There’s no two ways about it; Drake is one of the most successful acts ever.

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Beyond being the best-selling singles artist in RIAA history, his host of staggering Billboard stats are underscored by having the most Hot 100 #1 hits of any rapper (13), the most Hot 100 top 10 hits of any act (78), and the most overall entries in the Hot 100’s 66-year history (338).

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Yet, even with all his immeasurable success at the latter organization he still barely found entry into the top 5 of their ‘Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century‘ list – capturing a #4 placement that left many puzzled.

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As Billboard continue to defend their decisions from angry fans of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and others, staff members took to the site’s official podcast to specifically weigh in on the mixed reactions they’ve gotten from placing Rihanna over her ‘Work‘ co-star.

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Look inside to hear their justification.

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Rihanna may not have released a new album since 2016’s ‘Anti,’ but her Billboard stats remain among the greatest of any act in Billboard history.

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Beyond having the most consecutive weeks on the Hot 100 among female artists overall, she has the most #1 hits of any artist that debuted in the 21st century as well as the most weeks at #1 of any act that debuted post-2000.

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For those reasons and many more, Billboard crowned her the #3 greatest Pop star of the century behind Beyonce and Taylor Swift.

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The Drizzy fans who took to social media to complain undoubtedly caught the eyes and ears of the mag’s editors who, in turn, took to the Web to reaffirm that chart stats weren’t the only criteria that went into their decision.

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“Anytime these two are together, Rihanna looks like the most glamorous, desirable woman on the planet, and Drake looks like a simp,” one of the podcast’s hosts said.

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Asserting her star power shines much brighter than his, the hosts also agreed that Rih’s music has had much more staying power and cultural impact than her former Canadian boo’s.

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“Rihanna’s hits? Iconic. Drake’s hits? Sometimes giving limited warranty,” they said before relaying, “Rihanna’s Cleopatra in 21st-century music. She’s burnt into your brain. None of her No. 1s are cheap. She’s timeless. Drake’s good, but Rihanna? She’s unforgettable.”

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Ouch! That’s not all they said. Hear more here.

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Your thoughts?

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