Beyoncé has been crowned the greatest pop star of the 21st century by Billboard, as part of the music publication’s ongoing series on top artists of the last 25 years. The announcement, made on Tuesday, highlights Beyoncé’s unmatched influence and impact on the music industry, noting her consistent commitment to innovation and excellence over her 25-year career.

According to Billboard‘s Andrew Unterberger, the Grammy-winning artist tops the list due to her unparalleled contributions as both a performer and creator. Beyoncé’s evolution in the music industry has set the standard for pop stardom, with her work serving as a measure for other pop stars of this century.

Beyoncé’s extensive career is marked by historic achievements, including holding the title of the most Grammy-awarded artist with 32 wins. With 11 additional nominations for her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, she is expected to add to her record-breaking collection of trophies. Over the years, she has accumulated impressive Billboard chart successes, with nine No. 1 hits and 24 top 10 songs on the Hot 100. She has also claimed the top spot on the Billboard 200 album chart with eight of her albums, starting with her debut solo project Dangerously In Love in 2003.

The Billboard rankings, which have been running since August, highlight the artists who have most defined pop music in the last quarter-century. Last week, Taylor Swift was named the second greatest pop star of the 21st century, followed by Rihanna in third place. The top 10 also includes Adele, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Drake.

In the full ranking, Katy Perry takes the No. 25 spot, with other notable artists such as Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, One Direction, Miley Cyrus, Eminem, and Usher featured throughout the list.