Beyoncé Crowned Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century by Billboard

The Queen of Pop Reigns Supreme, Beating Out Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Others in the Prestigious Ranking

Beyoncé has solidified her legacy yet again by being named the greatest pop star of the 21st century by Billboard. The iconic performer claimed the No. 1 spot on the magazine’s list of the 25 greatest pop stars, which has been unveiled over the past few months. With this recognition, Queen Bey joins an elite class of music royalty, further cementing her unparalleled influence on pop culture, music, and entertainment.

Billboard highlighted the reasons behind her top-ranking, attributing it to her groundbreaking career spanning 25 years, during which she has consistently redefined the music industry. From her early days with Destiny’s Child to her unmatched solo career, Beyoncé’s legacy has been built on her timeless albums, industry-shaping impact, and raw, peerless talent as both a singer and performer. Perhaps most importantly, her ability to create defining cultural moments that are uniquely hers stood out as a key factor in this distinction.

Her incredible journey began in the late 1990s with Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. As a solo artist, Beyoncé released her debut album, Dangerously in Love, in 2003, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. This marked the start of a career filled with record-breaking albums, sold-out tours, and cultural milestones. Seven of her albums debuted at No. 1, cementing her status as one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

In addition to her impressive musical career, Beyoncé has amassed a remarkable list of accolades, including 32 Grammy wins, making her the most-decorated artist in the award show’s history. She also set a new record for the most Grammy nominations of all time, with 99 career nods. Her powerful presence spans not just music, but also fashion, culture, and social justice. Her influence reached new heights with the release of Cowboy Carter, an album that shattered records and sparked a renewed interest in Black country music.

In Billboard’s ranking, Beyoncé surpassed other pop icons such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Drake, and Lady Gaga, who secured the second, third, fourth, and fifth spots, respectively. Her husband, Jay-Z, also made the list at No. 16, proving that the power couple’s impact extends far beyond music.

Beyoncé’s continued success has made her an enduring symbol of artistry and empowerment, setting the bar for future generations of musicians. As she gears up for her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, which was announced during a surprise Super Bowl commercial, she continues to break barriers and redefine the boundaries of pop music. Beyoncé is, without a doubt, the undisputed queen of pop for the 21st century.

Here’s the full list of Billboard’s 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
1. Beyoncé