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Taylor Swift fans are seething at Beyoncé. And this time, it’s because the “Cruel Summer” singer was ranked No. 2 on Billboard‘s “Greatest Pop Stars” list.
In case you need a refresher, the music publication has been ranking the greatest pop stars of the 21st century. On Tuesday, November 26, Taylor was ranked second, and the move didn’t go over well with her fans. Other popular stars, like Katy Perry and Bad Bunny, are also on the list. Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Britney Spears, too. However, their fandoms didn’t react the way Swift’s did.
Many users jumped into the comment section to voice their opinions. One said Taylor was “robbed” after listing her accomplishments, including her four Album of The Year Grammys. Another user made a bold claim, saying Swift was the entire “music industry.” A third fan called Billboard fraudulent for placing Taylor behind Beyoncé.
Some Taylor Fans Believe Beyoncé Deserves the Title
Not all Taylor Swift fans were upset with Beyoncé for being named No. 1 on Billboard‘s Greatest Pop Stars list. In fact, several fans said the achievement makes sense, considering the publication’s requirements.
According to Billboard, they did use streaming numbers and album sales in their determinations. However, they also ranked cultural influence, social media status, and live performances—three sectors Beyoncé has certainly left her mark on.
“I can’t stand Beyoncé, but Beyoncé deserves a higher ranking than Taylor Swift, who is entirely manufactured,” one person wrote in the Daily Mail‘s comment section.
“As a half-Swiftie half-Hive, I think it makes perfect sense,” another fan wrote on Reddit. “Taylor has been bigger in recent years, but Beyoncé has been huge since the very beginning of this century.”
“Y’all, we can be gracious enough to acknowledge that Beyonce, the solo act, has been a powerhouse pop star longer than TS has been in pop. It’s okay. They’re both phenomenal,” a fourth fan added.
“Beyonce is a star the way Michael Jackson was a pop star,” another person stated. “Whether you were a fan of her music or not, somehow everyone was drawn in and felt her greatness. Taylor is a massive star to her fan base, but if you’re not a TS fan, you kinda look at Taylor and say, Yeah, I know people love her, but I don’t get it.”
Why Beyoncé?
Some may look at Billboard‘s list and question why Beyoncé would claim No. 1 over Taylor Swift. And the answer is quite simple. When looking at the criteria for the list, Queen Bey is unmatched. The 32x Grammy winner has been a powerhouse act since the late ’90s and into the 2020s. Her latest tour, RENAISSANCE, was completely sold out and regarded as one of the best live shows ever.
Additionally, Beyoncé has impacted not just other artists but the music industry itself.
Of course, Taylor herself has mentioned Bey’s influence, saying she taught her how “to break rules and defy industry norms.” She continued, saying Beyoncé has “been a guiding light throughout my career, and the fact that she showed up tonight was like an actual fairytale.”
Plus, fans won’t let you forget about her groundbreaking surprise drop on December 13, 2013. After releasing her fifth studio album with no prior promotion on a Friday, Billboard officially changed its method for tracking sales because of Bey’s move.
Overall, in the eyes of many, including Billboard, Beyoncé’s legacy can’t be touched. This, combined with her unparalleled vocal ability, makes her the perfect performer to claim No. 1.
