Billboard certainly knows how to get the tongues of some of music’s biggest fan bases wagging, and their latest countdown – the ‘Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the 21st Century’ – is proving no different.
Having already earned side eyes and jeers from some for their ‘Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century,’ ‘Greatest Female Rappers,’ ‘Top Women Artists of the 21st Century,’ and ‘Greatest R&B Artists’ lists, the Music Bible unveiled a new ranking to crown the millennium’s best artists of the leading rhythmic genres.
Look inside to see who graced the coveted top 10.
Based on sales and streaming performance on weekly Hip-Hop and R&B charts dated January 1, 2000 through December 28, 2024, the ‘Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the 21st Century’ saw some of the heaviest hitters of the last 25 years line its top 10.
To little surprise, Drake – who made his debut a lot later than many of the acts he surpassed on the tally – landed at #1 due to having 30 No. 1 hits on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and 15 No. 1s on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. What’s more, he even added another No.1 hit on each chart in 2025.
For those reasons and more, he topped the ranking of major acts like Chris Brown, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Beyonce, and others.
Look below to see where everyone landed.
Billboard’s Top Hip-Hop/R&B Artists of the 21st Century
10. Alicia Keys
9. Eminem
8. Rihanna
7. JAY-Z
6. Lil Wayne
5. Usher
4. Chris Brown
3. The Weeknd
2. Beyonce
1. Drake
Read the full article here.
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Hard to tell who’s most successful between Drake and Jayz
I think Drake has had a more successful music career however Jay Z is the most accomplished overall.
Jay z is overrated just like Beyonce
Half of their Grammys should be returned.
Chris Breezy my # 1 artist period not just rnb.