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Spotify Year in Music 2015: Ed Sheeran, Drake, Rihanna and Justin Bieber named most popular artists

Justin Bieber racked up the most streams in a single day on 13 November

Jess Denham
Tuesday 01 December 2015 10:45 GMT
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Ed Sheeran is officially the most streamed artist on Spotify of all-time
Ed Sheeran is officially the most streamed artist on Spotify of all-time (Drake/YouTube)

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Spotify has released its annual Year in Music top lists, seeing Drake dominate without even having released an album.

Drake topped the Global Artist list thanks to a prolific year in terms of mixtapes, releasing the barnstorming 'If You're Reading This It's Too Late' and then the Future collab 'What A Time To Be Alive' just months later.

Over 75 million listeners enjoyed 20 billion hours of music on the streaming service in the last 12 months, with more than 2 billion playlists created.

Sheeran takes the title of most streamed artist of all time and most streamed UK artist of the year, with more than 3 billion streams to his name to date. He takes the top slot from Eminem.

Drake is the world’s most streamed artist of 2015 with over 1.8 billion streams, while Rihanna is the most streamed female of the year.

Justin Bieber earned the most streams in a single day, racking up 36 million on 13 November, before breaking the record for the most album streams in a single week with more than 205 million for Purpose.

“Lean On” by Major Lazer ft. MO and DJ Snake was the most streamed song of 2015, with Spotify users clicking play over 540 million times. The clubbing hit is now also the most streamed song of all time on Spotify.

The Weekend take most streamed album of the year with Beauty Behind the Madness, while Kygo is named breakout artist after reaching one billion streams with popular tracks including “Firestone” and “Stole the Show”.

Spotify's Year in Music

Top 5 Global Artists (also Top 5 Male Artists)

Drake

Ed Sheeran

The Weeknd

Maroon 5

Kanye West

Top 5 Global Female Artists

Rihanna

Ariana Grande

Nicki Minaj

Beyoncé

Ellie Goulding

Top 5 Global Tracks

“Lean On” (feat. MØ & DJ Snake) – Major Lazer

“Cheerleader”– Felix Jaehn Remix Radio Edit – OMI

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson

“See You Again” (feat. Charlie Puth) – Wiz Khalifa

“Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding

Top 5 Global Albums

Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd

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

Peace Is The Mission – Major Lazer

Stories – Avicii

Title – Meghan Trainor

Top 5 Global Viral Tracks

“Sugar” (feat. Francesco Yates) – Robin Schulz

“Hotline Bling” – Drake

“Ain't Nobody” – Felix Jaehn

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

“Here” – Alessia Cara

Top 5 Global Playlists

Today’s Top Hits

Afternoon Acoustic

Baila Reggaeton

Hot Country

RapCaviar

Top 5 Artists in the UK

Ed Sheeran

The Weeknd

Drake

Sam Smith

Kanye West

Top 5 Females in the UK

Rihanna

Beyoncé

Ellie Goulding

Nicki Minaj

Sia

Top 5 Tracks in the UK

“Cheerleader” (Felix Jaehn Remix) – OMI

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson

“Lean On” (feat. MØ & DJ Snake) – Major Lazer

“Take Me To Church” - Hozier

“See You Again” (feat. Charlie Puth) – Wiz Khalifa

Top 5 Albums in the UK

Beauty Behind The Madness – The Weeknd

Chaos and the Calm – James Bay

Communion – Years & Years

Peace Is The Mission – Major Lazer

Me 4 U – OMI

Top 5 Viral Tracks in the UK

"Talk To Me" – Nick Brewer

"Queen’s Speech 4" – Lady Leshurr

"Can’t Feel My Face" – The Weeknd

"Hotline Bling" - Drake

"What’s A Girl To Do" – Fatima Yamaha

Top 5 Playlists in the UK

Hot Hits UK

Topsify UK Top 40

Today’s Top Hits

Afternoon Acoustic

Feelin’ Good

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