Best Pop Singers of 21st Century (No. 19)

With the primary quarter of the twenty first century coming to a detailed, Billboard is spending the subsequent few months counting down our employees picks for the 25 best pop stars of the final 25 years. We’ve already named our Honorable Mentions and our No. 25, No. 24, No. 23, No. 22, No. 21 and No. 20 stars, and now we bear in mind the century in BTS — the septet that took Ok-pop to new international heights, and set the usual for high-level hitmaking and fan devotion over the previous decade of pop music.

Whenever you consider what it takes for a bunch to develop into pop stars, think about having seven particular person skills who can every do all of it effectively: sing, rap, dance, and amass a love and fandom that even a few of the largest pop stars may solely dream of. That’s what you’ve with BTS, who crashed by way of each door of what it takes to be a profitable pop act and expanded that with a scope by no means fairly seen earlier than. The group has damaged by way of ceilings for boy bands, Ok-pop and South Korean artists usually, all whereas making a significant neighborhood that’s frequently impressed by BTS’ message of positivity, love and connection. 

The worldwide sensations have amassed Beatles-sized success and have develop into the brand new blueprint for every part pop: In terms of sustaining fan hysteria and constant hitmaking, they’re it. Within the U.S. alone, the Ok-pop septet has notched six Billboard Scorching 100 No. 1 hits and 6 Billboard 200 No. 1 albums. And as solo artists over the previous few years, they’ve all individually created their very own lane, and grabbed historic accolades of their very own alongside the way in which. 

It began in 2013, when BTS (brief for the Korean phrase Bangtan Sonyeondan, which interprets to “Bulletproof Boy Scouts”) was created by Huge Hit Leisure. The group, comprised of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, launched the debut EP 2 Cool 4 Skool in June 2013. 

In Korea, BTS was not immediately welcomed. Within the band’s biography Past the Story, the members communicate on the extremely aggressive style, and being shunned by friends within the business, and even by some followers of Ok-pop. However by way of the model of vlogging, BTS was capable of create a extra distinctive relationship with their followers. Need to hang around and prepare dinner together with BTS? You would. That was one thing that was removed from the extraordinarily polished Ok-pop norms. 

Although BTS was not the primary Ok-pop group to search out large success at residence and overseas — and received’t be the final — all through the group’s journey to international superstardom, there have been quite a few issues that made it particular. 

The large fan group ARMY (Cute Consultant M.C. for Youth) has been with the septet each step of the way in which. Within the 2021 hit “Butter,” the group’s chief RM confidently says, “obtained ARMY proper behind us after we say so.” BTS has over 75 million followers on Instagram and over 48 million followers on X (previously Twitter). It has grown the group previous what folks usually see in boy band fandoms: ARMY boosts a various neighborhood of all ages, races, religions and past. 

One of many prime qualities that makes BTS stand out as pop stars is the members’ potential to bend and mix genres. That is largely because of the group being comprised of totally different members solid in several roles — Ok-pop teams will typically cut up totally different members right into a rap line, vocal line, and dance line — giving all people the flexibility to shine. All of them have their very own types and voices, but all of them mix effectively collectively. This particular person uniqueness has even led followers to have a good time their “bias” as they join with their favourite member of the OT7 (One True 7). 

Being educated within the Ok-pop methodology ready all seven to be sturdy in all areas of efficiency. To get to know them as nice singers, be aware of V’s chilling vocals on “Spring Day,” Jimin’s candy sensuality on “Serendipity,” Jin’s flawless belting on “Let Go,” or Jung Kook’s easy falsetto on “Euphoria”. The group’s earliest music was additionally closely influenced by hip-hop — and members Suga, RM, and J-Hope’s inspiration from the American hip-hop scene and the underground tradition in Korea closely formed BTS’ sound. By 2018, Nicki Minaj was even becoming a member of the group for an iconic verse on the Love Your self: Reply single “IDOL”. 

After all, you possibly can’t be an excellent pop star with out top-notch visuals. From music movies to merchandise, every part BTS is produced to the best high quality. Take for instance their track “ON”: The music video alone is a spectacle of large dance numbers and sprawling units. The group took that very same efficiency to The Tonight Present in Grand Central Station and inside a stadium for the 2020 MAMA Awards. The whole lot BTS does is BIG. (And sure, all of the BTS members are good trying: Jin is famously nicknamed by their followers as Worldwide Good-looking.) 

The group’s dance potential can also be next-level. Choreography isn’t new to boy bands, as pop teams from the Jackson 5 to *NSYNC made it a key efficiency component. However look no additional than BTS’ efficiency of “Black Swan” on the 2020 Melon Music Awards and you understand what we’re seeing is totally different right here: Typically members showcase not simply hip-hop dance expertise, however aerial, ballet, and interpretive dancing. A fast dive into fan edits on-line and you’ll absolutely discover a number of movies evaluating the members to Michael Jackson and different greats. 

It was these performances, and a brand new lean right into a extra pop-friendly sound, that basically launched them to a mainstream American viewers within the late ‘10s. They introduced “Faux Love” to the Billboard Music Awards in 2018, one in every of their first main US awards present performances, with large (and clearly audible) ARMY assist within the crowd. “Boy With Luv” that includes Halsey, launched the subsequent 12 months off Map of the Soul: Persona, was one other catchy banger and have become one in every of their largest hits on the time, reaching the Scorching 100’s prime 10. They carried out that observe on the BBMAs in 2019, additionally receiving a rapturous reception. 

Although there was no denying BTS’ large success because the septet bought out stadiums the world over by 2019, there actually was no preparation for what occurred with “Dynamite” in 2020. The group’s first single launched in all English can solely be described as pop perfection. From the sticky-sweet lyrics to the colorfully choreographed music video, the track catapulted the already massively common group to new ranges of crossover American success. The track turned BTS’ first No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100 — and the primary track ever by an all-South Korean musical act to succeed in that spot, with solely Psy’s “Gangnam Model” (No. 2) getting shut beforehand.  

BTS adopted that up with much more chart-toppers, a number of whereas linking up with English-language pop acts– lending an help to Jason Derulo for “Savage Love” and getting recruited by Coldplay for “My Universe,” which turned one other No. 1 for each teams. BTS even had a No. 1 co-written by Ed Sheeran – with a private favourite, “Permission to Dance.” Which isn’t to say the septet truly wanted assist from every other hitmakers, although  – as “Butter,” the delectable 10-week No. 1 that stands because the group’s longest-reigning Scorching 100-topper thus far, clearly demonstrated in summer time 2021.  

Songs like “Dynamite,” “Butter” and “My Universe” have been capable of safe BTS 5 Grammy nominations. They have been additionally invited to the stage at each the 2021 and 2022 Grammys, with extremely anticipated performances that introduced the awards a few of their buzziest and best-received moments. 

The seven members have continued that success as solo artists whereas BTS has paused most group exercise as its members take part of their necessary South Korean army service. (Jin was the primary member to enlist, doing so in Dec. 2022, and this June, additionally turned the primary to be discharged.) In 2022 J-Hope turned the primary South Korean artist to headline the primary stage at a significant U.S. music competition when he headlined Lollapalooza. In 2023 Suga took his solo present worldwide as he accomplished the Agust D Tour in assist of his debut studio album D-Day. Jimin made historical past with the discharge of his first solo album, FACE, as the only “Like Loopy” turned the primary track by a Korean solo artist to prime the Billboard Scorching 100. Jung Kook carried out on the World Cup and notched his personal Scorching 100 No. 1, with “Seven” that includes Latto. V, Jin and RM have additionally all launched profitable solo music. 

In the meantime, at the same time as they’ve develop into international pop crossover stars, the BTS members have continued to remain true to their hip-hop roots – as seen as just lately as RM’s new function on Megan Thee Stallion’s “By no means Play” this September. He’s additionally labored with Erykah Badu, Wale and Anderson .Paak, whereas in 2023, J-Hope teamed up with a rap icon in J. Cole for the only “On the Road.” 

No Ok-pop group — or group usually — has been capable of accomplish what Bangtan has this century. From creating a worldwide neighborhood to increasing Ok-pop effectively outdoors of its style and delivering seven profitable pop star solo acts, BTS actually paved the way in which. 

Learn extra in regards to the Biggest Pop Stars of the twenty first Century right here — and you’ll want to test again on Thursday when our No. 18 artist is revealed!