Spotify’s Top 5 Most Streamed Artists of All Time

Most of the online lists that sum up the best and top artists base their prejudices on likeability or fame. But when it comes to the most streamed artist on Spotify, the data is concise. Whoever is best or just overrated all goes down to this list.

Spotify has released its rankings of the most streamed artists on their platform, based on a combination of streams from tracks available in their Albums, Singles, and Compilations sections. This ‘Lead streams’ metric offers an enlightening insight into the most famous musicians worldwide and provides streaming giants such as Spotify with valuable data. 

The music platform has data showing it to be one of the leading sources for listening to music worldwide. Now experts have released statistics revealing who the most streamed artist on Spotify is – and some may be surprised by who holds this title! Read on for details of who makes up the top 5 list of Spotify’s most listened-to artists.

The 5 Most Streamed Artists of All Time

Photo Credit: IMDB.com

#5 The Weekend – 38.2 billion streams

Canadian singer The Weeknd was one of the most streamed artists on Spotify. He stands out for the unique and often dark lyrics in his music. He has released five studio albums and three mixtapes over the course of his career, all of which showcase his immense technical brilliance. His nods towards the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson, are clearly evident throughout his discography.

#4 Taylor Swift – 38.8 billion streams

Taylor Swift performs during the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., December 13, 2019. Picture taken December 13, 2019. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

Taylor Swift is undeniably a significant influence on the music scene. A certified darling, many have compared her to Bruce Springsteen in terms of her impact and influence on people’s perception of the genre. Her lyrics draw heavily from her own personal experiences and observations. These make them relatable to many around the world. 

Also, this has earned her legions of fans who eagerly search for the ‘easter eggs‘ she includes in her songs and music videos, leading to intense discussion and debate about their cryptic meanings. Undoubtedly, Taylor Swift continues to be an icon for modern country music fans everywhere.

#3 Ed Sheeran – 39.8 billion streams

Are we all excited about 2023 then?

📸 Zakary Walters pic.twitter.com/LYnhDKDSd0

— Ed Sheeran HQ (@edsheeran) January 7, 2023

Ed Sheeran’s incredible achievements throughout his career have earned him the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and the title of most streamed artist on Spotify for the decade. His songs, such as “Shape of You” and “Perfect” are considered worldwide hits with their soft rock and folk-pop style. 

Impressively, his songs regularly break records, cementing his influence in the music industry. In addition, Sheeran is also actively involved in charity campaigns, making him truly deserving of recognition among the most influential artists today.

#2 Bad Bunny – 48.7 billion streams

Bad Bunny (@SanBenito) is the first Latin artist in HISTORY to rank #1 on both Billboard’s year-end charts for artist and album. pic.twitter.com/fcCVV4R4jS

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 1, 2022

Bad Bunny is a rising star in the music industry. Starting his career in 2013, he quickly made waves with his unique reggaeton and Latin trap style. His distinctive lyrics tackled a wide range of topics – from heartbreak to humor to LGBTQ acceptance. In addition, it earned him many listeners, and he now holds the runner-up spot as the most streamed artist on Spotify. 

Moreover, he also earned Grammy nominations and won last year. Despite his public persona, Bad Bunny has said he prefers more low-key settings and was even surprised at the speed of his success. It’s no doubt that this musician will continue to go far.

#1 Drake – 53.5 billion streams

Photo Credit: IMDB.com

Drake has come a long way since his first public appearance more than 20 years ago. His journey to becoming the most streamed artist on Spotify certainly didn’t happen by accident, as Drake worked tirelessly and dedicatedly over the years to win the hearts of fans worldwide by constantly improving the quality of his music. 

He began with an unmistakable focus on R&B and hip-hop genres, showcasing his own style of synchronizing his lyrics with hip-hop instrumentals. Recently, Drake has begun incorporating pop and trap influences which have rubbed off well among fans and contributed to his overall success. His hard work and talent have placed him on the Richest Rappers of All Time list.

Top 10 Most Streamed Artists on Spotify

Spotify's most-streamed artists of all-time:

1. Drake
2. Bad Bunny
3. Ed Sheeran
4. Taylor Swift
5. The Weeknd pic.twitter.com/pHoVuGJGxJ

— Boardroom (@boardroom) January 6, 2023

To complete the list, here are the top 10 artists who made it to Spotify’s most streamed artists. This list also shows their record-breaking number of streams.

1. Drake – 53.5 billion
2. Bad Bunny – 48.7 bilion
3. Ed Sheeran – 39.8 billion
4. Taylor Swift – 38.8 billion
5. The Weeknd – 38.2 billion
6. Justin Bieber – 34.2 billion
7. Ariana Grande – 34 billion
8. Eminem – 32.5 illion
9. Post Malone – 31.1 billion
10. BTS – 30.6 billion

We all know Spotify is one of, if not the, most popular streaming services, with a vast catalog of songs to choose from. It’s no surprise that they have some of the most streamed artists of all time. Some of these artists are Drake, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, etc.  If you’re unfamiliar with these artists, maybe it’s time to start listening to them.