In 2024, Taylor Swift was recognized as the world's top-selling artist, achieving 5.6 million sales of her album The Tortured Poets Department, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). This marks Swift's fifth time receiving this accolade, a record for the organization, and her third consecutive year at the top. Previously, she was honored in 2014, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Canadian rapper Drake secured the second position on the global artist chart for 2024, having been the fourth biggest artist in the previous year. Swift's album not only topped the overall global sales chart but also led in categories for global vinyl, streaming, and album sales. The album's success was bolstered by Swift's Eras Tour, which became the first tour to surpass $1 billion in revenue, significantly increasing interest in her earlier works.
The resurgence of Swift's past albums, including 1989 (Taylor's Version) and Midnights, contributed to their strong performance on the IFPI's global vinyl album chart. IFPI chief executive Victoria Oakley remarked on the exceptional connection fans have with Swift's music catalog.
The top ten global artists of 2024, based on a comprehensive evaluation of sales across all formats, include:
- Taylor Swift
- Drake
- Seventeen
- Billie Eilish
- Stray Kids
- Zach Bryan
- The Weeknd
- Eminem
- Kendrick Lamar
- Sabrina Carpenter
This year also saw new entries in the top charts, with Zach Bryan and Sabrina Carpenter making their debuts in the top ten global recording artist rankings. K-pop continued to dominate in global album sales, reflecting its ongoing popularity.