It’s Beyoncé’s world, and we’re just living in it. With over three decades in the music industry, she continues to dominate at the highest level and shows no signs of giving up her throne. So, it comes as no surprise the Queen is predicted to be named the “Greatest Pop Star” of the 21st century by Billboard.
Throughout her career, Beyoncé has given her dedicated fans (known as the BeyHive) and the rest of the world countless hit songs, show-stopping performances, and timeless dance sequences. She’s a pop culture game-changer who moves with intention, pays homage to the greats, and sets trends people love to follow.
So, let’s all bow down to the queen as we look back on some of Beyoncé’s most iconic moments:
“Single Ladies” goes viral
15 years ago, Beyoncé released “Single Ladies,” a mega-hit that took the world by storm and had everyone copying the viral dance moves – moving their hands back and forth – and singing, “If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it.” The song won three Grammy Awards in 2009, including Song of the Year, and it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 4 weeks. It has been certified 9× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The surprise “Beyoncé” album
Only Beyoncé can drop an album without prior announcements or promotions and still go ahead and top the charts. In December 2013, Beyoncé released her self-titled visual album after midnight, taking the world by surprise.
With 14 new songs and 17 music videos, Beyoncé sold over 617,000 copies in its first three days, easily soaring to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. It even earned her the Guinness world record for the fastest-selling album on iTunes.
Beyoncé’s 2013 Super Bowl Halftime Show
Beyoncé has always represented women, and she did that effortlessly in 2013 as the halftime performer at Super Bowl XLVII. Not only did Beyoncé perform her solo hits, but she also brought Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams to the stage for a long-awaited Destiny’s Child reunion that had the audience cheering loudly all through.
Her Super Bowl performance remains one of the most-watched Super Bowl shows of all time, as 115.5 million people tuned in on the day. She performed mega hits including “Independent Women,” “Run The World (Girls),” and “Halo.” We couldn’t have asked for more.
“Beyoncé is bigger than Coachella”
In 2018, Beyoncé made history as the first black woman to headline Coachella and her performance became the most-viewed Coachella performance and most-viewed live music festival on YouTube ever, with 458,000 simultaneous global viewers tuning in to see her Coachella set.
The concert, popularly called Beychella, brought historically black colleges to the festival and saw 200 performers – including an all-black marching band, dancers of all sizes, Destiny’s Child, Jay Z and her sister Solange – perform on a giant pyramid stage.
The singer also released a documentary titled “Homecoming,” a behind-the-scenes documentary that showed the physical, intellectual and emotional effort that went into eight months of rehearsals and celebrates the rich, black culture Beyoncé represents.
Beyoncé becomes the most-awarded artist in Grammy history
At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023, Beyoncé became the most-awarded artist ever. With her 32nd Grammy, she surpassed the record held by classical conductor Georg Solti. In addition to winning the most Grammys, Beyoncé became the Recording Academy’s most-honoured artist, with 32 wins as a solo artist and three more as part of Destiny’s Child.
With the just released 2025 Grammy Awards nominations, Beyoncé also takes the crown as the most nominated artist with 99 nominations ahead of her husband, Jay-Z, with whom she previously tied at 88 nominations each. She may have 99 problems, but making Grammy history ain’t one.
As we anticipate her announcement as the Greatest Pop Star of the 21st century, we’re reminded of her profound impact on music, culture and women’s empowerment. Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire, educate, and entertain us for generations to come.
Here’s to many more iconic moments from Queen Bey!
