Official announcement from the Grammy Awards

Beyoncé Surpasses Taylor Swift to Become Billboard's No.1 Pop Icon of 21st Century

Dec 3, 2024, 06:13 PM

Billboard has named Beyoncé as the No.1 pop icon of the 21st century, surpassing Taylor Swift, who was recognized as the century's biggest pop star by the numbers. The decision was based on Beyoncé's 25 years of influence, evolution, and impact in the music industry. The announcement has sparked some controversy among fans, particularly those of Taylor Swift, who have expressed their frustration online. Billboard's list also included other notable artists such as Rihanna, Drake, and Lady Gaga, but Beyoncé's ranking at the top was attributed to her consistent greatness, with 12 No.1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the most Grammy awards of any artist in history.