Cashing 'N

Loser: The Backstreet Boys
At least this week, the other princes of pop have been nudged out of the spotlight, making them look more like the backseat boys. Still, the ever-polite fivesome tell EW in a statement: ''We can't imagine a more thrilling point in music history to be performers. We'd like to congratulate our label mates and we'll see you Oct. 10 [when their new CD comes out].'' Caveat: The Boys could retake the throne with their fall release. And in terms of total albums sold, they still rule: 24 million to 'N Sync's 15 million.

Winner: Bubblegum pop in general
Sorry, adults. Like, just when you thought the trend had finally peaked, it just gets totally huger. Next up on the teen-pop slate: Spears' Oops!...I Did It Again, out May 16. ''['N Sync] bodes well for Britney,'' says Jack Eugster, chairman and CEO of the Musicland retail chain. ''We're increasing our estimates as we speak.... We had a big number on her already, and we just raised it.'' Caveat: Maybe, just maybe, this pubescent craze finally has topped off. ''I don't think [Britney's new album] will do as well as 'N Sync,'' says the program director of a major Top 40 radio station. ''Her new single sounds very much like her last, and at some point you have to reinvent yourself a little more.''

Loser: Good old rock & roll
Rock may not be dead, but 'N Sync's juggernaut helps put it in a temporary coma. ''Right now it's all about TRL and every stinking 13- to 18-year-old,'' says Virgin Megastore regional marketing manager Andy Moreno. ''Nobody's listening to the great other stuff that's coming out. It's hard to market it right now because everybody's focus is on [teen pop].'' Caveat: ''The 'N Sync sales might actually help [bands like]Limp Bizkit because their fans may want to show pop fans that rock is still alive,'' says MTV's Calderone. ''There might be some competitiveness on that front.'' Long live rock!

(Additional reporting by Laura Morgan and Craig Seymour)