Part 2/6:
Billboard’s list declared Beyoncé as the number one pop star of the 21st century, with Taylor Swift in second place. This ranking immediately grabbed attention—not only because of the stature of the artists involved but also because of the stark contrast in their cultural and racial backgrounds. Beyoncé, an iconic Black artist, and Taylor Swift, a white singer-songwriter, represent two very different but equally influential forces in modern pop music.