Ed Sheeran officially named best selling global recording artist of 2017
IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, has named Ed Sheeran as the world’s best-selling recording artist of 2017. His (Divide) album released in March 2017 was…
IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, has named Ed Sheeran as the world’s best-selling recording artist of 2017.
His ÷ (Divide) album released in March 2017 was the best selling album around the world, certified multi-platinum in 36 markets.
It topped the charts in 14 countries, including the United States, Australia and Canada, and set a new record in the UK for fastest selling album by a male artist when it shifted 672,000 units in its first week.
In Australia, the album debuted at #1 with a double platinum certification in its first week, selling 97,014 copies.
In the US, where it also arrived at top spot, it sold 451,000 first week.
Worldwide, on the day of its release, the tracks of the album achieved a total of 56.73 million streams on Spotify in a single day, breaking the previous record of 29 million for Starboy by The Weeknd in November 2016.
In addition IFPI also declared ‘Shape Of You’ best-selling single globally of 2017, certified multi-platinum in 32 markets.
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
On its first day of release, ‘Shape Of You’ generated 10.12 million streams on Spotify, setting a new milestone on that platform.
IFPI noted it is the first time that the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year has had both the best-selling album and single of the year.
IFPI chief executive, Frances Moore, comments: "The success Ed has achieved is astonishing and testament to his ability to write and perform songs that connect with a truly global fanbase.”
Sheeran is the fifth recipient of the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year Award.
It reflects an artist’s worldwide success across digital and physical music formats, from streams to vinyl.
Previous recipients are One Direction (2013), Taylor Swift (2014), Adele (2015) and Drake (2016).
Max Lousada, CEO of Recorded Music for Warner Music Group & chairman and CEO of Warner Music UK, Sheeran’s record label, says: "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.
“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.”
Top 10 Global Recording Artists of 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
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Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
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