Naming the top artist of the world is a subjective task, but that won’t stop people from trying.
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The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) released its global music report as the organization found that 2021 was another fruitful year for the music industry. The global recorded music market grew by 18.5% in 2021 as the organization shows total revenues for the year at $25.9 billion.
The report also dove into various top 10 lists including top-selling vinyl, top albums, top singles, and more. One category that stood out was the top 10 global artists. The category was based on “consumption across all formats and all countries, weighted based on the value of each method of consumption.”
While there weren’t any numbers attached to it, it makes for an interesting read. Below are the top 10 artists in the world from the IFPI global music report. As an added bonus, Audacy has plenty of stations dedicated to the music of these artists. Just hit play and start listening today!
Photo credit (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Teen Vogue)
10. Olivia Rodrigo
Rodrigo shared her debut album Sour in 2021 as the record became an immediate smash hit. Rodrigo found herself at the top of numerous charts and best-selling lists by the time the year was done.
Photo credit (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
9. Seventeen
2021 was a successful year for Seventeen as they made their US television debut on The Late Late Show With James Corden. The group also released two EPs, Your Choice and Attacca, which sold millions of copies in their home of South Korea.
Photo credit (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )
8. Justin Bieber
Bieber dropped his sixth studio album Justice in 2021 as the record had a stunning six singles which all charted in the top-20 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Photo credit (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
7. Billie Eilish
Eilish’s second album Happier Than Ever landed on the number one spot on charts in 25 different countries. With numerous number one singles, it’s easy to understand why she ended up as one of the top artists in 2021.
Photo credit (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for U.N. World Food Programme)
6. The Weeknd
The Weeknd didn’t release an album in 2021, but was still riding the massive success of his 2020 record After Hours. As you may remember, he kicked off 2021 with a legendary Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.
Photo credit (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images )
5. Ed Sheeran
Sheeran returned with his first new album in years as = became an immediate hit. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and became the second best-selling album of the year in Sheeran’s home of the UK.
Photo credit (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
4. Drake
Drake’s sixth album Certified Lover Boy arrived in 2021 and set the record for the largest opening week for an album in the US. The record debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and gave Drake his tenth number one album.
Photo credit (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images )
3. Adele
At long last Adele finally returned with a new studio album as 30 was an international sensation. The album was the best-selling record of the year and topped the charts in over 25 countries.
Photo credit (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame )
2. Taylor Swift
Swift surprised fans by dropping two re-recorded versions of her classic albums. Both Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and Red (Taylor’s Version) were chart toppers in 2021 and became some of the best-selling albums of the year.
Photo credit (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for MRC)
1. BTS
BTS dominated 2021, and that may be an understatement. For the second year in a row, BTS earned the top spot on the list as their singles “Butter,” “Permission to Dance,” and “My Universe” topped charts across the world.
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Featured Image Photo Credit: Drake (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Atlantic Records)/BTS (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)/Adele (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images )
