Billboard has declared Beyoncé the greatest pop star of the 21st century as the century’s first quarter approaches its end. The ranking, unveiled this week, placed Beyoncé at the top of their list of 25 artists, with Taylor Swift coming in at No. 2. Despite Swift’s numerical dominance in several key metrics, Billboard cited Beyoncé’s unparalleled combination of achievements.
“Few artists this period can match her in any of the most critical basic categories of pop stardom – commercial success, performance abilities, critical acclaim and accolades, industry influence, iconic cultural moments – and absolutely no one can equal her in all of them,” Billboard wrote. They acknowledged Swift’s challenge for the top spot but emphasized that Beyoncé’s “quarter-century of dominance” remains unmatched.
Beyoncé’s accomplishments underscore her legacy. Since 2000, she has achieved 12 No. 1 singles, 10 No. 1 albums, and 32 top 10 singles. Additionally, she holds the record as the most-awarded artist in Grammy history with 32 wins. With 11 nominations for the 2025 Grammy Awards, that record could grow even further.
Her influence extends beyond music. In Spring 2025, Yale University will offer a course titled Beyoncé Makes History, examining her artistic contributions from 2013 to 2024 as a lens to study Black history, intellectual thought, and performance. The class will be taught by Professor Daphne Brooks, who previously offered a similar course at Princeton University.
“This class seemed good to teach because Beyoncé is just so ripe for teaching at this moment in time,” Brooks said. “The number of breakthroughs and innovations she’s executed, and the way she’s interwoven history and politics into her work, is unparalleled.”
The course will focus on Beyoncé’s music, fashion, and visual media from her self-titled album in 2013 to Cowboy Carter in 2024. It will also explore the diverse experiences of Black women in media and politics, utilizing scholarly readings, visual album screenings, archival research, and public humanities projects.
This honor from Billboard and the academic recognition at Yale highlight Beyoncé’s enduring influence as a pop icon and cultural force.
