The Most Popular Pop Artist of All Time, Ranked

Choose the pop artist you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 7, 2024 07:20
Music fans often debate who the best pop artist of all time is, with conversations filled with passion and diverse opinions. These discussions can be subjective, based on personal taste, nostalgic moments, or particular artistic styles. However, compiling votes to rank these artists helps provide a clearer picture based on a wider audience's preferences. It allows for a more democratic approach to settling age-old debates about the supremacy of pop icons. By participating in such voting, fans contribute to a broader consensus, making the ranking reflect a collective judgment rather than individual opinions. This dynamic voting system keeps the list current and reflective of the times, incorporating new voices and changing tastes. It's not just about seeing who is on top, but about engaging with the community and seeing how public perception shifts over time.

Who Is the Most Popular Pop Artist of All Time?

  1. 1
    50
    votes
    Michael Jackson
    Constru-centro · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Michael Jackson

    Michael Jackson
    Michael Jackson is considered the King of Pop and has sold over 350 million records worldwide. He was known for his unique dance moves, catchy songs, and innovative music videos.
    Michael Jackson, also known as the King of Pop, was one of the most successful and influential entertainers of all time. He was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer, who became a global icon for his contributions to music, dance, and fashion.
    • Best-Selling Album: Thriller - more than 66 million copies sold worldwide
    • Record Sales: Over 350 million records sold globally
    • Grammy Awards: Won 13 Grammy Awards and received 39 nominations
    • Music Videos: Revolutionized the art form with iconic videos like 'Thriller', 'Billie Jean', and 'Beat It'
    • Moonwalk: Introduced the famous dance move 'Moonwalk' during a performance of 'Billie Jean' on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever in 1983
    Michael Jackson in other rankings
  2. 2
    20
    votes
    Madonna has sold over 300 million records worldwide and has been a major influence on pop culture since the 1980s. She is known for her provocative image, catchy songs, and reinventing herself with each album.
    Madonna is a highly acclaimed American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She is known for her innovative approach to music, provocative image, and ability to constantly reinvent herself throughout her career.
    • Genre: Pop, dance, electronic
    • Years active: Since 1979
    • Albums sold: Over 300 million worldwide
    • Number one hits: 13 on the Billboard Hot 100
    • Grammy Awards: 7 wins, 28 nominations
  3. 3
    20
    votes
    Beyoncé is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, selling over 150 million records worldwide. She is known for her powerful vocals, dynamic performances, and empowering messages in her music.
    The "Beyoncé" smile is a radiant and natural-looking smile that features perfectly aligned, pearly white teeth with minimal gum display. It is named after the iconic singer and actress Beyoncé, who is known for her dazzling and confident smile.
    • Teeth alignment: Perfectly straight
    • Tooth color: Bright white
    • Gum display: Minimal
    • Tooth shape: Natural and proportionate to the individual's face
    • Tooth texture: Smooth and glossy
  4. 4
    19
    votes
    Britney Spears is one of the most successful pop artists of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide. She was a major influence on the late 1990s and early 2000s pop music scene and is known for her catchy songs and iconic music videos.
    Britney Spears in other rankings
  5. 5
    9
    votes

    Justin Bieber

    Scooter Braun
    Justin Bieber has sold over 150 million records worldwide and has been a major influence on the pop music scene since the early 2010s. He is known for his catchy songs, dance moves, and loyal fan base.
    Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor who rose to prominence in the late 2000s. He gained popularity through his catchy pop songs, youthful image, and widespread media coverage. Bieber's music style is a blend of pop, R&B, and electronic sounds, targeting a teenage audience. While often praised for his vocal abilities, he has also faced criticism for his personal life choices and controversial behavior.
    • Date of Birth: March 1, 1994
    • Birthplace: London, Ontario, Canada
    • Music Genre: Pop, R&B, Electronic
    • Debut Album: My World 2.0 (2010)
    • Notable Songs: Baby, Love Yourself, Sorry, What Do You Mean?
    Justin Bieber in other rankings
  6. 6
    9
    votes
    Whitney Houston
    PH2 Mark Kettenhofen · Public domain
    Whitney Houston was one of the most successful pop artists of the 1980s and 1990s, selling over 200 million records worldwide. She had a powerful voice and was known for her ballads and upbeat pop songs.
    Whitney Houston in other rankings
  7. 7
    13
    votes
    Rihanna is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, selling over 250 million records worldwide. She is known for her catchy songs, unique voice, and edgy image.
  8. 8
    3
    votes

    Taylor Swift

    Taylor Swift
    Taylor Swift is one of the most successful pop artists of the 2010s and 2020s, selling over 200 million records worldwide. She is known for her relatable lyrics, catchy songs, and ability to connect with her fans.
    Taylor Swift is an American singer-songwriter and one of the most successful celebrities of all time. Known for her narrative songwriting and versatile musical style, she has achieved tremendous success in the music industry.
    • Genre: Pop, country, and other various genres
    • Albums: 10 studio albums
    • Grammy Awards: 11 wins and 41 nominations
    • Billboard Hot 100 Entries: 69 entries
    • Worldwide Album Sales: Over 200 million albums sold
    Taylor Swift in other rankings
  9. 9
    3
    votes
    Mariah Carey is one of the most successful pop artists of the 1990s and 2000s, selling over 200 million records worldwide. She is known for her powerful voice, catchy songs, and ability to hit high notes.
    Mariah Carey in other rankings
  10. 10
    4
    votes

    Ariana Grande

    Ariana Grande
    Ariana Grande is one of the most successful pop artists of the 2010s and 2020s, selling over 100 million records worldwide. She is known for her powerful vocals, catchy songs, and ability to blend pop and R&B music styles.
    Ariana Grande is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame with her powerful vocals, wide vocal range, and catchy pop songs. Grande is known for her distinctive high ponytail, youthful image, and intricate vocal harmonies. She has achieved significant commercial success and has won numerous awards in her career.
    • Vocal Range: 4 octaves
    • Albums: 6 studio albums
    • Billboard Hot 100 Hits: 20 top 10 hits
    • Grammy Awards: 1 Grammy Award
    • MTV Video Music Awards: 4 awards
    Ariana Grande in other rankings

Missing your favorite pop artist?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular pop artist

  1. Sales
    The total number of albums sold, including both physical copies and digital downloads, can be a strong indicator of an artist's popularity. Consider both individual album sales and overall career sales.
  2. Chart success
    The number of songs that have reached high positions on various music charts, such as Billboard Hot 100, UK Official Charts, or other recognized charts, can show an artist's sustained popularity and impact.
  3. Awards and accolades
    Consideration should be given to the number of awards an artist has received, including prestigious honors like Grammy Awards, Brit Awards, American Music Awards, and others. Awards serve as industry recognition for an artist's talent and popularity.
  4. Cultural impact
    Evaluate an artist's impact on popular culture, including their influence on other musicians, fashion trends, social movements, and the overall music landscape. Artists who have made a lasting impact on pop culture are likely to be considered highly popular.
  5. Concert attendance and touring success
    Consider an artist's ability to draw large crowds to their concerts, headline major tours, and sell out arenas or stadiums. Consistently high demand for concert tickets suggests strong popularity among fans.
  6. Streaming and digital presence
    In the digital age, an artist's popularity can be measured by their streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and others. Take into account the number of monthly listeners, total song plays, and overall digital footprint.
  7. Longevity and career span
    An artist's longevity in the industry is an important factor. Artists who have maintained a successful career over many years, have had multiple hit albums and chart-topping singles, and have remained influential across different generations can be considered highly popular.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular pop artist of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or pop artist is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2901 views
  • 169 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each pop artist once every 24 hours. The rank of each pop artist is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular pop artist of all time

The world of pop music has seen many talented artists rise to fame over the years. From the king of pop, Michael Jackson, to the queen of pop, Madonna, there have been countless artists who have captured the hearts of fans around the world. But who truly reigns supreme as the most popular pop artist of all time? This is a question that has been debated by music enthusiasts for decades. To determine the answer, we've gathered data from thousands of polls and rankings to reveal the top contenders. Get ready to find out who truly deserves the title of the most popular pop artist of all time.

Share this article