Billboard has officially named Taylor Swift the No.1 woman artist of the 21st century, placing her ahead of industry legends like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Adele. The prestigious list, which ranks the top 100 female artists of the century, celebrates Swift’s extraordinary influence on music and culture.
Swift’s achievement highlights her dominance in the industry, not just in terms of record-breaking chart success but also her advocacy for gender equality in music. “Taylor Swift’s impact goes far beyond sales and streaming numbers, she has redefined what it means to be a global artist in the modern era,” Billboard noted.
The top five of the list include Rihanna at No.2, followed by Beyoncé, Adele, and Katy Perry. Other major names in the top ten are Lady Gaga, P!nk, Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Alicia Keys. Meanwhile, iconic artists like Mariah Carey ranked at No.12, Billie Eilish at No.16, and Madonna at No.36.
A Career That Reshaped Music
Born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, Swift first gained recognition with her 2006 debut single Tim McGraw. Since then, she has released 11 studio albums, five EPs, and four live albums. Among them, her 2014 album 1989 remains her best-selling record, with over 14 million copies sold worldwide. As part of her mission to reclaim her music catalog, she has also re-recorded four of her earlier albums.
Her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, has already made waves, earning nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 67th Grammy Awards. Throughout her career, Swift has been nominated for 58 Grammys and has won 14 times.
The Record-Breaking Eras Tour
Beyond her studio success, Swift’s Eras Tour has made history as the highest-grossing tour of all time, surpassing $2 billion in revenue. Running from March 2023 to December 2024, the tour outperformed Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres world tour, which grossed approximately $1.2 billion.
As Swift continues to redefine the music industry, her latest achievement on Billboard’s list cements her legacy as one of the most influential artists of all time.
