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Billboard names the 'greatest pop stars of the 21st century'

Suki Reid
Suki Reid

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Billboard magazine has been sharing its ranking of the greatest pop stars of the 21st century, with the #1 artist finally being revealed after weeks of speculation.

Naturally, the results have been controversial, with many believing their favourite singers deserved to be higher up in the list.

In fact, one of the star's spouses even shared their displeasure at the singer's #8 spot.

There can, however, only be one winner.

Read on to see the top 10 greatest pop stars of the 21st century, according to Billboard.

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Attribution: Getty/GC Images
10: Adele
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10: Adele

Adele made her way into the top 10 thanks to her huge hits like Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, Set Fire to the Rain, Hello and Easy on Me, all of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Attribution: Instagram
9: Ariana Grande
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9: Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande placed ninth, with a whopping amount of number one songs on the Billboard Hot 100.

Thank U, Next, 7 Rings, Stuck With U, Rain on Me, Positions, Save Your Tears, Die for You, We Can't Be Friends and Yes, And? all topped the charts.

Attribution: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
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8: Justin Bieber
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8: Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber has enjoyed a wildly successful career, placing eighth in Billboard's ranking.

The singer has had a handful of songs top the Billboard charts, including What Do You Mean, Sorry, Love Yourself, Despacito, I'm the One, Stuck With U, Peaches and Stay.

However, it seems his wife Hailey Bieber isn't too impressed by him being ranked at just #8.

Commenting on Billboard's Instagram post announcing Bieber's spot, she wrote, "Billboard is a f---ing joke as per usual!"

Attribution: AP
7: Kayne West
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7: Kayne West

Kanye West's catalogue of hits, including Gold Digger, E.T., Carnival, Stronger and Twista's, saw him ranked in seventh place.

Attribution: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
6: Britney Spears
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6: Britney Spears

Britney Spears is undeniably one of our greatest pop stars of the 21st century, and came in sixth place.

The star has had plenty of songs top the Billboard Hot 100, including, Womanizer, 3, Hold It Against Me and S&M.

Attribution: WireImage
5: Lady Gaga
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5: Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga placed fifth and has had five number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

During her years in the spotlight, the hugely successful signer has dominated the charts with hits like Just Dance, Poker Face, Shallow and Rain on Me. 

Attribution: WireImage
4: Drake
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4: Drake

Drake was named the fourth biggest artist of the century and has stolen the show, with 13 of his songs outshining the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Some honourable mentions include Work, Once Dance, God's Plan, In My Feelings and First Person Shooter.

Attribution: Prince Williams/Wireimage/Getty Images/CNN
3: Rihanna
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3: Rihanna

Fans have been waiting for Rihanna to drop new music for years, but the delay hasn't stopped her earning third place in the ranking.

The star has had 14 of her songs beat out all the competition in the Billboard Hot 100.

S.O.S., Umbrella, Disturbia, Rude Boy, S&M, We Found Love, Work and many others have all placed number one throughout the years.

Attribution: Getty
2: Taylor Swift
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2: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift came in second place, having had 12 of her songs hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Shake It Off, Blank Space, Bad Blood, Willow, Anti-Hero and Fortnight were some of her biggest hits in the charts.

Swift's placement at number two has been rather controversial among fans, with many arguing online that she should have topped the ranking due to her incredible success.

Attribution: John Shearer/TAS24/Getty

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