"The biggest musicians of our generation": Fans praise as BTS ranks #2 on the University of Nottingham's list of Gen Z's popular music artists

On Friday, December 12, the University of Nottingham ranked BTS second on its recent list of popular music artists among the Gen Z crowd, people born between the mid-to-late 1990s and the early 2010s. The list focused on research conducted around the music artists that the Gen Z generation largely discussed, listened to, and consistently supported.

The Canadian rapper, singer, and actor, Drake, topped the list, with BTS closing behind. Other artists who were featured in the list include Ariana Grande, EMINEM, Doja Cat, Taylor Swift, Kanye West, and more. Here's the complete list of the most popular music artists among Gen Z listeners:

1. Drake
2. BTS
3. Ariana Grande
4. Juice WRLD
5. Eminem
6. Lil Wayne
7. Doja Cat
8. Taylor Swift
9. Kanye West

Following the release of the recent list from the University of Nottingham, many fans and netizens celebrated the group's position on the same. Many pointed out the fact that BTS was not only the sole group artist on the list, but they were also the only South Korean artist to be featured. Naturally, fans were beyond thrilled and commended the group's impressive and undying influence around the globe. Here are a few fan reactions regarding the same:

"B TS literally the biggest musicians of our generation like Wow" said a fan

More fans and netizens expressed their reactions as the group ranked second on the list of most popular music artists among Gen Z.

Others also shared their thoughts and opinions regarding the same.

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All you need to know about BTS and their recent activities

Following all the BTS members' discharge from their mandatory military service in June 2025, the group announced their next comeback. On July 1, during an all-member Weverse livestream, the group revealed that they've already begun the preparations for their next album, and the same can be expected for release sometime in Spring 2026. This will also mark BTS's first group comeback in more than three years.

Here's what the members expressed regarding their upcoming album during the Weverse livestream:

“We’ll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year. Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music. Since it will be a group album, it will reflect each member’s thoughts and ideas. We’re approaching the album with the same mindset we had when we first started.”

The members also further added that the album will be followed up with a world tour in 2026. Here's what they stated regarding the same:

"We’re also planning a world tour alongside the new album. We’ll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you’re as excited as we are."

Therefore, the upcoming tour will also be the group's first tour since their 2022 Permission to Dance on Stage and their free concert in the same year, Yet to Come in Busan. Naturally, several fans have been looking forward to seeing the members perform live after three years.

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Fans and netizens are currently awaiting further updates and announcements regarding BTS's comeback.

Edited by Aishwarya Sai