Billboard 21 Under 21 Explained
21 Under 21 is an annual ranking by American music magazine Billboard beginning in 2010. It honours young musicians under the age of 21 in the music for impact over the previous and their potential to "rule pop culture zeitgeist over the next 12 months".
Taylor Swift topped the first ranking in 2010 at age 20. Justin Bieber (2011), Lorde (2014) and Billie Eilish (2019) are the youngest acts to be #1 (all aged 17). Willow Smith is the youngest act to appear on any ranking, (aged 9 in 2010). Smith also has the longest period of inclusion, appearing on five rankings across 11 years (2010, 2011, 2017, 2019 and 2021). Bieber; Camila Cabello; Eilish; Shawn Mendes; Lorde; Cody Simpson; Smith and Grace VanderWaal are tied for the most appearances, with five each. Bieber and Mendes are the only acts to top the ranking more than once (twice each).
Poll results by year
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
Musicians with multiple wins
- 2 wins
People with multiple nominations
- 5 placements
- 4 placements
- 3 placements
- 2 placements
Notes and References
- 21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Minors. Billboard. Billboard Staff. September 23, 2010. October 10, 2021.
- 21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Minors. Billboard. Billboard Staff. September 27, 2011. October 10, 2021.
- 21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Minors. Billboard. Billboard Staff. September 18, 2012. October 10, 2021.
- 21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Minors 2013. Billboard. Billboard Staff. September 25, 2013. October 10, 2021.
- 21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Young Stars 2014. Billboard. Billboard Staff. September 25, 2013. October 10, 2021.
- 21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Young Stars 2015. Billboard. Billboard Staff. October 30, 2015. October 10, 2021.
- 21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Young Stars 2016. Billboard. Billboard Staff. September 29, 2016. October 10, 2021.
- 21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Young Stars 2017. Billboard. Billboard Staff. September 28, 2017. October 10, 2021.
- 21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Young Stars 2018. Billboard. Billboard Staff. October 12, 2018. October 10, 2021.
- 21 Under 21 2019: Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Mason Ramsey & More of Music's Next Generation . Billboard. Billboard Staff. September 12, 2019. October 10, 2021.
- 21 Under 21: See Who Made the 2020 List . Billboard. Billboard Staff. November 6, 2020. October 11, 2021.
- 21 Under 21: See who made the list. Billboard. Billboard Staff. October 8, 2021. October 11, 2021.
- 21 UNDER 21: SEE WHO MADE THE 2022 LIST. Billboard. Billboard Staff. May 13, 2022. May 14, 2022.
- Web site: Rouhani . Rania Aniftos,Katie Atkinson,Katie Bain,Stephen Daw,Griselda Flores,Josh Glicksman,Lyndsey Havens,Carl Lamarre,Cydney Lee,Jason Lipshutz,Jessica Nicholson,Jessica Roiz,Neena . Aniftos . Rania . Atkinson . Katie . Bain . Katie . Daw . Stephen . Flores . Griselda . Glicksman . Josh . Havens . Lyndsey . Lamarre . Carl . 2023-05-15 . Billboard’s 21 Under 21: See Who Made the 2023 List . 2023-11-28 . Billboard . en-US.