Beyoncé takes the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century.
A statement on the website of the ranking company Billboard said:
“We’re going through her extensive career and accolades that have landed her at No. 1. From nine solo Hot 100 No. 1s to 27 Billboard Music Awards and the most Grammy Awards of any artist in history, we’re breaking it down for you. Which Beyoncé song is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!”
Since August, Billboard has been ranking their staff picks for the top 25 pop artists of the past 25 years. The publication’s picks are artists who they believe have most defined pop stardom and have “exemplified pop greatness” since the turn of the millennium.
Last week, Taylor Swift was announced as Billboard’s No. 2 pick, with Rihanna claiming the third spot.
Adele, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Drake round out the top 10.
At No. 25 is Katy Perry, with other pop artists including Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, One Direction, Miley Cyrus, Eminem, Usher and others ranking in between.
Billboard said:
“With nine solo Hot 100 No. 1s, three more this century with Destiny’s Child, 27 Billboard Music Awards and the most Grammy Awards of any artist in history, Billboard staff’s pick for the No. 1 greatest pop star of the 21st century is none other than the Queen Bey herself – Beyoncé.
“Hailing from Houston, Texas, Beyoncé got her start in the popular girl group Destiny’s Child and gave us hits like “Say My Name,” “Independent Women – Part 1” and “Bootylicious” – songs that all topped the Billboard Hot 100. After years of success with Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé stepped out on her own as a solo artist in the early 2000s. Her debut album Dangerously in Love was a hit, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and the album’s lead single, “Crazy in Love” with future husband Jay-Z, also topped the Hot 100. She continued to dominate the Billboard 200 with her next albums, including I Am… Sasha Fierce, which featured one of her most notable hits — “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” We all know that iconic dance.
“But Beyoncé changed the game when she dropped her album Beyoncé without anyone knowing it was coming. That release popularized the term “surprise drop,” and she paired it with a full visual album with music videos for each song, transforming the way artists market their new releases. The album topped the Billboard 200 and gave us hits like ‘Drunk in Love.’”
