Entertainment
Billboard defends greatest 21st century pop star pick after mass backlash-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro
Beyoncé has pipped Taylor Swift to the post for Billboard’s greatest pop star of the 21st century (Picture: Getty)
Billboard’s controversial ‘greatest pop star of the 21st century’ list has come to a head as it justifies picking Beyoncé over Taylor Swift.
After announcing the Anti-Hero hitmaker in the number two spot earlier this week, the music magazine faced severe backlash from Swifties claiming they are ‘a joke’ for not placing her in the top spot.
Now the publication has confirmed it is actually Queen B who has rose victorious in the battle for musical supremacy.
In an statement preceding the article, Billboard wrote: ‘While Taylor Swift is the century’s biggest pop star by the numbers — from album sales to streams to touring dominance — our editorial staff chose Beyoncé as our Greatest Pop Star of the Century, based on her full 25 years of influence, evolution and impact.’
There’s no doubting Beyoncé’s music industry prowess – as laid out by Billboard – from receiving the most Grammy awards (a whopping 32) to being a prolific cross-genre chart-topper.
Further into the explanation, they returned to the Break My Soul singer’s constant comparisons to Taylor by claiming she had ‘reached levels of pop star greatness’ that ‘previously, only Beyoncé could really lay claim to over the past 25 years’.
The pop star pair are friendly in real life (Picture: Getty)
It continued: ‘There is zero question who the biggest pop star in the world is right now, and anyone who wanted to make the case for [Taylor] as the century’s greatest would have a fair and reasonable argument with which to do so.’
Before adding that despite this ‘no one has a longer or fuller track record than Beyoncé’.
The final ranking has fiercely divided fans online, with some still scorned on behalf of Taylor while others are thrilled that Billboard has given Beyoncé her well-deserved flowers.
As one Swiftie @dontwannashar3 complained: ‘Translation: “Taylor Swift is the actual greatest pop star of the 21st century but Beyoncé has vibes”‘
‘Being named the second greatest pop star of the 21st century, only Swifties would get so mad about this, it is literally still a compliment,’ X user @mercurycocktail added.
Swifties shared their displeasure at Taylor being snubbed for first position (Picture: Getty)
But as the Beyhive pointed out, she is an industry powerhouse (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s very evident what’s happening in the music industry rn/recently and it’s that Taylor’s bigger, better, and more successful than any of the artists this year and simply ever. and they’re scared of her power cause she’s doing what others couldn’t even imagine,’ @chloeandoomfs shared.
‘“She qualified in every way possible but we still chose not to give it to her”’,’ @downbaddanii posted.
On the other hand, there have been plenty who agree with the final choice.
‘Beyoncé’s been the competitor to watch and take inspiration from for the last 25 years. If you were winning at any point this century in music, she was one of your biggest competitors,’ @TheeJoeyy defended.
‘I’m a Swiftie but they’re right and they should say it,’ @abighoul agreed.
‘Influence & impact will always trump numbers & those of us who stan talent always knew that,’ @jki_rnb added.
‘I still remember when she dropped self-titled and we all could not believe she dropped with no promo, no news, no nothing. Like we had no idea and she changed the way the industry moves. This is absolutely the correct decision!’ @kenyathehunter echoed.
The singer dominated country music after the release of her album, Cowboy Carter (Picture: Getty)
Some have also pointed out that nothing is gained by pitting these two artists against each other gains nothing.
‘I need the media to detach these two from each other asap unless they’re going to do it in a way that unites them & celebrates both,’ @putohive said.
Both artists have seen huge success over the past few years. The Blank Space singer will be bringing her mammoth Eras Tour to an end in Toronto later this month making it the highest-grossing tour of all time, per TIME.
Meanwhile, as well as becoming the most-awarded in Grammy history and her country album Cowboy Carter debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making her the first Black woman to achieve this.
Both singers have been supportive of one another’s careers and in the past two years have attended each other’s concert movie premieres.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Beyoncé has pipped Taylor Swift to the post for Billboard’s greatest pop star of the 21st century (Picture: Getty)
Billboard’s controversial ‘greatest pop star of the 21st century’ list has come to a head as it justifies picking Beyoncé over Taylor Swift.
After announcing the Anti-Hero hitmaker in the number two spot earlier this week, the music magazine faced severe backlash from Swifties claiming they are ‘a joke’ for not placing her in the top spot.
Now the publication has confirmed it is actually Queen B who has rose victorious in the battle for musical supremacy.
In an statement preceding the article, Billboard wrote: ‘While Taylor Swift is the century’s biggest pop star by the numbers — from album sales to streams to touring dominance — our editorial staff chose Beyoncé as our Greatest Pop Star of the Century, based on her full 25 years of influence, evolution and impact.’
There’s no doubting Beyoncé’s music industry prowess – as laid out by Billboard – from receiving the most Grammy awards (a whopping 32) to being a prolific cross-genre chart-topper.
Further into the explanation, they returned to the Break My Soul singer’s constant comparisons to Taylor by claiming she had ‘reached levels of pop star greatness’ that ‘previously, only Beyoncé could really lay claim to over the past 25 years’.
The pop star pair are friendly in real life (Picture: Getty)
It continued: ‘There is zero question who the biggest pop star in the world is right now, and anyone who wanted to make the case for [Taylor] as the century’s greatest would have a fair and reasonable argument with which to do so.’
Before adding that despite this ‘no one has a longer or fuller track record than Beyoncé’.
The final ranking has fiercely divided fans online, with some still scorned on behalf of Taylor while others are thrilled that Billboard has given Beyoncé her well-deserved flowers.
As one Swiftie @dontwannashar3 complained: ‘Translation: “Taylor Swift is the actual greatest pop star of the 21st century but Beyoncé has vibes”‘
‘Being named the second greatest pop star of the 21st century, only Swifties would get so mad about this, it is literally still a compliment,’ X user @mercurycocktail added.
Swifties shared their displeasure at Taylor being snubbed for first position (Picture: Getty)
But as the Beyhive pointed out, she is an industry powerhouse (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s very evident what’s happening in the music industry rn/recently and it’s that Taylor’s bigger, better, and more successful than any of the artists this year and simply ever. and they’re scared of her power cause she’s doing what others couldn’t even imagine,’ @chloeandoomfs shared.
‘“She qualified in every way possible but we still chose not to give it to her”’,’ @downbaddanii posted.
On the other hand, there have been plenty who agree with the final choice.
‘Beyoncé’s been the competitor to watch and take inspiration from for the last 25 years. If you were winning at any point this century in music, she was one of your biggest competitors,’ @TheeJoeyy defended.
‘I’m a Swiftie but they’re right and they should say it,’ @abighoul agreed.
‘Influence & impact will always trump numbers & those of us who stan talent always knew that,’ @jki_rnb added.
‘I still remember when she dropped self-titled and we all could not believe she dropped with no promo, no news, no nothing. Like we had no idea and she changed the way the industry moves. This is absolutely the correct decision!’ @kenyathehunter echoed.
The singer dominated country music after the release of her album, Cowboy Carter (Picture: Getty)
Some have also pointed out that nothing is gained by pitting these two artists against each other gains nothing.
‘I need the media to detach these two from each other asap unless they’re going to do it in a way that unites them & celebrates both,’ @putohive said.
Both artists have seen huge success over the past few years. The Blank Space singer will be bringing her mammoth Eras Tour to an end in Toronto later this month making it the highest-grossing tour of all time, per TIME.
Meanwhile, as well as becoming the most-awarded in Grammy history and her country album Cowboy Carter debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making her the first Black woman to achieve this.
Both singers have been supportive of one another’s careers and in the past two years have attended each other’s concert movie premieres.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
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