I recently had a similar exchange with one if my kids regarding Taylor Swift. I said that I couldn't name a TS song and asked her how many she could name. She rattled off about a dozen before telling me she wasn't really a fan. Lots of people listen. Just not us.
Oh, I know. I understand I am not listening to “top 40” songs much any more.
But...I can recognize a TS song on the radio. I think she appeals to a much broader range of listeners. I am an old fart and I stay fairly up to date. I KNOW who JB is..and I am sure I have heard his music. It just did not make much of an impression—other than he uses a lot of “autotune.”
I guess my point is that in 40 years, Taylor Swift will be thought of as a BIG star—a Classic. Beieber, not so much.