My definitive list of most commerically popular singers

[StrawberryBlond 14,881]

Lately, I've seen YouTubers make these diagrams listing who they think are the ranked list of the best of the best in a particular topic. It made me think, have we ever done a list of who's the most popular singers right now if you really had to rank them? There always seems to be some debate around who's the most successful and relevant and I love lists, so I thought I'd try my hand at this. So, I gathered together all the most popular names right now and ranked them based purely on commercial value - how much music they've sold, how many awards they've won, how big their tours are, how much they influence people to buy into their work. This is nothing to do with talent or how much I like them but about how popular they are.

Here we are, in backwards order, from popular, very popular, to most popular at #1 at the end.

17. Bruno Mars

16. Doja Cat

15. Lil Nas X

14. Billie Eilish

13. Olivia Rodrigo

12. Justin Bieber

11. Dua Lipa

10. Harry Styles

09. Cardi B

08. Lady Gaga

07. The Weeknd

06. Ariana Grande

05. Drake

04. BTS

03. Ed Sheeran

02. Adele

01. Taylor Swift

 

I'm sure there might be some questions behind certain positions and my exclusion of other names. Understand that people like Rihanna and Beyonce are omitted because they haven't released solo albums since 2016 and the industry is very different now and who knows what their sales are going to be like when they come back. This is about very of-the-moment artists who have released music recently so we're well aware of their power in the industry.

Feel free to add your own rankings if you think I'm way off.

[bionic 50,107]

Are you using only recent sales/tour statistics or over the course of a career? I definitely feel that Olivia Rodrigo is a bigger star than a lot of the people above her on this list

[waterfall 797]

22 minutes ago, bionic said:

Are you using only recent sales/tour statistics or over the course of a career? I definitely feel that Olivia Rodrigo is a bigger star than a lot of the people above her on this list

sameeeee. olivia, dua, and The Weeknd literally have the most streamed albums of this decade. Harry should be higher based on his high social reach and engagement. Ed and Drake fell off tbh recently longevity wise. I mean at least in 2022, doja, justin, and lil nas x bigger than gaga and cardi worldwide at least. in the usa idk but ive seen lot of stans who support them from asia, africa, and South America. BTS and billie the only ones i can kinda see where ur coming from with their placing this list.

are u going off their whole career or just who’s relevant these days?

[StrawberryBlond 14,881]

25 minutes ago, bionic said:

Are you using only recent sales/tour statistics or over the course of a career? I definitely feel that Olivia Rodrigo is a bigger star than a lot of the people above her on this list

5 minutes ago, waterfall said:

sameeeee. olivia, dua, and The Weeknd literally have the most streamed albums of this decade. Harry should be higher based on his high social reach and engagement. Ed and Drake fell off tbh recently longevity wise. I mean at least in 2022, doja, justin, and lil nas x bigger than gaga and cardi worldwide at least. in the usa idk but ive seen lot of stans who support them from asia, africa, and South America. BTS and billie the only ones i can kinda see where ur coming from with their placing this list.

are u going off their whole career or just who’s relevant these days?

Just the biggest successes over the last 2 years or so, hence why I explained why some massive names that haven't been around in years aren't here. Olivia is obviously getting there but she's still in one album wonder territory - lots of artists disappear after one or two albums now, so you can't say they're going to be a fixture just yet. And she's only had 2 massive hits so far and her short tour is just small music halls right now. You can't say she's up there with acts who've had many hits preceding their most recent ones, have an established fanbase and are selling out arenas and stadiums. If you're still starting out, you should be near the bottom of the list, it's only right. And there's still older generations who won't have a clue about new young artists, they just don't have that name recognition yet. Ed and Drake are still pulling out easy #1's with their new albums even if their reach isn't as big as previous eras, they've got a fanbase who just buys their work regardless, that's got to count for something. I judge it based on a lot more than just who's got a good following on social media and other factors that apparently only gen z seem to put any value in. It's about who's selling, who's actually having hits, who everyone knows and who is the moment. Besides, engagement levels can be faked, followers can definitely be faked. There are people who have tens of millions of followers but can't get a hit. So I put very little stock in that stuff.

[waterfall 797]

18 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

Just the biggest successes over the last 2 years or so, hence why I explained why some massive names that haven't been around in years aren't here. Olivia is obviously getting there but she's still in one album wonder territory - lots of artists disappear after one or two albums now, so you can't say they're going to be a fixture just yet. And she's only had 2 massive hits so far and her short tour is just small music halls right now. You can't say she's up there with acts who've had many hits preceding their most recent ones, have an established fanbase and are selling out arenas and stadiums. If you're still starting out, you should be near the bottom of the list, it's only right. And there's still older generations who won't have a clue about new young artists, they just don't have that name recognition yet. Ed and Drake are still pulling out easy #1's with their new albums even if their reach isn't as big as previous eras, they've got a fanbase who just buys their work regardless, that's got to count for something. I judge it based on a lot more than just who's got a good following on social media and other factors that apparently only gen z seem to put any value in. It's about who's selling, who's actually having hits, who everyone knows and who is the moment. Besides, engagement levels can be faked, followers can definitely be faked. There are people who have tens of millions of followers but can't get a hit. So I put very little stock in that stuff.

um... ed and drake? ed hasn't had a number one since 2017 but at least he does serve longevity. ed has little impact (not much people talk about ed being their inspo) but does sell well on tours. and drake has gotten a few number in the usa (all which freefall and end up really low in the year end charts). he doesn't make much noise ww besides the first week. imo even lil nas x outsold him last year. and like harry's fine line era already sold 10 mil ww copies in like a year in half so idk. stay feels like the biggest male song smash in a while and so does blinding lights. so that's why i thought those two artists fell off. 

[bionic 50,107]

21 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

Just the biggest successes over the last 2 years or so, hence why I explained why some massive names that haven't been around in years aren't here. Olivia is obviously getting there but she's still in one album wonder territory - lots of artists disappear after one or two albums now, so you can't say they're going to be a fixture just yet. And she's only had 2 massive hits so far and her short tour is just small music halls right now. You can't say she's up there with acts who've had many hits preceding their most recent ones, have an established fanbase and are selling out arenas and stadiums. If you're still starting out, you should be near the bottom of the list, it's only right. And there's still older generations who won't have a clue about new young artists, they just don't have that name recognition yet. Ed and Drake are still pulling out easy #1's with their new albums even if their reach isn't as big as previous eras, they've got a fanbase who just buys their work regardless, that's got to count for something. I judge it based on a lot more than just who's got a good following on social media and other factors that apparently only gen z seem to put any value in. It's about who's selling, who's actually having hits, who everyone knows and who is the moment. Besides, engagement levels can be faked, followers can definitely be faked. There are people who have tens of millions of followers but can't get a hit. So I put very little stock in that stuff.

Is it their success over the past 2 years or in general careers?  

You say 'biggest successes over last 2 years' but then downgrade Olivia because she's only released one albums and may disappear after two, then say she can't be compared to artists with decades of hits. In the past 2 years, Olivia has been a bigger star than Gaga (for example, because she's the only one I follow well enough to make the assertion lol). She's had more hits and more of a cultural impact. She was a phenomenon when Driver's Licence broke out. Neither Shallow or Rain on Me had that impact (IDK about sales figures)

"If you're still starting out, you should be near the bottom of the list, it's only right." So it's not about success over the past 2 years  

[Guest]

So this is based on 2016 to now? Cause if so Bruno Mars shouldnt be on that list at all

[JanStan 574]

I would put BTS at number 2 just based on tour stats which I personally think is the most definitive (but not only) stat that reflects an artists popularity. Taylor is definitely number 1 and the rest would move around depending on the day. 

[StrawberryBlond 14,881]

47 minutes ago, waterfall said:

um... ed and drake? ed hasn't had a number one since 2017 but at least he does serve longevity. ed has little impact (not much people talk about ed being their inspo) but does sell well on tours. and drake has gotten a few number in the usa (all which freefall and end up really low in the year end charts). he doesn't make much noise ww besides the first week. imo even lil nas x outsold him last year. and like harry's fine line era already sold 10 mil ww copies in like a year in half so idk. stay feels like the biggest male song smash in a while and so does blinding lights. so that's why i thought those two artists fell off. 

It's not just based on American stats. I'm from the UK, where Ed has achieved 2 #1's off his new album in addition to a further 3 top tens, his album's still selling a lot and he also scored a Christmas #1, along with a top ten standalone single, a featured Christmas #1, a #1 on a Stormzy feature and a top ten feature with Camila Cabello. He's still a major star worldwide who I'm sure will get back into touring very soon where he'll be selling out places like he did with Divide. Drake's still pulling out big numbers with every album and mixtape he puts out, he always scores #1's every album. Harry's Fine Line has maybe done those figures for streaming, much lesser actual sales, though, and he really only had one major hit with that album.

44 minutes ago, bionic said:

Is it their success over the past 2 years or in general careers?  

You say 'biggest successes over last 2 years' but then downgrade Olivia because she's only released one albums and may disappear after two, then say she can't be compared to artists with decades of hits. In the past 2 years, Olivia has been a bigger star than Gaga (for example, because she's the only one I follow well enough to make the assertion lol). She's had more hits and more of a cultural impact. She was a phenomenon when Driver's Licence broke out. Neither Shallow or Rain on Me had that impact (IDK about sales figures)

"If you're still starting out, you should be near the bottom of the list, it's only right." So it's not about success over the past 2 years  

I just mean some artists have an established fanbase behind them that they've built up over a many year career that has given them a big advantage going into this list because their fanbase is more dedicated as its been around longer. This list is massively geared around who has the biggest influence to make people buy their music. Obviously, those with established fanbases with have more power in that regard. Highly disagree that Olivia is a bigger star and has more cultural impact than Gaga. Maybe if you'd said that in the AP era, that would have some credence, but not now. Gaga is a solidified act, everyone knows her name, young and old. The older generations don't know who Olivia and a lot of these new acts are and probably never will because they don't give their time to new music. But Gaga still commands people's attention even when they're not a fan of her, that's why she's listed higher. ROM's figures aren't as big but have you looked up the stats for Shallow? They blow Driver's Licence out of the water, not to mention how many people watched it live at the Oscars where she won. Not remotely comparable. Driver's Licence is cute and all but unless Olivia sticks around, no one will remember that song in years to come but Shallow will be. You think Olivia, who's on a 2 continent music hall tour right now is more famous, successful and impactful than Gaga, who's about to commence a 3 continent stadium tour that could gross around $100 million or so when it's done?

It's like you haven't read the whole post. It's about putting together everything that this artist has done in the last 2 two years and the impact its had. New artists impact seems big because they're new when it actually isn't. When a major name has success, it's bigger because you feel the power of their established fanbase in addition to the GP support. When you're a debut artist, you don't have fans, you just have members of the GP who just so happen to like your first album. It's not until you release your second album that you start to develop a proper fanbase and work out how numerous they are.

4 minutes ago, AnnaNicoleSmith said:

So this is based on 2016 to now? Cause if so Bruno Mars shouldnt be on that list at all

No, it's based on the last 2 years. If it was commenced from 2016 to now, Beyonce and Rihanna would be on it. Bruno's there because he had a big hit with Leave The Door Open, as part of the duo he formed called Silk Sonic. That single just won him 4 Grammys recently, meaning he could be in line for an AOTY nomination next year. Smokin Out The Window was a semi hit in America too but sales of the subsequent album were not as big though, which is why I put him last.

[androiduser 7,438]

inb4 gAgA dEsErVeS tO bE nUmBeR oNe!!!!

[pachinko 10,414]

No Beyoncé or Rihanna? 

[Magic Mike 2,739]

Gaga deserves to be number one

[waterfall 797]

3 hours ago, StrawberryBlond said:

It's not just based on American stats. I'm from the UK, where Ed has achieved 2 #1's off his new album in addition to a further 3 top tens, his album's still selling a lot and he also scored a Christmas #1, along with a top ten standalone single, a featured Christmas #1, a #1 on a Stormzy feature and a top ten feature with Camila Cabello. He's still a major star worldwide who I'm sure will get back into touring very soon where he'll be selling out places like he did with Divide. Drake's still pulling out big numbers with every album and mixtape he puts out, he always scores #1's every album. Harry's Fine Line has maybe done those figures for streaming, much lesser actual sales, though, and he really only had one major hit with that album.

I just mean some artists have an established fanbase behind them that they've built up over a many year career that has given them a big advantage going into this list because their fanbase is more dedicated as its been around longer. This list is massively geared around who has the biggest influence to make people buy their music. Obviously, those with established fanbases with have more power in that regard. Highly disagree that Olivia is a bigger star and has more cultural impact than Gaga. Maybe if you'd said that in the AP era, that would have some credence, but not now. Gaga is a solidified act, everyone knows her name, young and old. The older generations don't know who Olivia and a lot of these new acts are and probably never will because they don't give their time to new music. But Gaga still commands people's attention even when they're not a fan of her, that's why she's listed higher. ROM's figures aren't as big but have you looked up the stats for Shallow? They blow Driver's Licence out of the water, not to mention how many people watched it live at the Oscars where she won. Not remotely comparable. Driver's Licence is cute and all but unless Olivia sticks around, no one will remember that song in years to come but Shallow will be. You think Olivia, who's on a 2 continent music hall tour right now is more famous, successful and impactful than Gaga, who's about to commence a 3 continent stadium tour that could gross around $100 million or so when it's done?

It's like you haven't read the whole post. It's about putting together everything that this artist has done in the last 2 two years and the impact its had. New artists impact seems big because they're new when it actually isn't. When a major name has success, it's bigger because you feel the power of their established fanbase in addition to the GP support. When you're a debut artist, you don't have fans, you just have members of the GP who just so happen to like your first album. It's not until you release your second album that you start to develop a proper fanbase and work out how numerous they are.

No, it's based on the last 2 years. If it was commenced from 2016 to now, Beyonce and Rihanna would be on it. Bruno's there because he had a big hit with Leave The Door Open, as part of the duo he formed called Silk Sonic. That single just won him 4 Grammys recently, meaning he could be in line for an AOTY nomination next year. Smokin Out The Window was a semi hit in America too but sales of the subsequent album were not as big though, which is why I put him last.

not u saying harry dont have much sales... whens hes like the current gen most vinyl seller behind taylor and adele  none the less, drake is still a local artist tho but ig i see where u coming from for the ed tho.

[StrawberryBlond 14,881]

3 hours ago, pachinko said:

No Beyoncé or Rihanna? 

I explained that at the end of the OP. Impactful, if people still keep bringing them up, but not when they haven't made any solo work since 2016.

3 hours ago, Magic Mike said:

Gaga deserves to be number one

Why? She's right up there, obviously, but she doesn't have the streaming success of a lot of the younger artists and she can't easily debut in the top ten with multiple songs off an album like other artists can. At the beginning, yes, and she's made a great comeback, but she is older now, so her career is in a different place.

34 minutes ago, waterfall said:

not u saying harry dont have much sales... whens hes like the current gen most vinyl seller behind taylor and adele  none the less, drake is still a local artist tho but ig i see where u coming from for the ed tho.

His actual sales are not super high, if you look them up. Ok. so, he's going to sell well on vinyl, but that's just one, very specific, niche format, so selling any more than a few copies will naturally look amazing. And his music really isn't a major part of the wider public consciousness, especially the older generations. If I had never listened to any of his music, the only songs of his I'd know would be Sign of the Times and Watermelon Sugar. Drake is more local, for sure, but with 3 #1's and two #2 singles in the US since 2020, I think that's good enough to say he's a pretty big deal, considering the US is the world's biggest music market.

[NichuuB 43,788]

Where's Charli xcx?