LOS ANGELES: Justin Bieber topped Billboard's "21 Under 21" list of the world's top young musical acts for the second year in a row, fending off stiff competition from British boy band One Direction.

Bieber, 18, "remains more powerful in the pop universe than ever", Billboard said, having released two No. 1 albums in the last year - holiday set "Under the Mistletoe" and his latest pop album, "Believe".

"Bieber is the supernova of teen pop stars with charisma, popularity and swagger to spare ... it's Biebs' world, and we're lucky to live in it," the music publication said.

One Direction, whose five members range in age from 18 to 20, burst onto the US pop scene just six months ago after first soaring to success in their native Britain. Managed by British TV entrepreneur Simon Cowell, One Direction made history in March when it became the first UK group to debut at the top of the Billboard 200 chart with its first album.

Singer Demi Lovato, 20, came in third on the list. The former Disney Channel star joined the judging panel on TV singing competition "X Factor" this year.

Rounding out the top five were country singer and "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery, 18, and rapper Mac Miller, 20.

Below is Billboard's full "21 Under 21" list:

1. Justin Bieber

2. One Direction

3. Demi Lovato

4. Scotty McCreery

5. Mac Miller

6. Selena Gomez

7. Porter Robinson

8. Cher Lloyd

9. Earl Sweatshirt

10. Nick Jonas

11. Jackie Evancho

12. Cody Simpson

13. Mindless Behavior

14. Megan & Liz

15. IU

16. Bridgit Mendler

17. 3BallMTY

18. Miley Cyrus

19. Madeon

20. Ross Lynch

21. Victoria Justice

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

FACED with high inflation and bleak economic prospects nationally, the workers of Pakistan have little to celebrate...
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...