Most remarkably, Swift came five positions ahead of Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, whom she has an extremely well-documented history with, involving multiple conflicts. Artists that are ranked further down on the list include Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Adele, and Usher. The number one position on the Billboard chart remains unknown; fans believe that the winner is Beyoncé, as she has yet to be found in the list.
Swift, originally a country artist, has evolved into one of the most influential pop stars of all time. Billboard writer Hannah Dailey emphasized Swift’s ability to “gravitationally bend culture to her will” by embracing what made her unique. While some fans have voiced disappointment over Swift not claiming the top spot, Dailey acknowledged that her ranking highlights her extraordinary journey and cultural relevance.
This recognition comes on the heels of Swift’s banner year. She was named Billboard’s Top Artist of 2023 and Time magazine’s Person of the Year. In February, Swift made history as the first artist to win the Grammy for Album of the Year four times. Her Eras Tour shattered records as the highest-grossing concert tour ever, and Forbes recognized her as the richest female musician, with a net worth of $1.6 billion. Her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, also broke streaming records on Spotify in April.
Swifties took to social media to share mixed reactions to the ranking. Some were disappointed, with one X user calling it a “joke,” while others, particularly those anticipating Beyoncé as No. 1, felt the placement was fair. A Reddit user summed up the sentiment: “Taylor has been bigger in recent years, but Beyoncé has been huge since the very beginning of this century.”
As Billboard prepares to announce its top pick, fans worldwide eagerly await the crowning of the greatest pop star of the 21st century.
