Global music icon Taylor Swift has been named the No. 1 female artist of the 21st century by Billboard. The 35-year-old singer-songwriter surpassed major industry legends, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Adele, to secure the top spot.
Billboard’s top 10 women artistes
Billboard’s list, recognising the most influential female musicians, features a mix of pop, R&B, and rock artists. The top 10 rankings are as follows:
- Taylor Swift
- Rihanna
- Beyoncé
- Adele
- Katy Perry
- Lady Gaga
- P!nk
- Ariana Grande
- Miley Cyrus
- Alicia Keys
Other notable names include Mariah Carey at No. 12, Billie Eilish at No. 16, and Madonna at No. 36.
Born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, Swift made her debut in 2006 with “Tim McGraw”, a song she co-wrote with Liz Rose. Since then, she has released 11 studio albums, 5 EPs, and 4 live albums. Her 2014 album, 1989, remains her most successful, selling 14 million copies worldwide. She has also re-recorded four of her past albums to regain ownership of her music.
Grammy success
Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 67th Grammy Awards. Over her career, she has been nominated for 58 Grammys, winning 14 times.
Her Eras Tour (2023–2024) became the highest-grossing tour of all time, generating over $2 billion and surpassing Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour, which grossed $1.2 billion.
With an ever-growing influence, Taylor Swift’s dominance in the music industry remains unparalleled.