The IFPI has named Drake as the world’s best-selling recording artist of 2018.
It follows the global success of his fifth album Scorpion, including the singles God’s Plan, Nice for What and In My Feelings – all UK chart-toppers.
Drake is the only artist to ever hold the IFPI title multiple times, his first being in 2016. He won the BRIT for International Male Solo Artist last week.
Released in June 2018, Scorpion broke multiple global records in its first week of release. It was the first album to reach one billion streams across all platforms worldwide.
According to Apple Music, the album reached No.1 in 92 countries. God’s Plan, released in January 2018, broke first-day streaming records on Spotify and Apple with over 14 million streams. Ariana Grande has since smashed that record.
Drake is the recipient of the sixth IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year Award, which reflects an artist's worldwide success across physical and digital music formats, including streams. One Direction (2013), Taylor Swift (2014), Adele (2015), Drake (2016) and Ed Sheeran (2017) are previous recipients.
Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, said: “Drake has had an incredible, record-breaking year, one that is more than worthy of the title of Global Recording Artist of the Year. That Drake has won this award for the second time is testament to his continued global appeal and his ability to engage and connect with fans.
That Drake has won this award for the second time is testament to his continued global appeal
Frances Moore
“This year’s Top 10 artists reflect the global appeal of music. From modern-day superstars like Drake, Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande, to the rise of genres such as K-Pop, to legacy acts like Queen, fans are exploring and enjoying music of all types and from all corners of the world.”
South Korean seven-piece boy band BTS take second place on IFPI’s list after the massive global success last year of albums Love Yourself Tear and Love Yourself Answer.
Ed Sheeran, the recipient of the 2017 award, is in third place thanks to the continued popularity of his third studio album ÷ .
There was also a strong showing for Queen, whose Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack and catalogue have performed strongly.
IFPI Top 10 Global Recording Artists 2018
1 Drake
2 BTS
3 Ed Sheeran
4 Post Malone
5 Eminem
6 Queen
7 Imagine Dragons
8 Ariana Grande
9 Lady Gaga
10 Bruno Mars
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