What Made Taylor Swift The Biggest Artist In The World?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately: How did Taylor Swift become such a big figure in the music industry? What made Taylor Swift The Biggest Artist In The World? Sure, she’s been around since the late 2000s, and by then, most of us already knew her name. But it’s one thing to be known and another to dominate the global music scene so thoroughly that her influence feels almost unmatched. What was it about Taylor Swift that propelled her from country music’s darling to the biggest artist in the world?

Taylor Swift: The Genius of Timing and Strategy

To understand how Taylor Swift became such a global powerhouse, you have to look at a combination of genius-level strategy and the kind of acts that are difficult, if not impossible, to replicate. Since 2020, Swift’s moves have been nothing short of brilliant. She’s not just been riding the wave of success—she’s been the one creating it.

From early on in her career, Taylor created a fanbase that was deeply invested in her personal narrative. This wasn’t by accident. Swift’s approach to building a relationship with her fans has always been intentional, almost meticulously so. During the Lover era, for instance, her fans were more than just listeners—they were participants in her life story. They analyzed her Easter eggs, dissected her highly specific lyrics, and engaged with the “underdog” narrative she crafted during the Reputation era.

And let’s not forget the Secret Sessions, where she invited fans to her home to preview her albums early. These events weren’t just about the music; they were about making her fans feel like they were part of something exclusive, something personal.

The Turning Point: Folklore

But the real turning point for Taylor Swift came in 2020 with the release of Folklore. Coming off the relatively average reception of Lover, Swift flipped the story. Folklore was a massive leap forward in terms of quality, and the critical reception showed that. The album’s sonic palette was different enough to appeal to non-pop fans while still retaining a pop structure that kept her core audience engaged.

What made Folklore particularly genius was its production by Aaron Dessner of The National and the feature from Bon Iver. This collaboration pulled in indie fans and those who had previously dismissed her music as too pop-centric. The album’s surprise release also turned it into an event—everyone was talking about it the moment it dropped. This, coupled with the album’s sound, made it a streaming juggernaut, which was crucial for an artist who had historically struggled with streaming numbers.

The Power of Visuals: Folklore Album Art

One aspect that’s often overlooked but deserves attention is the impact of the album art for Folklore. It perfectly encapsulated the mood of the pandemic—an era defined by isolation but also by a newfound appreciation for slowing down, for nature, for introspection. The black-and-white imagery, the foggy forest, the solitary figure—these visuals weren’t just marketing tools; they were an invitation to experience the music in a deeply personal way.

In the streaming era, where visuals are more accessible and arguably more important than ever, this art played a significant role in drawing in casual listeners who might not have otherwise given the album a chance.

Consolidating Success: Evermore

Taylor was not about to slow down after dropping Folklore! She hit us with Evermore just six months later. And let me tell you, sis did not disappoint. While Evermore didn’t completely flip her sound, it just kept that winning streak going. Everyone was already obsessed with her by then, and this album just sealed the deal on her reputation as a total songwriting genius.

And can we talk about her re-recording project?? Starting with Fearless and Red, Taylor really showed her boss moves with this one. Not only did she snatch back her old music, but she also brought a fresh vibe to them, introducing her classics to a new generation and hitting us with those hidden gems from the vault. This kept the Swifties entertained while maintaining that buzz around her music. Seriously, Taylor knows how to keep us hooked and begging for more!

The Culmination: Midnights and the Eras Tour

All of this built up to the release of Midnights in 2022. This album was a return to pop but with a twist. By not releasing a lead single, Swift generated massive hype and speculation about the album’s sound. When it finally dropped, it was perfectly tailored for the streaming era: a chill synth pop album with over 20 tracks, designed to dominate the streaming charts. And dominate it did—Midnights became the first album to claim the entire top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Anti-Hero” becoming an instant hit.

This momentum carried over into the Eras Tour, which was a stroke of genius in itself. By creating a “greatest hits” tour, Swift managed to celebrate her entire career, from the country roots of Fearless to the pop powerhouse of 1989 to the introspective indie-folk of Folklore and Evermore.

The tour was ambitious, with a setlist running over three hours, and it reintroduced her entire discography to both old and new fans. The Eras Tour wasn’t just a concert—it was an event, a culmination of everything Swift had built over the years.

The 2024 Album: Tortured Poets Department

By the time 2024 rolled around, Swift had released Tortured Poets Department, an album that received mixed reviews but still succeeded commercially. At this point, Swift’s fanbase was so large and so deeply entrenched in the parasocial relationship they had with her that they could easily dismiss any negative critiques as the work of “HATERS.” The album, while perhaps not her strongest lyrically, catered perfectly to her audience, with its long, rambling lyrics and emotionally open themes.

Sonically, Tortured Poets Department followed the same formula as Midnights, designed for streaming with a mix of pop and folk influences. The album’s gossip-laden backstory—her high-profile breakup, her controversial relationship with Matty Healy, and her subsequent relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce—kept her name in the headlines and drove record sales. This gossip-driven narrative fed perfectly into the album’s themes and further solidified the parasocial connection between Swift and her fans.

A Cross-Genre Phenomenon

It’s fascinating to see how Taylor Swift has managed to break through different music genres and attract fans from diverse communities. A great example is I Prevail‘s cover of “Blank Space,” which unexpectedly brought Swift’s music to metalheads and hard rock enthusiasts.  Though the band may not have been big fans of the cover, it sparked interest in Swift’s music from a whole new audience.

As someone who generally listen heavier music, the cover served as my entry point into Swift’s musical world. It piqued my curiosity, and eventually, albums like Folklore turned me as a fan. Interestingly, I’ve noticed a trend among many Metalheads who have also developed a newfound appreciation for Taylor Swift’s music. It’s a testament to her versatility as an artist and her ability to bridge different music communities through her work. Have you experienced a similar shift in your music taste through unexpected covers or collaborations?

Conclusion: The Perfect Storm

So, what made Taylor Swift the biggest artist in the world? It wasn’t just one thing—it was a perfect storm of factors, all timed and executed with precision. Swift has managed to do what few artists can: grow with her fanbase, evolve her sound, and continuously stay relevant. Much like The Beatles did with the Boomer generation, Taylor has managed to transcend her beginnings as a country-pop star and become a cultural icon.

She’s crafted a career that allows her fans to feel like they’re growing up alongside her, transitioning to more mature, complex music as they themselves mature. At the same time, she’s constantly bringing in new fans by proving, again and again, that she’s more than just a pop star—she’s a serious artist with something to say. It’s this combination of talent, strategy, and timing that has made Taylor Swift the biggest artist in the world today.

What’s your views on this? How did Taylor Swift became the biggest artist in the world? Share your thoughts on the comment below 👇