In today's music industry, is having a massive fanbase more important than having hit songs and good chart positions in billboard?

Before billboard used to control music since chart positions mattered so much. Now it's fans who control the music industry. artists like one direction don't have much hit singles but their massive fanbase ensures the band that they're right at the top of the food chain. Their massive fanbase keeps the money flowing in for 1D. Meanwhile, artists with no fanbase but with hit singles tend to fade away after some time. An example is John legend. All of me was a big hit but he's disappeared ever since. Same goes for Magic! with rude. It was a hit song but them not having a fanbase means that they've faded out of the spotlight for now. all this time one direction hasn't had a smash hit yet they continue to be the biggest thing in music with a number 1 album and sold out stadium tour next year. This definitely proves billboard and other music charts don't hold the fate of artists in their hands. Billboard isn't relevant anymore since they arent in control. The ones who are in control now are fans. They're the ones who keep the money coming in and they're the ones who make the artist they support stay relevant despite not producing hit songs.