With essays arguing that each was the biggest, brightest, and most significant star in their respective solar systems that year, Billboard's staff in 2019 unveiled its selections for the greatest pop star of each year going back to 1981 the year MTV debuted, effectively marking the beginning of the modern pop era. Best influential pop artists today we've also been selecting the top ten pop performers of the last 12 months for the past several years, and each one receives a year-in-review homage from one of our staff members.
BTS, Bad Bunny, and Taylor Swift have been our choices for the No. 1 greatest pop star of the year this decade. However, as the quarter-century milestone approaches, we thought it would be appropriate to take a brief look at the entire previous 25 years of pop fame. Thus, we start our list of the top 25 pop stars of the twenty-first century this week.
Best Influential Pop Artists Today
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Curtis Jackson, whose 2003 debut LP Get Rich or Die Tryin' came on the heels of a wave of mixtape and media hype (as well as one of the best lead singles in hip-hop history), may have had the most spectacular breakout of any rapper this century. It played like an already-minted greatest hits album.
He achieved absolutely stratospheric commercial heights with his mercenary approach to rap, including well over a million in first-week sales for his sophomore set, The Massacre.
With his instantly recognizable album covers, inevitable music videos, and growing popularity in movies and television, it's likely that even your grandmother could identify him based just on his pictures.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: The bottom fell out for 50 Cent surprisingly quickly after losing a highly publicized first-week sales battle with Ye (then Kanye West) in 2007; he hasn't had a Hot 100 top 10 hit as a lead artist or a Billboard 200 No. 1 album since, and his new releases became more sporadic as he focused on his acting career and business ventures.
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ALICIA KEYS
Alicia Keys, a soul singer-songwriter and piano prodigy whose lungs were as flawless as her writing and her overall believability, was much needed during the American Idol period.
Without her hit songs Songs in A Minor and The Diary of Alicia Keys, as well as their respective hit singles, it's difficult to envision the first half of the 2000s.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Keys' first three albums primarily defined her period as a pop sensation, and she hasn't released a true smash song since 2012. Despite this, she has seldom been completely absent from the mainstream throughout the previous 20 years.
EILISH BILLIE
Billie Eilish, the first artist born in the 21st century to achieve a Hot 100 No. 1 hit, could not have felt like a more fitting example of Gen Z superstardom.
She defied trends, was incredibly dark and extremely silly, and only collaborated with her closest family members. Despite this, she was unquestionably, massively pop.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: It's just a question of volume: It would have been very impossible to keep her out if her ascent had begun a few years earlier or if this time frame had concluded a few years later.
Cardi B
Putting aside the long-delayed release of her sophomore album, Cardi B's multi-platform superstardom and consistent commercial strength have only grown more amazing as fans wait for the follow-up to her incredible 2018 debut, Invasion of Privacy.
Bodak Yellow turned Cardi from a reality TV regular into a chart-topping rap sensation in 2017. Invasion swiftly took advantage of the single's popularity and sent up-and-coming Spanish-language artists J Balvin and Bad Bunny to the top of the Hot 100 with I Like It.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: When your mainstream breakthrough occurred two-thirds of the way through those 25 years, it was difficult to break into the quarter-century list. Even while Cardi continued to release singles after the invasion of privacy, several of those songs, including Money,Up, and Enough Miami, may have had longer chart runs if they had been attached to a real full-length album.
Carri Underwood
Since her 2005 Idol triumph single Inside Your Heaven, which peaked at number one on the Hot 100, Carrie Underwood, one of the two most famous American Idol alumni in popular music, has been a defining voice in country music.
In the next years, Underwood achieved four Billboard 200 chart-toppers and scored some of the biggest crossover songs in the genre with Jesus, Take the Wheel, and Before He Cheats.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Although she was a steady seller in the late 2000s and early 2010s, her crossover success has been quite limited over the past ten years, and her latest studio endeavors haven't had as big of a financial effect.
Brown, Chris
Chris Brown became the next man up in the classic triple-threat paradigm of pop&B popularity following Usher's mid-00s mega-dominance.
With Run It, he immediately topped the Hot 100! He soon showed that he had the tunes to go along with his abilities; when he and Rihanna performed together at the 2007 VMAs, it appeared that pop had discovered its enduring power couple.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Because just those initial few years are still cherished recollections for (almost) everyone, Brown inevitably remained a highly polarizing figure in the music industry despite his rapid business recovery.
Read also: How To Get The Most Out Of Pop Music 2024
AGUILERA CHRISTINA
What a Girl Wants, the second single from her debut album, followed Genie in a Bottle to the top spot and made Xtina the second-biggest solo star of the emerging TRL teen-pop era. This was the first new Hot 100 No. 1 hit of the 21st century. However, Aguilera would mature quickly.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Aguilera never put forth another completely successful album after her 2006 chart-topping record Back to Basics, and her only significant pop singles in the past 15 years have been featured songs.
DOJA CAT
Doja Cat's funny viral one-off MOOO in 2018 was a quick route to widespread fame!Thus, many anticipated her time in the spotlight would be brief by the time she turned it into true pop fame with her 2020 Hot 100-topper. Say thus.
As a matter of fact, it has been everything but: Doja Cat is by far the most consistently successful, productive, and attention-grabbing pop performer of the first half of the 2020s.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Naturally, the recentness and the fact that, despite her numerous outstanding performances over the years, she lacks the ability to halt the world with a release—as seen by the fact that she has yet to achieve a Billboard 200 No. 1 album—hurt.
LIPA DUA
After a string of hits in her home country of the United Kingdom, Dua Lipa scored her first top 10 Hot 100 hit with the 2017 electro-pop post-breakup playbook, writing a set of New Rules for what a pop breakthrough looks like.
She combined her indie tastes and high fashion sensibility to create an unquestionably cool star. With her PNAU remix with Elton John Cold Heart, high-profile collaborations with Silk City Electricity and Calvin Harris One Kiss, as well as her subsequent doubling down on dance, she has solidified her dominance in nu-disco with her explosive sophomore album Future Nostalgia in 2020.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: We're still more than radically optimistic that Lipa could return to pop's top echelon at any time, even though Billboard named Radical Optimism one of the best albums of 2024 so far because of its confident lyrics and daring productions. The project's first three singles failed to make it into the Hot 100's top 10.
FUTURE
It's difficult to recall a period when Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn, better known by his stage name Future, made his national debut and was viewed as a hip-hop gimmick. His rapping and singing blended together in a post-Auto-Tune warble.
Future progressively made a name for himself in the streaming age with his melodic skills, self-loathing lyrics, and croaked passion, which were distributed between gritty mixtapes and guest-heavy full-lengths.
Pluto had the early converts, while Honor had the pop-leaning supporters.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: After the 2014 crossover bid, Honest Future rapped, "Tried to make me a pop star, and they made a monster." Despite working with artists like Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, and Ariana Grande, he has largely remained pop-adjacent while maintaining a firm foothold in the hip-hop industry.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez was the epitome of stardom at the start of the twenty-first century. She released six top 10 Hot 100 hits during the first three years of the '00s, and she helped define an era where hip-hop, R&B, and pop all got more cuddly together than ever before. Her success in movies and her tabloid ubiquity were undoubtedly important, but music was perhaps the most significant aspect of that.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Even though she was our No. 1 Greatest Pop Star of 2001, she dominated during a period when pop popularity was comparatively weak, and neither her greatest albums nor trademark singles still command the same respect from pop fans now as those who came before or after her.
KELLY CLARKSON
Her 21st Century in Pop The greatest singing competition success story has been demonstrating for over 25 years that the electorate had it 100% right when they selected Clarkson as the most promising pop singer in the first season of American Idol in 2002.
She has been a mainstay on the chart since her triumphant coronation ballad A Moment Like This topped the Hot 100.
She has achieved two more No. 1s, My Life Would Suck Without You in 2009 and Stronger What Doesn't Kill You in 2011, as well as 11 top 10s, including the pop-rock classic Since U Been Gone, which peaked at No. 2 in 2005.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Although Clarkson has undoubtedly survived as a multimedia superstar, her period as a successful pop performer was mostly restricted to the ten years after Idol.
Kendrick Lamar
The most celebrated rapper of the past fifteen years may have the most resilient reputation in hip-hop, as J.
The only negative things you can say about Cole as an artist are that he doesn't come around enough and that he can be a little preachy at times.
Cole recently learned the hard way, although not as hard as some. And the effects are captivating when Kendrick Lamar does make an appearance.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Even with those number one songs, Kendrick Lamar never really cared about making pop stardom the main event, and aside from 2024, he has mostly avoided the limelight when it wasn't necessary. Even during his most prominent moment of the century, he was still mocking Drake, saying, Only you like being famous.
Read also: Will Taylor Swift attend Super Bowl 58 to cheer on Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce?
KESHA
Kesha is still reclaiming her story, both during and after a protracted court fight with producer Lukasz. "Dr. Pop singer Luke Gottwald has used her music to convey tenacity in the face of personal and professional challenges and to challenge her party-hard character.
However, anybody who witnessed Kesha's dollar-sign days, a flash of Jack Daniel's and glitter to start the decade, may recall one of the most influential debut periods of the century.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Despite Kesha's current musically satisfying production, she was unable to attain the same success rate as her early career years. In the last ten years, just one of her songs, "Praying" from 2017, has reached the top 40 of the Hot 100.
DEL REY, LANA
This is the reason half your bitches’ existence—including mine, Billie Eilish told the audience as a guest at Lana Del Rey’s 2024 Coachella headline performance.
Simply put, Del Rey has had the biggest impact on the general direction of mainstream music during the last 15 years of any musician.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Even though Lana's cult has grown significantly over the last ten or more years, it is still primarily a cult. Her two appearances in the Hot 100 top 10 have been an uncharacteristic EDM remix and a laid-back get-together with the biggest artist in the world.
LORDE
Lorde is one of the most significant singer-songwriters of the century thus far and a key player in the movement of anti-pop artists turning into pop stars.
Her 2013 single Royals, a cold, scathing critique of pop consumerism and maximalism that won two Grammys and spent nine weeks at the top of the Hot 100, launched her to fame.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Although she is a master of songwriting and has written several unquestionable pop hits, her total production volume and commercial success are a little too low for her to make it into the top 25.
MAROON 5
While many pop-rock musicians from the early 2000s had fleeting success before dropping out of the top 40, a smaller number managed to maintain their runs for many songs and albums.
However, Maroon 5 is unique in that they have been able to change with the times and continue to produce big successes for almost 20 years.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Levine's long-running appearance on The Voice and a few well-chosen collaborations have helped him become a cultural icon, but Maroon 5's musical impact has been rather subdued; they aren't hitmakers in the traditional sense, but they are versatile enough to never create a single formula that other pop-rock acts have imitated.
THE STALLION'S MEGA
Megan Thee Stallion is one of the most improbable and unpredictable pop artists of the twenty-first century, thanks to her flawless branding and fierce flow, which she developed in her birthplace of Houston in the battleground of ciphers.
2019's sultry "Big Ole Freak," an authentically Southern hip-hop song that came after four mixtapes, was her big break into the mainstream.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Megan isn't quite among the top 25 pop performers of the century (yet), as her real breakthrough came only five years prior to the cutoff and she didn't have a No. 1 record.
MISSY ELLIOTT
With a string of groundbreaking albums and songs that treated pop and hip-hop as Play-Doh, to be stretched in all directions, and finally reshaped into whatever image she felt was appropriate, Missy was undoubtedly the baddest girl on the block in the early 2000s. She took a similar technique to music videos.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Despite occasionally making appearances in the past 20 years with new (and usually great) singles, guest verses, or live performances, Missy never really returned to the spotlight after 2005. She hasn't put out an album since then, and this July she embarked on her first-ever national headlining tour.
NELLY
A few weeks into the new century, a voice exclaimed, "HOT S–T! I heard three beats! Cornell Haynes Jr., a rapper from St. Louis who goes by Nelly, made a huge splash by reworking the melody of Down Down Baby.
The Midwest MC's explosive debut, "Country Grammar (Hot S–t)," established a playful flow and mainstream-ready charm that helped make his 2000 debut album, Country Grammar, a mega-seller.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Although Nelly was very popular in the first ten years of the twenty-first century, his popularity has declined in the last fifteen years due to a lack of crossover successes and larger production gaps. This is to be expected for an established performer, but it has also diminished his appeal in the current day.
OLIVIA RODRIGO
For any pop artist, seeing their first single debut at the top of the Hot 100, stay there for eight weeks, and become a year-defining hit would be the epitome of success; however, for Olivia Rodrigo, her 2021 breakthrough merely served as the first item checked off a long list. The previous high school musical has since been released.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Rodrigo was not born at the turn of the century and has only been a household name over the last three and a half years; she has achieved a tremendous deal in a short period of time, but it is still early. (However, if we update this list in 25 years, don't be surprised to see her.)
P!NK
With her intentionally defiant persona serving as the gritty response to the bubblegum explosion around the turn of the century, NK never fit the mold of a pop star. Her hits, however, were indisputable.
As a member of the foursome behind the 2001 Hot 100 No. 1 rendition of Lady Marmalade, which was commissioned by the Moulin Rouge, she solidified her top 40 reputation following her fierce R&B-inspired debut with "There You Go" in 2000.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Although she has a vast discography and is a traveling icon, she has never put together enough albums and massive hit singles at one time to really take over the music scene.
AFTER MALONE
After his relatively sure breakout single White Iverson" made it to the top 15 of the Hot 100, Post Malone appeared to be a reasonable choice for one-hit wonder status. After that, he was a two-hit sensation, then a three-hit sensation, and before long, he was among the world's top hitmakers, having achieved six Hot 100 No. 1s.
Although he began his career in rap, he has dabbled in R&B, metal, alternative, and now country music. Although you wouldn't mistake him for Justin Timberlake, he has eventually shown himself to be a pop artist at heart, with hooks, pipes, charm, and endless dance routines.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: Even though he feels like he's been with us for ages, Post Malone has only been a celebrity for eight years. During the first half of those years, he struggled to find his place in the postpandemic world until he received assistance from Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé in 2024.
Paul Sean
Sean Paul is the musician most closely associated with dancehall's Stateside crossover peak. From his 2002 Hot 100-topping single Get Busy to his 2016 Sia-assisted chart-topper Cheap Trills, Paul has been the genre's defining voice and face in the United States.
Dancehall was inevitable on top 40 radio thanks to his thunderous, room-rattling voice and lightning-fast delivery, both alone Gimme the Light,Temperature and in groundbreaking partnerships with Beyoncé Baby Boy, Rihanna Break It Off, and Clean Bandit Rockabye.
The Top 25 Aren't Enough: His only significant single in the 2010s came as a guest star, following a successful run of songs as a leading man in the 2000s. It's difficult to overlook the fact that he hasn't made it into the Hot 100 as a lead artist for 13 years.
Read also: 15 Types Of Pop Music
SZA
The St. Louis-born, Jersey-bred singer-songwriter SZA easily established herself as the successor to Lauryn Hill's illusive throne with the release of her 2017 debut LP, Ctrl.
Millions of people worldwide were moved by her honest, untidy, and bold lyrics, especially Black women in their twenties.Despite failing to place a single in the top 20 of the Hot 100 and losing at the Grammys, Ctrl ultimately prevailed, selling over three million copies and laying the foundation for 2022's SOS.
Conclusion on Influential Pop Artists Today
With creativity, skill, and unique voices, today's major pop artists are impacting both the music business and society. With the ability to build a deep bond with fans all across the world, pop continues to be redefined by icons like Taylor Swift, BTS, Ariana Grande, and Billie Eilish. In an ever-evolving setting, their creative music, compelling tales, and mastery of digital media allowed them to remain relevant and current. These musicians remind us of pop music's ability to bring people together, inspire millions, and push limits as they create trends. In their expert hands, Pop appears to have a stronger future than ever.
FAQ's: Influential Pop Artists Today
Who is the most famous pop artist today?
- Lady Gaga98%
- Justin Bieber98%
- Taylor Swift97%
- Jennifer Lopez97%
- Beyoncé97%
- Miley Cyrus97%
- Madonna97%
- Michael Jackson97%
Is Taylor Swift a pop star?
Career in Music. Swift, one of the biggest pop singers of today, has risen from playing small venues in Tennessee to touring abroad and packing stadiums with Swifties, her devoted admirers.
Who is the legend of pop music?
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist who was born on August 29, 1958, and died on June 25, 2009. He is considered to be among the most influential cultural leaders of the 20th century and has been dubbed the King of Pop.
Who has the biggest fanbase in world music?
In 2024, BTS will be the world's largest fandom. People from all around the world have shown their appreciation for this Korean pop band.
Who is the most successful artist today?
Drake and The Weeknd, who have been among the top-selling artists in the world for the last three years, are the only other consistent performers in the chart aside from Taylor Swift. The top-selling recording artists worldwide in 2021, 2022, and 2023 are displayed in this chart.
