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Taylor Swift named 2019’s best-selling global recording artist by IFPI

Posted March 3, 2020 by Quentin Burgess

IFPI, the organization representing the recorded music industry worldwide, announced their Top 10 Global Recording Artist Chart yesterday. Taylor Swift has been recognized with the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year Award, as the world’s best-selling recording artist of 2019. The Award and the Top 10 chart is the only ranking to accurately measure music consumption across all formats (including streaming channels, digital and physical album and singles sales), and across all countries. It is weighted based on the relative value of each method of consumption.

Swift released her seventh studio album, Lover, in August 2019, which debuted at number one in more than 10 countries, including Canada. The album reached three million album-equivalent sales worldwide by the end of its first week of release.

“Taylor Swift is the epitome of a truly global star,” said Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI. “She continues to grow as an artist and maintains an incredibly strong connection with her fanbase, whilst continuing to evolve her sound with each album. It is a pleasure to be able to present her with the Global Recording Artist of the Year award for the second time.”

Swift was previously recognized with the Award in 2014. She joins Drake as the only two artists to earn the recognition multiple times. The Canadian rapper topped the chart in 2016 and 2018. Drake placed 8th on this year’s chart, marking five consecutive years that he has been in the Top 10.

“The ‘top ten’ showcases some of the brightest and most talented artists from around the world, from newer stars, such as Billie Eilish and BTS, to legacy acts like The Beatles and Queen,” added Moore. “This range demonstrates how people’s love of music can be continually ignited by new and diverse artists and yet endures across decades. I congratulate all the artists in the chart.”

The full Top 10 list, which was counted down by the IFPI on social media, is available below.

Top 10 Global Recording Artists 2019

1	Taylor Swift
2	Ed Sheeran
3	Post Malone
4	Billie Eilish
5	Queen
6	Ariana Grande
7	BTS
8	Drake
9	Lady Gaga
10	The Beatles

Source: IFPI

Categories: Industry News
Tags: Drake., Frances Moore, Global Artist of the Year, IFPI, Taylor Swift

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Drake named 2018’s best-selling global recording artist by IFPI

Posted February 26, 2019 by Bram Gonshor

The IFPI revealed their Top 10 Global Recording Artist Chart today, naming Drake as the world’s best-selling artist of 2018. The Toronto hip hop sensation is the sixth recipient of the IFPI Global Recording Artist Award, and the only artist to ever hold this title multiple times, with his first being in 2016.

Drake earned the top spot following the global success of his fifth album Scorpion, which was officially certified Double Platinum in Canada in July 2018, and includes the hits “God’s Plan” (8x Platinum), “In My Feelings (5x Platinum), “Nice For What” (4x Platinum). The 25-track double album broke multiple global records in its first week of release, including being the first album to reach one billion streams across all platforms worldwide.

“Drake has had an incredible, record-breaking year, one that is more than worthy of the title of Global Recording Artist of the Year,” says Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI. “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.”

Drake is the only Canadian artist to receive the prestigious award, with previous recipients including One Direction (2013), Taylor Swift (2014), Adele (2015), and Ed Sheeran (2017), who remains on this year’s list at number 3.

“This year’s Top Ten artists reflect the global appeal of music” Moore continues. “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.”

The full Top 10 list, which was counted down by the IFPI on Twitter, is now available below.

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

Categories: Industry News
Tags: Drake., Global Artist of the Year, IFPI

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Ed Sheeran named 2017’s best-selling global recording artist by IFPI, as Canadians Drake and The Weeknd return to Top 10

Posted February 26, 2018 by Quentin Burgess

IFPI Global Award – Ed Sheeran
Photo Credit: John Marshall – JM Enternational

The IFPI revealed their Top 10 Global Recording Artist Chart today, naming Ed Sheeran as the world’s best-selling artist of 2017. Sheeran is the fifth recipient of the IFPI Global Recording Artist Award, which recognizes an artist’s international success across physical and digital formats.

Sheeran earned the top spot due to his worldwide success of his album ÷ (Divide) and its multiple hit singles including Shape of You, Castle On The Hill, and Galway Girl. The best-selling album topped the charts in 31 countries and was certified multi-Platinum in 34 markets, including Canada, where it was certified Six Times Platinum. Sheeran also had the world’s best-selling single, as Shape of You topped the charts in 25 countries, and was certified multi-Platinum in 24 markets, including Canada, where it reached Diamond status. That marks the first time that the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year 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. Congrats also to Stuart Camp, the Atlantic teams in the UK and US, and everyone at Warner who contributed to Ed’s amazing success story.”

Ed Sheeran presented with multiple award plaques for the album and its singles by Warner Music Canada.

“It’s wonderful to be able to announce Ed Sheeran as the IFPI Global Recording Artist 2017,” said IFPI chief executive, Frances Moore. “The success Ed has achieved is astonishing and testament to his ability to write and perform songs that connect with a truly global fanbase.”

Drake, who received the Global Artist Award in 2016, placed second on the chart this year. His mix tape More Life broke streaming records, including most first-day streams for an album on Spotify, and most streams in a 24 hour period on Apple Music. Fellow Canadian The Weeknd placed 7^th on the chart this year, climbing up from the 10^th position on the chart in 2016. Both Drake and The Weeknd have now placed in the Top 10 on this chart for three consecutive years.

“This year’s Global Top 10 really is a ‘who’s who’ of popular music,” continued Moore. “Each artist has a unique impact on the music industry through the talent and energy they are channelling through their work. I congratulate them all for such a successful year.”

The full Top 10 list, which was counted down by the IFPI on Twitter, is now available below.

Top 10 Global Recording Artists 2017

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

Categories: Industry News
Tags: Drake., Ed Sheeran, Global Artist of the Year, IFPI, The Weeknd

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Drake named IFPI’s Global Recording Artist of the Year as fellow Canadians Justin Bieber and The Weeknd reach the Top 10

Posted February 8, 2017 by Bram Gonshor

Today, the IFPI announced that Toronto hip hop artist Drake is the recipient of the IFPI 2016 Global Artist of the Year Award, which recognizes an artist’s worldwide success across physical and digital formats, including downloads and steams. Drake is the first Canadian to receive the award, and the fourth recipient since its launch in 2013.

Joining Drake in the Top 10 chart are fellow Ontarians Justin Bieber and The Weeknd, who reached #5 and #10, respectively. All three artists also appeared in the 2015 Global Top 10 chart.

“I’m delighted to be able to honour Drake as the IFPI Global Recording Artist 2016,” says IFPI chief executive Frances Moore in a release. “Drake’s phenomenal success reflects how deeply his unique sound appeals to an enormous global audience. The Global Top 10 list features a number of amazing artists, and the variety and vibrancy of their art speaks volumes about the exciting state of music today.”

Drake’s 2016 Double Platinum album Views became the first album to reach one billion streams on Apple Music, while the album’s single and summer smash “One Dance” became the first song to be played one billion times on Spotify. In 2015, Drake appeared at number nine on the list.

Justin Bieber, whose 2015 album Purpose contained multi-Platinum singles like “Sorry,” “Love Yourself,” and “What Do You Mean?” lands in the fifth position, allowing for two Canadian artists to appear in the top five. This is the second consecutive year the Stratford, Ontario native has appeared on the list, after reaching the number four spot in 2015.

Multi-Platinum R&B sensation and Scarborough, Ontario native The Weeknd, who released his Platinum-certified album Starboy in late 2016, was announced as the number ten artist, matching his 2015 position on the chart. While his album JUNO Award winning album Beauty Behind The Madness was released in 2015, The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, continued to see success through the start of 2016 with the album’s singles “Can’t Feel My Face,” “In The Night,” and “The Hills.”

One Direction were the first group to be named Top Artist by IFPI when the list began in 2013, which also included Canadian Michael Bublé in the ninth spot. Taylor Swift earned the award in 2014, and in 2015, IFPI named Adele as the top global recording artist, who appears at number four in 2016.

Click here more for information on IFPI’s results, and view the full list below.

Top 10 Global Recording Artists of 2016

Drake
David Bowie
Coldplay
Adele
Justin Bieber
Twenty One Pilots
Beyoncé
Rihanna
Prince
The Weeknd

Categories: Industry News
Tags: 2016, Drake., Global Artist of the Year, IFPI, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Top Ten Global Recording Artists

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Music Canada Proud to Support 45th Annual JUNO Awards

Posted April 1, 2016 by Siobhan Özege

Music Canada is proud to return as the sponsor of the Album of the Year Award at the 45th Annual JUNO Awards.

“Music Canada is proud to work alongside record labels who invest in great Canadian talent by helping them create an album, develop as artists, and build a passionate fan base. This kind of support gives Canadian artists what it takes to not only break into the international market – but as we saw in 2015 – rule it,” says Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada.

“A strong music industry positions us well on the global stage, builds our brand, and draws the world to our borders through music tourism. A vibrant music sector contributes economically, socially and culturally to local communities and the country at large. There is an incredible depth and diversity for music in Canada – it’s one of our greatest exports.”

This year’s nominees for Album of the Year are:

Drake – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Jean Leloup – A Paradis City
Justin Bieber – Purpose
Shawn Mendes – Handwritten
The Weeknd – Beauty Behind the Madness

The Album of the Year Award will be presented at The 2016 JUNO Awards Broadcast on CTV at The Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Sunday, April 3.

Categories: Industry News, News Release
Tags: Album of the Year, Drake., Jean Leloup, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, The Juno Awards, The Weeknd

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Three Canadian artists included in IFPI’s Top 10 Global Recording Artists 2015 list

Posted February 8, 2016 by Bram Gonshor

International music trade body IFPI has announced their list of 2015’s top global recording artists, and Canadian artists Justin Bieber, Drake, and The Weeknd make up three of the top 10 positions. The multi-Platinum Canadian artists dominated Billboard’s US Hot 100, and charts worldwide, in 2015 with hits like “What Do You Mean?”, “Hotline Bling”, and “I Can’t Feel My Face”. In Canada, Drake’s album If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late and The Weeknd’s Beauty Behind The Madness were certified Platinum, while Justin Bieber’s Purpose was certified Triple Platinum.

UK singer/songwriter Adele was announced as the recipient of 2015’s Global Recording Artist of the Year award, following the success of her chart-topping third album 25. The album’s lead single, “Hello”, was number 1 in more than 30 countries worldwide and has been certified 6X Platinum in Canada since its release. 25 was officially certified Diamond in Canada, selling over 800,000 copies since its November 2015 release.

Adele is the third recipient of the award, which reflects an artist’s worldwide popularity across physical formats, downloads and on-demand streams. Last year’s winner Taylor Swift lands at #3 in 2015, while 2013 winners One Direction move to #5.

The full top 10 list can be viewed below and visit IFPI’s release for more information about the award.

TOP 10 GLOBAL RECORDING ARTISTS 2015

1	Adele
2	Ed Sheeran
3	Taylor Swift
4	Justin Bieber
5	One Direction
6	Coldplay
7	Maroon 5
8	Sam Smith
9	Drake
10	The Weeknd

Categories: Gold/Platinum, Industry News
Tags: Adele, Canadian music, Coldplay, Drake., Ed Sheeran, Global Recording Artist of the Year, IFPI, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Directions, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd

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Canadian artists top Spotify 2015 Year in Music lists

Posted December 2, 2015 by Bram Gonshor

On Monday, streaming service Spotify revealed their 2015 Year in Music top lists, which find Canadian artists Drake, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara and Francesco Yates as some of 2015’s most listened to artists in the world.

Proud Toronto-native Drake was announced as the most streamed artist of 2015 with over 1.8 billion streams this year and 46 million listeners. He takes the title from 2014’s most streamed artist Ed Sheeran, who in 2015 was announced as the most streamed artist of all time.

Drake’s 2015 mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late was the second most-streamed album globally behind Canadian The Weeknd‘s Beauty Behind The Madness. In the US, the order is flipped, with Drake’s album being the most streamed this year. Based on sales numbers, both albums have been certified Platinum in Canada.

On November 13, Justin Bieber released his highly-anticipated album Purpose, which helped the artist set the record for most streams in a single day of all time with 36 million streams.

The #1 most viral track globally belongs to German DJ Robin Schulz for his track “Sugar” which features Canadian labelmate Francesco Yates. Canadians claimed 3 more spots in the top 5 of this list, with Drake’s “Hotline Bling” at #2, The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” at #4 and Alessia Cara’s “Here” at #5.

The full Year in Music top lists can be viewed on Spotify’s blog.

Categories: Digital Services, Industry News
Tags: 2015, Alessia Cara, Canadian artists, Drake., Francesco Yates, Justin Bieber, Spotify, streaming, The Weeknd

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Canadians heat up Top 10 of Billboard’s U.S. Hot 100

Posted November 6, 2015 by Bram Gonshor

Billboard’s U.S. Hot 100 chart was dominated by Canadian artists this week (November 14, 2015), with 6 of the top 10 spots being claimed by some of Canada’s biggest names in 2015.

Current Billboard Magazine cover star Justin Bieber, whose Double Platinum track “What Do You Mean” landed at #5, debuted at #2 this week behind Adele’s “Hello” with “Sorry”.

Toronto-based R&B superstar The Weeknd also has two songs in the Top 10 with “The Hills” at #4 and his summer smash “Can’t Feel My Face” at #10.

Drake‘s “Hotline Bling” came in at #3, while Shawn Mendes‘ “Stitches” is at #6 above tourmate Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams”.

All four of these Universal Music Canada labelmates made headlines last week when they occupied the top 4 spots on the Hot 100.

The Billboard Hot 100 is ranked by radio airplay audience impressions as measured by Nielsen Music, sales data as compiled by Nielsen Music and streaming activity data provided by online music sources.

With Alessia Cara‘s “Here” rising to #15 this week, it’s safe to say we are witnessing one of the most exciting times in Canadian pop music history.

Categories: Gold/Platinum, Industry News
Tags: Alessia Cara, Billboard Hot 100, Drake., Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, The Weeknd

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Polaris Prize Announces 2015 Short List

Posted July 16, 2015 by Bram Gonshor

The Polaris Music Prize, an annual award which honours the year’s best Canadian album, has revealed the short list of nominees for the 2015 award at The Carlu in Toronto. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the prize gala, which will be hosted by beloved children’s entertainer Fred Penner on September 21, 2015 at The Carlu.

In June, Polaris revealed their long list of nominees in Halifax, NS. Both the long and short lists are determined by the Polaris Jury, which consists of 196 members from local and national media who have displayed a passion in their work for discovering and embracing new Canadian music. This year, the winner will be awarded $50,000 with the nine other shortlisted artists receiving a $3,000 prize courtesy of Slaight Music.

The 2015 Polaris short list includes:

Alvvays – Alvvays

BadBadNotGood with Ghostface Killah – Sour Soul

Braids – Deep In The Iris

Caribou – Our Love

Drake – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late

Jennifer Castle – Pink City

Tobias Jesso Jr. – Goon

Buffy Sainte-Marie – Power In The Blood

The New Pornographers – Bill Bruisers

Viet Cong – Viet Cong

In 2014, the Polaris Prize was presented to Tanya Tagaq for her album Animism.

Categories: News Release
Tags: Alvvays, BadBadNotGood, Braids, Buffy Saint-Marie, Caribou, Drake., Fred Penner, Jennifer Castle, Polaris 2015, Polaris Prize, Slaight Music, The New Pornographers, Tobias Jesso Jr, Viet Cong

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Nunavut Throat Singer Tanya Tagaq Wins 2014 Polaris Music Prize

Posted September 23, 2014 by Bram Gonshor

On Monday night, the 2014 Polaris Music Prize was awarded to Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq for her album Animism. Tagaq, who received a standing ovation from the gala attendees following her uplifting performance, was awarded a cash prize of $30,000 for her Polaris win. The winner was decided by a panel of selected music critics and announced during the 9th annual gala event at The Carlu in Toronto, hosted by actor Jay Baruchel.

The evening consisted of performances from 6 of the 10 nominees including Mac Demarco, Basia Bulat, Owen Pallett, Jessy Lanza, Shad and winner Tanya Tagaq. Timber Timbre, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan and Win Butler of Arcade Fire were in attendance but did not perform. Drake, who was nominated for Nothing Was The Same was not able to attend the gala due to a scheduled concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with Lil Wayne.

Music Canada is a proud sponsor of the Polaris Music Prize and would like to congratulate Tanya Tagaq on winning this year’s award, as well as all of the nominees for making the 2014 short list. Photos of the gala can be seen below: