
“This year’s Top Ten artists reflect the global appeal of music. 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.”
South Korean seven-piece boyband BTS take second place on IFPI’s list after the massive global success of album LOVE YOURSELF 轉 Tear, released in May 2018, and LOVE YOURSELF 結 Answer, released in August 2018. Since their formation in 2013, BTS have established a truly global fanbase – known as the ARMY – and have been instrumental in bringing K-Pop to a global stage.
The independently verified IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year chart includes sales of albums – across digital, CD and vinyl formats; singles, both downloaded and physical; and streams across the calendar year. The chart includes all the music of each artist featured, not just one track or album. It uses album equivalent units to combine measurements of downloads, physical sales and streams.
Sources:
IFPI_org,
IFPIi think they're the first non-English act in the top ten