Billboard has just announced the list of the 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century, and Taylor Swift proudly takes her place at No. 2. No surprise there; after all, in two decades, Taylor Swift has influenced the music industry so much.
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Early Stages of Taylor Swift’s Road to Pop Stardom
The journey that Taylor Swift embarked on is from being the country sweetheart to becoming an international icon of pop is nothing but extraordinary. Transferring into pop with her album “1989,” which dropped in 2014, it was a high point in the career of the singer. Not only did she top the charts worldwide but also established herself as a pop powerhouse.
Her influence goes far beyond the music: Taylor Swift is a cultural icon due to her storytelling and the way she connects with listeners on a personal level. The beginning of her rise to fame started when her first album was released in 2006. Swift has since achieved so much: her albums “Fearless,” “Red,” and “Reputation” are commercial hits, with No. 1 hits and multiple Grammy Awards.
Billboard’s ‘Greatest Pop Star’ of the 21st Century countdown so far:
1. To be announced on Dec. 3.
2. Taylor Swift
3. Rihanna
4. Drake
5. Lady Gaga
6. Britney Spears
7. Kanye West
8. Justin Bieber
9. Ariana Grande
10. Adele
11. Usher
12. Eminez
13. Nicki Minaj
14. Justin Timberlake
15. Miley Cyrus
16. Jay-Z
17. Shakira
18. The Weeknd
19. BTS
20. Bruno Mars
21. Lil Wayne
22. One Direction
23. Bad Bunny
24. Ed Sheeran
25. Katy Perry
Record-Breaking Eras Tour
The most Surprising accomplishment for Taylor Swift would have to be the Eras Tour which she deployed to set a new standard for history’s highest-grossing concert tour over $1 billion. It displayed not only her exceptional skills as a live performer but also the capability of drawing a massive crowd that would not forget such events. The evolution of her music and remaining strong to her fans makes her one of the most influential artists in the modern era.
Achievements and Awards
Her impact in the music industry is, on its own, marked by the various awards she won: named Time magazine Person of the Year in 2023 as the richest female musician with $1.6 billion net worth, the latest album “The Tortured Poets Department” breaking a record, having released over 300 million streams by a single day on Spotify April 2024.
Views of the Fans
Despite the great success, some fans and critics claim that Taylor Swift deserves the No. 1 spot on the list because of her unmatched commercial success, However, Billboard’s decision to put her at No. 2 speaks of influence and how strong the competition is among today’s pop stars.
Taylor Swift is predicted to remain at no.1 on billboard 200 for another week (via HITSDD)
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The Hoped-for No. 1 Spot
As the world of music holds its breath awaiting the announcement of No. 1, many have believed Beyoncé stands as the best hope to grab the top slot. Not only is she a cultural icon, but her impacts are so deep in all aspects: music, fashion, and activism.
In conclusion, Taylor Swift’s placement as Billboard’s No. 2 Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century is a well-deserved honor that reflects her extraordinary career and lasting influence on the music industry. Whether she claims the top spot or not, Taylor Swift legacy as one of the greatest pop stars of all time is undeniable.
