact. you’re telling me that isn’t #1 worthy?” another fan wrote.

taylor swift has released or re-recorded 9 albums in the past 5 years.
the eras tour has been the highest-grossing tour of all time.
she has cleared the billboard multiple times and shattered records.
she has made a huge economic impact.
you’re telling me that isn’t #1 worthy?

— delanaisdelicate GOT YOYOK (@idioticxfool13) November 26, 2024

“Taylor Swift beats Beyoncé in sales, streams, touring, global impact, and award count . . . yet Billboard still gave Taylor #2, Billboard is such a joke,” added another Swift fan.

Taylor swift beats Beyoncé in sales, streams, touring, global impact, and award count . . . yet Billboard still gave Taylor #2, Billboard is such a joke

— Rose loves folklore (@Rosetheswift) November 26, 2024

“We declared Taylor Swift should be a bigger artist,” asserted a Swiftie.

Who else is in Billboard’s list?

Here’s the full list of Billboard’s picks so far for the greatest pop stars of the 21st century:

25. Katy Perry

24. Ed Sheeran

23. Bad Bunny

22. One Direction

21. Lil Wayne

20. Bruno Mars

19. BTS

18. The Weeknd

17. Shakira

16. Jay-Z

15. Miley Cyrus

14. Justin Timberlake

13. Nicki Minaj

12. Eminem

11. Usher

10. Adele

9. Ariana Grande

8. Justin Bieber

7. Kanye West

6. Britney Spears

5. Lady Gaga

4. Drake

3. Rihanna

2. Taylor Swift

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