GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Statistics About The Most Influential Musicians Of The 21St Century

The statistics identify musicians such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar as the most influential artists of the 21st century based on factors such as album sales, chart performance, awards, and social media impact.

Highlights: Most Influential Musicians Of The 21St Century

  • Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of the 21st Century list ranked Bob Dylan at its number one spot.
  • Beyoncé was named the most influential artist of the decade by CNN in 2019.
  • Eminem has the most Billboard 200 #1 albums (10 albums to date) in this century among solo artists.
  • Taylor Swift, as of 2021, is the first and only female artist to win the Grammy for Album of the Year three times.
  • Coldplay has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling music artists of the 21st century.
  • Adele's "21" is the best-selling album of the 21st century so far with over 31 million copies sold worldwide.
  • Radiohead's album "Kid A" was named as the greatest album of the 21st century by "Rolling Stone."
  • Rihanna was named by Billboard as the top Hot 100 artist of the 2010s decade.
  • Lady Gaga had the highest grossing tour for a debut artist in history, with her 2009 "The Fame Ball Tour".
  • Drake has the most Billboard Hot 100 entries in history, with 232 as of 2021.
  • Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is the highest-rated album of the 21st Century on Metacritic.
  • Ariana Grande broke the record for the largest streaming week for a pop album on Apple Music.
  • Pharrell Williams' "Happy" was the most downloaded song worldwide in 2014, with 13.9 million sales.
  • BTS is the first and only Korean artist to top the Billboard 200, achieving it four times as of 2021.
  • Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" is the most streamed song on Spotify as of 2021, with over 2.7 billion streams.
  • Justin Bieber was the youngest solo artist to have five U.S number-one albums before the age of 19.
  • Katy Perry has the most 5X platinum hits (14 songs to date) in the 21st century among all artists.
  • Bruno Mars' "Just The Way You Are" was the best-selling digital single worldwide in 2011, with 12.5 million copies sold.
  • Jay Z is considered one of the best-selling music artists of the 21st century, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.
  • The band U2 was the highest-grossing tour of the 21st century, with their 360° Tour (2009–2011) grossing over $736 million.

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The Latest Most Influential Musicians Of The 21St Century Explained

Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of the 21st Century list ranked Bob Dylan at its number one spot.

The statistic indicates that Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of the 21st Century list has ranked legendary musician Bob Dylan at the top spot, signifying his significant impact and influence on contemporary music in the 21st century. This ranking reflects Dylan’s enduring legacy as a groundbreaking artist whose music continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. By placing him at number one on the list, Rolling Stone recognizes Dylan’s unparalleled contributions to the music industry and reaffirms his status as one of the greatest artists of all time.

Beyoncé was named the most influential artist of the decade by CNN in 2019.

The statistic ‘Beyoncé was named the most influential artist of the decade by CNN in 2019’ indicates that, according to CNN’s assessment, Beyoncé had the greatest impact on music, culture, and society throughout the 2010s. This recognition suggests that Beyoncé’s work as a musician, performer, and cultural icon resonated deeply with audiences and had a lasting influence on the industry. Being deemed the most influential artist of the decade carries significant weight and acknowledges Beyoncé’s talent, creativity, and ability to shape trends and conversations across various media platforms during a pivotal period in music history.

Eminem has the most Billboard 200 #1 albums (10 albums to date) in this century among solo artists.

The statistic indicates that Eminem has achieved the highest number of albums that have reached the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart compared to all other solo artists in the current century. Eminem’s 10 albums have all secured the top position on this prestigious chart, showcasing his consistent popularity and success in the music industry. This accomplishment not only demonstrates Eminem’s strong fan base and commercial appeal but also highlights his enduring impact and relevance in the music world over the past two decades.

Taylor Swift, as of 2021, is the first and only female artist to win the Grammy for Album of the Year three times.

The statistic ‘Taylor Swift, as of 2021, is the first and only female artist to win the Grammy for Album of the Year three times’ highlights Taylor Swift’s unique accomplishment in the music industry. Winning the prestigious Grammy for Album of the Year is a significant achievement, and for Taylor Swift to have achieved this three times distinguishes her as an exceptional artist. This statistic underscores Taylor Swift’s talent, artistry, and enduring popularity, solidifying her status as one of the most successful and influential figures in contemporary music.

Coldplay has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best-selling music artists of the 21st century.

The statistic that Coldplay has sold over 100 million records worldwide positions them as one of the most successful music artists of the 21st century. This figure highlights the immense popularity and commercial success of the band, showcasing their ability to resonate with a global audience. The number of records sold is a strong indicator of Coldplay’s widespread impact and influence in the music industry, establishing them as a major player in the contemporary music landscape. Overall, the statistic underscores Coldplay’s significant achievements in terms of record sales and solidifies their standing as one of the world’s best-selling artists in the 21st century.

Adele’s “21” is the best-selling album of the 21st century so far with over 31 million copies sold worldwide.

The statistic that Adele’s album “21” is the best-selling album of the 21st century so far with over 31 million copies sold worldwide indicates the overwhelming popularity and commercial success of the album. This achievement highlights Adele’s widespread appeal and the significant impact her music has had on the global music industry. The immense number of copies sold indicates a high level of demand for the album, reflecting the public’s appreciation for Adele’s music and vocal talent. Additionally, the statistic serves as a testament to Adele’s ability to connect with audiences on a personal and emotional level through her music, solidifying her status as one of the most successful and influential artists of the 21st century.

Radiohead’s album “Kid A” was named as the greatest album of the 21st century by “Rolling Stone.”

The statistic that Radiohead’s album “Kid A” was named as the greatest album of the 21st century by Rolling Stone magazine represents a subjective evaluation based on the opinions of the publication’s critics and experts. This ranking likely considers factors such as the album’s influence, innovation, critical acclaim, cultural impact, and overall quality relative to other albums released in the 21st century. However, it’s important to note that musical preferences and opinions are inherently subjective, and what one publication or group of critics deems the greatest album may not align with everyone’s tastes or opinions. Nevertheless, this statistic highlights the recognition and accolades that “Kid A” has received within the music industry and serves as a testament to the album’s significance and enduring appeal.

Rihanna was named by Billboard as the top Hot 100 artist of the 2010s decade.

The statistic that Rihanna was named by Billboard as the top Hot 100 artist of the 2010s decade indicates that Rihanna had the most success on the Billboard Hot 100 charts during that time period compared to any other artist. This could be based on a combination of factors such as the number of hit songs, chart longevity, and overall impact on the music industry. Billboard is a well-respected music industry publication known for its charts and rankings, so this accolade carries weight in recognizing Rihanna’s achievements and influence in the music industry during the 2010s decade.

Lady Gaga had the highest grossing tour for a debut artist in history, with her 2009 “The Fame Ball Tour”.

The statistic refers to Lady Gaga achieving the highest grossing tour for a debut artist in history with her 2009 “The Fame Ball Tour.” This indicates that despite being a relatively new artist at the time, Lady Gaga was able to generate significant revenue and draw large crowds to her concerts, surpassing the performances of other debut artists throughout history. The success of her tour demonstrates Lady Gaga’s impressive impact and popularity within the music industry, establishing her as a formidable force early on in her career.

Drake has the most Billboard Hot 100 entries in history, with 232 as of 2021.

The statistic that Drake has the most Billboard Hot 100 entries in history, with 232 as of 2021, highlights Drake’s remarkable success and influence in the music industry. The Billboard Hot 100 is widely recognized as a prestigious chart that ranks the most popular songs in the United States based on factors like sales, streaming, and radio airplay. Achieving 232 entries on this chart signifies Drake’s consistent ability to produce hit songs that resonate with audiences across different genres and demographics. This statistic underscores Drake’s prolific output as an artist and his enduring impact on the music landscape, solidifying his status as one of the most successful and enduring figures in contemporary music history.

Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” is the highest-rated album of the 21st Century on Metacritic.

The statistic indicates that according to user and critic reviews aggregated on the website Metacritic, Kanye West’s album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” has received the highest average rating among all albums released in the 21st century. Metacritic assigns weighted scores to reviews from various sources to provide a comprehensive overview of critical reception. Therefore, this statistic suggests that “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” is viewed as the most highly acclaimed album of the 21st century based on its critical reception as measured by Metacritic, reflecting the positive consensus among reviewers and potentially indicating its cultural and artistic significance within the music industry.

Ariana Grande broke the record for the largest streaming week for a pop album on Apple Music.

The statistic indicates that Ariana Grande’s pop album achieved the highest number of streams within a week on Apple Music compared to any other pop album. This record-breaking feat implies that her album received a significant amount of attention and interest from listeners during that specific time frame. It showcases the popularity and impact of her music within the streaming platform’s audience and may also reflect the artist’s strong fan base and commercial success in the music industry.

Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” was the most downloaded song worldwide in 2014, with 13.9 million sales.

The statistic that Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy” was the most downloaded worldwide in 2014 with 13.9 million sales indicates the widespread popularity and commercial success of the track during that year. This figure underscores the song’s appeal and impact across various demographics and markets globally, reflecting its ability to resonate with a vast audience. The high number of downloads also suggests that “Happy” was not only a chart-topping hit but also a profitable venture for the artist and associated stakeholders, further solidifying its status as a cultural phenomenon and commercial success in the music industry during that time.

BTS is the first and only Korean artist to top the Billboard 200, achieving it four times as of 2021.

The statistic indicates that BTS, a South Korean music group, has accomplished the remarkable feat of being the first and only Korean artist to reach the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart multiple times, specifically achieving this milestone four times by 2021. Topping the Billboard 200 is a significant achievement in the music industry, as it reflects high levels of album sales, streaming numbers, and overall popularity among listeners. BTS’s success in repeatedly reaching this pinnacle demonstrates their exceptional talent, strong fan base, and global appeal, positioning them as trailblazers not only in Korean music but also in the broader international music scene.

Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” is the most streamed song on Spotify as of 2021, with over 2.7 billion streams.

The statistic highlights the immense popularity of Ed Sheeran’s song “Shape of You” on the music streaming platform Spotify, stating that it is the most streamed song as of 2021 with over 2.7 billion streams. This data reflects the significant impact and widespread appeal of the song, as it has garnered an incredibly high number of listens from Spotify users globally. The impressive streaming numbers suggest that “Shape of You” has resonated with a large audience and has achieved a level of success and recognition within the music industry, cementing its status as a standout hit song.

Justin Bieber was the youngest solo artist to have five U.S number-one albums before the age of 19.

This statistic highlights the exceptional achievement of Justin Bieber in the music industry, as he became the youngest solo artist to have five U.S. number-one albums before the age of 19. This accomplishment signifies his immense popularity and talent as a musician, as well as his ability to consistently produce chart-topping albums at such a young age. It demonstrates Bieber’s strong fan base and commercial success, positioning him as a prominent figure in the music industry and setting a remarkable milestone in his career.

Katy Perry has the most 5X platinum hits (14 songs to date) in the 21st century among all artists.

The statistic that Katy Perry has the most 5X platinum hits (14 songs to date) in the 21st century among all artists means that she has had the most songs certified as having sold 5 million units or more in the United States over the course of the 21st century up to the current time. This accomplishment is significant as it indicates a high level of commercial success for Perry as an artist, with a consistent track record of producing songs that have resonated with a large audience and achieved widespread popularity and commercial appeal. As such, Perry’s achievement of having the most 5X platinum hits in the 21st century showcases her enduring popularity and success in the music industry.

Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” was the best-selling digital single worldwide in 2011, with 12.5 million copies sold.

The statistic that Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” was the best-selling digital single worldwide in 2011, with 12.5 million copies sold, highlights the immense commercial success and popularity of the song during that year. This figure indicates the number of individual downloads of the song across various online music platforms, reflecting a strong demand from global audiences. The high sales numbers not only demonstrate the song’s widespread appeal but also affirm Bruno Mars’ status as a top-selling artist in the digital music market. The statistic underlines the significant impact and reach of digital music distribution channels in driving the success of popular artists and their music worldwide.

Jay Z is considered one of the best-selling music artists of the 21st century, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.

This statistic highlights Jay Z’s exceptional commercial success as a music artist in the 21st century, with over 100 million records sold globally. This figure underscores his widespread popularity and audience reach, solidifying his status as one of the best-selling musicians of the modern era. The high number of records sold not only attests to Jay Z’s immense talent and musical appeal but also reflects the strong commercial viability of his music, as well as the impact and influence he has had on the music industry. Overall, this statistic serves as a testament to Jay Z’s remarkable achievement and enduring legacy in the world of music.

The band U2 was the highest-grossing tour of the 21st century, with their 360° Tour (2009–2011) grossing over $736 million.

The statistic reveals that the band U2 had the highest-grossing tour of the 21st century with their 360° Tour spanning from 2009 to 2011, generating an impressive revenue of over $736 million. This indicates a remarkable level of commercial success for the band during that time period, showcasing their enduring popularity and drawing power as a live musical act. The substantial earnings from the tour not only underscore the band’s immense fan base and appeal but also signify the significant financial impact that successful concert tours can have on the music industry. The statistic highlights U2’s ability to consistently draw large crowds and generate substantial revenue through their live performances, solidifying their status as one of the most successful and influential bands in the music industry.

Conclusion

The diversity, innovation, and impact of the musicians highlighted in this article demonstrate the richness of talent and creativity in the 21st century music scene. Through their groundbreaking work, they have reshaped the industry and inspired generations of music lovers around the world. As we continue to witness the evolution of music and the emergence of new artists, it is clear that the influence of these musicians will continue to reverberate for years to come.

References

0. – https://www.apnews.com

1. – https://www.www.billboard.com

2. – https://www.www.metacritic.com

3. – https://www.www.britannica.com

4. – https://www.www.bbc.com

5. – https://www.edition.cnn.com

6. – https://www.time.com

7. – https://www.www.theguardian.com

8. – https://www.www.ifpi.org

9. – https://www.www.guinnessworldrecords.com

10. – https://www.www.rollingstone.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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