Rihanna named Billboard's Top Pop Artist

Los Angeles - Rihanna has been named Billboard's Top Pop Artist of the last 20 years.

The Diamonds hitmaker topped the US music magazine's list of the most successful artists in the history of its Pop Songs chart, which started on 3 October 1992.

The magazine awarded her top spot for her achievements on the chart, which include 34 appearances with 21 top ten hits, and nine number one songs. This is an accolade she shares with Katy Perry who placed at sixth on the list.

The top ten was dominated by solo women singers, with Usher the only male and Black eyed Peas the only group.

Pink is in second place, followed by Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson and Mariah Carey.

Crowd was not familiar with her name

Katy comes in next and New York based radio programme director Sharon Dastur, reminisced about the first time she worked with her.

She said: "Katy's very first single I Kissed a Girl had just recently come out and we were playing it on [radio station] Z100. We started to feel an early buzz on the song, but the masses still weren't that familiar with who Katy was. We invited her to come on-stage at our Jingle Ball to help introduce one of the acts performing.

"We weren't sure if the crowd would be familiar with her by name, so we suggested that when she went out there, she should sing the hook ofI Kissed a Girl a capella. As soon as the crowd heard that, they sang every word along with her. Katy has told us that she'll always remember that moment," Dastur said.

Rounding out the top ten were Usher in seventh place followed by Black Eyed Peas, Janet Jackson and Madonna.

BiIlboard Top Pop Songs Artists 1992-2012 Top 20:

1. Rihanna
2. Pink
3. Britney Spears
4. Kelly Clarkson
5. Mariah Carey
6. Katy Perry
7. Usher
8. Black Eyed Peas
9. Janet Jackson
10. Madonna
11. Lady Gaga
12. Christina Aguilera
13. Justin Timberlake
14. Nickelback
15. Matchbox 20
16. Beyonce
17. Backstreet Boys
18. Jennifer Lopez
19. Maroon 5
20. Avril Lavigne