“Because Rihanna has remained in the public’s eye for two years, her recognition level is high,” Billboard wrote in 2007. “‘If you say her name, people know who she is,’ [radio programmer Cat] Thomas says. ‘But is she at a level where she can sell out an arena? No.’ “Pausing, he adds, ‘but that could change.’ ” Long before the end of the 21st century, Rihanna’s profile had rocketed, in music and beyond, punctuated in 2023 by her appearance at a spectacle far bigger than an arena: the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. In addition to 67,827 ticketholders, the performance played to a then-record 121 million viewers on TV. Rihanna had by then also notched the most No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 of any artist during the 21st century: 14. She first topped the chart dated May 13, 2006, with “SOS.” (“Normally, the universal signal for distress means that someone is in trouble. The opposite is true for Rihanna,” Fred Bronson wrote in the Chart Beat column that issue.) Rihanna most recently ruled the Hot 100 with “Work,” featuring Drake, for 10 weeks in 2016. As Billboard celebrates the top-performing artists, albums and songs of the first 25 years of the century since 2000, browse below the acts with the most No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 in that span. Plus, check out Billboard’s Top Hot 100 Songs of the 21st Century chart, Top Artists of the 21st Century chart and Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century chart, as well as all coverage of Billboard’s 21st Century charts here. Billboard’s Top Artists, Top Billboard 200 Albums and Top Hot 100 Songs of the 21st Century recaps reflect performance on weekly charts dated Jan. 1, 2000, through Dec. 28, 2024. The Top Artists category ranks the best-performing acts in that span based on activity on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100. (Titles released prior to mid-1999 are excluded, although such entries that appeared on the Billboard 200 or Hot 100 in that span contribute to the calculation of the Top Artists chart.) 14, Rihanna Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the first 25 years of the 21st century: “Work,” feat. Drake, 2016 “The Monster,” Eminem feat. Rihanna, 2013-14 “Diamonds,” 2012 “We Found Love,” feat. Calvin Harris, 2011-12 “S&M,” feat. Britney Spears, 2011 “Only Girl (In the World),” 2010 “What’s My Name?,” feat. Drake, 2010 “Love the Way You Lie,” Eminem feat. Rihanna, 2010 “Rude Boy,” 2010 “Live Your Life,” T.I. feat. Rihanna, 2008 “Disturbia,” 2008 “Take a Bow,” 2008 “Umbrella,” feat. Jay-Z, 2007 “SOS,” 2006 13, Drake Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the first 25 years of the 21st century: “First Person Shooter,” feat. J. Cole, 2023 “Slime You Out,” 2023 “Jimmy Cooks,” feat. 21 Savage, 2022 “Wait for U,” Future feat. Drake & Tems, 2022 “Way 2 Sexy,” feat. Future and Young Thug, 2021 “What’s Next,” 2021 “Toosie Slide,” 2020 “In My Feelings,” 2018 “Nice for What,” 2018 “God’s Plan,” 2018 “One Dance,” feat. WizKid & Kyla, 2016 “Work,” Rihanna feat. Drake, 2016 “What’s My Name?,” Rihanna feat. Drake, 2010 12, Taylor Swift Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the first 25 years of the 21st century: “Fortnight,” feat. Post Malone, 2024 “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault],” 2023 “Cruel Summer,” 2023 “Anti-Hero,” 2022-23 “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version),” 2021 “Willow,” 2020 “Cardigan,” 2020 “Look What You Made Me Do,” 2017 “Bad Blood,” feat. Kendrick Lamar, 2015 “Blank Space,” 2014 “Shake It Off,” 2014 “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” 2012 9, Beyoncé Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the first 25 years of the 21st century: “Texas Hold ‘Em,” 2024 “Break My Soul,” 2022 “Savage,” Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé, 2020 “Perfect,” Ed Sheeran duet with Beyoncé, 2017-18 “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” 2008-09 “Irreplaceable,” 2006-07 “Check on It,” feat. Slim Thug, 2006 “Baby Boy,” feat. Sean Paul, 2003 “Crazy in Love,” feat. Jay-Z, 2003 9, Ariana Grande Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the first 25 years of the 21st century: “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),” 2024 “Yes, And?,” 2024 “Die for You,” with The Weeknd, 2023 “Save Your Tears,” with The Weeknd, 2021 “Positions,” 2020 “Rain on Me,” with Lady Gaga, 2020 “Stuck With U,” with Justin Bieber, 2020 “7 Rings,” 2019 “Thank U Next,” 2018-19 9, Katy Perry Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the first 25 years of the 21st century: “Dark Horse,” feat. Juicy J, 2014 “Roar,” 2013 “Part of Me,” 2012 “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.),” 2011 “E.T.,” feat. Kanye West, 2011 “Firework,” 2010-11 “Teenage Dream,” 2010 “California Gurls,” feat. Snoop Dogg, 2010 “I Kissed a Girl,” 2008 8, Justin Bieber Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the first 25 years of the 21st century: “Stay,” The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, 2021 “Peaches,” feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon, 2021 “Stuck With U,” with Ariana Grande, 2020 “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber, 2017 “I’m the One,” DJ Khaled feat. Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne, 2017 “Love Yourself,” 2016 “Sorry,” 2016 “What Do You Mean?,” 2015 8, Bruno Mars Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the first 25 years of the 21st century: “Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak), 2021 “That’s What I Like,” 2017 “Uptown Funk!,” Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, 2015 “When I Was Your Man,” 2013 “Locked Out of Heaven,” 2012-13 “Grenade,” 2011 “Just the Way You Are,” 2010 “Nothin’ on You,” B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars, 2010 (*has since added a ninth career No. 1 – “Die With a Smile” – with Lady Gaga, in 2025) 8, Usher Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the first 25 years of the 21st century: “OMG,” feat. will.i.am, 2010 “Love in This Club,” feat. Jeezy, 2008 “My Boo,” with Alicia Keys, 2004 “Confessions Part II,” 2004 “Burn,” 2004 “Yeah!,” feat.
