Taylor Swift has been crowned the greatest female artist of the 21st century by Billboard in a list unveiled on Wednesday, March 19, spotlighting the 100 most influential women in music over the past two and a half decades. The ranking, based on performance on the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 charts, places the singer at the top, followed by powerhouses like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Adele, forming a podium of stars who have shaped the industry with hits, sales, and cultural impact. Revealed over a week from March 13 to 19, the list highlights Swift not just for her record-breaking tour—the highest-grossing in history—but also for her staggering streaming numbers and 14 Grammy wins, including four for Album of the Year.
The Billboard list captures the evolution of pop music since the early 2000s, featuring veterans like Mariah Carey and Madonna alongside newcomers like Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan. The ranking, which tracks the popularity of singles and albums in the U.S. and globally, celebrates artists who have dominated charts and influenced generations. Rihanna, in second place, shines with her pop versatility and business ventures, while Beyoncé, in third, impresses with innovation, including her recent Grammy win for Best Country Album with “Cowboy Carter.” Adele and Katy Perry round out the top 5, showcasing the vocal and commercial prowess that propelled them to stardom.
The selection’s impact transcends numbers. Artists like Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Miley Cyrus, all in the top 10, reflect the diversity of styles that have defined the century, from extravagant pop to experimental sounds. The list also acknowledges rising stars like Charli XCX at 95th and legends like Alicia Keys at 10th, creating a rich, varied snapshot of today’s female music scene.
- Criteria: performance on Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200 charts.
- Reveal period: March 13 to 19.
- Top 5: Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Adele, Katy Perry.
A week of reveals and records
Billboard rolled out the list in stages, starting on March 13 and wrapping up on the 19th with Taylor Swift’s crowning at number one. The staggered release built anticipation among fans and analysts, who tracked the rise from lower ranks to the leaders. Swift, at 35, solidified her spot with milestones like the “Eras Tour,” which grossed over $1 billion, and albums like “Folklore” and “Evermore,” which redefined her career by blending folk and pop.
Rihanna, the runner-up, maintains her relevance with hits like “Umbrella” and “Diamonds,” plus her influence beyond music through brands like Fenty Beauty. Beyoncé, in third, continues to break barriers, with “Cowboy Carter” marking her triumphant foray into country and earning a Grammy in February. Adele, fourth, is celebrated for powerhouse ballads like “Someone Like You,” while Katy Perry, fifth, reflects the success of pop anthems like “Firework” and “Roar.”
The selection relied on objective chart data but also mirrors the cultural weight of each artist. The inclusion of P!nk, Miley Cyrus, and Ariana Grande in the top 10 underscores how reinvention and consistency have been key to thriving in the 21st century.
How Billboard measured success
The ranking hinges on the Billboard Hot 100 for singles and Billboard 200 for albums, global benchmarks for gauging music popularity. These metrics analyze physical sales, streams, and radio plays since 2001, capturing artists’ performance amid the industry’s digital shift. Taylor Swift, for instance, racks up over 100 million weekly streams on platforms like Spotify, with records like “Midnights” topping the Billboard 200 for weeks.
Other top artists boast staggering stats too. Rihanna has surpassed 40 million album sales worldwide, while Beyoncé logged over 200 million streams with “Cowboy Carter” alone. Adele’s “21” holds the title of the century’s best-selling album with 31 million copies, and Katy Perry made history with five number-one Hot 100 singles from “Teenage Dream.” These achievements highlight how chart success reflects both commercial appeal and lasting influence.
Billboard’s approach also factors in longevity. Mariah Carey at 12th and Madonna at 15th stand as icons who paved the way for newer generations, while rising stars like Olivia Rodrigo at 50th already show strength with hits like “Drivers License.” The blend of veterans and newcomers underscores the ranking’s breadth.
Taylor Swift: queen of charts and stages
Taylor Swift leads with a career that spans genres and generations. From her country debut with “Tim McGraw” in 2006, she pivoted to pop with “1989” and delved into introspective storytelling with “Folklore.” Her “Eras Tour,” launched in 2023, not only shattered financial records but became a cultural phenomenon, packing stadiums across over 100 shows. In 2024 alone, the tour generated an estimated $5 billion economic boost in host cities.
Her 14 Grammys, including an unmatched four Album of the Year wins, spotlight her versatility and staying power. Albums like “Lover” and “The Tortured Poets Department” keep Swift atop the charts, while her re-recording project, including “Fearless (Taylor’s Version),” proves her creative and commercial control. At 35, she’s among the world’s most-searched terms, with a fanbase spanning teens to nostalgic adults.
Swift’s chart dominance is undeniable. In 2023, “Anti-Hero” ruled the Hot 100 for 10 weeks, while “Midnights” held the Billboard 200 for months. These feats, paired with her cultural sway, cement her as the century’s top female artist.
Rihanna and Beyoncé: pop giants and beyond
Rihanna, in second, is a multifaceted icon. Since “Pon de Replay” in 2005, she’s notched 14 Hot 100 number ones, rivaling music’s biggest names. Her 2016 album “Anti” took an experimental turn, while tracks like “Work” ruled streaming. Beyond music, her Fenty Beauty brand reshaped cosmetics, pulling in over $500 million annually.
Beyoncé, third, redefines pop with every release. “Single Ladies” and “Formation” are cultural milestones, but “Cowboy Carter,” out in 2024, took her legacy further, winning Best Country Album at the Grammys. With over 30 Grammy wins, she’s the most-awarded female artist in the event’s history. Her “Renaissance” tour in 2023 grossed $579 million, affirming her stage dominance.
Both blend music with global influence. Rihanna impacts fashion and business, while Beyoncé tackles race and feminism, elevating pop into a platform for social change.
- Top 3 highlights:
- Taylor Swift: 14 Grammys and a billion-dollar tour.
- Rihanna: 14 Hot 100 number ones and Fenty Beauty.
- Beyoncé: 30 Grammys and “Cowboy Carter.”
Adele and Katy Perry: voices that shaped generations
Adele, fourth, embodies raw emotion. Her 2011 album “21” sold over 31 million copies—the century’s top seller—while “25” reinforced her reign with hits like “Hello.” With 15 Grammys, she’s won over the world with ballads that cross languages and age groups, maintaining a rare but potent stage presence.
Katy Perry, fifth, epitomizes pop’s commercial peak. “Teenage Dream” in 2010 spawned five Hot 100 number ones, a feat matched only by Michael Jackson. Songs like “Firework” and “Roar” defined an era, and her vibrant tours, like the “Prismatic World Tour,” grossed over $200 million. Perry blends pop appeal with constant reinvention.
The duo showcases contrasting styles: Adele’s introspection versus Perry’s extroverted energy, both leaving deep marks on charts and culture.
The top 10: diversity and female power
Billboard’s top 10 gathers unique voices. Lady Gaga, sixth, dazzles with “Bad Romance” and “Shallow,” earning 13 Grammys and an Oscar. P!nk, seventh, fuses pop and punk attitude with “So What,” while Ariana Grande, eighth, dominates with powerhouse vocals in “Thank U, Next.” Miley Cyrus, ninth, evolved from “Party in the USA” to “Flowers,” and Alicia Keys, tenth, captivates with soul in “If I Ain’t Got You.”
These artists mirror the 21st century’s variety, from Gaga’s theatrical pop to Keys’ R&B, showing how female talent has shaped modern music. Their careers, marked by reinvention and chart triumphs, secure their spots among the greatest.
Newcomers and veterans: a balanced ranking
Beyond the top 10, the list celebrates generational diversity. Olivia Rodrigo, at 50th, burst onto the scene with “Sour,” while Charli XCX, at 95th, gains traction with “Brat.” Chappell Roan, at 80th, emerges as a promise with quirky pop. Veterans like Mariah Carey, with 19 Hot 100 number ones, and Madonna, a pop pioneer, showcase enduring legacies.
The mix of rising stars and icons highlights the industry’s evolution. While Carey and Madonna ruled the 2000s, names like Rodrigo signal the future, with massive streams and Gen Z appeal.
Cultural impact of the artists in the 21st century
The ranking transcends charts, reflecting these women’s cultural clout. Taylor Swift sparks copyright debates with her re-recordings, while Beyoncé addresses race in “Lemonade.” Rihanna reshapes inclusive beauty with Fenty, and Lady Gaga champions the LGBTQ+ community with “Born This Way.” Adele moves with universal lyrics.
These artists don’t just top sales and streams—they influence fashion, politics, and behavior. Their legacies extend beyond music, marking society with empowerment and innovation.
Timeline of the ranking reveal
Billboard unveiled the list in phases:
- March 13: started with positions 100 to 51.
- March 17: released 50 to 11.
- March 19: top 10 announced, Swift at 1st.
The approach kept audiences hooked, boosting the story’s reach.
Numbers that stun in female music
The top 10 artists rack up jaw-dropping stats. Swift leads with 100 million weekly streams, Rihanna has 40 million albums sold, and Beyoncé earned $579 million from one tour. Adele moved 31 million copies of “21,” while Perry hit five number ones from a single album. Gaga grossed $300 million on tours, and Grande boasts over 90 million Instagram followers.
These figures underscore women’s dominance in music’s charts and economy, spanning sales to digital platforms.
Fans’ reaction to the Billboard ranking
The reveal lit up social media. Swift fans celebrated with “Eras Tour” clips and memes, while Rihanna supporters debated her second-place finish, citing her global sway. Beyoncé followers praised “Cowboy Carter,” and Adele and Gaga admirers lauded their unique voices. The list sparked position disputes but united fans around female talent.
Posts with hashtags like #BillboardWomen and #TaylorSwiftTop1 went viral, racking up millions of interactions on platforms like X and Instagram, reflecting the excitement over these artists’ achievements.
