List of greatest pop stars of the 21st century: Who's first?
Some fans are not impressed with the ranking of their favourite stars...
Many music publications, magazines, and other media outlets enjoy composing music-related lists.
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You might occasionally see something like 'Best Musicians of the Decade' or '50 Best Guitarists' pop up on your social media feed.
Billboard is one music and pop culture publisher with much influence and power.
Billboard is "an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events and styles related to the music industry."
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While it is now primarily available online, it still dominates the industry.
This year they decided to spice things up with a new list.
Introducing Billboard's Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century!
The list consists of the top 25 pop stars of the last 24 years, and since August 2024, they have been revealing the placements of some of the biggest stars.
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Every ranking was accompanied by an essay recapping their careers and explaining why they’ve exemplified pop greatness.
However, with lists like these, there will always be some pushback.
Whether it's the fans or other industry insiders, it might even be the wife of one of the artists!
Hailey Bieber, model and wife of Justin Bieber, did not hold back when Billboard revealed where her husband had placed.
(Warning: strong language)
Hailey Bieber reacts to Billboard ranking Justin Bieber as the 8th greatest pop star of the 21st century: "Billboard is a f*cking joke as per usual!! 💋” pic.twitter.com/fIIsckmcpo
— FameUnfiltered (@FameUnfiltered) November 25, 2024
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Billboard has not revealed exactly how the list was determined (through streams, album sales, and chart-topping hits), but you will never be able to please everyone.
Here is the list:
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
Top 5
2. Taylor Swift
The number one spot has not yet been revealed, but there is very little doubt about who will be comfortably sitting at the top.
Since she has not featured on the rest of the list, it's clear there can only be one queen who is the greatest pop star of the 21st century.
Beyoncé.
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Main image courtesy of @spaceandust/X