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Taylor Swift’s reign as a global music icon has been officially cemented: Billboard has named her the biggest artist of the 21st century. From pure chart performance, the accolade is recognized for achieving Swift’s record-setting accomplishments on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 charts from 2000 to 2024. This crowning achievement places her at the head of musical powerhouses like Drake, Rihanna, and Beyoncé, establishing her supremacy in the music industry. And let’s be honest—if chart success is the measure, Taylor Swift has been playing in a league of her own.
Taylor Swift has been crowned the No. 1 artist on Billboard’s Top Artists of the 21st Century chart
From her humble beginnings as a country music darling to her transition into the queen of pop and indie-folk experimentation, Taylor Swift has demonstrated remarkable versatility and business savvy. Her journey began with the breakout success of Fearless in 2008, which earned her her first Grammys, including Album of the Year and Best Country Album in 2009. It was clear from the start that Swift wasn’t just another chart-topping artist—she was here to rewrite the rules.
Taylor Swift is the music industry.
One of the most pivotal moments in Swift’s career came with the release of 1989. This 2014 album wasn’t just a genre shift; it was a cultural reset. Tracks like “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space” dominated the airwaves, proving that Swift could seamlessly transition into synth-pop while maintaining her deeply personal songwriting style. Fans and critics alike applauded her ability to blend authenticity with commercial appeal, and the album’s massive success—selling over 10 million copies worldwide—cemented her status as a pop megastar.
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Beyond her genre-defying music, Swift’s business acumen has been a masterclass in artist empowerment. After losing ownership of her master recordings, Swift took matters into her own hands by re-recording her albums. The Taylor’s Version releases not only reclaimed her narrative but also achieved commercial success, with fans rallying behind her quest for artistic ownership.
And then there’s the Eras Tour. Starting in 2023 and ending in 2024, Swift embarked on what would become the highest-grossing tour of all time. A global celebration of her illustrious career, the tour underscored her unmatched connection with fans and her enduring relevance in a constantly evolving music landscape.
The only other female artist to come close to Swift’s Billboard achievement is Rihanna, who joins her in the top three of both Billboard’s Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century and Top Artists of the 21st Century lists. Yet, Swift’s sheer dominance across decades, genres, and platforms sets her apart. As Billboard’s top artist of the century, Swift hasn’t just shaped the music industry—she’s defined it.
With a career trajectory that’s equal parts groundbreaking and inspiring, Taylor Swift’s latest milestone feels like a natural progression for an artist who continues to set—and exceed—her own high bar. Chart performance may be the metric, but Swift’s legacy extends far beyond numbers; she’s a storyteller, a trailblazer, and, quite simply, the music industry’s North Star.
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