Taylor Swift Crowned IFPI’s Global Recording Artist for a Record Fifth Time

It’s official: Taylor Swift dominated 2024, and the rest of us were just along for the ride.

Swift has made history yet again, securing the IFPI’s Global Recording Artist of the Year title for the fifth time—and for the third consecutive year. This recognition, which measures physical sales, digital downloads, and streaming worldwide, cements her as the top-selling recording artist on the planet.

Breaking Records, Again

Announced on February 18, Swift claimed the No. 1 spot, finishing ahead of Drake and SEVENTEEN, who landed in second and third place, respectively.

This win follows her previous victories in 2014, 2019, 2022, and 2023, making her the most decorated artist in IFPI history. Only two other acts—Drake (2016, 2018) and BTS (2020, 2021)—have topped the chart multiple times, but no one comes close to Swift’s five-time reign.

The IFPI’s Global Recording Artist Chart is the only ranking that accurately reflects an artist’s success across streaming platforms, digital downloads, and physical sales worldwide, making Swift’s achievement even more remarkable.

Swift Sweeps IFPI’s Global Charts

As if claiming the top artist title wasn’t enough, Swift also dominated multiple IFPI year-end charts, thanks to her record-breaking album, The Tortured Poets Department. She topped:

• Global Album Chart

• Global Vinyl Album Chart

• Global Streaming Album Chart

• Global Album Sales Chart

“We are immensely proud to award Taylor Swift the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year Award for the fifth time, as she continues to redefine the limits of global success,” said Victoria Oakley, CEO of IFPI. “This has been a huge year for Taylor, and it has been incredible to see the extent to which fans all over the world are connecting with her superb catalog of music.”

The Taylor Swift Effect

Swift’s record-shattering Eras Tour didn’t just fill stadiums—it boosted local economies, inspired college courses, and even led to a spike in her entire music catalog’s streaming numbers. Analysts have coined this phenomenon “The Taylor Swift Effect”, highlighting her unparalleled cultural and economic impact.

That influence is reflected in the IFPI’s charts, where even her older albums saw a resurgence. The 2024 Global Vinyl Album Chart featured:

• 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (2023)

• Midnights (2022)

• folklore (2020)

• evermore (2020)

• Lover (2019)

Other Notable Chart Movements

Beyond Swift’s domination, the IFPI Global Recording Artist Chart saw fresh faces and major comebacks:

• Zach Bryan and Sabrina Carpenter cracked the top 10 for the first time.

• Noah Kahan, Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, and Teddy Swims made their debuts on the Global Streaming Album Chart.

• K-Pop remained a global powerhouse, with acts like Stray Kids and ENHYPEN ranking high.

• Chinese artist Zhou Shen and Japan’s Snow Man made an impact on the Global Album Sales Chart.

Top 20 IFPI Global Recording Artist Chart 2024:

O A

See Full Bio