Taylor Swift has officially been crowned the biggest artist of the 21st century by Billboard. Billboard’s recently unveiled “Top Artists of the 21st Century” list is based on performances on the Billboard 200 albums chart and the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart from January 1, 2000, to December 28, 2024.
Swift’s journey from her debut single “Tim McGraw” in 2006 to this moment is nothing short of remarkable. With 14 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 and 12 No. 1 singles on the Hot 100, she has cemented her place in music history. Billboard itself declared, “Titles released prior to mid-1999 are excluded, although such entries that appeared on the Billboard 200 or Hot 100 in that span contribute to the calculation of the Top Artists chart.”
What’s truly fascinating, though, is the dominance Swift has achieved over her peers, including some of the most globally recognized names in music. Drake, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Eminem, and The Weeknd all made the list, but none could topple Swift from her throne. Drake, often tagged as the streaming king, has 13 Billboard 200 No. 1 albums and 13 Hot 100 No. 1 singles to his name. Rihanna, a consistent chart-topper, boasts 14 Hot 100 No. 1 singles despite having only two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200.
The fact that this list excludes works prior to 2000 does raise questions about its comprehensiveness. Would legends like Whitney Houston or Michael Jackson have fared differently if their earlier hits were factored in?
For Taylor Swift, being named the biggest artist of the 21st century isn’t just another accolade, it’s a proof of her ability to evolve and remain relevant in an ever-changing industry. Her fans, often as passionate as they are vocal, would likely argue that this recognition was long overdue.
Whether you’re a Swiftie or not, her impact on music and culture is impossible to ignore. And for now, the title of “biggest artist of the 21st century” belongs to her, whether the world likes it or not.
