Taylor Swift crowned most powerful person in pop with Ed Sheeran close behind

by Daniel Falconer | 3 April 2015

This week has seen 4Music reveal that Taylor Swift is the most powerful person in pop, after a team of experts analysed every aspect of celebrity life including critical recognition, airplay and social media fan bases.

Taylor Swift / Credit: FAMOUS

Using their specially designed algorithm, the country turned pop singer has come out on top, with her estimated £130 million and headline domination over the past 12 months playing a huge part in catapulting her to the top spot.

Social media engagement alongside a whole load of endorsements - which include a Diet Coke advert and her own perfume range - means that the 4Music 2015 Pop Powerlist has Taylor crowned over all.

American heartthrobs Justin Timberlake and Jason Derulo have this year been knocked off the list by British artists Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, with the former becoming the most searched for Google artist, also topping the TV airplay chart at the beginning of the year with smash hit single 'Thinking Out Loud'.

Smith also climbed his way up to the top three by winning some huge accolades such as the Grammy for Best New Artist and the BRITs Critics Choice Award.

Also making their debuts in the top ten were Meghan Trainor and Ariana Grande, and One Direction managed to hang on to a spot in the top ten despite dropping six positions from last year.

Ed Sheeran

Sam Smith

Matt Rennie, Managing Director at The Box Plus Network commented: "The 2015 Pop Powerlist is dominated by female pop icons this year, with Beyoncé, Rihanna and Katy Perry joining Swift in the top ten.

"It's great to see British artists like Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith taking the hot spots, proving the rise in popularity of our home grown talent. One Direction have clearly always been winners in the Pop Powerlist but it'll be interesting to see if they hold onto their place next year following Zayn's departure".