Despite the records sold, Beyoncé actually is HUGE nowadays. For example Beyoncé superbowl, Beyoncé new album, Beyoncé grammys, Beyoncé Inauguration, Beyoncé most search person 2013 worldwide online, Beyonce crushing Itunes sales records with her new album, selling 617 000 records in three days....etc... Plus I actually think that , adding to Rihanna's alcohol, love and drugs image, Rihanna is the artist most todays young people grew up with listening as teens, rather than children (Beyonce blew up around the beginning of 2000s). Ofc Bey has had albums and famous song after Rihanna became big.... But I think like I said, that teenagers relates more to Riri's image (sex, drunk parties) than Bey's grown woman - single ladies, female empowerment image. But with that said Beyonce is still considered on par with all other legends of our history, Rihanna is just Mainstream music, she: as a performer or artist as a whole can't touch Beyoncé. Riri's is also very known for the whole Chris Brown incident.