Drake named Global Recording Artist of 2018 by IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide. Drake has been named the world’s best-selling recording artist of 2018, following the global success of his fifth album Scorpion, including tracks God’s Plan, Nice for What and In My Feelings. Drake is the only artist to ever hold this title multiple times, with his first being in 2016.
Released in June 2018, Drake’s 25-track double album broke multiple global records in its first week of release. Scorpion was the first album to reach one billion streams across all platforms worldwide and according to Apple Music, the album reached number one in 92 countries. Prior to the release of Scorpion, album track God’s Plan, released in January, broke first-day streaming records on Spotify and Apple with over 14 million streams.
Drake is the recipient of the sixth IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year Award. Previous recipients of this award are One Direction (2013), Taylor Swift (2014), Adele (2015), Drake (2016) and Ed Sheeran (2017).
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.
“This year’s Top Ten 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.”
Top 10 Global Recording Artists of 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
(source: IFPI)
