Billboard's 'Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century' Rankings Are Causing a Stir: Where Does BTS Rank?

Billboard's "Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century" rankings have sparked intense discussions among music fans worldwide. Since August, Billboard has been releasing its list of the "Top 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century," fueling conversations about the biggest names in modern music.

Photo: Robert Way / Shutterstock.com; BTS / Instagram (@rkive).

On November 26 (local time), Billboard named Taylor Swift the second greatest pop star of the 21st century. Along with the ranking, Billboard released a feature article spotlighting her achievements and influence in the music industry. Following the announcement, intense debates erupted online between Beyoncé and Taylor Swift fandoms, garnering significant attention.

▣ Billboard Rankings and Fandom Conflicts

With Taylor Swift confirmed as second on the chart, it seems almost certain that the top spot belongs to Beyoncé, often referred to as the Queen of Pop. From her time with Destiny's Child to her solo career, Beyoncé has wielded massive influence worldwide, cementing her status as an icon of pop culture. However, Taylor Swift, who follows closely behind, boasts an equally unparalleled career and a massive global fandom. The ranking announcement has ignited a clash of pride between the two fandoms.

Comparisons between Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have become a hot topic on social media and online communities. Beyoncé's fans argue that she is more than just a pop star, calling her "a cultural and social movement icon" and asserting that she is the rightful holder of the number one spot. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift's fans claim that "Swift is a trailblazer who has redefined the 21st-century music industry," emphasizing her greater influence as an artist. This debate, primarily unfolding on platforms like Twitter and Reddit, continues to escalate in intensity.

Photo: Beyoncé / Instagram (@beyonce); Taylor Swift / Instagram (@taylorswift).

▣ Global Icon BTS Ranked 19th

In September, Billboard announced that South Korea’s BTS ranked 19th on the "Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century" chart, reaffirming K-pop's global status. Despite not releasing an English album, BTS has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. repeatedly, while amassing a global fandom of over 1 billion, known as "ARMY."

What sets BTS apart from other pop stars is their ability to deliver social messages that positively impact youth worldwide. From speeches at the United Nations to anti-Asian hate campaigns and constant engagement with fans globally, BTS has solidified their status not just as artists, but as global leaders. Their ranking at 19th on this chart is considered a landmark achievement in K-pop history.

Here is the full list of Billboard's "Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century."

1. Beyoncé

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. Eminem

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