Billboard Names Nickelback the Greatest Rock Band of the 21st Century

According to Billboard, Nickelback is officially the biggest rock band of the 21st century. The Canadian group, often controversial but undeniably popular, rose to 26th place in their ranking of the 100 best artists of the 21st century, all genres combined, ahead of all other rock groups.

Nickelback: A career marked by essential hits

Nickelback owes its success to hits like How You Remind Menamed as the most played song on the radio in the 2000s, as well as Photograph (n°2), Someday (n°7) or even Rockstar (n°6). With songs that have dominated the rock, pop and alternative charts, Nickelback has won over a diverse audience.

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Other notable rock names in the ranking

Rock is far from absent from this ranking, with several emblematic groups:

• Linkin Park (n°37): Hits like In the End (n°2) and What I’ve Done (No. 7) allowed them to dominate the rock and alternative charts.
• Avril Lavigne (n°47): With hits such as Complicated (n°2) and Sk8er Boi (n°10), she mixed pop and rock, marking the 2000s.
• Creed (n°66): Their ballads like With Arms Wide Open (n°1) and One Last Breath (n°6) left a lasting imprint.
• 3 Doors Down (n°68): Known for Kryptonite (n°3) and Here Without You (No. 5), they dominated the rock and pop charts.
• Kid Rock (n°83): His collaboration with Sheryl Crow on Picture (No. 4) and his success on rock and pop radio allowed him to reach this position.
• Daughtry (n°89): Titles like It’s Not Over (n°4) marked their passage on the rock and pop scenes.
• Fall Out Boy (#100): Emo-punk anthems such as Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down (n°8) and Dance, Dance (n°9) have confirmed their place in pop-rock culture.

The hybrid figures of rock and pop

Some artists linked to rock have also found their place:

• Coldplay (n°53): Once major figures of alternative rock, their pop turn gave them a wider audience.
• Imagine Dragons (n°38): With hits like Radioactivethey navigated between alternative rock and pop.
• Twenty One Pilots (No. 84): Their domination of the alternative charts ensured them a place in this ranking.
• Santana (n°98) and Gwen Stefani (No. 97) have also capitalized on their rock heritage to expand their audience.

The debate over the relevance of rock

Although some consider rock to be in decline, these results show that the genre remains influential. Nickelback, despite its detractors, proves once again that commercial impact and the ability to produce hits transcends criticism.