The American magazine Billboard has named Beyoncé the greatest pop star of the XXI century.
Although singer Taylor Swift is the leader in terms of commercial indicators, such as album sales and the number of streams, the magazine chose Beyoncé for her influence on the industry, innovative approach, and “consistently high level of performance.”
In March 2000, Beyoncé topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time. Back then, she was a member of Destiny’s Child. Since then, the singer has released dozens of hits and popular albums and held thousands of concerts that have become elements of mass culture. From her first hit, “Say My Name” (1999), to her latest successes, such as her album Renaissance (2022), Beyoncé has become a symbol of innovation and excellence in pop music.
Beyoncé is the most awarded artist. She has won 32 Grammy Awards and another 27 Billboard Music Awards. She will likely win even more awards in January 2025, as she received the most Grammy nominations this year, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year.
Billboard noted that almost none of the artists can compare to Beyoncé in terms of performance, critical acclaim, industry influence, and commercial success.
Taylor Swift took second place in the ranking, and Rihanna took third. Drake, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Adele follow.