Taylor Swift is forced to share a stage with Kanye West again. Only this time, we think she’ll like the experience a bit better. As Billboard reveals in its year-end charts, Swift and West are side by side as Top Female and Top Male Artist of the Year.
West, of course, marred Taylor Swift’s first VMA win this year when he rushed the stage, interrupted her acceptance speech and went on a tirade about Beyonce being more deserving of the award for Best Female Video. So how’s this for irony: the performer Swift beat out for the number one spot? Beyonce Knowles, of course.
It’s just another milestone in an amazing year for Swift. Aside from the VMA statue, Swift has won two Academy of Country Music awards, five BMI awards, and five Country Music Association awards (including Entertainer of the Year). Most recently, Swift took home five American Music Awards — including Artist of the Year, where she faced possibly the stiffest competition of all, the posthumous Michael Jackson. And for one last feather in her 2009 cap, Swift also sits atop Billboard’s overall Artists of 2009 list.
West however, (who ranks 6th on the overall artists chart), has all but fallen off the radar since the VMAs debacle. His tour with Lady Gaga was quickly cancelled, as the rapper retreated to take time away from the spotlight (though he surfaced in the tabloids briefly in October when an Internet rumor declared that he was dead.)
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West is likely to come face-to-face with Swift at the 2010 Grammys; he is nominated for five awards, compared to Swift’s eight. Hopefully, West will be on his best behavior this time.
Billboard’s Top Female Artists of 2009
1. Taylor Swift
2. Beyonce
3. Lady Gaga
4. Miley Cyrus
5. Britney Spears
6. Pink
7. Katy Perry
8. Kelly Clarkson
9. Rihanna
10. Keri Hilson
Billboard’s Top Male Artists of 2009
1. Kanye West
2. T.I.
3. Flo Rida
4. Jason Mraz
5. Ne-Yo
6. Lil Wayne
7. Pitbull
8. Jamie Foxx
9. Eminem
10. Drake