Beyonce expected to be crowned Billboard’s Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century as Taylor Swift lands No. 2 spot |

Billboard has stirred debate among music fans with the release of its updated list of the “25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century.”
The outlet on Tuesday sparked off a heated debate online after Taylor Swift, who has had a record-breaking run this year, secured the No. 2 spot. The No. 1 spot, is expected to be revealed next week, but rumours are already running wild that Beyonce may just steal the crown.
The news has already ignited a social media storm with both Beyhive and Swifties fiercely defending their icons.
Swift’s No. 2 placement follows an extraordinary run with her Eras Tour breaking records as the highest-grossing tour in history, earning over $1 billion. Forbes also named the singer the richest female musician of 2023 with a net worth of $1.6 billion, making her the first artist to achieve this billionaire status solely through music and performances.
Billboard credited Swift for “gravitationally bending culture to her will” and evolving from her country music roots into one of the most influential pop stars of all time. She outranked Rihanna (No. 3), Drake (No. 4), Lady Gaga (No. 5), and Britney Spears (No. 6), Kanye West (7), Justin Bieber (8), Ariana Grande (9) and Adele (10).
However, Swift’s fans were of the opinion that the singer ‘deserved’ the top spot on the list, citing her unmatched commercial success, numerous No. 1 albums, and cultural impact.
See the fan reaction below:

Meanwhile, Beyonce, often hailed as a cultural icon, is expected to claim the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s list. The singer was previously crowned Billboard’s Greatest Pop Star of 2014. She topped the list for reportedly changing the entire game at the end of 2013, and spending the entire next year dominating the new landscape. She also topped the list in 2003 when she made her official solo break.

Her influence extends beyond music, shaping fashion, performance art, and activism.