Taylor

Taylor Swift may be the most unique of pop artists: one who was able to effectively bridge the gap between country and pop, conquering the globe. Swift left her country roots as if they were just a second skin, revealing she was arguably the smartest pop-oriented singer/songwriter of her time, someone who was able to harness the mood of the moment and personalize it and also perform opposite. The skills she displayed were apparent on her earliest hits especially the Neo-Tribute Tim McGraw but her second album in 2008's Fearless showed a writer discovering her true identity and, in doing so, gaining a mass audience. Fearless went on to become a global hit but not only in North America (where it received with six platinum awards for Top Ten Hits Love Story as well as "You Belong with Me") but in Canada, Australia and the U.K. and many other countries. Swift was able to consolidate her success with Speak Now almost two year later. Her popularity only increased through her subsequent three albums -- Red (2012) 1989 (2014), and Reputation (2017) Reputation (2017) and saw her move confidently into the realm of pop where she already belonged. Although she slowed down the production of her folklore album, and Evermore albums in the year 2020, she was nevertheless in the forefront of pop music.