The charts don’t lie.
Billboard has officially released its Greatest Pop Star of 2025 rankings, and the list feels like a true snapshot of where music culture stood this year — genre lines blurred, global reach expanded, and popularity meaning more than just radio spins.
Top 10 Greatest Pop Stars of 2025
Bad Bunny
Taylor Swift
Lady Gaga
Kendrick Lamar
Sabrina Carpenter
KPop Demon Hunters Cast
Tate McRae
Morgan Wallen
Doechii
Tyler, The Creator
At first glance, some people might raise an eyebrow at seeing names like Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, The Creator, or Doechii labeled as “pop,” but this list reinforces something Billboard has been consistent about for years: pop isn’t a genre — it’s popularity. Cultural impact, virality, touring power, and streaming dominance all matter here.
Bad Bunny taking the top spot feels almost inevitable. His continued global dominance, massive touring power, and genre-defying catalog have made him a pop force in every sense of the word. Taylor Swift holding strong at #2 continues her near-decade-long run as a constant cultural presence, while Lady Gaga’s placement reflects her lasting influence and resurgence.
Kendrick Lamar landing at #4 is especially notable. While rooted in hip-hop, his 2025 output and cultural reach pushed far beyond traditional genre boundaries — and Billboard clearly agrees.
Looking at the full historical list really puts this year into perspective:
1983–1985: Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna
Late ‘80s–‘90s: Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Nirvana, Boyz II Men, TLC
2000s: *NSYNC, Eminem, Beyoncé, Usher, Kanye West, Rihanna, Lil Wayne
2010s: Adele, Drake, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé
2020s: BTS, Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar
Recent Winners:
2020: BTS
2021: Taylor Swift
2022: Bad Bunny
2023: Taylor Swift
2024: Kendrick Lamar
2025: Bad Bunny
What stands out most is how the definition of a “pop star” has evolved. Earlier decades leaned heavily toward radio and traditional chart dominance, while today’s winners reflect streaming power, global fandoms, touring revenue, and internet virality.
Bad Bunny’s second win in just three years confirms his position as one of the most important artists of this generation — not just within Latin music, but across pop culture as a whole.
Ileyah is a mom, a writer and a musician. She loves late nights and gluten free snacks.
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