HOUSTON — Beyoncé can now add another accolade to her list. Billboard has named the Houston native the greatest pop star of the 21st century.
Over the last few months, Billboard has gradually unveiled its rankings of the top 25 greatest pop stars — selected specifically by staff members. On Tuesday, Beyoncé was announced as the editorial staff's top pick.
Last week, the magazine ranked Taylor Swift as no. 2 on the greatest pop star list.
"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," Billboard said.
Beyoncé was ranked over No. 3 Rihanna, No. 4 Drake, No. 5 Lady Gaga and No. 6 Britney Spears. Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Adele closed out the top 10.
Her husband, Jay-Z, landed at No. 16 on the list.
Queen Bey recently became the most Grammy-nominated artist in history. Her album "Cowboy Carter" leads in nominations for the 2025 Grammy Awards with 11.
She has a total of 99 nominations. She has won 32 Grammys, making her the most-awarded artist in Grammy history.
The singer, who grew up in Houston's Third Ward, earned her first No. 1 hit this century on March 18, 2000, for the song "Say My Name," according to Billboard. At the time, the singer was a part of the pop/R&B group, Destiny's Child.
Nearly 24 years later on March 2, 2024, Beyoncé earned her 12th No. 1 hit this century with "Texas Hold 'Em."
Beyoncé's Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs in the 21st century:
- "Say My Name" - Destiny's Child (2000)
- "Independent Woman -- Part 1" - Destiny's Child (2000)
- "Bootylicious" - Destiny's Child (2000)
- "Crazy In Love" - Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z (2003)
- "Baby Boy" - Beyoncé ft. Sean Paul (2003)
- "Check On It" - Beyoncé fr. Slim Thug (2005)
- "Irreplaceable" - Beyoncé (2006)
- "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" - Beyoncé (2008)
- "Perfect" - Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé (2017)
- "Savage (Remix) - Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé (2020)
- "Break My Soul" - Beyoncé (2022)
- "Texas Hold 'Em" - Beyoncé (2024)
In 2003, Beyoncé released her first solo album "Dangerously In Love," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Two years prior, Beyoncé earned her first No. 1 album in the 21st century with Destiny Child's "Survivor."
Following "Dangerously In Love," Beyoncé would go on to earn eight more No. 1 albums, including one more with Destiny's Child and seven solo studio albums.
Beyoncé's Billboard 200 No. 1 albums in the 21st century:
- "Survivor" - Destiny's Child (2001)
- "Dangerously In Love" - Beyoncé (2003)
- "#1's" - Destiny's Child (2005)
- "B-Day" - Beyoncé (2006)
- "I am...Sasha Fierce - Beyoncé (2008)
- "4" - Beyoncé (2008)
- "Beyoncé" - Beyoncé (2013)
- "Lemonade" - Beyoncé (2016)
- "Renaissance" - Beyoncé (2022)
- "Cowboy Carter" - Beyoncé (2024)
"When you’re talking about greatness, and when you’re talking about greatness for the 21st century specifically, no one has a longer or fuller track record than Beyoncé," Billboard said.
Beyoncé will be performing a halftime show at Houston's game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium on Christmas Day.
The game will be the second of a double-header on Netflix’s first-ever NFL Christmas Gameday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT. You'll be able to watch the game on KHOU 11.
"This performance in her hometown of Houston, Texas will be the first live performance of songs from her genre-bending and record-breaking Cowboy Carter album. The 11-time Grammy-nominated juggernaut recently became the most nominated album by a female artist," the Texans said in a statement.