On Monday, 26 February, British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran was named the world’s best-selling artist of 2017.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in a statement has named Ed Sheeran as the world’s best-selling recording artist of 2017, “reflecting the unparalleled, record-breaking success of his third studio album ÷ (Divide) and its singles including the global smashes [sic] Shape of You, Castle on the Hill, Galway Girl and Perfect.”
According to IFPI, Divide, which was released in March 2017, was the global best-selling album of last year and has been certified as multi-Platinum in 36 markets. Shape of You, the best-selling single globally of 2017, has been certified as multi-Platinum in 32 markets.
The IFPI said it was the first time that a recording artist has had both the best-selling album and single of the year. “Being crowned the biggest star in the world, with the biggest song and biggest album, is the result of years of ambition, creativity, and hard work on a global scale,” said Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music for Warner Music Group & Chairman and CEO of Warner Music UK. “Ed is truly an incredible songwriter, vocalist and performer, whose ability to tell stories and make people feel is what stands him out from the crowd. He’s always had a totally authentic connection with his fans, something he places over everything else,” he added.
Drake followed in second place, with his album ‘More Life’, after taking the top spot in 2016.
‘Reputation’, Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album, which was released in November 2017, could only get the artist third place.
Here are the top 10 Global Recording Artists of 2017 (source: IFPI)
1 Ed Sheeran
2 Drake
3 Taylor Swift
4 Kendrick Lamar
5 Eminem
6 Bruno Mars
7 The Weeknd
8 Imagine Dragons
9 Linkin Park
10 The Chainsmokers
Previous Winners
2016 Drake
2015 Adele
2014 Taylor Swift
2013 One Direction
You can listen to “Shape of You” once again here:
