Billboard just unveiled its Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century list, and their latest reveal puts Drake at No. 4.
This spot puts the 38-year-old chart-topper ahead of heavy-hitters like Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Eminem, Usher, and more.
Explaining their decision, Billboard highlighted Drake’s unmatched chart presence, pointing to his 13 No. 1 singles on the Hot 100 and 13 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200.
They noted, “Only The Beatles—who Drake got tattooed on his left forearm in 2019 after breaking one of their records—can claim the same level of historic dominance.”
But it’s more than just numbers.
“From the moment he became a mainstream sensation in 2009, the Toronto MC redefined hip-hop stardom—reshaping the sound, content, and persona of the genre’s biggest hits while pushing hip-hop firmly into the mainstream,” they added.
Unlike predecessors who transitioned from underground acclaim to mainstream success, Billboard says, “Drake never really ‘went pop’; he simply always was pop” in a way that “felt core to his artistic identity without ever interfering with his proficiency as a rapper.”
This genre-blending, emotionally open style became iconic, with Billboard noting that by the mid-2010s, radio playlists were packed with songs that felt like, as Drake once put it, “Drake featuring Drake.”
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Welp, as expected with any ranking, Billboard’s list stirred up mixed reactions. Members of the OVO hive rushed to defend their superstar, saying the accolade was well-deserved, while others voiced disappointment, calling out media outlets for “disrespecting” the megastar.
“Dude made an impact period. Most influential in the industry that I’ve seen in my lifetime period,” singer @iamalex_martin wrote.
Another added, “Buggin, Drake has the most music hits of all time, is the most streamed artist of all time, has the most #1 for a male artist in music history, won the artist of the decade award, and statistically is the most consumed artist across all credits in history, he should be at the least 3 with those stats alone.”
“I know everyone hates Drake now. But he is definitely 1 or 2,” a third user wrote.
The bias is !nsane smh
Drake deserves to be top 2
The h3te against him is unreal after everything he has achieved on billboard plus his longevity smh????????♂️????????♂️????????♂️
— Elvis ⁶???? (@mafia3O) November 12, 2024
and
should’ve been top 2 https://t.co/ZWXh75xjVl
— ໊ (@crashoutyeta) November 12, 2024
and
Drake’s dominance in the 21st century pop landscape is undeniable his influence is unmatched.
— Kini (@HeyAskini) November 12, 2024
Others called the list a “complete joke,” arguing that “Drake can’t possibly be better than Britney or Lady Gaga.”
Drake being above Britney and Gaga on the list for the greatest 21st century POP stars is nasty fuckin work…everything is a fuckin joke! https://t.co/irEsRV24Bi
— Watts (@86watts) November 12, 2024
and
no shade but he shouldn’t be higher than gaga, britney or even ariana pic.twitter.com/zMM5uZzYGC
— pop culture gal (@allurequinn) November 12, 2024
and
They can’t be serious who are this people that’s ranking them
— . (@denji_chainsw) November 12, 2024
and
I thought he was a… never mind ????
— Danno (@_ZDanno) November 12, 2024
and
A joke right? Man can’t sing, but he’s the master of making those to die for snack cakes. He’s the baker man, nothing else.
— Ehtasham Ali (@Ehtaxhamali) November 12, 2024
