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Global Pop Power List Drops — Only One Indian Star Shines at No. 22

Swarnadwip Nath Published Aug 09, 2025, 04:52 AM Updated Sep 18, 2026, 12:16 PM

Global Icons Lead the List While India Celebrates Its First-Ever Entry into Bloomberg’s Influential Pop Star Rankings In a sweeping celebration of global musical influence, Bloomberg has released its 2025 Pop Star Power Rankings, spotlighting the top 50 most influential pop a...

Global Icons Lead the List While India Celebrates Its First-Ever Entry into Bloomberg’s Influential Pop Star Rankings

In a sweeping celebration of global musical influence, Bloomberg has released its 2025 Pop Star Power Rankings, spotlighting the top 50 most influential pop artists worldwide. The list, curated through a blend of fan engagement and hard performance metrics, crowned Post Malone, Beéle, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncé as the top four. But the biggest surprise came from India, where Himesh Reshammiya became the only Indian artist to make the cut—ranking 22nd and marking a historic moment for South Asian representation in global pop culture.

Highlights from the Top 10

Post Malone Known for his genre-blending style and chart-topping hits, Post Malone continues to dominate with his fusion of hip-hop, pop, and rock. His recent tour grossed millions, and his social media engagement remains among the highest globally.

Beéle The Colombian Afrobeat and reggaeton sensation has surged in popularity with hits like Loco and Inolvidable. His Caribbean-infused sound has captivated audiences across Latin America and beyond.

Bruno Mars With 16 Grammy Awards and a legacy of hits like Uptown Funk and 24K Magic, Bruno Mars remains a powerhouse of performance and production.

Beyoncé A cultural icon, Beyoncé’s Renaissance era has redefined pop aesthetics and empowered a generation through her blend of R&B, soul, and visual storytelling.

Sabrina Carpenter The rising American star has gained global traction with her infectious singles Espresso and Feather, backed by a strong social media presence and sold-out tours.

Kendrick Lamar A Pulitzer Prize-winning artist, Lamar’s influence extends beyond music into social commentary and political discourse, making him a unique force in pop and hip-hop.

Shakira With over 125 million records sold, Shakira’s multilingual appeal and philanthropic work continue to make her a global ambassador of Latin pop.

SZA Blending R&B and soul with introspective lyrics, SZA’s recent releases have earned critical acclaim and massive streaming numbers.

Coldplay The British band’s global tours and genre-defying albums maintain their status as one of the most beloved pop-rock acts of the century.

Ed Sheeran Known for his lyrical storytelling and acoustic charm, Sheeran’s consistent chart presence and fan loyalty keep him firmly in the top tier.

Himesh Reshammiya: India’s Breakthrough Moment

At rank 22, Himesh Reshammiya has made history as the first Indian artist to feature on Bloomberg’s Pop Power List. With over 1,300 songs to his name, Reshammiya’s influence spans decades of Bollywood music, from Jhalak Dikhlaja to Tera Surroor. His recent Capmania Tour in Delhi drew over 30,000 fans, showcasing his enduring popularity.

Key factors behind his ranking:

High concert attendance and ticket sales in India

Strong digital streaming performance across platforms

Active fan engagement through social media and live events

Reshammiya’s inclusion reflects a growing recognition of Indian pop music’s global reach and the power of regional fan bases in shaping international rankings.

Methodology Behind the Rankings

Bloomberg’s Pop Star Power Rankings were based on seven key metrics:

Gross revenue from live shows (past 3 months)

Ticket sales (last 30 days)

Album sales (4-week window)

Digital song streams

YouTube views

Instagram and TikTok follower growth

Fan voting via HYBE’s Weverse platform

Over 120,000 fans participated in the ranking experiment, making it one of the most comprehensive and democratic assessments of pop influence to date.

Cultural Impact and Future Outlook

This year’s list underscores the evolving nature of pop stardom, where influence is measured not just by chart positions but by cultural resonance, fan loyalty, and digital footprint. The inclusion of artists from diverse backgrounds—Latin America, South Asia, and K-pop—signals a shift toward a more inclusive and global music industry.

As Himesh Reshammiya celebrates his milestone, the door is now open for more Indian artists to break into the global mainstream. Meanwhile, established icons like Beyoncé and Bruno Mars continue to redefine what it means to be influential in an ever-changing musical landscape.

Sources: Bloomberg, Indian Express, Hindustan Times

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