As the countdown to Billboard’s “Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century” list comes down to one final spot left, the publication has ranked Taylor Swift at no. 2. This means there’s only one spot left to be revealed, and everyone seems to already know who no. 1 belongs to.
“I didn’t need Billboard to tell me Beyoncé was the greatest pop star of the 21st century,” X user @GregStayUp_ wrote.
Although X users like @thenorrisjay are thanking Beyoncé for “black people FINALLY getting a win in november,” many online think she doesn’t deserve the title.
@Iamdimeji_ wrote “If an artist of her caliber can’t keep an album on the charts for a year, how can she be the greatest pop star?”
X user @Odin_akachi said “of course they gave number 1 to a black woman so that people wouldn’t scream ‘white privilege’ but we all know who deserves it,” referencing Swift.
But fans of Queen Bey say Swift is “mediocre at best (aside from her songwriting skills). There’s nothing that qualifies her as EXTRAORDINARY.”
It’s the battle of the fans! And Billboard predicted it exactly. “The fact that controversy will likely tear through the internet over her [Swift] being just one small space below No. 1 is just another testament to her power,” the magazine said about the country/pop star.
Throughout her career, Swift has won 14 Grammys, was named TIME Magazine’s 2023 person of the year, and just concluded her historic “Eras” tour.
X user @aidan7501 even made the hilarious comparison between Beyoncé and Swift to the presidential election. Another user, @FolkloreMarTS, responded under that same tweet saying, “Taylor and Rihanna are way ahead of her in ALL fields but hey that Jay Z check cleared.”
On the flip side, Beyhive like @TheTitanBaddie say Beyoncé claiming the no. 1 spot was obvious. “She’s literally called The Queen by everyone including your faves.”
The “Cuff It” singer has the more Grammy Awards than anyone in history. Beyoncé has nine no. 1 Billboard hits, and has sold 200 million records worldwide.
Some people like @THATONZI put her up with the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, and Michael Jackson.
Other users like @anthosgroove say “No amount of racism and misogyny will stop Beyoncé from being the greatest pop star of this century...Talent always wins!!”
No matter how you slice it, both Swift and Beyyonce deserve to be on the list, but we just hope the Beyhive and the Swifties can get it together in time for Thanksgiving dinner!