It's official: Taylor Swift is once again the best-selling artist on the planet.
The pop superstar is crowned IFPI's 2023 Global Recording Artist of the Year, an accolade that recognizes the top artist in physical sales, downloads and streaming.
K-pop's dominance is evident, as four acts from the genre crack the IFPI top 10: SEVENTEEN (No. 2), Stray Kids (No. 3), TOMORROW X TOGETHER (No. 7) and NewJeans (No. 8). Also, IVE and NCT Dream make their first appearances on the IFPI Global Artist Chart Top 20, at No. 12 and No. 15, respectively.
However, it's Swift who gets the headlines and the glory.
And, as she tends to do, Swift is making history by becoming the first female artist to top the IFPI rankings four times — in 2014, 2019, 2022 and now 2023.
According to the trade body, the artist award and chart is the first and only ranking that accurately captures artists' popularity on streaming channels alongside digital and physical album and single sales on a global basis, throughout the calendar year.
Swifties took their hero to a 'stellar year' during which he set charts alight around the world with her Midnight LP and his “Taylor's Version” releases Speak now and 1989 LPs. Also, her record The Eras Tourwhich is currently midway through its seven-leg tour in Australia, has helped “increase engagement with its entire catalog on streaming platforms around the world,” a statement said.
This “phenomenon,” IFPI notes, was demonstrated by the second life given to “Cruel Summer,” which originally dropped with 2019 Lover but he flew up the charts as he toured the world.
“We're very proud to present the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year award to Taylor Swift for the fourth time, as she continues to redefine the boundaries of global success,” comments Lewis Morrison, director of charts and certifications at the IFPI. Swift “is a unique talent and her commitment to her art and her fans is truly amazing.”
Now in its 11th year, the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year Award is presented to the leader of the IFPI Global Artist Chart, also released today.
The Top 20 IFPI Global Recording Artist Chart 2023
1 — Taylor Swift
2 — SEVENTEEN
3 — Stray children
4 — Drake
5 — The Weeknd
6 — Morgan Wallen
7 — TOMORROW X TOGETHER
8 — NewJeans
9 — Bad Bunny
10 — Lana Del Rey
11 — Ed Sheeran
12 — IV
13 — SZA
14 — Eminem
15 — NCT DREAM
16 — Zach Bryan
17 — Travis Scott
18 — Kanye West
19 — Post Malone
20 — King and Prince
Previous IFPI Global Recording Artist Chart No. 1 Artists
2022 – Taylor Swift
2021 – BTS
2020 — BTS
2019 – Taylor Swift
2018 – Drake
2017 – Ed Sheeran
2016 – Drake
2015 – Adele
2014 – Taylor Swift
2013 — One Direction
