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Top 10 world’s most influential pop stars: Even before a performer’s name topped charts or dominated playlists, music has always been that indestructible link connecting people across nations and cultures. It fuels cultural shifts, stirs emotions, and turns fleeting moments into shared experiences. Today’s pop singers are doing more than just releasing singles; they are influencing conversations, starting movements, and redefining power in the entertainment sector.
That’s precisely what Bloomberg set out to measure with its latest Pop Star Power Rankings, a high-stakes, data-driven assessment of the most influential figures in global music right now. Released on Thursday, the list crowned Post Malone, Beéle, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncé as the top four, in that order –– names that reflect both commercial dominance and cultural impact.
The process behind the rankings was as competitive as the music industry itself. Bloomberg reported that nearly 1,20,000 people participated in what it called an “international ranking experiment.” Fans worldwide voted via HYBE’s fan engagement platform Weverse, deciding who advanced through each elimination round. It underscored a truth of modern pop culture: fan communities are not passive audiences, they are active power brokers shaping an artist’s global stature.
But fan votes were only part of the story. Bloomberg’s methodology blended popularity with measurable performance, relying on seven distinct criteria. It factored in gross revenues from live shows over the past three months, ticket sales from the last 30 days, and both physical and digital music performance, tracking four-week album sales, digital song streams, and YouTube views. Social influence played a role too, with the rankings including data on how many followers each artist gained on Instagram and TikTok in the previous month. The result was a list that balanced artistic momentum with hard numbers, creating a snapshot of pop’s most commanding figures right now.
Beyond the top four, the rankings featured a star-studded mix: Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, J-Hope, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, Katseye, and Shakira all secured places.
Himesh Reshammiya, one of Bollywood’s most prolific playback singers and music composers, appeared at the 22nd position. At 52, he has recorded over 1,300 songs for Hindi films, lending his voice to hits such as Jhalak Dikhlaja and Tera Surroor.
Post Malone rose to fame with his 2015 debut single White Iverson and has since released several successful albums. His style often combines elements of hip-hop, pop, and rock, and he’s recognisable for his numerous face tattoos.
Beéle, born Brandon de Jesús López Orozco in 2002 in Barranquilla, Colombia, is a rising Latin urban and Afrobeat singer and songwriter. Known for hits like Loco and Inolvidable, he blends Caribbean rhythms with reggaeton and pop.
Bruno Mars is an American singer, songwriter, and producer known for his energetic performances and hits like Just the Way You Are, Uptown Funk, and 24K Magic. He has won 16 Grammy Awards and is celebrated for his genre-blending style, showmanship, and chart-topping success.
A trailblazer in music and fashion, Beyoncé captivates with electrifying performances and visual storytelling. From Crazy in Love to Renaissance, she fuses R&B, pop, and soul, shaping the sound and style of a generation.
Sabrina Carpenter, the American singer-songwriter and actress, has rapidly ascended the pop scene with her catchy hooks, playful lyrics, and confident stage presence. Known for hits like Espresso and Feather, she blends infectious pop with sharp storytelling, earning global attention, chart success, and a devoted fan base across social media.
Kendrick Lamar’s socially conscious lyrics and incisive narrative have completely reshaped contemporary hip-hop. A Pulitzer Prize winner for DAMN, he influences politics and music by fusing cultural critique with rap prowess. Lamar, who is well-known for his thrilling concerts, continues to be a unique combination of unwavering talent and financial success.
The Colombian worldwide phenomenon Shakira creates a sound that cuts over linguistic boundaries by fusing pop hooks with Latin beats. Known for songs like Waka Waka and Hips Don’t Lie, she has sold almost 125 million records globally. She has been a cultural icon for decades and is a humanitarian in addition to being a musician.
SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe, is an American singer-songwriter whose music blends R&B, soul, and hip-hop. Known for her vulnerable, diaristic lyrics, her breakout album Ctrl (2017) and the critically acclaimed SOS (2022) established her as a defining artist in contemporary R&B. She has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammys.
Fuerza Regida is an American regional Mexican band formed in 2015 in San Bernardino, California. Initially a cover band, they evolved to pioneer corridos tumbados, blending traditional norteño with modern subgenres. Key members include Jesús Ortíz Paz, and they’ve achieved significant success on US and Mexico music charts.
Coming in at 10, Lady Gaga is a global pop icon known for her chart-topping hits like Poker Face and Bad Romance, six Grammy wins, 18 MTV VMAs, and groundbreaking tours. She is also an accomplished actress, activist for mental health and LGBTQ rights, and founder of the Born This Way Foundation.
