In a much-anticipated ranking, Taylor Swift has been named the second greatest pop star of the 21st century by Billboard magazine, falling just behind Beyoncé, who clinched the top spot. The list, which highlights artists shaping global pop culture over the past 25 years, sparked a heated debate among fans as it was unveiled in a series of articles.
Swift's placement comes during a year of unprecedented milestones. She has broken records with her Eras Tour, crowned the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, and cemented her position as a cultural icon. Forbes estimated her net worth at $1.6 billion, making her the wealthiest female musician in the world. She also released her critically acclaimed album The Tortured Poets Department, which became the first to surpass 300 million streams on Spotify in a single day. Earlier this year, she made Grammy history by becoming the first artist to win Album of the Year four times and was named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2023.
However, the spotlight now shines on Swift's No. 2 ranking, which some fans find contentious. Billboard writer Hannah Dailey noted, "The fact that controversy will likely tear through the internet over her being just one small space below No. 1 is just another testament to her power."
Beyoncé's dominance over the past two decades contributed to her clinching the title. Her 2013 self-titled album, released without prior announcement, redefined the music industry, particularly in its embrace of visual storytelling. Beyoncé's contributions as a solo artist since departing Destiny's Child in 2003 have set benchmarks in artistry, with Billboard citing her groundbreaking creativity and cultural impact.
Swift and Beyoncé are joined at the top by Rihanna, Drake, and Lady Gaga, who rounded out the top five. The all-female top three reflects the enduring influence of women in the pop industry, though the overall list leans male, featuring 14 male artists compared to 11 female artists or groups. BTS, the global K-pop sensation, and One Direction were the only groups to make the list.
While Swift fans expressed their discontent on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), others acknowledged the reasoning behind Beyoncé's placement. "Taylor has been bigger in recent years, but Beyoncé has been huge since the very beginning of this century," wrote one fan on Reddit.
Despite falling short of the No. 1 spot, Swift's trajectory has been meteoric. Billboard highlighted her ability to transform her career, writing, "Through honoring all the traits that made her different, [she] was able to forcefully, gravitationally bend culture to her will."
Other notable entries on the list include Britney Spears at No. 6, Kanye West at No. 7, Justin Bieber at No. 8, and Adele at No. 10. Both Spears and West contributed to shaping pop music in their eras, while Bieber's inclusion prompted debate online, with his wife Hailey Bieber voicing her disapproval of his No. 8 ranking. In contrast, longtime fan favorite Pink did not make the top 25, which Billboard attributed to her lack of consistent dominance in any one era.
Critics have raised questions about the selection criteria, particularly regarding the heavier inclusion of male artists. Meanwhile, Beyoncé's win, according to Billboard, represents her unrivaled ability to innovate in a fiercely competitive industry.
